The MissADVentures of a Hapless Entrepreneur - Timing is Everything

First published in 2025 by BeInspiredBooks.com

on behalf of Peter J Snow OAM

© Peter J Snow OAM 2025

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian CopyrightAct1968

(for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission.

All inquiries should be made to the author.

Creator: Snow, Peter, author.

Title: The MissADVentures of a Hapless Entrepreneur – Timing is Everything/ Peter J Snow OAM.

ISBN: 978-0-6487820-4-9 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-0-6487820-3-2 (PDF version)

ISBN: 978-0-6487820-2-5 (ePub)

ISBN: 978-0-6487820-8-7 (Kindle)

ISBN: 978-0-6487820-7-0 (Audiobook)

Subject: Lessons from pioneering and innovative commercial and community impact projects conducted in Australia and internationally

Aspirational, Inspirational and Motivational.

Paperback Printed by: IngramSpark

Publisher: BeInspiredBooks.com

Project management: Community & Corporate Marketing and Public Relations

Cover design by 100 Covers

Cover photo by Ian Ritchie

Disclaimer

The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

Twenty-One Tips from hard learned lessons

1.  Have an exit plan/strategy and potential timeline in mind before you start a project or purchase a business.  That way, you have a clear goal to aim for. Review periodically.

2.  Second chances are fine for potential partners or joint-venturers that have failed or who have had issues in the past – but doubly check their background. If any history of dishonesty or unfair dealing is uncovered – graciously decline the proposal and move on.  That will almost certainly save you grief in the long term. 

3.  Always approach a deal on the basis that the worst could happen.  Have solutions that minimise risk, cost and loss.

4.  Never enter into a 50/50 deal unless you have clear and unambiguous terms to dissolve the arrangement in a way that will avoid costly litigation.

5.  Don’t be afraid to pioneer - but learn from the experience of others who may have trodden a similar path before and failed. And if you fail, you will have learnt something.

6.  Plagiarism and being second to market is fine – just be or do it better!

7.  Always leave a deal where both parties feel that they could have done a little better.  Don’t try and extract the last cent - leave a little something for the next person.

8.  Don’t worship money, it is a facilitator, not a god.

9.  A good team is probably more effective and efficient than doing everything yourself – even if you know you could have done it better.

10.  Surround yourself with the best people and set their remuneration (pay and/or share of outcome) accordingly.  Look after them.  You will get what you paid for.

11.  Make sure that your team does not have all yes people – welcome at least one naysayer who can offer a constructive alternative view and addresses risk.

12.  Review all the facts and make a considered decision.  The odd mistake you make will be compensated for by the time you saved in not procrastinating through indecision.

13.  Always be honest with your partners/stakeholders and they will generally support you in times of difficulty or adversity. If not, you have the wrong partners.

14.  Don’t sweat the small things – but document things properly – you may need to rely on it later.

15.  Give consideration to the worst-case scenario – have a back-up plan that contemplates your absence if it were to occur tomorrow.

16.  always do everything to the best of your ability. 

17.  Enjoy what you do – or find something that you do enjoy - whether in business or recreation. Life is too short!

18.  Do things that will improve your skill set or knowledge.

19.  Devote time to making the world a better place personally or in a group/club. You never know where it will lead or who you will meet that may change your life.

20.  Be generous with your time when advice is sought.

21.  The harder you work, the luckier you will become.

My Entrepreneurial Streak

My primary school education was unremarkable - but my entrepreneurial streak was emerging.

At the age of nine, my mother was embarrassed to receive a phone call about a hand-written sign on a cotton sheet tied to the back of her Morris Minor. It was promoting the sale of the pet rabbits I was breeding.

Bostock Enterprises

By 12, I had imported a small 8 x 5 Adana hand-platen printing press from England and established a small printing business producing tickets for school events, greeting and business cards trading under the name of Bostock Enterprises.

A really imaginative name – we lived in Bostock Road.

Surprisingly, that little printing machine manufacturer is still in business today.  Even refurbished versions of my Adana letter-press printing machine can be purchased for $2,530.

Wish I had kept mine – a 4,260% return is not to be sniffed at – even though it would be over seven decades.

At a Christ Church Grammar School Speech Night, the Headmaster even acknowledged my entrepreneurial flair that had resulted in the significant profit made by the school’s Tuck Shop under my management.

Watch fob chains bought from Woolworths and re-sold at an appropriate mark-up had created a new fad - and treats like Snow’s home-made peanut brickle (no, not brittle) had boosted the result.

Career Decisions

I was a smart but lazy student and could have done better had I applied myself. Somehow, I managed to get a Commonwealth Scholarship to go to University – it was a given that Snow offspring should go to University and follow in both parents’ footsteps. 

But at 17, I had no idea what I wanted to do - or be. 

Being good at maths and technical drawing, Father said Civil Engineering for you and I suspect that through his Public Service contacts he may have had a hand in my gaining a Public Works Department Cadetship. 

This meant that all fees and books were covered.  I would also receive a princely allowance of $4 per week in return for which I was to be locked-in to government employment for a number of years after graduation.

Much to Father’s ire and disappointment, after two semesters, I decided that bridge and road building was not my chosen career path. I quit University ... and had to repay the $100 in allowances I had received over my short stint of tertiary education. 

[PS: In retrospect, I regretted not just changing courses at the time to something more befitting my natural leanings – and waited another 40 years to return to academia. This time it was to seek a Master of Marketing degree online and then possibly a Doctorate. The irony of two Dr. Snows in the family did have some appeal.  However,