Extreme Entrepreneurship

“For Extreme Entrepreneurship, Adam Sulkowski traveled to 120 countries (!), gathering the fascinating stories of business creators from literally around the world. As you read the 1st person accounts of people making change happen in their communities—from a Pakistani bookstore owner to Malagasy women incubating food businesses around solar mini-grids—you will be both educated and inspired.”
—P. W. Singer, New York Times best-selling author and Strategist at New America

“READ THIS!”
—Alex Mashinsky, serial entrepreneur (20+ successful ventures), holder of 50+ patents (including VOIP), founded and leads Celsius Network (a financial platform with $13B+ in assets under management)

“This book is a compelling set of stories about how entrepreneurs are starting businesses that change people’s lives all around the world. It renews my faith in seeing business as a force for good.”
—R. Edward Freeman, Professor of Business Administration, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia

“Adam Sulkowski tells lively, big-hearted, and often surprising stories that anyone can read and relate to—as an entrepreneur, parent, activist, reader, traveler, or seeker. They tap into universal dimensions of the human spirit: resilience, courage, humility, curiosity, and imagination. Read and enjoy!”
—Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO, New America

“As a start-up founder, awesome to see practical tips—including from fellow female founders at the frontlines of positive change—collected from super-tough environments.”
—Courtney Boyd Myers, Co-Founder and CEO, Akua

“This is a combination travelogue and business ‘how to’ book that establishes Adam Sulkowski as the Anthony Bourdain of entrepreneurship. Sulkowski shares fascinating stories about entrepreneurs in parts unknown who face daunting challenges in starting their businesses. One of my favorites is the chapter on a team of women who are determined to bring solar power to villages in Madagascar.”
—George Siedel, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

“Awesome tips for life, work, and travel.”
—Michael Blakey, Managing Partner at Cocoon Capital Partners Pte Ltd

“110%, I recommend this for entrepreneurs and travelers (actual, aspiring, or spectators). You’ll laugh, possibly cry, and be inspired as you get to know how these real-life heroes are doing nearly impossible things—in places most of us barely know or understand, from East Timor to Madagascar to Suriname. You won’t regret the time invested in enjoying these stories.”
—Jason Cipriano, serial entrepreneur, executive at MassMutual, formerly State Street, 1st Lt., US Navy

“Finally, a ‘truth on the ground’ approach to wisdom on entrepreneurship.”
—Elizabeth Kim, Strategic Initiatives Specialist, Babson College

“A must-read. This book is not just for entrepreneurs—there’s wisdom here for everyone. Each story in this book—collected from an astounding variety of environments—provides lessons on how to succeed when many factors align against you. This is an invaluable fresh twist on the kinds of research and teaching that have kept Babson the #1 rated school for entrepreneurs of all kinds for decades. The themes and lessons of this book are both timely and timeless.”
—Leonard A. Schlesinger, Baker Foundation Professor and Chair of Practice Faculty, Harvard Business School

“Gripping and compelling stories of people and their unique journeys, challenges, and approaches to questions of strategy and sustainability.”
—Sandra Waddock, Galligan Chair of Strategy, Boston College

“Extreme Entrepreneurship is like three books in one: travelogue, entrepreneurship case study collection, and distillation of tips on how to navigate through life. Great to see underrepresented voices elevated as a source of wisdom. And great to see so many stories related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The fact over half of the stories are those of female founders is a bonus.”
—Cheryl Y. Kiser, Executive Director, Lewis Institute for Social Innovation, Babson College

“A must-read. Adam shines a light on the values that are driving these diverse protagonists—and weaves their stories into a tapestry rich with actionable lessons, universal observations on the human spirit at its best, and tips anyone can use.”
—Mary C. Gentile, PhD, Professor of Practice, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, author of Giving Voice to Values: How to Speak Your Mind When You Know What’s Right

“Exciting! A strong achievement. The book subject is important. It shows entrepreneurial activity can thrive in almost any environment. Bodes to be influential.”
—Robert C. Bird, Professor of Business Law and Eversource Energy Chair in Business Ethics at the University of Connecticut, President, Academy of Legal Studies in Business

“Be prepared to be moved by all of these characters: from Liliana in Peru (helping kids that previously were kept in cages to become independent, productive, and happy) to John in Guatemala (going from homeless, to smuggling in a priest’s attire, to becoming an export baron with a heart). Partly a travel memoir, partly a collection of interviews and stories brimming with wisdom on business and life, this is a fantastic voyage to meet inspiring heroes in unfamiliar places with universal lessons.”
—Dariusz Jemielniak, serial entrepreneur, Professor of Organizational Studies at Kozminski University, Faculty Associate at the Berkman Center at Harvard University

“Fascinating, informed, and informative!”
—Manoj Narender Madnani, Founder and CEO, The DSA Group

“A book full of leadership lessons in sustainability! Entrepreneurship in food systems and renewable energy is essential as the world seeks innovative business solutions in the face of global climate change. From Colombia to Madagascar, the inspiring stories in this book underscore the possibility of entrepreneurial leadership applied in the global context. The stories include great details without losing sight of the big picture.”
—Rockford “Rocky” Weitz, serial entrepreneur (8 ventures), Professor of Practice and Director of the Fletcher Maritime Studies Program at Tufts University

“Tomorrow’s disruptive innovations often evolve first on the edges of today’s systems. Over time, the more successful ones fold into the core of our societies and economies. They become the new normal. As these innovations accumulate, the prevailing paradigm begins to shift. And then, before we know it, reality isn’t what it used to be. Adam Sulkowski’s Extreme Entrepreneurship takes us to the edge of the known, into worlds darkened by poaching, civil war, and even genocide, bringing extraordinary change agents into the spotlight. Unsettling—in a positive way—and deeply informative.”
—John Elkington, serial entrepreneur, Chief Pollinator at Volans Ventures, and author of 20 books, most recently Green Swans: The Coming Boom in Regenerative Capitalism (Fast Company Press)

“Having worked closely with the author, this collection of stories is what we’ve come to expect: making space for an array of gifted people at the fringes of mainstream economic opportunity to tell their amazing stories.”
—Sadie Burton-Goss, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Babson College

“It was fun to cooperate in telling our stories! Please enjoy.”
—Lydia Wanjiku Kibandi, CEO, Lensational, and
—Lieutenant Colonel Faye Cuevas, US Air Force