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Working to Restore: Harnessing the Power of Regenerative Business to Heal the World
Dispatches from the regenerative landscape, where pioneering entrepreneurs use their businesses as catalysts of change to go beyond sustainability and solve social and environmental problems
Political upheaval and social turmoil have peeled back the glitzy layers of capitalism to reveal an uncomfortable historically, businesses have sourced materials from remote corners of the globe and moved millions of people and tons of cargo around the clock—all in the name of profit. Yet many of today’s startups are rewriting the rules of how it’s done, by whom, and, most importantly, for what purpose. Journalist Esha Chhabra draws on her decades of reporting to explore not only the “feel good, do good” factors of these restorative enterprises but also the nuanced realities and promise of regenerative business operations.
Working to Restore examines revolutionary approaches in nine agriculture, waste, supply chain, inclusivity for the collective good, women in the workforce, travel, health, energy, and finance. The companies profiled are solving global promoting responsible production and consumption, creating equitable opportunities for all, encouraging climate action, and more. Chhabra highlights how their work moves beyond the greenwashed idea of “sustainability” into a new era of regeneration and restoration.
We meet and learn from people
Working to Restore highlights our most innovative entrepreneurs yet, those who understand that we cannot expect to create radical change if we try to “sustain” a system that has long been broken. Instead, their efforts of restoration and regeneration should be used as a model for other forward-thinking enterprises. Inspiring and engaging, this book shows it is possible for a business to thrive while living its mission and how the rules can be rewritten to put both the planet and its global citizens at the center.
Political upheaval and social turmoil have peeled back the glitzy layers of capitalism to reveal an uncomfortable historically, businesses have sourced materials from remote corners of the globe and moved millions of people and tons of cargo around the clock—all in the name of profit. Yet many of today’s startups are rewriting the rules of how it’s done, by whom, and, most importantly, for what purpose. Journalist Esha Chhabra draws on her decades of reporting to explore not only the “feel good, do good” factors of these restorative enterprises but also the nuanced realities and promise of regenerative business operations.
Working to Restore examines revolutionary approaches in nine agriculture, waste, supply chain, inclusivity for the collective good, women in the workforce, travel, health, energy, and finance. The companies profiled are solving global promoting responsible production and consumption, creating equitable opportunities for all, encouraging climate action, and more. Chhabra highlights how their work moves beyond the greenwashed idea of “sustainability” into a new era of regeneration and restoration.
We meet and learn from people
Working to Restore highlights our most innovative entrepreneurs yet, those who understand that we cannot expect to create radical change if we try to “sustain” a system that has long been broken. Instead, their efforts of restoration and regeneration should be used as a model for other forward-thinking enterprises. Inspiring and engaging, this book shows it is possible for a business to thrive while living its mission and how the rules can be rewritten to put both the planet and its global citizens at the center.
248 pages, Hardcover
Published March 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 30, 2023
Sooo good! Esha sites many different authors, advocates, and business owners who are all doing business in a way that is bringing humanity back. It is so cool and encouraging to hear stories of how business is restoring communities around the globe.
This book breaks down why business as usual is no longer acceptable. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend it to anyone who feels like businesses can and should be making a positive impact, NOT just generating as much revenue as possible without considering the true cost. Thankful for Esha’s work and for all who are leading the way in this venture!!
This book breaks down why business as usual is no longer acceptable. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend it to anyone who feels like businesses can and should be making a positive impact, NOT just generating as much revenue as possible without considering the true cost. Thankful for Esha’s work and for all who are leading the way in this venture!!
June 23, 2023
An excellent read featuring interesting startups, venture capital companies and entrepreneurs doing good in the world. Each chapter focused on a different area—soil, waste, supply chains, workforce, women, travel, health, energy, and finance. I found this book to be very inspiring and intriguing as I’m in the process of applying to MBA programs focused on social impact. I learned a lot from reading this book and now feel even more motivated to make a difference in the world in my future business endeavors!
April 29, 2023
Chhabra writes a brilliant, poignant, and much needed book on how business is serving as a force for good. The book provides expert research, inspiring stories, and insights on how businesses can be an engine for good. Covering a range of topics, this book shares countless ways businesses can and are operating more sustainably. A must read!
May 29, 2024
How can businesses deliver benefits to both people and our planet while remaining profitable? That’s the trillion-dollar question that journalist Esha Chhabra explores in her 2023 book Working to Restore: Harnessing the Power of Regenerative Business to Heal the World.
I had the wonderful good fortune to meet the author at the TEDxGateway event in Mumbai in early 2024. There, she wowed the audience by telling stories about regenerative businesses in India. She kicked off her talk by drawing an important distinction that is the core of her book. “To regenerate” means “to breathe life into” something. Contrast that with “sustainable”, which refers to “sustaining the status quo.”
Working to Restore zooms out to the global stage, taking us on deep dives into organizations around the world that are experimenting with—and then committing to—business models that go beyond a status-quo focus on profit. We hear from founders and workers about the challenges and benefits that such approaches entail. That’s a spectrum encompassing hiring, funding, distribution, manufacturing, branding, growth, customer interactions and more.
