Des Hague went from homelessness at 15 to leading multimillion-dollar companies and investing in 50+ ventures. His story isn’t about hype—it’s about resilience, speed of execution, and building businesses that win.
In this episode, we cover:
Growing up in Belfast during unrest and losing his mother at nine
Becoming homeless at fifteen and learning “whatever it takes”
Turning rejection into fuel (including MBA school rejections)
Why talent is the #1 driver of business success
Founder mindset vs. employee mindset
The importance of speed and avoiding mediocrity
How AI is reshaping industries—and how to adapt
Learning to say no and focusing on home-run opportunities
Key takeaway: Resilience matters—but disciplined execution, adaptability, and surrounding yourself with top talent are what create lasting business growth.
Book Recommendations from Des Hague
Think Your Way to the Top: 52 Weekly Thought Exercises — Des Hague
15 Minutes of Shame — Des Hague
The Innovator’s Dilemma — Clayton Christensen
The World Is Flat — Thomas Friedman
Leading by Wandering Around
Leading with Laughter
Autobiographies of influential leaders (learning both what to do—and what not to do), including:
Estée Lauder, Henry Ford
Napoleon, Alexander the Great
Queen Elizabeth
Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington
Global leaders like Gandhi and Confucius
And even controversial figures (as “what not to do” lessons): Stalin, Lenin, Mao
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