
Eden Project Founder, Sir Tim Smit's story: Part 1, Childhood to Eden
04/22/21 • 47 min
For anyone who loves magic, transformation, risk and fun - and also wants to learn so much about how to make BIG things happen - Sir Tim Smit's story is for you.
In Episodes 8 & 9, you'll hear about Sir Tim's curiosity and sense of adventure, from a young child through to his ongoing international ventures. His in-depth interview is a wonderful mix of stories, experience and wise advice on how to imagine, set up and manage a large, complex and high impact social enterprise. You'll learn so much from Tim.
Sir Tim moved serendipitously from archeologist to rock musician to restoring the now mythical Lost Gardens of Helligan, and from there dreamed, and then made real, and huge, the iconic Eden Project, those massive biomes in a derelict clay pit in Cornwall, that now house the only rainforest 'in captivity', surrounded by glorious gardens, a concert space and magical family events. As importantly the Eden Project - a compelling visitor attraction for all ages - has transformed Cornwall's economy. Now Sir Tim is managing new Edens across the UK and globally.
Be inspired!
Follow the Eden Project:
Twitter: @edenproject
Instagram: @edenprojectcornwall
Facebook: @theedenproject
Find out more about the Eden Project's story and activities, and book tickets to visit!
Tim was also the vision and force behind the restoration of
Listen to Tim's founder story on the Social Founder Stories podcast, Episodes 8 & 9 - on all podcast platforms
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/social-founder-stories.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For anyone who loves magic, transformation, risk and fun - and also wants to learn so much about how to make BIG things happen - Sir Tim Smit's story is for you.
In Episodes 8 & 9, you'll hear about Sir Tim's curiosity and sense of adventure, from a young child through to his ongoing international ventures. His in-depth interview is a wonderful mix of stories, experience and wise advice on how to imagine, set up and manage a large, complex and high impact social enterprise. You'll learn so much from Tim.
Sir Tim moved serendipitously from archeologist to rock musician to restoring the now mythical Lost Gardens of Helligan, and from there dreamed, and then made real, and huge, the iconic Eden Project, those massive biomes in a derelict clay pit in Cornwall, that now house the only rainforest 'in captivity', surrounded by glorious gardens, a concert space and magical family events. As importantly the Eden Project - a compelling visitor attraction for all ages - has transformed Cornwall's economy. Now Sir Tim is managing new Edens across the UK and globally.
Be inspired!
Follow the Eden Project:
Twitter: @edenproject
Instagram: @edenprojectcornwall
Facebook: @theedenproject
Find out more about the Eden Project's story and activities, and book tickets to visit!
Tim was also the vision and force behind the restoration of
Listen to Tim's founder story on the Social Founder Stories podcast, Episodes 8 & 9 - on all podcast platforms
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/social-founder-stories.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode

Eden Project Founder, Sir Tim Smit's story: Part 2 - innovation, learnings & replication
For anyone who loves magic, transformation, risk and fun - and also wants to learn so much about how to make BIG things happen - Sir Tim Smit's story is for you.
In Episodes 8 & 9, you'll hear about Sir Tim's curiosity and sense of adventure, from a young child through to his ongoing international ventures. His in-depth interview is a wonderful mix of stories, experience and wise advice on how to imagine, set up and manage a large, complex and high impact social enterprise. You'll learn so much from Tim.
Sir Tim moved serendipitously from archeologist to rock musician to restoring the now mythical Lost Gardens of Helligan, and from there dreamed, and then made real, and huge, the iconic Eden Project, those massive biomes in a derelict clay pit in Cornwall, that now house the only rainforest 'in captivity', surrounded by glorious gardens, a concert space and magical family events. As importantly the Eden Project - a compelling visitor attraction for all ages - has transformed Cornwall's economy. Now Sir Tim is managing new Edens across the UK and globally.
Be inspired!
Follow the Eden Project:
Twitter: @edenproject
Instagram: @edenprojectcornwall
Facebook: @theedenproject
Find out more about the Eden Project's story and activities, and book tickets to visit!
Tim was also the vision and force behind the restoration of
Listen to Tim's founder story on the Social Founder Stories podcast, Episodes 8 & 9 - on all podcast platforms
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/social-founder-stories.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode

Changing Faces founder, the late James Partridge OBE, shares his story
How wonderful that we captured James Partridge OBE talking about his founder story before he so sadly passed away in 2020. James founded Changing Faces, the UK charity, in 1992, using his own personal experience of facial disfigurement, his work in Health Economics, and his entrepreneurial skills to set up, grow and lead this groundbreaking charity for 25 years.
We hear about how he coped with a life-changing 40% burns accident aged 18, his books, his advice on branding, celebrities and media, the importance of research, launching a capital appeal for a building, strategies for coping with the 2009 financial crash and austerity, the changing nature of his relationship with his board, his resilience - and much more.
James then went on to found Face Equality International, a global alliance of 38 NGOs. Through all of this his brilliant skills in networking and relationships stand out, alongside his values and determination to make a difference for people living with disfigurement. There's so much to learn and be inspired by in this story.
"The people that I met and worked with, through all these 25 years, were very very important to me, because they gave me the sense that I wasn't alone in all of this. We were all on a march to enhance life prospects for people with disfigurements and disabilities."
Follow Changing Faces, the UK charity:
Twitter: @faceequality
Instagram: @changingfacesuk
Facebook: @changingfacesuk
Follow Face Equality International, the global alliance of 38 NGOs:
Twitter: @FaceEqualityInt
Instagram: @FaceEqualityInt
Facebook: @FaceEqualityInt
And if you can please donate to Changing Faces here
Listen to James' founder story on the Social Founder Stories podcast, Episode 10 - on all podcast platforms via the links above. Enjoy, and please send us your feedback.
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/social-founder-stories.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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