Saturday Sept. 5th is Entrepreneurs’ Day in Finland. Entrepreneurs keep Finland’s economy running, so this day of celebration is more than well-deserved. There are over 600,000 businesses operating in Finland. Of these, 96 percent are micro-enterprises, and 72 percent are sole proprietorships. (Sources: Suomen Yrittäjät and Statistics Finland.) In honour of Entrepreneurs’ Day, the library is featuring five books about entrepreneurs and their stories. You can find more inspiring stories on the library’s curated list of recommendations.
| Allis, J. (2020). Accidental entrepreneur, the survivor edition. Wiley.
The Accidental Entrepreneur shares the journey of Janine Allis, founder of Boost Juice, who turned a simple healthy-living idea into a global brand. Blending experiences from business, television, and life, she offers 30 practical strategies on leadership and entrepreneurship. This book provides an honest look at starting a business from scratch, combining real-world lessons with engaging anecdotes. It is both informative and motivating for anyone aiming to create their own success story. |
| Tan, Y. Don’t push too many trolleys: and other tips from navigating life and business. John Wiley & Sons.
Don’t Push Too Many Trolleys is an insightful guide to succeeding in life and business, written by entrepreneur Ying Tan. Drawing on his path from Goldman Sachs executive to founder of a leading UK financial services company, Tan outlines 10 key principles for achieving success and overcoming challenges. The book combines personal stories and business lessons with practical advice on leadership, resilience, happiness, and wealth creation. |
| Rugasira, A. (2014). A good African story: How a small company built a global coffee brand. Vintage Books.
A Good African Story explores the experience of entrepreneur Andrew Rugasira in building Good African Coffee. Through personal insights, Rugasira demonstrates how business and fair trade can empower farmers, improve lives, and create sustainable economic growth. Ideal for readers interested in entrepreneurship, global development, or social impact, this book offers a fresh perspective on Africa’s future and shows how trade and innovation can achieve what traditional aid often cannot. |
| Chouinard, Y. (2006). Let my people go surfing: The education of a reluctant businessman. Penguin Group.
Let My People Go Surfing recounts Yvon Chouinard’s journey in founding Patagonia and how his passion for climbing, adventure, and environmental responsibility shaped a globally respected business. Combining memoir with business insights, the book explores building a company rooted in strong values. Readers gain fresh perspectives on innovation, purpose, and creating positive change through sustainable practices. |
| Knight, P. (2018). Shoe dog: A memoir by the creator of Nike. Simon & Schuster.
Shoe Dog is Phil Knight’s candid memoir on founding Nike and transforming a small start-up into a global brand. He shares the challenges, risks, and setbacks faced along the way, from selling trainers from his car to building a household name. The book offers an unvarnished view of what business success truly requires: persistence, teamwork, and the courage to pursue bold ideas despite uncertainty. |
Copilot Clear Language Agent was used to check the spelling and comprehensibility. Clear Language Agent was created for HAMK by Lotta Linko.
