Rebuild by Mary Portas - Book Review
How to thrive in the new kindness economy
(Photo: At the Triodos AGM with Gillian Burke and Mary Portas)
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mary Portas, a well-known businesswoman, retail expert, and author, at the Triodos AGM. She was interviewed by Springwatch's Gillian Burke about 2 of her books "Work Like a Woman: A Manifesto for Change", which is a great source of inspiration for many, and her latest book, "Rebuild," where she talks about how we can create successful businesses that are not just profitable, but also meaningful and fulfilling. Like incognito® anti-mosquito where people actually enjoy coming to work!
(Photo: Mary Portas. Credit by Portas Agency)
Her new book offers an insightful and thought-provoking perspective on the importance of creating businesses that are beautiful, in every sense of the word. Mary believes that beauty is not just about aesthetics, but it's also about creating businesses that are purposeful, ethical, and sustainable e.g. Patagonia®.
Rebuild is divided into three parts, each exploring a different aspect of what makes a business beautiful. The first part is about the importance of purpose. She argues that having a clear purpose is essential for creating a business that is beautiful. It gives meaning to the work that we do and helps us to create something that has a positive impact on the world.
In the second part of the book, Mary talks about the importance of ethics. She says that businesses must be ethical and socially responsible. In a world that is increasingly focused on profit, it's important to remember that we have a responsibility to the wider community and the planet. Suggesting that businesses should have a clear ethical code that guides their actions, and they should be transparent about their practices and policies just like our little natural insect repellent company.
In the final part of the book, Mary Portas talks about the importance of sustainability. She argues that businesses must be sustainable if they are to be truly beautiful. This means thinking about the impact that our businesses have on the environment and taking steps to minimize that impact. It also means thinking about the long-term viability of our businesses and ensuring that they are built to last. This truly is a much-needed future of business.
Throughout the book, Mary Portas provides real-life examples of businesses that embody the principles of beauty, purpose, ethics, and sustainability. These examples illustrate how it's possible to create successful businesses that are also beautiful and meaningful. She highlighted the great Anita Roddick's Bodyshop during her interview. My Co-Founder is & I were fortunate enough to meet Anita and she truly was a force of (good) nature!
(Photo: Mary Portas and Howard Carter – incognito anti-mosquito co-founder and CEO)
In conclusion, Mary Portas' "Rebuild" is a must-read for anyone who wants to create a successful business that is not just about profit, but profitable in every sense of the word! This book offers a powerful and inspiring message that reminds us that we can create businesses that have a positive impact on the world while also being financially successful.
Howard Carter is an incognito® co-founder and CEO
100% natural insect repellents, clinically proven to provide 100% efficacy for over 4 hours. Incognito: stronger for longer.
100% natural insect repellents, clinically proven to provide 100% efficacy for over 4 hours. Incognito: stronger for longer.