What's Your Dream?: Find Your Passion. Love Your Work. Build a Richer Life.

by Simon Squibb

#1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER • Kickstart your dream business and see it through to success with actionable advice and inspirational stories from entrepreneur, investor, YouTuber, and founder of HelpBnk Simon Squibb

From early on, we are taught that there's only one path to getting do well at school, get a certain kind of job, and avoid failure at all costs. We're so busy trying to follow these rules that we never stop and ask What's my purpose? Is my 9-5 really what I want to do? What kind of job or business do I really want to pursue? Do I have the power to make it happen? With Simon Squibb’s incisive new book, you can make it happen.

Simon Squibb is on a mission to help young entrepreneurs discover their passion and start their business. Drawing on the hard-won life lessons from Squibb’s years in the business world and his own personal life—from facing homelessness as a teenager to selling a multi-million pound business—What’s Your Dream? is the step-by-step guide to turn your dream venture into a reality. Squibb begins by providing a definition of a dream and continues on to introduce readers to a set of tools to build confidence and persevere through the barriers that stand in the way. Squibb will dissect the common pitfalls that block the way—being trapped by aspirations that aren’t true dreams, falling prey to popular myths that stop us from achieving our goals, giving into the fear that prevents us from taking action—and share the secrets to overcome them. Young entreprenuers will glean useful business insight, such

• how to assess risk level, understanding not to take risks indiscriminately but to take them well
• knowing how and when to quit so you can pivot and start again
• how to create a community of super fans who will purchase and advocate for all of your products
• how to grow your customers, and more

Achieving wealth shouldn’t mean sacrificing your dreams and passions. This book can show you how.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Personal Development, Entrepreneurship, Psychology

304 pages, Paperback

Published December 30, 2025

Reviews

[T · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ignore everyone and start your own dream business… . There you go I’ve saved you a few hours. That’s it, that’s the book.

I liked this bloke on TikTok, initially because he gave interesting advice and said that people who dream of becoming a landlord are just lazy and unimaginative, and that starting a business is much better than buying a property, giving it a lick of paint, and thinking you’re Warren Buffett.

But after reading this book I think I’ve been a bit misled by what he’s all about. It’s not that I’m 100% against self help, I think there are the rare occasional pieces of sagely advice given in books that often lie somewhere between self help and practical guidance (e.g. books on things like writing, researching, understanding basic personal finance, studying, navigating the bizarre world we live in, etc) but this just repeats the same point as nauseam. It’s on the same level as How to Win Friends and Influence People or Think and Grow Rich.

If you want to become rich and follow your dreams start by not wasting your time and learning some information relevant to your golden goose.

Ciao

[Maria Espadinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Power of Dreams


When his father died, Simon Squibb became homeless. Right now, he’s diving in a pool of millions!

No, he didn’t heir any money.

Simon Squibb invested in the power of dreams. At the moment, he’s helping others doing exactly the same…


NOTA: A correspondente edição em português intitula-se Qual é o teu Sonho?




[Emilie Hartung · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book expecting not to like it much - I thought it would be too surface-level, and I didn’t think I’d learn anything new.

Still, I decided to give it a shot because I wanted some confirmation and motivation that following my intuition professionally was (and is) the right decision. Yes, I was looking for validation 😂

And that’s exactly what this book gave me. It was pretty much what I expected (didn’t come across anything groundbreaking) but it was really motivating. There were also some interesting ideas, especially around hiring a team, that felt quite new to me. I also love reading about other people’s journeys (how they started, what struggles they faced etc) so I appreciated that Simon shared his story. It encouraged me, reinforced my beliefs, and motivated me to keep pushing - even when things are hard.

I’d recommend it to anyone thinking about starting a business, feeling unfulfilled at work or a little lost, or struggling through the early stages of entrepreneurship.

[Chelsey Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of really good points, but nothing that I haven't heard before.

[Ivan Darryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When you have a dream, and when you have identified a purpose, it changes your life. Everything starts to make sense because you are no longer playing by someone else’s rules. All the work you do is for a meaningful reason that makes it feel worthwhile."

