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Love, Pain & Money: The Making of a Billionaire
JOHN CAUDWELL is one of Britain’s wealthiest, most successful – and most colourful – businessmen.
Born in a terraced house in Stoke-on-Trent, Caudwell went from bullied child to self-made billionaire, befriending Sir Elton John, Eva Longoria, Hugh Grant and Robbie Williams, who have all taken part in his charity balls to raise money for Caudwell Children.
It was at a car auction in 1987, the height of Mrs Thatcher’s booming Britain,that he spotted the future. A mobile phone that came in an unwieldy suitcase. Within two decades Caudwell sold his Phones 4u business for £1.46 billion.
His life story retraces the inspirational journey, from the very shaky beginnings of his phone empire to owning yachts, private planes, a fleet of top flight cars, a Jacobean mansion in the Midlands and London’s most expensive home (featured in a Channel 4 documentary). It’s a fascinating insight into the drive, ambition, focus and vision required to become a billionaire.
But this is more than merely a rags to riches story. Caudwell had to battle endless career misfortunes and overcome a series of personal tragedies to rise to the top.
Love, Pain & Money – The Making of a Billionaire is a tale of our times, full of humour, grit, lessons in business and an understanding of what it takes to succeed against all odds.
Born in a terraced house in Stoke-on-Trent, Caudwell went from bullied child to self-made billionaire, befriending Sir Elton John, Eva Longoria, Hugh Grant and Robbie Williams, who have all taken part in his charity balls to raise money for Caudwell Children.
It was at a car auction in 1987, the height of Mrs Thatcher’s booming Britain,that he spotted the future. A mobile phone that came in an unwieldy suitcase. Within two decades Caudwell sold his Phones 4u business for £1.46 billion.
His life story retraces the inspirational journey, from the very shaky beginnings of his phone empire to owning yachts, private planes, a fleet of top flight cars, a Jacobean mansion in the Midlands and London’s most expensive home (featured in a Channel 4 documentary). It’s a fascinating insight into the drive, ambition, focus and vision required to become a billionaire.
But this is more than merely a rags to riches story. Caudwell had to battle endless career misfortunes and overcome a series of personal tragedies to rise to the top.
Love, Pain & Money – The Making of a Billionaire is a tale of our times, full of humour, grit, lessons in business and an understanding of what it takes to succeed against all odds.
- GenresAudiobook
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2022
12 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 4, 2023
Just want I wanted to read. As a fellow Stokie, I was intrigued to find out how this gentleman life in Stoke, not only became a billionaire but also the founder of a wonderful Children’s charity. Donate if you can !
Brilliant read.
Brilliant read.
January 13, 2023
It’s quite brief on the actual business journey, i.e the details. The transition into successful times is quite fast.
Heavy component of this book leans into personal and emotional aspects of his life.
He did feel the need to often let the reader know his moral reasoning, his justifications on personal decisions, and towards the end the almost testimonial like additions from family members and people that he has helped in life (this felt slightly peculiar and even a tad eerie).
It’s a solid read, but just came away feeling that although he has a moral high regard of himself - it still feels like he is yearning for some sort of validation/approval.
Heavy component of this book leans into personal and emotional aspects of his life.
He did feel the need to often let the reader know his moral reasoning, his justifications on personal decisions, and towards the end the almost testimonial like additions from family members and people that he has helped in life (this felt slightly peculiar and even a tad eerie).
It’s a solid read, but just came away feeling that although he has a moral high regard of himself - it still feels like he is yearning for some sort of validation/approval.
October 31, 2025
Audiobook: interesting and honest look into the life of a billionaire and the first book in my billionaire memoir arc (following my personal development arc).
John Caudwell is definitely a rare kind of person and this has only been confirmed after a recent interview I watched of him. For this reason, how he operates his life doesn’t particularly resonate with me but there are definitely some ideas and values that we both share. For instance the importance of family, attention to detail in order to provide quality and resilience.
On the latter two he never wavered. But in the early-mid parts of his journey he spent so much time building that he appeared to neglect his family. This was a shame to see because you could tell he genuinely thought highly of all of them but it was very clear that they were not his first priority. It is just unfortunate that a man who professed that family was the most important thing didn’t show this in his actions initially.
This changed during the latter parts of the book fortunately when the business side of his life slowed down. In addition, the time and energy he put into charity is commendable.
Regarding his success, he was in the right place right time having had access to the very first commercial mobile phones but he also had many traits that would have led to his success one way or another.
As a narrative this was pretty engaging and I would recommend. 4/5
John Caudwell is definitely a rare kind of person and this has only been confirmed after a recent interview I watched of him. For this reason, how he operates his life doesn’t particularly resonate with me but there are definitely some ideas and values that we both share. For instance the importance of family, attention to detail in order to provide quality and resilience.
On the latter two he never wavered. But in the early-mid parts of his journey he spent so much time building that he appeared to neglect his family. This was a shame to see because you could tell he genuinely thought highly of all of them but it was very clear that they were not his first priority. It is just unfortunate that a man who professed that family was the most important thing didn’t show this in his actions initially.
This changed during the latter parts of the book fortunately when the business side of his life slowed down. In addition, the time and energy he put into charity is commendable.
Regarding his success, he was in the right place right time having had access to the very first commercial mobile phones but he also had many traits that would have led to his success one way or another.
As a narrative this was pretty engaging and I would recommend. 4/5
February 1, 2023
A straight-talking, seemingly honest account of a very well-lived life.
Interesting insight into his childhood traits that appear to have helped him be hugely successful in business, however felt there was something missing when describing his empire Phones4U as the book focussed a lot on family and relationships. Definitely worth reading but if you're after business insights you may be skipping a fair few paragraphs.
Interesting insight into his childhood traits that appear to have helped him be hugely successful in business, however felt there was something missing when describing his empire Phones4U as the book focussed a lot on family and relationships. Definitely worth reading but if you're after business insights you may be skipping a fair few paragraphs.
February 5, 2025
Great book
This book was such a page turner for me. I got everything i was expecting regarding John's rags to riches story and how he built his businesses, but I was blown away by his honesty and life insights that show money is not everything and even with all his money he's had problems just like everyone else. His charity work is inspirational and I would recommend this book to anyone. I've suggested to my wife that she reads it next and she is going to.
This book was such a page turner for me. I got everything i was expecting regarding John's rags to riches story and how he built his businesses, but I was blown away by his honesty and life insights that show money is not everything and even with all his money he's had problems just like everyone else. His charity work is inspirational and I would recommend this book to anyone. I've suggested to my wife that she reads it next and she is going to.
August 21, 2023
This book ticks along nicely, John writes in a very open and down to earth honest way which is refreshing.
I’m a millionaire but not a billionaire which is sadly the difference between him and me! He is a very driven character but somebody I feel that I could trust with my life.
I’m a millionaire but not a billionaire which is sadly the difference between him and me! He is a very driven character but somebody I feel that I could trust with my life.
April 26, 2024
I admire his drive and determination, however I do not agree with some of his ideas and lifestyle. To me, he does not come across as someone I could relate to or admire. Nevertheless, his charity work is commendable.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews