A Forthcoming Book by Gail Nichols
Every breakthrough begins with the next viable step.
A true story of innovation, resilience, and building what did not yet exist—together with a practical roadmap for moving your own idea from possibility to impact.
Book Cover — Coming Soon
Cover design forthcoming
About the Book
"You do not need to see the entire road ahead. You need to identify and take the next viable step."
— The central premise of the book
A book for anyone who has ever had a bold idea and wondered how to make it real. The Next Viable Step combines a remarkable entrepreneurial story with a practical roadmap for validating, building, financing, and commercializing an innovation — without waiting until you can see the entire path ahead.
Part memoir, part field guide, the book draws on Gail's lived experience co-founding Willow CSN — a company that pioneered home-based work for thousands of people before the world had a name for it. The lessons are real, the setbacks are honest, and the framework is built for the innovator who is ready to move.
The Story Behind the Book
What began as a grocery store venture became something no one had yet imagined. The story of Gail Nichols and Richard Cherry is one of repeated reinvention — and the courage to take the next step without knowing where it would lead.
Historical Photo — Holly Home
Where the journey began
Holly Home Supermarkets
A bold entry into the grocery business that taught Gail and Richard everything about building something from nothing — and what to do when the market shifts beneath you.
Historical Photo — Streakers
Reinvention in motion
Streakers
When one door closed, another opened. Streakers was the pivot that proved a principle: the next viable step is rarely the one you planned.
Historical Photo — Willow CSN
Building what did not yet exist
Willow CSN
A pioneering virtual call-center that created home-based work for thousands of CyberAgents — and was later acquired in a multimillion-dollar transaction. Willow was ahead of its time.
About Gail Nichols
Entrepreneur. Speaker. Author. Innovation Advisor.
Gail Nichols is the co-founder of Willow CSN, a pioneering virtual call-center company that created home-based work opportunities for thousands of people — and was later acquired in a multimillion-dollar transaction.
Today she works as an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and strategic innovation advisor, helping innovators and business owners move from idea to meaningful market impact. Her work is grounded in lived experience: the setbacks, the pivots, and the moments of clarity that come only from having actually built something.
Learn More →Explore the History
The Willow Archive
Willow CSN was ahead of its time. Browse archival photographs, documents, press coverage, and the stories behind the innovation.
Historical Photo
Willow CSN — Early Days
Press Coverage
Media & Recognition
Archival Document
Founding Documents
More Coming Soon — check back as the book launch approaches.
Resources for Innovators
Tools for the Journey
Practical resources for innovators, entrepreneurs, and business owners ready to move from idea to impact.
Innovation Readiness Assessment
Discover where your idea stands and what it needs to move forward. Take Gail's free assessment and get a clear picture of your next viable step.
Practical Resources
Tools, frameworks, and insights from The Next Viable Step. Coming with the book launch — join the list to be the first to access them.
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