Before you even open the cover, you know this book is going to be a little different.
That is because it doesn’t have a price…you pay what you want to pay…yes, really!
I had heard about Chapter One by Daniel Flynn a month or so ago, so when we arrived at the airport ready to leave on our holiday, I made a beeline for the bookstore and grabbed a copy to read on the plane…
Daniel Flynn is the 28 year old co-founder and Managing Director of Thankyou…you may have seen the Thankyou branded products in the supermarket.
The not-for-profit company was started by three Australian kids from Melbourne with zero business experience…what they did have was a drive to create change no matter what the obstacles.
And it all started with bottled water with 100% of the profits going to build wells in developing countries to ensure clean water supply for those in need.
The product range has now expanded to include food items such as muesli bars, and personal care items such as hand wash.
Chapter One is the story of how Thankyou came about…and by purchasing the book, you become part of a huge crowdfunding project to fight global poverty.
Two particular projects were in their sights…a Thankyou baby care and nappy range to fund maternal and infant health programs which requires $600,000 of funding and setting up Thankyou in New Zealand which requires an additional $600,000…a target of $1.2 million.
So when you go to purchase the book, you are asked how much you want to pay…in theory, you can pay as much, or as little, as you wish.
And the money raised from the sales of the book is put directly to the two projects.
The book reveals all the challenges…the wins and the losses…as Thankyou struggled to get on it’s feet, and then as it begins to stride forward.
Chapter One is also different in another way…you don’t read it like a normal book.
It is published in landscape format…to read it, you have to turn it on it’s side, which will get you some quizzical looks from those around you.
Strangely, I found I actually liked reading a book that way…and I really enjoyed the subject matter.
In fact, I almost read the entire book on the flight, which as a result seemed to go very quickly.
Chapter One not only gives an insight into how Thankyou became the company it is today, but is also inspirational…that just because someone has said no, or something hasn’t worked properly, doesn’t mean it is not worth pursuing.
Near the end of the book, Fynn sums up the Thankyou journey in 10 steps…one of which is “fail” and other is “learn”…very important advice from someone who has been there, done that.
The biggest message though is that everyone has the power to change stuff…everyone.
If you are curious and want to get a glimpse inside Chapter One, Thankyou allows you to download the first chapter…for free…just head on over to their website.
However, I have joined all the other people who have supported Thankyou by buying Chapter One, and when I recently checked their website, they are reporting that the $1.2 million target has been raised…which means Thankyou Baby and Thankyou New Zealand will be officially launched!
Can hardly wait to see what Chapter Two contains…
Chapter One is available for purchase at a ‘pay what you want’ price online at www.thankyou.co and all Relay, Newslink and Watermark bookstores.
Have you read Chapter One? What was your thoughts about it all…and did you like reading a book in a totally different way?
Share in the comments below as I would love to know!