Simon Squibb's aim to help as many strangers as he can in the streets with his microphone about realizing their lifelong dreams have brought me here. It seems like he is really just a generous bloke — and he deserves any attention and exposure he gained right now, especially in TikTok — by giving anything to people (may it be through some sort of monetary assistance or with a helping hand) and expecting nothing in return.

From this book, he had extracted most of his lessons from his interactions with strangers through content and his extreme dedication when it comes to delivering the most value to his customers and employees alike.

Just you know, the first leg of the book doesn't buy me much about the dreams and stuff he discussed. Not unlike its counterpart that delve further into being a committed entrepreneur, where you will gather some important nuggets out of his experiences, it’s more nuanced and informative than the former.

Let me say this, though: a book that pertains to realizing your dreams and pursuing your passion is not a clichéd topic to discuss. It's just that my preference about these matters mainly revolves around stories. Fiction or not, it doesn't matter as long as I witness the stretch of that hero or heroine's journey from being a failure into becoming now this master of his/her craft.

Nevertheless, the business aspect of it won me over for the simple fact that anybody aspiring to be one could learn a lot from someone who has already done it. Moreover, upon reading this section, I also realized his passion not only in reliving these bouts of success and failure he experienced in handling different businesses before, but from the way he wanted to show his concern that you will not experience this bad thing again because he had already learned from it. Simon made sure that we would be better off not following that trap he recognized before.

3.00 ⭐️ (03/16/2025)

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first couple of chapters started off okay enough in getting the reader to sit up and pay attention. However, unless your own dream is to create/run/sell a business, a lot of this book's relevance doesn't transfer to the rest of us. The author starts to project his own ideals on to the reader (don't consider early retirement, it's for people that hate what they do). It starts to preach that work = life and you should consider nothing else outside of it as enjoyment found in other places will only be temporary.

Aside from finding the narrative littered with contradictions along the way, every example of life experience ends up turning out conveniently fortunate in the end. It would be interesting to read about times where things didn't go right and didn't have an entrepreneur/influencer to bail them out to try again. Having finished this, I still can't buy into how easy it is to 'just quit your job' to start living the dream in the real world. It's also been said before so I don't really know what new insight this book really offers.

[Sophie S · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased the book for one main reason: to get answers regarding what to do if you cannot find your passion. From page 81-84 “I don’t know what“ I had the short pleasure to find out more about this topic. However, I was disappointed with the content of this section in the book and also could not proceed to finish the book since I would not have a purpose to build up from in the next chapters.

From my personal experience, the topic is by far more complex than written in this book. Writing a ‘like and dislike list‘ to know your strengths and weaknesses as well as thinking hard for once does not work out for everyone. The following explanation from the author “That‘s why the people who ‘don‘t know‘ are almost always lying to themselves.“ is not only oversimplified but also disrespectful towards those people that put a lot of effort into the topic but still fail to find their purpose. The author does not take into consideration that human beings are multifaceted e.g. how about if you are a multipotentialite who shares many interests? Can you only have one purpose?
I even pre-ordere the book because I expected so much more 😞

[Daniela · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Ignora tutti e avvia l’attività dei tuoi sogni.”
Perfetto, ora che ho sintetizzato l’intero libro, puoi risparmiarti la lettura.

Simon Squibb mi era inizialmente simpatico su Instagram: diretto, provocatorio, con qualche spunto interessante (tipo la sua critica a chi sogna solo di possedere immobili e pensa di essere Warren Buffett dopo una mano di vernice). Ma questo libro… è una DELUSIONE travestita da ispirazione.

L’idea centrale — segui il tuo sogno e fregatene di tutto il resto — viene ripetuta così tante volte da sembrare un disco rotto…. NESSUNA struttura, nessuna guida concreta, nessuna riflessione reale. Solo frasi motivazionali degne di una tazza da regalo in saldo.

Non sono contro l’auto-aiuto in sé: ci sono libri che sanno unire motivazione e contenuti utili (scrittura, finanza personale, studio, orientamento nella realtà). Questo NON è uno di quelli.
È più simile a quel tipo che ti dice con aria mistica: “Sai qual è il segreto? Essere te stesso.” …e poi si sente Socrate reincarnato.

