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Dragon Slaying: Succeeding Against the Odds in Life and Business
An inspirational success story that shows how anyone can be a champion, overcome challenges and create a better world for yourself and others
65 Roses and a Defying the Odds in Life and Business, is the extraordinary success story of entrepreneur Rob Law, designer and inventor of Trunki, the award-winning children's ride-on suitcase that's sold millions of units worldwide.
Born with cystic fibrosis, Rob watched his twin sister die from the same illness at sixteen. Told he could not expect to live into his twenties, he made a promise that he was going to defy the odds and live a long and successful life. Despite being humiliated in Dragons Den where his business was described as "worthless", Rob went on to create a new category of consumer product, build a global business brand, become an accomplished athlete, get an MBE from the Queen, bring joy to millions of children all over the world and become a father to three children after being told he would die childless.
After beating overwhelming odds on the road to success in his personal and professional life, Rob wrote this memoir to help anyone facing difficult challenges in life and business. From brand-building and harnessing your creativity to managing a chronic health condition and facing your demons, you'll learn how to defy the odds, follow your passion, keep fighting when experts are telling you to quit and overcome every challenge you face.
65 Roses and a Trunki is a life-affirming book. Drawing on key insights from personal and business psychology, it tells an inspirational story that can be your story too.
65 Roses and a Defying the Odds in Life and Business, is the extraordinary success story of entrepreneur Rob Law, designer and inventor of Trunki, the award-winning children's ride-on suitcase that's sold millions of units worldwide.
Born with cystic fibrosis, Rob watched his twin sister die from the same illness at sixteen. Told he could not expect to live into his twenties, he made a promise that he was going to defy the odds and live a long and successful life. Despite being humiliated in Dragons Den where his business was described as "worthless", Rob went on to create a new category of consumer product, build a global business brand, become an accomplished athlete, get an MBE from the Queen, bring joy to millions of children all over the world and become a father to three children after being told he would die childless.
After beating overwhelming odds on the road to success in his personal and professional life, Rob wrote this memoir to help anyone facing difficult challenges in life and business. From brand-building and harnessing your creativity to managing a chronic health condition and facing your demons, you'll learn how to defy the odds, follow your passion, keep fighting when experts are telling you to quit and overcome every challenge you face.
65 Roses and a Trunki is a life-affirming book. Drawing on key insights from personal and business psychology, it tells an inspirational story that can be your story too.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 5, 2021
Firstly an initial disclosure. A hard copy of this book was a birthday present from my mother and father to honour my birthday. That said, I won't allow this to cloud my judgement and will give an honest opinion.
As the number of years I celebrated was only 32, I remember watching 'Avec famille' Dragons Den on BBC2, where the Trunki had its first debut - little did I know there was so much of a back story.
This book is exceptionally well written and not only covers Rob's tail on the run-up to appear in the Den but includes the first account' war story' of his run-in with Theo.
It doesn't end there. He details how this setback wasn't allowed to ruin everything and turn that knockdown into something positive.
A highly recommended read even if you never tuned into that episode or have never seen a Trunki. However, if you've never seen a Trunki in the wild, I question where you have been living for the past ten years!
As the number of years I celebrated was only 32, I remember watching 'Avec famille' Dragons Den on BBC2, where the Trunki had its first debut - little did I know there was so much of a back story.
This book is exceptionally well written and not only covers Rob's tail on the run-up to appear in the Den but includes the first account' war story' of his run-in with Theo.
It doesn't end there. He details how this setback wasn't allowed to ruin everything and turn that knockdown into something positive.
A highly recommended read even if you never tuned into that episode or have never seen a Trunki. However, if you've never seen a Trunki in the wild, I question where you have been living for the past ten years!
June 5, 2021
On one level this is a remarkable story of entrepreneurship and the power of design; but on another and arguably more important level, it is about the human spirit and what is possible with resilience, courage and dogged determination.
The Trunki ride-on suitcase is a simple idea but like many simple ideas it needed a creative brain to identify the need, create and develop the idea, turn the idea into a manufactured product and then to market and sell it internationally. Rob Law describes this journey very eloquently and intercuts it with how the personal health challenges he continues to battle with have made that journey all the more challenging.
The only reason I’ve gone for 4 rather than 5 stars is that I would have liked to have read more about the design and technical challenges that the Trunki development posed - but that’s just me, and probably a story for a different book!
Thoroughly recommended if you are interested in design, business, entrepreneurship and/or achievement against the odds.
The Trunki ride-on suitcase is a simple idea but like many simple ideas it needed a creative brain to identify the need, create and develop the idea, turn the idea into a manufactured product and then to market and sell it internationally. Rob Law describes this journey very eloquently and intercuts it with how the personal health challenges he continues to battle with have made that journey all the more challenging.
The only reason I’ve gone for 4 rather than 5 stars is that I would have liked to have read more about the design and technical challenges that the Trunki development posed - but that’s just me, and probably a story for a different book!
Thoroughly recommended if you are interested in design, business, entrepreneurship and/or achievement against the odds.
July 21, 2024
4.25*
I really enjoyed this book, his passion for product design and life in general really stands out
The only reason its not 5* is because I find it really annoying when business people ignore legitimate critisisms of capitalism because they themselves dont participate in bad practices (such as explotation and wage theft). I get its a 200pg book but if you want to talk about why people are frustrated and angry at the system, be honest about it and have a nuanced conversation, dont point out 2 examples of billionaires who have chosen to donate money to charity and say hey look the economy needs us, we arent so bad. I did love this book aside from that tho :)
I really enjoyed this book, his passion for product design and life in general really stands out
The only reason its not 5* is because I find it really annoying when business people ignore legitimate critisisms of capitalism because they themselves dont participate in bad practices (such as explotation and wage theft). I get its a 200pg book but if you want to talk about why people are frustrated and angry at the system, be honest about it and have a nuanced conversation, dont point out 2 examples of billionaires who have chosen to donate money to charity and say hey look the economy needs us, we arent so bad. I did love this book aside from that tho :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2021
Rob Law is a fabulous entrepreneur who I have admired from afar since his original appearance on Dragon's Den and I regularly refer to Trunki et al in my business lessons at GCSE and A level. This book provides a behind the scenes look at the challenges Rob has had to face and overcome on his route to success.
Highly recommend for anyone interested in business.
Easy to read.
Highly recommend for anyone interested in business.
Easy to read.
January 9, 2023
#65rosesandatrunki is a brilliant read. Rob has a real knack for quality introspection and his zest for life is contagious even by the medium of text. Such a great example of British design and manufacture by a truly inspirational individual.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews