This is a book about success and how to achieve it. 







While there are many books about eminent retailers, From Bags to Blenders tells the story from a different angle - from the point of view of a supplier. 







Gordon Black's career at Peter Black spanned over 40 years. He led a team with his brother which built a substantial business with sales of approximately £300 million and 3,000 employees. His revealing book faces up to the difficulties of supplying retailers today, and contrasts that with the close and fruitful relationship the Blacks enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s with their main customer, Marks & Spencer. 







This fascinating and amusing book explains why the biggest challenge in building a successful company is the development of a culture of teamwork and passion for the business while, at the same time, avoiding arrogance and taking advice from those with experience. 







In Gordon's opinion, exiting a business is as big a challenge as building a business. He pinpoints the different options and the pitfalls to be avoided, and emphasises the need for first-class products: 'You can have the most modern factories and the best systems, but, without the right product, you're dead!' 

"From Bags to Blenders is also littered with amusing anecdotes reflecting Gordon's belief that business should be fun as well as profitable." - Ilkley Gazette

"Theirs is a classic rags-to-riches story" - The Jewish Chronicle

"A jaunty little memoir in the bullet-point style of a memo from the chairman's desk by Gordon Black, whose family business prospered as a footwear manufacturer for Marks & Spencer in the era when the high-street chain nurtured suppliers, took care of staff, pleased customers and made its founding dynasty rich without stirring resentment. That really was a benign model of capitalism: what a shame it has gone completely out of fashion." - The Spectator