Se vuoi davvero inseguire il tuo sogno, fallo. MA…inizia da qualcosa di concreto, solido, che ti insegni davvero qualcosa. Questo libro NO. Questo libro è una citazione allungata.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the best business-y book i’ve read !! consistently engaging writing, very actionable advice. enjoyed that Squibb has built multiple businesses (some successes, some failures) and brought knowledge from all of them into this - business advice from anyone who has one successful business is always a bit jarring. ultimately meant for people who have a dream business that they’re not yet building, but much of the advice does translate into other areas - following a passion more actively, or deciding what work to go into etc etc.

[Thomas Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good practical advice on how to build and grow a business. No fluff just direct and to the point. There were parts I didn't really neede it them as I already know "my dream 😄", but all the other advice was really helpful

[Mauricio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for those with a dream looking for a way to start, and for new entrepreneurs. It is a great motivational book that truly makes it feel like chasing your dreams is worth it and doable. On the substance itself, it’s an introduction to entrepreneurship, so doesn’t dive deep into complex business lessons because it doesn’t need to. It’s meant to inspire and provide the basics to get started and moving, and does that job brilliantly.

[Christian Zenker · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Simon on his Social Media, then you will definitely like this book. I enjoyed it a lot and liked to have this "Private Mentoring" from him through this book.

[Grace McGehee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically the author wants me to start my own business. Interesting ideas and some helpful advice for anyone not just entrepreneurs, but mostly just didn’t apply to me rn.

[nalini singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Squibb is one of the most well meaning human beings out there in the dog eat dog world of creators. So despite mixed reviews, I decided to give this one (as an audio book in Simon's voice) a go, because I believe in his relentless drive to help people. and I wasn't disappointed. I have read most of the popular books on entrepreneurship and purpose, but there's something magical about hearing the same advice in the voice of someone who has followed that advice and works with people everyday in following those same tips. it's a proof of concept book of sorts with real people examples of a homeless person (with a privileged British passport) moving to Hong Kong and becoming successful, dog walking business owners, home Baker turned bakery owners and more beyond the apples, nvidia and googles (they do get their mentions!)
it's one which might finally motivate you to start on the dream that's been irritatingly calling out for attention from the back of your mind. it definitely stirred up mine.

[Amelia Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book is about defining your dream and motivation, the second half is more practical, applicable advice. Ngl the first third of it I thought this man was absolutely delulu, literally we do not live on the same planet. E.g. he hates mortgages and sees them as a barrier to financial freedom... I understand the logic but surely being homeless is worse? It's very much 'quit your job and become an entrepreneur' and makes it sound so easy but the reality is that it just isn't.

But as it went on I found myself challenging my limiting beliefs (oh boy there are many) and wondering why I thought all this was so out of reach for me. The audiobook is good because his enthusiasm is contagious. Credit to the author as it got me thinking, maybe I will come back to this in the future.

[Edva159 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this book from my perspective for everyone this is a must read book, What we face in life and which ever perspective we live in this book is the one that creates paths for your life, opens your mind in many ways and gives you big realisations for what you trully want in life and what can life offer for you and you for it just pure 10/10

[Daniella]

DNF @ page 112. I haven't really learned much 100 pages in, and I have so many other books I could be reading.

[Archie Rattray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good if you’re looking to start a dream business rather then looking at your dream financially.

[Mike Wenzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good book about having a dream for your life's work. With some good practicals about how to achieve and sustain your dreams.

[Chris Boutté · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off super good, and then it just fell flat. I’ve been in a sort of midlife rut, trying to figure out what I want to do, so I’ve been reading some self-help books. This looked promising, and it definitely had me hooked at the beginning. Squibb talks a lot about taking risks and figuring out what it is you’re passionate about, and I really appreciated how he talks to people of all ages and gives hope that you can still pursue your dreams.

The issue I have with this book is that it goes from being a general book about going after your dreams to one that’s totally about entrepreneurship. Sure, many people have the dream of being an entrepreneur, but it was just a sharp turn from being inclusive to being specific to a specific group. Is it worth the read? Kind of, but I’m sure there are better books out there.

[Jung]

Simon Squibb’s "What’s Your Dream?: Find Your Passion. Love Your Work. Build a Richer Life" begins with a simple but confronting idea: many people drift through life without ever seriously asking themselves what they truly want. Daily routines, social expectations, financial pressure, and fear of failure gradually drown out personal dreams. Squibb argues that this quiet loss of direction is not a personal flaw but a learned condition, shaped by education systems and workplaces that reward conformity over curiosity. From the very start, the book invites readers to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the ambitions they once had before practicality took over. Squibb positions dreams not as unrealistic fantasies, but as deeply personal signals pointing toward meaningful work and a richer life.

Throughout the book, Squibb challenges the belief that dreaming is a luxury reserved for the young, the wealthy, or the exceptionally talented. He explains how society subtly trains people to stop dreaming by emphasizing security, predictability, and external approval. As people grow older, they are encouraged to be 'realistic,' which often means suppressing passion in favor of stability. Squibb argues that this mindset leads to dissatisfaction, burnout, and a sense of emptiness, even among those who appear successful on the surface. He reframes dreams as practical tools rather than indulgences, suggesting that knowing what you want is the first step toward building a life that actually fits you.

A major theme in the book is responsibility. Squibb is clear that no one else is coming to hand you your dream. Waiting for permission, perfect timing, or guaranteed success only prolongs stagnation. While this idea may feel uncomfortable, Squibb presents it as empowering rather than harsh. Taking ownership of your dream means accepting uncertainty and risk, but it also means reclaiming control over your future. He emphasizes that responsibility does not mean reckless action; it means making intentional choices aligned with what matters to you, even if progress is slow or imperfect.

Squibb draws heavily on real-life stories, both from his own entrepreneurial journey and from people he has met along the way. These stories illustrate that there is no single path to fulfillment and that success rarely looks as neat as motivational slogans suggest. Many of the people featured stumbled, failed, restarted, and doubted themselves repeatedly. By highlighting these messy realities, Squibb dismantles the myth of overnight success and replaces it with a more honest narrative of persistence, learning, and adaptability. Dreams, he shows, are built through consistent effort and resilience, not sudden breakthroughs.

Another central idea in the book is the importance of action, even when clarity is lacking. Squibb argues that most people wait too long to begin because they believe they need a fully formed plan. In reality, clarity often comes after taking the first steps, not before. He encourages readers to experiment, test ideas, and learn through doing rather than endless thinking. Small actions, taken consistently, can reveal new opportunities and directions that would never appear through planning alone. This approach reduces the fear associated with big life changes by breaking them down into manageable steps.

Fear plays a significant role in holding people back, and Squibb addresses it directly. He explores common fears such as failure, judgment, financial instability, and disappointing others. Rather than suggesting that fear can be eliminated, he explains that fear is a natural response to growth. The key is learning how to move forward alongside fear instead of letting it dictate decisions. Squibb reframes failure as feedback, emphasizing that mistakes are not signs of inadequacy but necessary components of progress. This perspective helps readers see setbacks as part of the journey rather than reasons to quit.

The book also critiques traditional definitions of success, particularly those tied solely to money, status, or job titles. Squibb does not dismiss financial stability as unimportant, but he argues that wealth without fulfillment often leads to regret. He encourages readers to define success on their own terms, based on values, freedom, impact, and satisfaction. By doing so, people can design careers and lifestyles that align with who they are, rather than chasing external markers that may never bring lasting happiness.

Community and support are highlighted as crucial elements in pursuing dreams. Squibb emphasizes the value of surrounding yourself with people who encourage growth rather than reinforce fear. He also stresses the importance of helping others achieve their dreams, noting that generosity and collaboration often open unexpected doors. By contributing to a culture where dreaming is normalized and supported, individuals not only strengthen their own resolve but also create environments where innovation and fulfillment can flourish.

Squibb’s writing style is direct, conversational, and motivating without being preachy. He avoids complex theories and instead focuses on practical insights drawn from lived experience. The book repeatedly returns to the idea that dreaming is a skill that can be relearned. By asking better questions, taking small risks, and being honest about what you want, it is possible to reconnect with lost ambitions at any stage of life. Squibb reassures readers that it is never too late to change direction, provided they are willing to take responsibility and act.

In conclusion, "What’s Your Dream?: Find Your Passion. Love Your Work. Build a Richer Life" by Simon Squibb is a call to wake up from autopilot and reengage with life intentionally. It challenges deeply ingrained beliefs about safety, success, and self-worth, offering a more human and flexible approach to building a meaningful future. Rather than promising easy answers, the book provides a mindset shift that empowers readers to ask the right questions and take ownership of their path. By redefining dreams as practical, achievable, and deeply personal, Squibb reminds readers that a richer life begins not with permission or perfection, but with the courage to pursue what truly matters.

[Ilona J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic view on business. I learned a lot about how to start the business, maintain it and eventually part ways with it. I love how detailed and well written this book is, backed up with personal stories, reflections and examples of the big companies. I especially loved the chapter about persistence and changing directions when facing difficulty, it was very inspiring and uplifting. Great job, thank you.

[Enda Hackett · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, if your dream is to own your own business, then this book contains some advice. which in all honestly isn't even that great. Give up your job, think poor etc etc. Thinking poor whilst having money is called greed. Thought the although went on a bit too much about himself whilst trying to down play that fact by stating that he is only trying to help people. The last concept on 'take four' is pure dribble and has no relevance to following your dreams

[IAN FIELDING-CALCUTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for business owners or would-be entrepreneurs

Simon has a very easy to read conversational style and the book is a very common sense narrative on how to be a successful entrepreneur.

I’d strongly recommend to anyone who’s in business and looking to exit or is early on in their journey.

[Madeleine K · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 but I rounded up because he seems like a sound guy. Nothing too ground breaking here but offers great advice on how to start a business and believe in yourself.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

An encouraging book with inspiring anecdotes and a great message about resilience, but ultimately this book is about entrepreneurship/business, so I think the title is very misleading.

[Aimee Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF Unbelievably repetitive, no actual advice, just a really long look at me motivational speech!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las prima weg, maar was niet levensveranderend.

[David Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s Your Dream?” By Simon Squibb , ok so I’ve now read through this book and it isn’t isn’t just a book—it’s a mirror. Simon Squibb manages to cut through the noise of everyday life and get right to the heart of what drives usall which is purpose. What I loved most about this book is how he challenges the idea that dreams are just for the lucky few. As they are not .. everyone has a dream within themselves and His message is clear—you already have everything you need to start your dream journey within yourself . The stories, insights, and honest tone made me stop and think about what I actually want and what I want do do for myself .. not what I’ve been conditioned to want and brought up being led to believe what is right to do such as working for other people in dead end jobs working my way up a corporate ladder where only the company wins … It’s such a motivational read without being preachy, and it’s practical without losing the emotional impact. This book gave me the nudge I didn’t know I needed to go reach my goals …. And I’m starting that journey as of now and trying my upmost best to make it succeed although I know I will need help and support along the way ….. I Highly recommended this book for anyone who’s an entrepreneur, business startup , someone that’s been feeling stuck , anyone that’s been put down in what they really want to go for being told it won’t work or to anyone that just needs permission to dream again.” …. Seriously this guy is an inspiration and although he looks like Jeremy Kyle don’t judge him by that go out and purchase this book “what’s your dream” by Simon Squibb (ps I want affiliate bonus for this lol)

[Jern Kunpittaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. p useful in cheering u up, and kickstart u into doing sh*ts. P good to hear his side of story, that makes this book more than those common “you need a dream” that the author echo throughout the book. First half ish is more on motivatin, while the later half is more on execution that I found more interesting. Some good reminders

-Every unresolved issue you store up now is one that will hurt you later
-Not abt who you know, but who you ask for help.
-You will need to travel light and move quickly.
-First customer is not about money, yet the transfer of trust and belief.( 3 is p good number)
-People buy from people, so story hugely matters!
-Target is break-even, and don’t forget to grow with customer you already have.
-Ask for money upfront. When is as much as important as how much when it comes to earning.
-In hiring, like in finding customer, know exactly what and who you are looking for. Need to share a moral code, how to treat people and do business, though complementary skills.
-Your personal brand is all you have.
-Knowing when and how to hold your ground. Back yourself unless you can see an exceptionally good reason not to.
-“If you stop, someone dies” Mentality.
-Dont get divorced when there is still love in the marriage. Same for selling company.
-Train people, trust people, and tear yourself away.
-“The things that really matter to us will go on being important no matter what else changes”