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Duncan Ridler
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The Failed Entrepreneur
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The Failed Entrepreneur Kindle Edition

by Duncan Ridler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 85 ratings
This is the true story of an ordinary man determined to avoid an ordinary life. His solution? To become an entrepreneur, exploiting a talent for turning almost anything into a business opportunity. However, as each new venture starts to go wrong, success slips away as fast as it arrives. He responds to misfortune with a resilient sense of humour, but is his misfortune self-inflicted? Should we admire his courage and effort or condemn his mistakes?

Narrated with a bittersweet blend of humour and honesty, The Failed Entrepreneur offers a tantalising insight into the entrepreneurial spirit. As you follow the story’s twists and turns, you are drawn into a world of unbearable frustrations and impossible decisions. And you start to realise how perceptions of business failure can influence the way we judge each other. But in a culture that often values winning ahead of trying this is also an optimistic story, and one that could completely change the way you think about success and failure.
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  1. Print length
    281 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    8 Nov. 2013
  5. File size
    694 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0081KRJKK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dreamcatcher Productions
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 8 Nov. 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 694 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 281 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1908886736
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 85 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Duncan Ridler

    Duncan Ridler

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Duncan Ridler (The Failed Entrepreneur) was born in 1971 in the UK. On leaving school, he spent the next fifteen years aspiring to be a successful entrepreneur, living and working in England, Scotland and Portugal. Success came (and went) several times during which he was ostracised, became homeless and lived with a mountain of debt. All until one day, when he realised something important; whenever we do reach that finishing line that promises everything we dreamed of, we find it also comes with a multitude of problems. He now shares his insight into the fickle world of business through his writing and blogs.

    See more on the author's page
  2. The Failed Entrepreneur

    The Failed Entrepreneur

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Duncan Ridler (The Failed Entrepreneur) was born in 1971 in the UK. On leaving school, he spent the next fifteen years aspiring to be a successful entrepreneur, living and working in England, Scotland and Portugal. Success came (and went) several times during which he was ostracised, became homeless and lived with a mountain of debt. All until one day, when he realised something important; whenever we do reach that finishing line that promises everything we dreamed of, we find it also comes with a multitude of problems. He now shares his insight into the fickle world of business through his writing and blogs.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
85 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well worth reading, with one describing it as a lovingly-crafted true story of success. Moreover, the author is honest and well-written, and the book includes lots of humor. Additionally, customers find it inspirational, with one mentioning it provides a real connection with the author's feelings.

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ReadabilityAuthor qualityHumorInspirational contentPacing
16 customers mention ‘Readability’16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, with one describing it as a well-crafted true story of success.

"I thought this book was fantastic and it was one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read...." Read more

"Very enjoyable but must have been a very stressful life. Nice to know they stayed together as a couple through out...." Read more

"...BUT, if you like a well-written, lovingly-crafted true story of success and failure then I think you just might enjoy Duncan Ridler's The Failed..." Read more

"...Something made me buy it, and I'm so glad I did! It's a really good story in itself, and the author has a very refreshing and natural style...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Author quality’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and honest, with one customer noting it's an easy read.

"...What struck me straight away was how engaging and honest the author is...." Read more

"...BUT, if you like a well-written, lovingly-crafted true story of success and failure then I think you just might enjoy Duncan Ridler's The Failed..." Read more

"...It's a really good story in itself, and the author has a very refreshing and natural style...." Read more

"...It's certainly not my usual read. But I couldn't put it down. It's well written and the story line is addictive...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Humor’6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book, with one mentioning both laughter and tears.

"...It is very funny but also very human. What struck me straight away was how engaging and honest the author is...." Read more

"...Duncan takes you on a joy ride through ups and down, laughter and tears...." Read more

"...author has a genuine, never say die attitude, combined with a great sense of humour." Read more

"Very very good book well written with lots of humour which you can relate to if you've ever run your own business what ever the size ,worth the read ." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Inspirational content’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspirational, with one mentioning it serves as a good lesson.

"Offers different perspective, good factual read, good lesson learnt shared" Read more

"Loved this book amd found it very inspirational for myself, as found alot of similarities with my own ventures !" Read more

"A must read. Inspiring and very funny...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Pacing’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one noting its very human approach and another mentioning the real connection with the authors' feelings.

