Rainbow Gold tells the story of an entrepreneur who learns, often the hard way, that business is really about people and purpose. The book follows David Hampson from his early struggles owning a restaurant in Cape Town to building a flourishing aviation insurance group in New England. The narrative blends personal loss, gritty lessons, and the slow shaping of a philosophy centered on long-term thinking, responsibility, and the butterfly effect of small but meaningful choices. It reads like a roadmap for building a business that gives back and grows people rather than one designed for quick exits and flashy valuations.

As I read, I found myself pulled into the raw honesty of Hampson’s voice. He doesn’t puff out his chest or pretend every move was a stroke of genius. He shares the messy parts. The moments he panicked. The moments he learned the hard way that trusting the wrong person can empty your stockroom or sink your cash flow. The chapters about the tragic accident involving his restaurant staff hit me hard. I could feel the weight he carried as he tried to care for his team while holding a broken business together. Those scenes made me pause more than once. They also made me appreciate how sincerely he views business as a human endeavor, not a numbers game. His focus on relationships, service, and showing up for people comes through clearly.

I also found myself energized by the parts where he reflects on decisive choices. His take on the fear that keeps people frozen felt familiar to me. The book urges readers to pick a road and walk it with conviction, even if it bends or darkens. That theme threads through his years in South Africa and later through his aviation career. I enjoyed how he mixes practical stories like fighting with VAT filings or chasing down a credit card machine with larger ideas about passion, equity, mentorship, and building a legacy. The writing feels close and direct, like sitting across from someone who has lived a lot and is finally ready to tell you the truth about what it cost. I appreciated that.

I walked away feeling inspired. Hampson writes with humility, and that makes the book accessible even when the subject matter gets heavy. I would recommend Rainbow Gold to new entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed, small business owners who want to build something that lasts, and anyone who is tired of the startup world’s obsession with speed and exits. The book speaks to people who want a business with a heart. It’s a good read for those who want to build something slow, steady, and worthwhile.

Pages: 317 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FWSZTMHP