Title: Dream First, Details Later: How to Quit Overthinking and Make It Happen!

Author: Ellen Marie Bennett

Date of Publication: 2021

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Favorite Quote: “Your first major roadblock is the voice in your head telling you you’re not quuiiite ready.”

Summary:

I must admit—I picked Dream First, Details Later because of the cover. It’s so bright, colorful, and fun! And the color doesn’t stop there. The entire book is bold, playful, design-forward, and just different. Dream First, Details Later is the first book by Ellen Marie Bennet, founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, a company that makes kitchen gear and aprons worn by some of the best chefs in the world. Her story is one of leaping before you look, as Bennett started taking orders for aprons without having so much as a business plan. This lays the foundation for the book and contributes to the high energy, go-getter feel. If you need a kick in the pants, this might be for you!

Dream First, Details Later is divided into ten chapters: “Crash & Learn,” “The First Scary Thing,” “Decide & Do,” “Humble Enthusiasm,” “Keep Going, Keep Creating,” “They're Not Bumps in the Road. They Are the Road,” “Stop, Collaborate & Listen,” “Getting Off the Bike to Fix the Bike,” “Commandeer Your Copilots,” and “T-r-u-s-t.” The tone is casual, and each chapter includes something a little extra, such as a diagram, illustration, photo, checklist, special section, etc. Bennett delves into subjects like product development, sales, leadership, team building, innovation, mentorship, and more, all through the lens of Bennett’s experience with her company. There’s an emphasis on problem-solving and resourcefulness that lends to a certain scrappiness. Plus, Bennett’s enthusiasm is practically bouncing off the pages, which makes for an undoubtedly light and motivating read.

Overall, Dream First, Details Later is a nice departure from the typical business book, but it’s still filled with practical and straightforward guidance from an entrepreneur with an interesting business story and a ton of related experience. It’s particularly suitable for those who might be spinning their wheels, procrastinating, or otherwise struggling to move forward with their business ventures. I can also see this appealing to people who took Bennett’s gutsy approach and need to do some recon. If any of this sounds like you, I think you’d be hard pressed NOT to be inspired by at least some parts of this book. Thanks for reading!

Dream First, Details Later is available in print format through the library. You can search the catalog at gailborden.info/catalog to find this and other titles.

Submitted by: Rebecca Lapinski, Career Services (& Business) Librarian at Gail Borden Public Library. Please feel free to reach out to me at 847-695-3422 or rlapinski@gailborden.info.