The Great Business Lie!

James Buckley-Thorp

$57.95 $48.95

Paperback

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English

Bloom and Pierce Publishing
30 April 2025

Business ethics; Entrepreneurship; Management decision making

'Written by someone who actually built the businesses, not just blogged about them' - IMPERIAL VENTURE CAPITAL

What if the biggest myth in business is the one we keep building on?

In The Great Business Lie, serial founder James Buckley-Thorp tears into the polished narratives and glossy startup advice fed to entrepreneurs-and reveals the truth behind building something that actually lasts. After creating one of Europe's first B Corp life insurance companies and raising millions in VC funding, he learned the hard way that success isn't just about scaling fast or selling big-it's about building something you believe in.

This isn't theory. It's lived experience. And it's packed with it.

Inside this bold, unfiltered book, you'll find stories from the frontline of British business-from cult startups to household names-and the messy, humble beginnings that built them. You'll meet the founders who made mistakes, defied expectations, and proved there's another way to grow: ethically, profitably, and sustainably.

If you're starting your first venture or scaling your fifth, this book gives you the truth most never hear-and the tools to do it better.

Inside You'll Discover:

How iconic British brands were built from scratch-and what you can steal from their journey Why founders burn out chasing the wrong things (and how to stop yourself doing the same) The shift from ""growth at all costs"" to ""growth that actually means something"" How to lead with values and still attract top investors What today's ethical, profitable, and actually impactful businesses all have in common

Real stories. Big lessons. No BS.

This is the business book for the next generation of founders-those who want more than hype. Those ready to build businesses that are smart, sustainable, and impossible to ignore.

By: James Buckley-Thorp
Imprint: Bloom and Pierce Publishing
Dimensions: Height: 203mm, Width: 127mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 485g
ISBN: 9798231081905
Pages: 496
Publication Date: 30 April 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

James Buckley-Thorp (b. April 1989, Bath, Somerset) is a serial entrepreneur, impact-driven founder and global speaker whose ventures have shaped industries from fashion to fintech. After studying Law at the University of Kent, Canterbury, James defied convention and founded Rupert and Buckley in 2011, an international clothing brand that grew from a single boutique in Bath to a nationwide presence in over 125 locations, including a flagship in Oxford. In 2016, after steering the brand through rapid growth, he successfully exited the business. Fuelled by his family legacy, his great-grandfather once operated coal mines in northern England, James has always been deeply conscious of the balance between commercial success and ethical responsibility. Determined to build ventures that create lasting positive impact, he relocated to London in 2018 to launch Bequest.com, a revolutionary fintech life insurance platform designed to make ethical financial planning accessible and transparent. Under his leadership, Bequest secured over £4 million in venture capital, sold more than £38 million in life insurance policies, and became Europe's first B Corp-certified life insurance provider. Throughout his career, James has raised in excess of £10 million across multiple ventures and is widely recognised for his commitment to combining profit with purpose. In 2024, he was named one of the Gaingels Top 100 VC-Backed Founders Globally, an accolade celebrating founders making waves across technology and impact sectors. A sought-after voice in the start-up world, James regularly speaks across Europe and the USA, sharing candid insights on ethical entrepreneurship, venture building, and scaling with integrity. His perspectives have been featured in numerous publications, inspiring the next generation of founders to blend ambition with conscience.

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The Great Business Lie!

James Buckley-Thorp

$57.95 $48.95

Paperback

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