with surprising stories of Portuguese entrepreneurs who made it happen!
“Make it Happen, Portugal” hits bookshops this week
After a long trip around the world in search of good business ideas in the most diverse areas, which resulted in numerous lectures and a first book, young entrepreneur André Leonardo focused on Portugal and travelled the mainland and the islands in search of that same treasure, but in a national version: inspiring stories of creativity, success and overcoming difficulties in the world of business. André travelled through a country that is not just about startups technology doesn't even appear in the Websummit; The country is a fundamental part of our social and economic fabric, but one that is often forgotten and overlooked. From this odyssey, which took him north and south, to the coast and the deep interior, to Madeira and the Azores, André brought back stories of lives and worlds in tourism and agriculture, but also in tattoo parlours and barbershops, which will inspire all Portuguese who want to start their own business. Whatever the sector or scale, the important thing is to make it happen - especially at this delicate time for Portugal and the world.
The book goes on sale from this week in various bookshops across the country, and it is also possible to order the autographed book by the author in FazAcontecer shop.
The author mentions:
“My first book ended up exceeding my best expectations with around 5,000 copies sold, but above all with a lot of gratifying feedback from those who read it. It came about as a result of a time of economic crisis and an adventure around the world where I believed it was necessary to inspire people with real cases to take the step and make it happen. This second one was born for different reasons: The first is because over the last few years, in my travels around Portugal, I've met a surprising country. People with fibre who rarely make the headlines. Enterprising, energetic people who, in their villages and towns, have dreamed, put their hands to work and are today a reference point. We urgently need to publicise these fantastic people. Secondly, with a new economic crisis looming due to the pandemic, it is crucial not only to inspire, but also to empower people to make things happen. This book not only contains a compilation of stories. I want to believe that it is a toolkit for those who read it to make things happen. My invitation is to invite readers to let themselves be inspired and to listen to that silent emotion that their head may tell them to ignore, but their heart tells them to pursue.”.
A few criticisms:
«André is a happening, Their stories are world lessons; they are Portugal not being afraid to read the stars of the future.», Carlos Coelho, President Ivity Brand Corp and Associação Portugal Genial
«Some people say they're going to do it, but only a few actually do it. André Leonardo is someone who makes it happen.», Tim Vieira, Entrepreneur and CEO Bravegeneration
«From a conversation with André Leonardo, solutions always emerge, ideas are born, the certainty is formed that this »no' is transformable, that the results depend on us." José Crespo de Carvalho, Professor ISCTE-IUL and President ISCTE Executive Education
About the author
André Leonardo was born in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores. He holds a Master's degree in Management from ISCTE-IUL, where he is a visiting professor, specialising in strategy and entrepreneurship and is the founder of the company Faz Acontecer. In 2016, he was elected one of the “seven young people who are transforming the world” by the Pangea association (Madrid) and, in 2017, one of the “twelve young leaders of Portugal” by the National Youth Council (Lisbon). Having shown his capacity for initiative from an early age, he set up a business selling flowers door-to-door at the age of six. At 24, he sold everything he had, collected sponsorship and set off on his own on an expedition around the world to meet entrepreneurs - an experience he recounted in his first book “Faz Acontecer” (2015). He also co-authored the book “Pangea: siete jóvenes que están transformando el mundo”, published in Spain. He wrote and presented the television series ‘Faz Acontecer” (Canal Q).
André is now one of speakers He is one of the most sought-after speakers in Portugal, having lectured to more than 42,000 people in nine different countries. He has visited almost 50 countries, generated thousands of euros for social purposes, helped hundreds of entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and realise projects and established contact with more than 300 top managers and successful entrepreneurs from all over the world.
