Business Nightmares: When Entrepreneurs Hit Crisis Point... [Hardcover]

A valuable check-list of what not to do in business, and how to create plans for worst-case scenarios --Esquire

Elnaugh talks frankly about her fall from grace --Virgin Radio

A warning of the bear traps that wait in line for business owners --Stephanie Welstead, Growing Business magazine

Successful entrepreneurs get it wrong too!

Ex Dragons Den judge, Rachel Elnaugh exclusively uncovers the moments when she and other business personalities hit crisis point. Contains Rachel's truthful account of the much-publicised crash of Red Letter Days. She then boldly interviews business celebrities such as Jeffery Archer, Donald Trump, Stelios, Karan Billamoria, the Innocent boys, Ivan Massow and many more, about their darkest times in business. Business Nightmares exposes, through detailed and insightful profiles how even the mightiest business people were fallible and did not make it plain sailing; that all business go through bad times but can still come out the other side and be hugely successful. The author, Rachel Elnaugh is the epitome of a ‘successful failure’ in that she was running the hugely profitable Red Letter Days, and lost it. Highly exposed in the media due to her celebrity status on the Dragons Den, Rachel became the scapegoat for the crash of this business. For the first time, you can hear Rachel’s side of the story, exclusively and honestly, in Business Nightmares. The book is written in a series of revealing interviews and delves into the darkest business moments of many massive business personalities, divulging what really went wrong, how the events unfolded, how they felt and how they emerged from the crisis and what they learned from their experience.

I have never met a multi-millionaire in my life who hasn't lost everything before. Never. The secret is to never mention it.
Jeffrey Archer

Rachel has been through more than most people in several lifetimes; you can learn a lot from those who have been on a cliff edge. I have great respect for what she has to say.
Simon Woodroffe

Rachel is a survivor who has used each experience as a learning curve. She understands that there is no failure or success, but simply opportunities to grow and learn.
Lynne Franks --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Rachel Elnaugh is one of the UK's most high-profile entrepreneurs. She is well known publicly as the original female dragon, who advised and invested in small businesses on the BBC's popular show Dragons' Den. However, Rachel's name really hit the headlines in 2005, when her business, Red Letter Days spectacularly collapsed. The irony of this business failure was splashed across national newspapers and television. This was an extremely difficult and painful time for Rachel. But, she managed to overcome it and move on. Today she is a successful mentor and consultant to a number of small businesses, as well as being an accomplished business speaker at events across the UK. Most recently, Rachel has drawn upon her experiences to write her amazing new book: Business Nightmares. Rachel lives in Bakewell, Derbyshire with her husband Chris and is a mother to five sons: Mark (12), Paul (9), Eddie (5), Michael (2) and Jack (6 months). Losing Red Letter Days was a nightmare time for Rachel and her family. Not only had she suddenly lost her business and income and was having to cope with the intrusion of reporters outside her house, but she was also seven months pregnant with her fourth child. Both Rachel and her children also endured the humiliation of watching her demise broadcasted on national television. To understand the extent that Rachel's business tragedy affected life for herself and her family, and to learn how she overcame it, read Business Nightmares.