Sara Davies is one of the lesser-known investors of Dragon’s Den, but she’s made a lasting impact on the world of British and international business, particularly in the crafting sector. She has been a groundbreaking figure in business since her university days, and her journey is one that is no less than inspiring.
We Can All Make It recounts the early career and success of entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor Sara Davies. From her early introduction to the family business and time at university, to managing a multi-national company, manufacturing issues and Strictly Come Dancing, this book delves deeply into her personal experiences and hardships, as well as exploring how a successful business can emerge. Packed with anecdotes, tips and advice, as well as her own failures and less profitable ventures, Davies’ insights serve as a beacon to those seeking the dizzying heights of creating their own international business.
Sara Davies is undeniably a powerhouse of British business, made even better by her originally emerging with her arts and crafts venture. Hearing she had her own book was hugely exciting, and once I got my hands on it, I couldn’t put it down. Finishing it in a single day, I really enjoyed Davies’ no-nonsense approach to business and her attitude to success, as well as how she manages her companies. It was reassuring that there are businesspeople who have a genuine care for those in their corporations, and hearing about the deeds that back this up rather than just empty words was lovely to see.
I also really appreciated her honesty and openness around a range of different topics. Whether it’s being a working mother in business, body image, infertility, the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic or even just mistakes and issues faced in her own career, her candidness and willingness to talk so liberally about these topics is nothing short of inspirational. Having such a powerful person within the British manufacturing industries being so honest with what can only be described as hugely difficult but also often taboo issues is a testament to her strength as a businesswoman and her conviction as a mentor to others, directly or indirectly.
Whilst I enjoyed reading every part of this book thoroughly, there wasn’t anything besides Davies’ surprising honesty about issues in her personal life that particularly captivated me. Reading about her careers both on and off TV, motherhood and balancing all of these in such a difficult economic climate was great to hear about and I would definitely recommend this book, but I didn’t end the book with an overwhelming urge to revisit it one day or keep hold of it after I’ve finished it, unlike some of the other titles I have read. It’s a great book and I’m not entirely sure what this is missing or would need to captivate me further, but I doubt I will be reading it again.
If you care at all about the world of British business, or want to learn more about the women driving a new industrial revolution, We Can All Make It is a fantastic way to get started. The book isn’t particularly emergent among the other books available, granted, but it’s one that everyone seeking to become successful in business should pick up, and I’m sure Davies will quickly become one of your role models too.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
We Can All Make It (ISBN: 978-1-7876-3609-5) was published in 2022
