Start Before You're Ready

Unleash your entrepreneurial spirit with a counterintuitive approach to starting your own venture or taking your career to the next level

Start Before You’re Ready offers entrepreneurs an inspiring new roadmap to success — one that runs against nearly everything you’ve ever been taught about business. Author Mick Spencer is living proof that success doesn’t always rest down the traditional path of formal education and deep pockets. At the age of 22, with nothing to his name, he founded ONTHEGO Custom Apparel (www.otgcustom.com), a customised apparel and uniform company. Since then he has built a worldwide network of movers and shakers and raised millions in venture capital. His company is now a multi-million-dollar player on the international stage, disrupting the slow-moving industry with a modern blend of technological disruptions and social responsibility. In this book, he presents a solid case that analysis paralysis and endless ‘preparation’ won’t get you anywhere — you have to take that leap and do what you really want to do. Indeed, start before you’re ready.

Spencer challenges you to get outside your comfort zone and, although intimidating, his approach forces you to learn ‘on the go’ and focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t. Engrossing personal anecdotes coach you through the frustrations and challenges, while vital tools and clear strategies give you a concrete plan for making every day count, many of which have been taught to Mick by billionaires, global CEO’s and highly sought after founders.

• Chart your own path to success — even without a university degree or financial assets
• Focus on what you can do right now to achieve your goals
• Master self-reliance, overcome adversity and discover your true purpose
• Learn positive habits and build confidence to overcome challenges

Starting your own venture or pushing the boundaries in your career is always a leap of faith. It’s saying ‘yes’ before figuring out how to deliver. It’s moments of self-doubt followed by fiery adventurousness and courageous optimism. You are at once inspired, vulnerable, motivated and proud — and you are capable of extraordinary things. Start Before You’re Ready equips you with the inspiration and practical advice you need to succeed in today’s entrepreneurial environment.

Foreword by Hap Klopp, founder of The North Face xi

Acknowledgements xv

Introduction xvii

Part I: MY STORY 1

1 Conquering challenges from an early age 3

2 Making dreams come true 19

Part II: DESIGN YOUR LIFE FOR SUCCESS 29

3 Shaping your future 31

4 The 4 Ps philosophy 47

5 Making every moment count 61

6 Be bold about your personal vision 79

7 Hard-hitting truths 101

8 Give life your all 129

9 The power of less 151

10 Shoot for the stars, get mentored and make it happen 173

11 Street smarts 189

12 What it takes 203

What’s next: Going global 219

Index 223

MICKSPENCER is the founder and CEO of ONTHEGO^® Custom Apparel, a multimillion dollar e-tailer of customised apparel and accessories. Mick is a university dropout turned entrepreneur with a passion for living life on his terms.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner or a leader, there are many important lessons to learn from Mick's practical advice. Mark Ward, Managing Director, Officeworks

A great guide to success delivered in a way that motivates the s**t out of you. Jane Lu, founder and CEO, Showpo

UNLEASH YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

Start Before You're Ready shows you how to take that leap and do what you really want.

Drawing from his personal experience of founding what is today a multimillion dollar company at just 22 years of age and with $150 to his name, author Mick Spencer is living proof that success doesn't always require a formal education and deep pockets.

Through empowering advice and helpful tools and guides, learn how to:

• find your true purpose
• design the life you want
• develop productive habits
• find a supportive mentor
• make every day count.

Start Before You're Ready is the essential guide on how to stop planning and start doing.