Review of When Business Is Love

[Esther Deekor]

[Following is a volunteer review of "When Business Is Love" by Jan Ryde.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Until now, I was unaware of the Hästens Company, and my introduction to it came directly from Jan Ryde in his book When Business Is Love: The Spirit of Hästens- at Work, at Play and Everywhere in Your Life. One noteworthy aspect highlighted by Ryde is Hästens' approach to thinking and acting like a startup while, more importantly, operating with love. The concept of businesses embracing the foundation of love intrigued me, not only for its potential benefits to businesses but also for its broader applicability to life. The book traces the company's roots back to Per Adolf, the great-grandfather, who, emerging from poverty during a famine, embarked on a journey toward prosperity by becoming an apprentice to a master saddler at eighteen. This led to the establishment of his own business, crafting exceptional saddles and beds, ultimately earning Hästens the prestigious position of purveyor to the Royal Court of Sweden in 1952. The expertise was passed down through generations, with Jan Ryde initially showing little interest until his encounter with Anne, his first wife. Despite facing challenges, he navigated through them, ensuring the continuity and success of the family business.

I appreciate how the author delves into the business's historical background, illustrating its intentional continuity across generations. The transmission of such information highlights the dedication to the Hästens business. Additionally, the author intertwines personal experiences that influenced the business. When Business Is Love: The Spirit of Hästens- at Work, at Play and Everywhere in Your Life serves as a motivational guide, encouraging a mindset shift aligned with one's purpose. The central theme revolves around the transformative power of serving others. Emphasizing love as a catalyst for joy, peace, and abundance, the book asserts that success is a natural outcome. My perspective on competition has shifted significantly after reading this book, drawing parallels between the frustration of a traffic jam and the freedom of a jet soaring in the sky—showcasing the benefits of focusing on collaboration over competition.

The only element I feel is lacking in this book is visual representation, as I frequently heard about it but couldn't find images to aid my imagination. To grasp the descriptions of Hästens’ beds, I had to resort to internet searches to see their actual appearance. As I read, envisioning the feel of lying on a Hästens bed became more vivid after viewing images corresponding to the author's descriptions. It would have added value if the author included pictures, if available, of his great-grandfather and the generations preceding him. Nevertheless, the book remained engaging, enriched by the valuable lessons it imparted. The writing style, presented in a reader-friendly format, added to the book's appeal, creating a heartwarming experience at a comfortable pace.

I rate this book five out of five stars, overlooking the mentioned disinterest, as I consider it well-written, and the absence of pictures isn't a sufficient reason for me to deduct a star. The book is professionally edited, enhancing my reading experience with minimal errors.

The chapter, People: Hire for Life, is a valuable insight for those considering a career at Hästens. Consequently, I recommend this book to business leaders and anyone seeking to transform negative thoughts about life.

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When Business Is Love
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Sunday N Florence]

The book serves as a motivational guide, encouraging readers to adopt a love-driven mindset both in business and life. Ryde discusses the transformative power of serving others and posits that success follows naturally from joy, peace, and abundance.

[Mark M Maxwell]

When Business Is Love: The Spirit of Hästens - at Work, at Play and Everywhere in Your Life" by Jan Ryde sounds like a fascinating exploration of blending business acumen with love and passion. The story of Hästens' origins, from Per Adolf's humble beginnings to its prestigious position as purveyor to the Royal Court of Sweden, is captivating. Jan Ryde's personal journey of initially showing little interest in the family business until his encounter with Anne adds a personal touch to the narrative.

[Abel Timothy]

One noteworthy aspect highlighted by Ryde is Hästens' approach to thinking and acting like a startup while operating with love, which intrigued me for its potential benefits to businesses and broader applicability to life.