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Paying It Forward

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What to expect

THE TOP 10 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

* With a Foreword by Sir Bob Geldof *
'Essential: full of heart, honesty, humour and helpful advice' - Sir Richard Curtis CBE
'Josh Littlejohn is a rockstar of social impact' - Irvine Welsh

When Josh Littlejohn started a small sandwich shop in his home city of Edinburgh, he would never have thought that, within ten years' time, it would be frequented by Hollywood megastars, that he would have opened a string of successful cafés across the UK, and that he would be honoured with an MBE by the Queen. Not to mention raising over £25 million to combat homelessness around the world. And all set in motion by a person in a situation of homelessness, named Pete, walking into his café one day and sheepishly asking for a job.

Paying It Forward is part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit. It reveals what social entrepreneurship is and how it can make a difference. How if only 20% of entrepreneurs became social entrepreneurs our world would be in a much better state. How we can 'Calculate Risks', why we should 'Help Just One Person' every day, and that 'If You Don't Ask, You Don't Get'.

The path to being social entrepreneur is never a smooth one: Paying it Forward is the compass for finding your own path and making a difference in the world.

Critics Review

  • ‘Throughout this book, you will be taken on a remarkable journey – a journey that encapsulates the power of entrepreneurship and the indomitable spirit of the human heart … I encourage you to immerse yourself in the pages that follow – to absorb the lessons, insights, and inspiration that Josh so generously shares. May this book ignite a fire within you, compelling you to take action and make a difference in your own unique way.’

    Sir Bob Geldof

  • ‘Josh Littlejohn is a remarkable man – who has achieved extraordinary things in a really short time. PAYING IT FORWARD is his inspirational manifesto for social change and an important practical manual for living a life filled with purpose. Josh reveals what it takes to be a social entrepreneur and how we can all use our skills and energy to change lives rather than just chase profits. Full of heart, honesty, humour, and genuinely helpful advice, PAYING IT FORWARD is an essential read for our times.’

    Richard Curtis CBE

  • ‘Josh Littlejohn is a rockstar of social impact. From opening a local coffee shop in Edinburgh to staging The World’s Big Sleepout in New York, he has helped countless people. In an era where businesses put profit over people, and politicians offer platitudes but no real change to this system, PAYING IT FORWARD is a much-needed reminder about what is really important. Much more than an appeal to truly value each other – it’s a manifesto for practical steps we need to take to enable this to happen.’

    Irvine Welsh

  • ‘Josh Littlejohn is a brilliant entrepreneur who has poured his heart, soul and energy into helping others – with remarkable results. I have personally slept out for four years running as part of Josh’s Big Sleep Out campaigns and in doing so got a tiny glimpse into the harsh realities of homelessness. PAYING IT FORWARD is a fantastic, must-read book for anyone who wants to learn how they can also channel their ambition into changing society for the better.’

    Sir Chris Hoy

  • ‘From the very first story about Peter, this book draws you into the extraordinary world of paying it forward. Josh makes the case – powerfully – that business and entrepreneurship must become systematic forces for good tackling not just homelessness but the twin evils of environmental degradation and social inequality. It’s a serious book – dealing with what capitalism 2.0 might look like. But it is also deeply moving on a human level. I defy you to read the last chapter, Sonny’s Story, without a lump coming to your throat. Bravo Josh.’

    Alan Jope, CEO of Unilever

  • ‘Having been in Social Bite and witnessing first hand the immeasurable difference that Josh has made to the lives of innumerable people, Paying it Forward is an urgent and unmissable call to action that shows how we can all “pay it forward” by dedicating a little more effort and energy into helping others. Read this brilliant book now and start making an impact in the world!’

    Martin Compston

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