Set up for success: The morning routines of 14 Australian entrepreneurs

What are the habits of successful entrepreneurs? And why should you care?

In Holly Ransom’s new book, The Leading Edge, she shares the reason why she invites as many people as she can out for coffee. Drawing on a lesson she learnt during a leadership program, to “copy genius”, Ransom makes a point of reaching out to people who she believes she can learn from, and then listens. 

As Ransom explains:

“There are natural laws of human behaviour that govern decision-making, motivation, and results. Successful people, companies and communities leave a trail of breadcrumbs for us to follow. Why not discover what these natural laws of success reveal and apply them, instead of trying to make it all up as you go?”

The way people behave, and the habits they form, can give clues about what success looks like on a daily basis. Many successful business people, for example, choose to wake early to fit in their daily exercise and clear their minds. Others find sharing a meal with their family members puts them in the right frame of mind to then tackle their work day. 

SmartCompany asked a panel of local entrepreneurs how they start each morning. Here’s what they had to say.

Luke Anear, founder and CEO, SafetyCulture

I’m not one for a set morning routine, with SafetyCulture growing and changing rapidly at the moment, I try to be as flexible as possible. I check my emails as soon as I wake up — whilst I’ve read all the literature on not checking your emails first thing in order to set you up for success, it genuinely is the first thing I do. Given the time zones we operate in, I want to always ensure I’m on top of anything urgent and accessible if needed.

When I don’t have early meetings with the international team, I like to get out for a swim. I find a workout sets me up for a good day and a swim especially helps me centre my focus and think about what I need to achieve that day. After that, I’ll listen to an episode of the Dr Karl podcast, grab a juice and breakfast (normally avo on toast, either at home or at my local), before beginning the day.

When it comes to work I’m either sitting down early with international teams, or other leadership teams across the business to align on our goals for the day or the week. We use a checklist to look at SafetyCulture’s upcoming projects or announcements and plan ahead. Staying as connected to my teams as possible is very important to me, especially with what’s currently going on in Australia, so having a great team to lean on is vital.

Catherine Cervasio, founder, Aromababy

I start my day by checking emails over a black coffee. I like to look at what orders have come through overnight, especially if we have any type of campaign running. Then I shower and take a few minutes to practice some mindfulness. I use aromatherapy in my work daily so I’m fortunate to have a wide variety of organic essential oils on hand. I add a drop of oil to my palm, rub my hands together and inhale deeply with eyes closed. I find this helps to clear my head and set me up for the day. I check WeChat, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to make sure there is nothing of urgency. If there’s been some interesting piece of business news, I’ll post on LinkedIn as I find this works well in the mornings.

I head off to the office most days and aim to be there for at least a 10-3pm stint, but this does alter based on what is going on. I catch up on phone calls during the commute — around 30 minutes — and always aim to begin my day with a positive outlook; my few minutes of quiet time (and coffee) seem to do the trick. During our extensive lockdowns across Victoria, for example, I’ve been more hands on purely to ensure our orders are dispatched quickly (we’re shipping essentials including baby skincare, natural sanitiser and even fabric masks). By the time I reach the office I’m ready for another coffee!

David Mallett, founder, Yanun Project Services

I’ve always been a morning person, which was exemplified by my time in the military. An ideal day has me up at 5.30am for a cycle, either on the road with a few mates if the weather permits, or alternatively on my indoor trainer. 

I then run the family kitchen like a sergeant’s mess, with the kids helping me unpack the dishwasher, sort breakfast and make school lunches. Given I have a 45 minute commute, I’m generally out the door by 7.30am, and I either make some calls on the road or listen to an audio book. On an imperfect day, I don’t train, leave the kitchen a mess and yell at my son 20 times to put his shoes on. Life is about rolling with the punches.

Kate Morris, founder and chief of innovation, Adore Beauty

Mine is very boring, I don’t do any high powered things at all! Sometimes I try and squeeze in 20 mins of exercise but mostly it’s just getting the kids ready for school (or home learning as the case may be).

Sean Satha, founder, Local Supply

I’ve got two young kids (two and four years old) so I have to be pretty flexible in the mornings. That being said, having a routine is super important to me and I try to keep it as consistent as possible.

I usually get up around an hour before the kids — and I try to be as quiet as possible to avoid waking them up. I meditate for around 20 minutes then get ready for the day. I’ve been working from home for the past year and I’ve learnt that even though I might not be seeing anyone face-to-face, it’s still important to have a shower and change out of my pyjamas.

Once the kids are awake, I spend the next couple of hours with them. Our creative director is based in Europe and I’ll often have calls in the evening, so I make sure I spend some quality time with my daughters in the morning.

I avoid checking my emails in the morning. I want to be mentally present when I’m spending time with my kids and I don’t want to be thinking about work. Also, I want to have a clear head when I’m planning my day, and I don’t want my day to be dictated by my inbox.

Marnie Golding, creative director and co-founder of Elk

Mornings always start early by taking a moment to myself in quiet solitude. 