The table of contents reveals that Working to Restore crosses industries (Soil; Travel; Health; Energy), business fundamentals (Waste; Supply Chains; Workforce; Finance), and broader issues (Women). The circular economy is a recurring theme: if you can change outputs into inputs, isn’t that a win-win-win-win-win?
Chhabra never promises that every strategy or tactic in this book will work for every business. That would be impossible! Rather, I found Working to Restore to be an inspiring exploration of what can be possible when we broaden our view. When we go from “something’s wrong with this system” to “I have an idea” to “would you work with me on this?”
As Chhabra concludes, “It’s not as simple as duplicating these companies and entrepreneurs but cultivating a new era of what it means to do business: to put the needs of humans and the planet at the heart of a business, not as an afterthought.”
This is a great read for anyone looking for the next generation of business models and business leadership. And as an added bonus, the book is chock full of companies whose products and services you may need. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if your spending aligned with your values? Working to Restore is an excellent place to start.
I had the wonderful good fortune to meet the author at the TEDxGateway event in Mumbai in early 2024. There, she wowed the audience by telling stories about regenerative businesses in India. She kicked off her talk by drawing an important distinction that is the core of her book. “To regenerate” means “to breathe life into” something. Contrast that with “sustainable”, which refers to “sustaining the status quo.”
Working to Restore zooms out to the global stage, taking us on deep dives into organizations around the world that are experimenting with—and then committing to—business models that go beyond a status-quo focus on profit. We hear from founders and workers about the challenges and benefits that such approaches entail. That’s a spectrum encompassing hiring, funding, distribution, manufacturing, branding, growth, customer interactions and more.
The table of contents reveals that Working to Restore crosses industries (Soil; Travel; Health; Energy), business fundamentals (Waste; Supply Chains; Workforce; Finance), and broader issues (Women). The circular economy is a recurring theme: if you can change outputs into inputs, isn’t that a win-win-win-win-win?
Chhabra never promises that every strategy or tactic in this book will work for every business. That would be impossible! Rather, I found Working to Restore to be an inspiring exploration of what can be possible when we broaden our view. When we go from “something’s wrong with this system” to “I have an idea” to “would you work with me on this?”
As Chhabra concludes, “It’s not as simple as duplicating these companies and entrepreneurs but cultivating a new era of what it means to do business: to put the needs of humans and the planet at the heart of a business, not as an afterthought.”
This is a great read for anyone looking for the next generation of business models and business leadership. And as an added bonus, the book is chock full of companies whose products and services you may need. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if your spending aligned with your values? Working to Restore is an excellent place to start.
Read
February 3, 2024In "Working to Restore," Esha Chhabra conducts a profound exploration of how capitalism adversely impacts communities and the environment. The book sheds light on organizations that claim to prioritize ethical sourcing but are actually greenwashing, or feigning sustainability. Chhabra delves into agriculture, supply chain, waste management, inclusion, travel, energy, health, finance, and women in the workforce, providing a thorough exploration of challenges and opportunities. She introduces businesses making a positive impact in each sector, offering valuable insights for readers supporting worthy enterprises.
One poignant case study highlights Amazon rainforest rubber producers collaborating with Veja Sneakers, a sustainable shoe company. Chhabra illustrates the company’s challenge in navigating climate change in Rio Branco, Brazil, where their rubber is sourced, such as with their workers adapting to working in rising temperature conditions.
"Working to Restore" is a captivating and insightful read, and while it may cater to a more academic-minded reader, each chapter delves into a critical piece of the intricacies of the supply chain. Chhabra successfully brings attention to a crucial aspect of capitalism often overlooked by the average consumer in their daily lives. “Working to Restore” provides a nuanced perspective that encourages readers to contemplate the ethical consequences of their choices and consumption patterns.
One poignant case study highlights Amazon rainforest rubber producers collaborating with Veja Sneakers, a sustainable shoe company. Chhabra illustrates the company’s challenge in navigating climate change in Rio Branco, Brazil, where their rubber is sourced, such as with their workers adapting to working in rising temperature conditions.
"Working to Restore" is a captivating and insightful read, and while it may cater to a more academic-minded reader, each chapter delves into a critical piece of the intricacies of the supply chain. Chhabra successfully brings attention to a crucial aspect of capitalism often overlooked by the average consumer in their daily lives. “Working to Restore” provides a nuanced perspective that encourages readers to contemplate the ethical consequences of their choices and consumption patterns.
May 8, 2023
Excellent. Well written, well researched, with inspiring examples.
November 6, 2023
Good book. Differentiaties the truly regenerative business models from those who are just trying to make good the damages done to the environment.
Read
March 4, 2024DNFed at page 123 because this was not good.
July 10, 2024
This book is mainly example-based and doesn't necessarily provide an analysis of those examples or connections to individuals. However, if you're looking for sustainable businesses this is a great place to start!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews