From starting a business in his parents' garage in Canberra six years ago to this week inking a deal with Australia's biggest company, Wesfarmers - Mick Spencer is making some serious dreams come true.
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The 28-year-old said his customised sports apparel business ONTHEGO was reaching new heights by signing a joint venture with the corporate giant which would result in more staff in Canberra and sales eventually reaching $100 million.
Mr Spencer said he had been waiting for the right big partner to come along, having rejected overtures from others when they weren't "the right fit''.
"In some ways I pinch myself still and in some ways I've been so focused on planning and goal-setting, it becomes a reality,'' he said, of the deal.
The joint venture will see Wesfarmers white label ONTHEGO's software to produce its own customised uniforms via is subsidiary Workwear Group, which includes iconic brands such as King Gee and Hard Yakka.
"The [joint venture] has a significant sales commitment to us. The deal is made up of the capital injection of the share acquisition as well as the revenues they'll be giving the business, which will help to grow our team and supply base,'' Mr Spencer said.
ONTHEGO has set up an online system where customers can quickly customise and design their own gear with the click of a few buttons, making it attractive to established companies who want to speed up their own orders and processes.
Mr Spencer said Wesfarmer's interest in ONTHEGO was now five per cent. He remains the biggest shareholder with about 60 per cent, while Canberra company Doma is the second-biggest shareholder with 12 per cent.
He said the company currently had 35 staff and expected that number to grow to 100, with most to be based in Canberra, at its head office in Mitchell.
Mr Spencer said there was only growth ahead.
"The business will be hitting its straps in the next three to five years to hit the 100 million [in sales],'' he said.
It comes as Mr Spencer also revealed his autobiographical, how-to book, called Start Before You're Ready, would be published in November.
He hoped he was inspirational to other Canberra companies and helping to change the stereotypes about the national capital.
"It's one more story that gives Canberra a kick in the way of the entrepreneurial vibe here,'' he said.
A passionate Canberran, he had enjoyed showing off his home city to some corporate highflyers.
"We've had the Wesfarmers people come to Canberra and really enjoy the city and we've brought people in from overseas as well,'' he said.
"We're just constantly getting positives about the city. Wesfarmers execs will say, 'You know what? This is a great place to live. It's one of the great young cities'. It'll hopefully bring more people here when we hire them.''
Workwear Group chief executive Doug Swan said: “This is a great opportunity for the Workwear Group to disrupt itself and further enhance its position as Australia and New Zealand’s leading uniform provider''.
