How They Started: How 30 Good Ideas Became Great Businesses
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Review
'I certainly wish we'd had this book when we were starting innocent' --Richard Reed, joint founder, innocent Drinks
'Although in business there is no substitute for making the leap and getting started, there is much to be learned from entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. Live the highs and lows for yourself, but read this book first!' --Lord Bilimoria, founder & Chief Executive of Cobra 'Although in business there is no substitute for making the leap and getting started, there is much to be learned from entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. Live the highs and lows for yourself, but read this book first!' --Lord Bilimoria, founder & Chief Executive of Cobra 'I certainly wish we'd had this book when we were starting innocent' --Richard Reed, joint founder, innocent Drinks
'Although in business there is no substitute for making the leap and getting started, there is much to be learned from entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. Live the highs and lows for yourself, but read this book first!' --Lord Bilimoria, founder & Chief Executive of Cobra
'Although in business there is no substitute for making the leap and getting started, there is much to be learned from entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. Live the highs and lows for yourself, but read this book first!' --Lord Bilimoria, founder & Chief Executive of Cobra 'Although in business there is no substitute for making the leap and getting started, there is much to be learned from entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. Live the highs and lows for yourself, but read this book first!' --Lord Bilimoria, founder & Chief Executive of Cobra 'I certainly wish we'd had this book when we were starting innocent' --Richard Reed, joint founder, innocent Drinks
'Although in business there is no substitute for making the leap and getting started, there is much to be learned from entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. Live the highs and lows for yourself, but read this book first!' --Lord Bilimoria, founder & Chief Executive of Cobra
Book Description
How 30 business ideas made it big
Inside This Book
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I actually felt quite inspired after reading this book. It's so depressing reading how people have made millions from having started with quite a lot of money in the first place, but all these people seem to have done it just by persistence, self-belief and hard work.
Most people don't have a raft of multi-millionaire contacts in their back pocket, they've just got a really good idea and it's the getting started that the most difficult - these people all did it differently, but it's given me renewed hope and another blast of adrenaline.
Most people don't have a raft of multi-millionaire contacts in their back pocket, they've just got a really good idea and it's the getting started that the most difficult - these people all did it differently, but it's given me renewed hope and another blast of adrenaline.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book - especially the chapters on the better known brands like Pizza Express and Cobra Beer. It's really inspiring to find out how these huge businesses started. Inspired me to think more about my dreams to start a business myself. Would agree with the other review though - not all are household names, but the stories are equally as interesting.
I guess the main message of the book is: if you've got an idea, go for it. You never know where it'll lead.
I guess the main message of the book is: if you've got an idea, go for it. You never know where it'll lead.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Persistence is omnipotent, if you overcome the obstacles you will succeed in the end. The quantity of success stories in this book proves this.
It is possible to start with very little and then, through great endeavour, build a successful business.
Unfortunately, I found the book rather boring. You will learn and take away a little from those businesses that are similar to yours (or perhaps what you intend or hope to do), but with 30 chapters covering 30 businesses it becomes a little samey.
There are wise words in the introduction and a fair summary of what you will learn from the book on pages 3-5; the author effectively puts his conclusions at the beginning of the book:
What can we learn from these businesses as a group?
The X Factor - no single X-factor, but a collection of traits which drive people to succeed.
Minimal personal reward initially - most are not able to, or choose not to, take much money from the business at first.
Do what it says on the tin - focus on one idea - normal for startups.
Keep It Simple (Stupid) - stick to your knitting - focus on the one idea - and, of course, your customers.
Work harder than you might think possible - startup entrepreneurs tend to put in a lot of hours.
Keep trying and believing - it takes time - persistence is omnipotent.
Who needs money? - most start with minimal funding.
Ambition - you need passion and commitment to become successful - a desire to earn loads of money will probably not engender sufficient drive for the long-term.
So what? - "they needed extraordinary levels of passion, energy, self belief and stamina, the ability and desire to focus, and a good measure of judgement."
After that, I don't think that the next 235 pages are worth the effort.
It is possible to start with very little and then, through great endeavour, build a successful business.
Unfortunately, I found the book rather boring. You will learn and take away a little from those businesses that are similar to yours (or perhaps what you intend or hope to do), but with 30 chapters covering 30 businesses it becomes a little samey.
There are wise words in the introduction and a fair summary of what you will learn from the book on pages 3-5; the author effectively puts his conclusions at the beginning of the book:
What can we learn from these businesses as a group?
The X Factor - no single X-factor, but a collection of traits which drive people to succeed.
Minimal personal reward initially - most are not able to, or choose not to, take much money from the business at first.
Do what it says on the tin - focus on one idea - normal for startups.
Keep It Simple (Stupid) - stick to your knitting - focus on the one idea - and, of course, your customers.
Work harder than you might think possible - startup entrepreneurs tend to put in a lot of hours.
Keep trying and believing - it takes time - persistence is omnipotent.
Who needs money? - most start with minimal funding.
Ambition - you need passion and commitment to become successful - a desire to earn loads of money will probably not engender sufficient drive for the long-term.
So what? - "they needed extraordinary levels of passion, energy, self belief and stamina, the ability and desire to focus, and a good measure of judgement."
After that, I don't think that the next 235 pages are worth the effort.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Waste of time
Very basic information on the beginnings of 30 companies. Pointless. Bought this for some tips for starting my own cake company. Got none. Waste of money.
Published 1 month ago by Lisa Boodoo
Good content, but sloppy amateur Kindle book makes it hard to read or...
Overall, this book is very good. The stories are interesting and varied - different backgrounds, different businesses, different experiences, different strengths and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by C. G. Fogelberg
Not enough depth.......
I would not recommend the book as it is too superficial and you cannot really learn much from it. The stories are short and do not provide the depth of information really required... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Elodi74
very insightfull
it was a great book. it clearly lays out how each business started wiht all their downfalls
it even tells you the processes they went through but in a neat and consice way. Read more
it even tells you the processes they went through but in a neat and consice way. Read more
Published 13 months ago by hassan
Fantastic Read!
I Highly praise the author of this Book: David Lester. It's Inspirational, and gives practical insight of the ins-& outs of succeeding in business. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sheila Agwa
how famous businesses started
this is fascinating to read how famous companies set up their business, what their strategies were, how they got to where they are now. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by Miriam Bridge
Learn from some successful startups
Cobra Beer, Pizza Express, innocent drinks, moneysupermarket.com - it;s fascinating to read how people have set up their own businesses and gives reassurance that you're not... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2010 by P. Lomax
Start up
A write up about how several business started up.
For me, it lacked sufficient detail and information about the businesses concerned. Read more
For me, it lacked sufficient detail and information about the businesses concerned. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2009 by M. Rewhorn
How They Started by David Lester
How They Started by David Lester - an excellent book; inspiring; well written and worth reading.
Published on 18 Feb 2009 by Mr. E. N. Griffiths
Disappointing
This book provides very little detail about the businesses it talks about.
If you are looking for an inspirational read and more detailed insight into how businesses are... Read more
If you are looking for an inspirational read and more detailed insight into how businesses are... Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2008 by Laurel1
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