I feel like I am running from morning to night so making a cup of tea, going through some basic yoga moves or meditation and then checking my calendar for the day centres me and helps me cope with the chaos that comes once the kids are up and the day kicks into gear!

Andy Skora, co-founder and director, Fellr

I have always been an early riser, usually waking up around 5.30am. Once I wake and my mind starts turning there is no way I am going back to sleep. I love it though. It’s the only time of the day that I truly have to myself before all the distractions kick in. The first thing I try to do every morning (after coffee) is workout, whether it’s the gym, surfing, walking or stretching (on days I am not feeling it).

I usually finish my workout around 6.30-7am, which leaves me with about an hour and a half until emails, calls, and meetings start coming in and I begin to do a lot of reactionary tasks throughout the day. I use that hour and a half for planning, strategic/creative thinking, and any urgent admin as there are minimal distractions and I have a clear/fresh mind. I do have a beautiful four month old baby girl so I am switching out the gym with nappy changes more and more these days! I have to be flexible with everything.

Will Morgan, co-founder and director, Fellr

Mornings have changed a lot in the last year; they used to be for training, recovering from an event the night before, or jumping on emails super early, but now priorities have changed a little.

It’s still super important to get out for a run or training session first thing to clear the head and get the blood pumping, but having a 10 month old, mornings are now my quality time with the little man before the craziness of the day begins. So taking him out for a walk, play in the park, helping him stuff his face with blueberries, that type of thing. Sets up the day nicely. It’s a hoot.

Renae Kunda, co-founder, Cape York Motorcycle Adventures

I wake up at around 3.30-4.30 am each day and the first thing I do is make the bed. I read somewhere that if you do this one simple task you set yourself up to win the day. It works, then I put the kettle on to make a coffee.

I go to the computer in my pyjamas (I work from home), clear out my email and reconcile Xero accounting software. That process creates a new to-do list to join the things that didn’t make it off yesterday’s list.

With the small things out of the way and the coffee kicking in, I will complete one big task while it is quiet and the internet is fast. I do this six days a week!

The sun makes itself visible; the birds and horses start to stir, making the dog bark. Time for a 5km walk (at least four days a week)!

Headphones on, watch set to track my steps, doggo smiling up at me, we watch the sunrise together, check the paddocks and get clarity for the day. The most brilliant ideas occur out there; I just wish I could remember them all. 

By the time it’s 8.30-9am, I’m showered, dressed and ready to start my day.

Alan Tse, co-founder, Altina

My typical morning routine involves getting up around 6.30am and after spending 15 minutes to make myself presentable. I make my coffee using my Breville coffee machine and alternate between browsing LinkedIn, news, emails and/or professional membership magazines. Then it’s time to say hi to my little one around 7am, have breakfast and leave the house. 

The first 30 minutes of my morning drinking coffee and having time alone to absorb and share information is relaxing and makes me in control for the day.

Lana Coppel, founder and director, Order of Style

Having two small children means you are never truly in charge of how your day starts — everyday is different and occasionally challenging. However, I try my best to start the day with the same routine for us all. I usually wake up around 6.30am, check emails and social media for about 15 mins, make the bed, shower, and dress; meanwhile my husband gets the children up and we meet them in the kitchen for a communal breakfast. Sometimes I attend an early morning Pilates or Yoga class.

I feel that this communal breakfast where we sit together is an important ritual that helps us all (kids included) understand the needs of the day, what our expectations are for them getting ready for school, and checking in with what activities are on during and after hours. It sets up expectations and allows them to have ownership of their developing personal world.

Bec Hardy, co-owner and co-managing director, Bec Hardy Wines

I usually wake up around 6am, although that can be a bit painful in winter! Family time is important for us, so my husband and co-owner Richard and I have a proper breakfast with our daughter Matilda. It always starts with a proper loose leaf tea — Yorkshire of course — from Richard’s homeland, and home baked sourdough bread, often with kumquat marmalade from the garden. I’ll make Matilda’s packed lunch — we make an effort to go plastic free so that takes a bit of time!

The drive from her school after drop-off to the office at the Pertaringa cellar door is 20 minutes and I listen to ABC Classic for some tranquillity after the morning rush. The news starts a few mins before I arrive at work so I can catch up on what’s going on before work.

For me it’s all about arriving at the office relaxed and in a positive frame of mind to take on the day. Our office is next to the cellar door, which is in such a beautiful spot in McLaren Vale, so even if the news is depressing, when I drive through the vines, I arrive calm and optimistic for the day ahead.

Nathan Dalah, co-founder and director, The Fishbowl Group

My day nearly always starts by walking my dog Chilli to the park with my partner. Fresh air and family time sets me up for a productive day, and also buys me an extra hour or so in the office at night! I’m a bit of a zombie until I’ve had at least one or two oat latte’s from Side Room, and then I’m off to the races.

Nic Pestalozzi, co-founder and director, The Fishbowl Group

I like to get outside, move my body, and finish with a coffee. It could be a walk, run or ocean swim, the activity is irrelevant as long as time has been put aside to get outside prior to work and set my intentions for the day.