Review: Entrepreneurs write about the journey to the top

HE’S a millionaire by chance rather than design, but it’s refreshing to see a man who has made millions, like Chris Edwards of Poundworld,still get excited over a market stall.

Mr Edwards has written a book on his journey from his roots in market stalls and the fairground, to the owner of a multi-million pound retail empire.

His book, ‘Around a Pound’ was written with the help of biography writer Stafford Hildred, according to the jacket, a former Fleet Street reporter (though it doesn’t say where on Fleet Street).

It begins with a rather rose-tinted look at a supposedly idyllic fairground childhood in Northern England, and various references to Del Boy.

The fun begins once he has launched his first shops, starting in Halifax, and following in Bradford and Barnsley. Mr Edwards’ foray into nightclubs is one of the most intriguing sections of the book – though it seems to skate over some of the darker details in true Northern fashion.

Owning the Birdcage in Leeds before the developers of Trinity Leeds accidentally flooded it, as well as Leeds student staples Space and Rehab, dealing with the police and drug dealers – it’s juicy stuff.

Getting a bit older and turning his attention again to his retail empire that had been steadily growing in the background of the glamorous stuff, his introduction to Poundland’s Simon Heginbotham was a pivotal moment in the development of Poundworld – and its introduction into Far East markets, detailing the journey of growth and the importance of international markets to its growth.

The highlight of the book is Mr Edwards’ honesty when it comes to the world of business. It’s less about talent and more about being in the right place at the right time, he says, and knowing the right people – mainly joiners and electricians, especially when launching your first retail business.

‘Around a Pound’ may not intentionally be acting as a ‘how to’ manual, but it does present the dangers of not being able to switch off from work. Going to work a day after your wedding and never being able to relax are things to regret.

Though it may be anachronistic to say, some of Mr Edwards’ views are old fashioned and should probably should have been deleted in the editing process. A line relating to his wife, upon his parents moving next door to the newlyweds in particular jumped out. He wrote: “She just had a bit of a mood on, as women do from time to time.” Thanks Chris.

The best thing about Around a Pound is that it portrays Chris Edwards as a proper Yorkshireman. He has not lost sight of his roots as a market stall trader, and that is something that not many entrepreneurs of today can boast.

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Another entrepreneur and chairman of communications group Beattie has written a business book, entitled “Thought for the Day” – which does sound like something that would feature at the office of a trendy media company.

Glaswegian ex-journalist Gordon Beattie is the founder of Beattie Communications, which has offices in Scotland, as well as Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham amongst others.

He began his professional life as a trainee reporter in the Wishaw Press before setting up a freelance news agency serving national newspapers, radio and television stations.

Gordon first got involved in PR after a businessman paid him £300 to write a news release. He went on to found creative communications consultancy Beattie, international student recruitment agency 11ten and the Only series of specialist marketing boutiques.

This is Gordon’s second book. His first, entitled The Gift, was co-written by fellow-journalist Terry Houston, about the true story of Scottish girl Marie Queen who became the first blind-from-birth teenager to be given the gift of sight.

Gordon said: “Over the past 30 years we have mounted memorable marketing campaigns for thousands of clients. Every performance is dissected to discover what we could have done better. It’s the wisdom taken from our campaigns that I’m passing on.

“As an agency, we celebrate our successes and learn from our mistakes. Lifelong learning and continuous creative innovation are the two main reasons why our campaigns are so powerful.

“Our agency is in a constant state of evolution and as chairman I see it as my role to pass on knowledge and experience in order to ensure that marketers do not tumble into the same bear pits that I fell into.”