Log In
Or create an account ->
Imperial Library
Home
About
News
Upload
Forum
Help
Login/SignUp
Index
Cover Page
Unsexy Business
Praise for Unsexy Business
DEDICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Why unsexy is attractive
Why sexy is unattractive
The challenges of unsexy
Meet the gang
1. Employee to entrepreneur
My lightbulb moment
Seriously unsexy business
Learning the ropes
An accidental TV star
A difficult break-up
Hard graft, getting stabbed and fighting back
Success … but then walking away with nothing
2. Get your hands dirty and start small
Meet Mike
Taking the plunge
Rapid expansion
Innovate and accelerate
The value of a cup of coffee
Stars and dogs
Reaping the rewards
3. Turn pennies into pounds
Meet Matt
The turning point
Slow and steady
Stepping up a league
The danger zone
4. Stop emailing and pick up the phone
Meet Lara
Early starts, long days
The legacy of bankruptcy
Taking control
Learning, growing, building
Make or break
It’s tough at the top
Bust to boom
5. Never take no for an answer
Meet Reginald
Getting started
The credit crunch
150 rejections and one yes
Up and running
Taking a step back
6. Your customer is your best teacher
Meet Rami
Humble beginnings
The start of something big
The five principles of business
The power of brands
Partnerships
Looking to the future
7. Don’t innovate, replicate
Meet Thomas
Going it alone
Winging it
Too much too soon?
Making changes
Out of the ashes
Bigger and better
8. Find the thing you were made to do
Meet Harry
Finding the idea
Teething troubles
Focus, focus, focus
The pivot
Pivoting again
Growth spurt
9. Play the long game
Meet Kate
Making her move
It’s a man’s world
Ready for change
Franchising
10. A niche business in a niche industry
Meet Nick
The start of PVL
Biting off more than he could chew
Recruiting in a small world
Expanding the business
Making his move
Looking to the future
11. Find ten ways to be better
Meet Charlie
Organic growth
Taking a tumble
Coming good
Professionalising the industry
Keeping things in-house
12. Coming from America
Meet Martyn
In search of an idea
Pick up the phone
Back to the drawing board
Starting over
Expansion
Narrow and deep
Selling up
13. Change an industry and you can change your fortune
Growth spurt
Take the next exit?
Taking its toll and the danger of stress
From rock bottom to worse
You won’t force me to sell the business
A £33m success
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
PUBLISHING DETAILS
← Prev
Back
Next →
← Prev
Back
Next →