Creating Social Enterprise: My story and what I learned

by Patrick Nash

Social enterprises are tackling the triple threat of economic stagnation, social division and environmental meltdown.
I became a social entrepreneur in 1980, aged 22 and this is my story of social enterprises I have started-up and led - companies, charities and co-operatives. It's a tale of highs and lows from rapid growth to financial cliff edges. I share mistakes and accidents, successes and failures, risks taken and what I learned.

436 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2023

Reviews

[Katherine Molyneux · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare to find a business book that's actually enjoyable to read - and this is just that. The author's account of his highs and lows while creating social enterprises from whole food distribution to charity helplines and many in between, is engaging, honest, often funny and a great read. The anecdotes are there to illustrate Patrick's journey and his own learning and the narrative moves swiftly.
You don't have to be a entrepreneur in the social enterprise world to enjoy this book. Highly recommend.

[Amanda Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re interested in “business with values”, social enterprise, leadership & creative thinking - this is worth reading. An honest, interesting & sometimes funny account of creating & growing twelve social enterprises from whole foods to charity help lines. Well written & engaging with helpful lessons learned.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I would highly recommend it to any entrepreneur in the social enterprise world, or beyond. It is filled with valuable lessons learned by a very successful business leader. The book is written in a very readable style and engages a reader from the very beginning. The lessons provided in the book will help add to the success of any social enterprise.

[Julia Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a lot out of being coached by Patrick. But until I read his new book I didn't really appreciate just how much he has achieved as a social entrepreneur. If you want to learn about social entrepreneurship, this is a really inspiring, honest read about how do it, how to learn from mistakes, and how to grow - both as a person and as a business leader.

[Tony Dowmunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book, warm honest and intelligent. Social entrepreneurship is not my area of experitse, but I found the mix of autobiography and educational material very compelling. The lessons from the range of experiences in the varied businesses Patrick has been involved with are never narrowly didactic, but always human, honest and engaging.