"...It is very funny but also very human. What struck me straight away was how engaging and honest the author is...." Read more

"...More importantly I felt a real connection with the authors feelings. I would love to meet and talk to this guy...." Read more

"Great read, interesting and characterful. Hope he makes it one day or did he already? Possibly a role in dragons den for Duncan?" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Tommy H
    5.0 out of 5 stars I thought this book was fantastic and it was one of the most enjoyable books ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I thought this book was fantastic and it was one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. I read it very quickly and looked forward to my commute so that I could read more. It is very funny but also very human. What struck me straight away was how engaging and honest the author is. His enthusiasm to just run with opportunities and pursue them to their conclusion makes you wish you had similar self-belief. The stress he comes under is also hard to imagine and makes you feel grateful for a quiet life! It's one of those books that changes your outlook and makes you think about what you could do differently.
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  • Eileen Watkin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read if you are not thinking of going into business
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Very enjoyable but must have been a very stressful life. Nice to know they stayed together as a couple through out. I think you have to be very brave to be able to cope with such an unsettled life. Very good read
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  • Kindle Lover
    5.0 out of 5 stars Success and faliure
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Given the stories the in the news at the moment about "Tax evasion" and "Money-grabbing bankers" most people are wary of capitalism right now. And when I saw "Entrepreneur" in the book's title I instantly got that bad taste in my mouth. Fortunately though, this bad feeling was completely unfounded!

    The Failed Entrepreneur is a true story one man's rise to the top and his fall back down to the bottom.

    Now, if you're one of the above mentioned people who think "Down with capitalism", or "Who cares if some bloke lost all his money", then this may not be the book for you. BUT, if you like a well-written, lovingly-crafted true story of success and failure then I think you just might enjoy Duncan Ridler's The Failed Entrepreneur.
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  • RFB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This is a really surprising book; you should get it! I was looking up business tycoon biographies and came across this by accident. Something made me buy it, and I'm so glad I did! It's a really good story in itself, and the author has a very refreshing and natural style. Sometimes the humour is quite dark, but then so are some of the situations he finds himself in. And it's one of those books that stays in your mind when you put it down and after you've finished it. I am recommending it to my friends because I want to discuss it with them when they've read it!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I don't know why I bought this book. It's certainly not my usual read. But I couldn't put it down. It's well written and the story line is addictive. More importantly I felt a real connection with the authors feelings. I would love to meet and talk to this guy. I think he should do after dinner speaking as his next venture. Perhaps he should give talks at schools as an antidote to the usual path they set everyone on.
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  • Philip T King
    4.0 out of 5 stars Offers different perspective, good factual read, good lesson learnt shared
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 June 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Offers different perspective, good factual read, good lesson learnt shared
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  • Brendan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 February 2018
    Verified Purchase
    From the first chapter until the end you are led on a journey of ups and downs. A story that doesn’t disappoint and might inspire you too!
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  • AmAWeeBitOfAPerfectionist
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    easy read. enjoyable.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Samnam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous and heartbreaking!
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 June 2013
    Verified Purchase
    When I got it free for a short time, I thought this would be one of the innumerable substandard books I would have no recollection of the next day. Not only was it sidesplittingly funny, especially in the first half of the book, but rarely do we ever see such amazing commitment to entrepreneurship and it's thrill, in the face of recurrent defeat, such that it derails stability and eventual perceived success. I thought the ending was counterintuitive to the book's refrain and submissive, until I realized it was not fiction. Perhaps a sequel? Nevertheless, a diamond in the rough!
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  • Colin Myles
    4.0 out of 5 stars Inspired,sad,funny and true
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 January 2014
    Verified Purchase
    To paraphrase an old metaphor " the success is in the journey ". And what a journey this is. The only word that comes close to doing justice to Duncan's story is persistence. If you have your heart set on becoming an entrepreneur,then apart from the books on strategies,accounts,sales and marketing, I suggest you make this a priority buy. Because in here is the true MRI scan of the inside of an entrepreneur.
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  • Sendy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hilariously inspiring......
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 March 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It is a must read book for an entrepreneur, in the making and the wanna-bees. It teaches us about accepting failure as just part of life that need not to be feared of, but to be learnt from. The story is well plotted and the fresh humour will tempt you to come to the last page sooner.....
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  • Dave Crisp
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good description of entrepreneurial life
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 July 2013
    Verified Purchase
    You can see the learning curve for someone who starts early and matures in the entrepreneurial path in life - not at all the smoothest way to go.
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