Robert Ashton

Robert Ashton is a consultant, speaker and highly respected business author. He has a national reputation as a small business troubleshooter. In recent years he has also become an active and outspoken supporter of the social enterprise movement.

He started his career in sales and marketing, before setting up his own marketing services agency in 1990, and ran that for thirteen years, before selling out in 2003.

His current company Turnpike Farm, now helps small businesses with PR. He also does a great deal of community and pro bono work, including the BBC/Big Lottery Village SOS; working as a trustee of the Norfolk Community Foundation, and acting as a mentor and adviser to Business Link.

He is the author of several very successful business books, including The Life Plan; Teach Yourself Life at 50 for Men; The Entrepreneur’s Book of Checklists and How to Start Your Business for Entrepreneur.

articles

Robert Ashton, author of How to be a Social Entrepreneur, take a look at the Coalition Government's 'Big Society.'

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Don't just make money…make a difference.

As a social entrepreneur, you can build a business that changes the world. But you will face some unique challenges. This book will prepare you for them. 

Packed with advice, inspiration and real-life stories, it will help you:

  • Define what you want to do and why you want to do it
  • Find the right kind of funding
  • Build a brand that makes you unique
  • Find a team as motivated and inspired as you are
  • Measure the impact you're having

How to be a Social Entrepreneur is the only social enterprise start-up guide you'll ever need.

"This is the seminal book on social enterprise"
—Martin Murphy, Network 2012

"An essential read for any aspiring or existing social entrepreneur. Full of practical examples of real life social enterprise scenarios and written in Robert's usual uncomplicated format"
—Marc Davies, Wales Co-operative Centre Limited, walescoop.com

"Social enterprises need social entrepreneurs. This book will help you decide is you've got what it takes to be one"
—Peter Couchman, Chief Executive, Plunkett Foundation, plunkett.co.uk

"This very practical book will guide you as to what it takes to be a social entrepreneur. Enjoy it and then do it!"
—Lord Andrew Mawson OBE, author of The Social Entrepreneur: Making Communities Work, amawsonpartnerships.com

"I was genuinely impressed by how comprehensive it is!"
—Peter Holbrook, CEO, Social Enterprise Coalition, socialenterprise.org.uk

"A treasure trove filled with practical insight and knowledge that will give you the edge to start, grow a sustainable and successful social enterprise"
—Stephen Gyasi-Kwaw, CEO/Founder Youth Enhancement Int.Ghana

"I particularly enjoyed the section on sales, which is a fundamental topic too often neglected"
—Andy Brady, '3rd Sector Futures', Anglia Ruskin University, anglia.ac.uk

Robert Ashton is a leading small business troubleshooter, entertaining small business speaker and the bestselling author of many business books including How to Start a Business for Entrepreneurs, Instant Entrepreneur and The Entrepreneur's Book of Checklists.

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