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13 min 46 sec
Available in:English

The Perfect Day to Boss Up: A Hustler's Guide to Building Your Empire

Rick Ross explains how he went from sleeping in his truck to running a business empire: guard your hours, keep more money than you show, choose loyal people and treat every loss as a lesson.

Table of Content

Many people work hard at looking successful and never build anything that lasts. In The Perfect Day to Boss Up, rapper and label founder Rick Ross, writing with Neil Martinez-Belkin, argues that being a boss is about how you handle time, money, people and setbacks, whatever is on your wrist. His opening lesson is blunt: a goal does not care how good your excuse is. When the pandemic wiped out his touring income, Ross changed the plan instead of waiting it out.

That idea runs through the whole book. A boss takes the wheel of his own life, puts in years of unseen work, makes every hour and dollar work for him, and keeps adjusting as conditions change. Ross shows it through stories about a borrowed basement, a rosé deal he won by refusing to hear no, and a seizure that changed what he means by rich. Expect tests you can run on your calendar, your spending and your temper.

A global shutdown wiped out a rapper’s main source of income, and he retreated to an estate once owned by a bankrupt champion. What he did there shows how a boss responds when the ground moves.

Hip-hop legends met a young rapper and assumed he was doing well. He was sleeping in his truck. The gap between how he looked and how he lived holds a lesson about what real work involves.

A man with millions of dollars in watches says he loves them for a reason that has nothing to do with status. His pen-and-paper exercise shows where your own days are leaking away.

A sudden seven-figure check can ruin a young artist within a year. Ross kept his for nine months as if it did not exist, then bought an estate that earns money from film producers.

A wine founder told Ross no. A year later they were partners, and the brand topped its category. The same story holds a warning about the day Ross let his temper answer for him.

A tour of Kanye West’s campaign headquarters left Ross amazed and unconvinced. What he took from it explains why copying another person’s route to success so often fails.

Chasing a nine-figure net worth brought Ross close to his target and closer to death. His recovery, and a restaurant in his hometown, redefine what he means by the word rich.

Ross’s version of being a boss comes down to holding the wheel: owning your hours, keeping more money than you show, choosing loyal people, staying calm under attack and treating every loss as a lesson paid for. His clearest proof is a single property. Evander Holyfield earned hundreds of millions and still lost The Promise Land. Ross bought it, mowed it himself and made it pay its own way.

He adds a final warning. Life breaks even a tight plan, so the good times are when you prepare, building reserves for emergencies and for rare chances that need cash quickly. Ross calls life a game of chess, so think several moves ahead.

A practical start is the two lists, the day you live now and the day your best self would live, followed by closing one gap this week. Before the next big purchase, ask whether you could buy it twice or whether it could earn its keep. When the next loss comes, look for the lesson before the excuse. Ross’s own reset began with a tractor and an overgrown lawn.

About this book

What is this book about?

Plenty of people put their energy into looking successful: the rented car, the big purchase, the image online. Rick Ross watched hustlers in Miami make money fast and lose it even faster, and he saw a boxing champion earn hundreds of millions and still go bankrupt. Writing with Neil Martinez-Belkin, he argues that being a boss means something else: taking the wheel of your own life and putting in the long, unseen work. The book draws on Ross's own path, from sleeping in a DJ's basement to signing with Def Jam, buying a 235-acre estate and investing in a rosé brand whose founder first turned him down. Ross turns those stories into plain rules. Audit how you spend your 24 hours. Never buy what you could not buy twice, and make big purchases earn money. Make yourself an opportunity others cannot refuse. Stay calm when attacked, hustle in a way that fits your values, and learn from every loss. Readers get a direct, street-tested playbook for ambition, money and resilience. It comes with a warning from Ross's own health scare: success also means time with family and the mark you leave on the place you came from.

Book Information

Rating:

Genre:

Entrepreneurship & Startups, Motivation & Inspiration

Topics:

Entrepreneurship, Grit, Mindset

Publisher:

HarperCollins

Language:

English

Narrator:

Nora

First published:

September 7, 2021

Pages:

288

Length:

13 min 46 sec

Get the book:

Amazon

Who it's for

  • Early-career creators and professionals

    Young professionals and creators who want to build something real instead of just looking successful.

  • First-payout founders and moonlighters

    Side hustlers and founders deciding how to spend a first big paycheck or advance.

  • Rebuilders after setbacks

    Anyone recovering from a public mistake or a setback who wants a tougher, calmer way to respond.

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About the Author

Rick Ross

Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II in 1976, is a rapper and music executive. He signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Def Jam before his debut single Hustlin' came out in 2006, and his first album, Port of Miami, reached number one on the Billboard 200. In 2008 he founded Maybach Music Group, home to artists such as Meek Mill, Wale, French Montana and Omarion, and he has earned nine Grammy nominations. Co-author Neil Martinez-Belkin's work has reached the New York Times bestseller list, and he also worked on The Autobiography of Gucci Mane.

Ratings & Reviews

Ratings at a glance

4.2

Overall score based on 288 ratings.

What people think

Listeners find this to be an entertaining and accessible work that offers useful tactics and meaningful perspectives. Furthermore, they value the way it motivates entrepreneurs to pursue excellence, with one listener describing the book as a mentor. The writing style is also well-regarded, and listeners feel it is worth the investment, with one individual mentioning it is perfect to start your day.

Top reviews

Satit

Finally got around to reading the Boss's manual, and it did not disappoint. The way Ross describes building his empire from the ground up makes you want to go out and conquer your own corner of the world immediately. He talks a lot about his 350-acre estate and his jewelry, but if you look past the flash, the mindset shifts he suggests are genuinely transformative. I loved the advice about not putting a deadline on your dreams; he says you might as well not try if you're already looking for an exit. Smash that hourglass and focus on the work. To me, this book acts as a digital mentor for anyone who feels stuck in a rut. It’s a very fast read, but the lessons on turning losses into lessons stick with you long after you finish the final page.

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Landon

As someone who is currently trying to scale a small business, I found the chapter on persistence to be exactly the wake-up call I needed. Ross explains that success is what you do when no one is paying attention, which is a powerful reminder for the grind. He doesn't sugarcoat the hustle. The book is filled with actionable tactics that go beyond the usual self-help fluff you find in most business books. I appreciated how he emphasized that being self-made tastes better, even if the journey is slow. There's a certain audacity in his writing that makes you believe anything is possible if you're willing to make the necessary changes. Whether you like his rap persona or not, the man knows how to put his money to work. This is definitely a book I’ll be revisiting whenever I need a boost of motivation.

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Oksana

Ever wonder what it’s like to have a multi-millionaire rapper as a mentor for a few hours? This book gives you exactly that experience. It’s filled with gems about assets, wealth, and the grit required to maintain an empire. Ross is very clear that if you aren't willing to make changes, you shouldn't expect your situation to change. I loved the focus on mastering one thing before branching out into a dozen ventures. The writing is punchy and direct, making it very easy to digest in just a couple of sittings. It feels authentic to who he is as an artist and a businessman. I’ve already started applying some of his thoughts on time management to my own daily routine. Definitely worth the read if you want to understand the mechanics of a high-level hustle.

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Aey

Wow. I didn't expect to walk away from a Rick Ross book feeling this inspired to overhaul my business strategy. He makes a lot of points about how your hustle determines your salary and why there is no such thing as a 'halfway hustler.' The advice about putting your money to work rather than just working for money is essential for anyone trying to build true wealth. He also shares some personal reflections on his fear of unfinished business that felt very raw and honest. The book is a perfect mix of personal anecdotes and practical strategies for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit. It really encourages you to strive for greatness without making excuses. If you're looking for a sign to finally start that project you've been putting off, this book is it.

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Tanawan

Look, if you can get past the constant talk about million-dollar timepieces and luxury cars, there is actual gold in these pages. Rick Ross writes with a level of confidence that is borderline infectious, even when he’s describing the most stunning beard in history. It’s not just about the money, although he certainly mentions his wealth every chance he gets. The real value is in the mindset he shares regarding persistence and avoiding a 'house of cards' lifestyle. Frankly, the advice on focusing on one thing until you master it is worth the price of admission alone. It’s a fast-paced read that manages to be both a memoir and a manual for someone looking to level up their professional life without sounding like a dry textbook. Some parts are definitely repetitive, but the core message is solid.

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Mai

Picked this up on a whim after seeing it available on Hoopla, and it turned out to be a surprisingly motivating read. Rick Ross has a unique way of framing the hustle that makes it feel accessible yet grand. He emphasizes that you are only one play away from changing everything, which is a great mantra to start your morning with. The book flows well and doesn't get bogged down in unnecessary jargon or long-winded anecdotes. I did find the constant mentions of his wealth a bit distracting, but I guess that's part of the 'Boss' brand. The truth is, his perspective on moving slowly like a heavy tank on the battlefield is a great metaphor for sustainable growth. It’s an easy-to-follow guide that provides a lot of inspiration for people looking to break out of their current situation.

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Zanya

To be fair, Rick Ross is a character, and you have to accept the audacious boasting to get to the real meat of the hustle. Once you accept that he’s going to talk about his wristwatches every ten pages, the advice is actually quite sound. He touches on the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and not 'hustling backwards' by trying to look successful before you actually are. The book is relatively short, so it doesn't overstay its welcome. I found the section on turning losses into lessons to be particularly poignant. It's not a revolutionary business text, but it’s a solid, entertaining account of how to maintain a winning mindset. If you need a little bit of 'Rozay' energy in your life, this is the perfect way to get it.

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Witthaya

This book feels more like a highlight reel of Ross's rich lifestyle than a step-by-step business blueprint. I was expecting more specific details on how he managed his various franchises, but instead, I got a lot of stories about his watch collection. He literally says he doesn't even use them to tell time because that's what smartphones are for! That kind of bragging gets a bit old after a while. However, the chapters on marketing and saving money were surprisingly practical and easy to follow. It’s a decent enough read if you’re a fan of his music, but don’t expect a deep dive into corporate strategy. It’s more about the 'vibe' of being a boss than the actual logistics of running a company. A fun read, just a bit light on the details I wanted.

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Pranee

The truth is that while Ross provides some solid life lessons, a lot of the 'boss' moves here are just standard self-improvement tropes. He talks about persistence and focus, which are great, but nothing I haven't heard in a dozen other books before. The 'humble bragging' is also constant throughout the text. One minute he's talking about how time is the most valuable resource, and the next he's listing off million-dollar watches he doesn't even use. It’s a bit of a contradiction. That being said, the book is quite readable and entertaining for what it is. It's a fun look into his world, even if it doesn't offer a 'straight blueprint' for building your own company. Good for a light, weekend read but don't expect a Masterclass.

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Julian

Not what I expected from a book titled as a guide to 'bossing up.' Instead of providing a detailed blueprint for business development, Ross spends way too much time humble bragging about his massive assets. I wanted to learn about his franchise strategies, but I ended up reading about why he owns his own line of beard oil because he has the 'most stunning beard in history.' To be fair, the writing style is breezy and it’s a quick read, but the substance just isn't there for a serious entrepreneur. It felt more like a promotional piece for his lifestyle than a genuine teaching tool. If you want deep business insights, you might want to look elsewhere. It's just too much style over substance for my personal taste.

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Questions about this book

Rick Ross, writing with Neil Martinez-Belkin, uses stories from his music and business career to explain what being a boss means. His answer is taking control of your own life: putting in years of unseen work, guarding your time, living below your means, making purchases earn money, choosing loyal people, staying calm under pressure and learning from losses. The book ends with a reminder that success also includes health, family and the mark you leave on your hometown.

Ross says never to buy anything you could not afford twice. When Def Jam paid him a seven-figure advance, he acted as if it did not exist for nine months and only bought a house after his debut album reached number one. He also makes big purchases earn: his $5.8 million estate has been a film set for Superfly and Coming 2 America. In his view, saving and investing buy peace of mind.

Write down everything you spend time on, from work and study to streaming and social media, with honest hours beside each. Then picture the best version of yourself and write how that person would spend a day. Compare the two lists, pick the changes that close the gap and hold yourself to them. Ross adds that patience matters, since the one time he nearly released a flop was when he rushed.

After tasting the rosé at a club, Ross wanted to invest, but the founder, Brett, said no. For a year Ross promoted it without pay, sending bottles to contacts in the industry, rapping about the brand and putting it in his videos. That proved his value, and the two have been partners for nearly a decade. The book says Luc Belaire has become the best-selling French rosé in the US.

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The Perfect Day to Boss Up

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