Business Success doesn't come from luck, it comes from practicing good business principles
These principles have been tried and tested over the course of 22 years and have helped thousands of people start successful businesses and achieve self-reliance.
Click on each rule to dive deeper into the Rule of Thumb
Meet the Family
Learn from each person in different stages of their business
See the full list of the Rules of Thumb below
*these are caricatures with fictitious names based on real examples
Meet David: Farmer | Start Now
Farmer
Growing crops in his yard and sells at the local market
Just started with the Academy
Wants to turn this Income Generating Activity into a real business
From Mexico
Meet Julieta: Cafe Owner | Grow Now
Cafe owner
Runs cafe out of her house
Been a member of the Academy for a few months
Wants to pay her own salary with her business
From Philippines
Meet Manuel: Online Retailer | Expand Now
Online Retailer
Runs his business out of a small office
Been a member of the Academy for over a year
Has one employee and wants to expand more
From Bolivia
Meet Marta: Digital Marketer | Prosper Now
Digital Marketer
Has a large office
Been a member of the Academy for 3 years
Has several employees
Wants to use her business to help others
From Brazil
A Start Now Graduate said:
"When I first lost my job I decided that I had to create my own job, but I had no idea how to run a business. When I learned about the rules of thumb I suddenly had a little hope. As I learned about each rule of thumb, I realized just how simple they are and they helped me know how to start my small business. Now my business makes enough money for my family to eat well. I'm very grateful for the Academy for Creating Enterprise and the 25 Rules of Thumb."
Where There Are No Jobs Vol.1: The 25 Rules of Thumb
Where There Are No Jobs Vol.1: 26 Microenterprise Lessons
Where There Are No Jobs Vol.3: Microenterprise Case Studies
Where There Are No Jobs - Vol 2.pdfWhere There Are No Jobs - Vol 1.pdfWhere There Are No Jobs - Vol 3.pdf
About the Academy for Creating Enterprise & the 25 Rules of Thumb
"ACE" strives to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others in developing countries launch and grow successful businesses that lift families out of poverty and put them firmly on the path to self-reliance.
The 25 Rules of Thumb that are explained in this digital handbook are simple, but have stood the test of time. Developed in 1999 when Steve and Bette Gibson founded the Academy for Creating Enterprise in the Philippines, these principles have changed the lives of thousands of people by helping them create jobs where there are none.
The Academy now operates in 8 countries (Philippines, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil). There are currently over 700 support chapters and 42,000 graduates all over the world.
