How do I learn the process of conducting an IPO / SPAC / raising whatever financial vehicle by myself

Hey guys,

My question is, say I want to conduct an IPO or a listing through a SPAC and I want to do this by myself without paying an investment bank, how would I go about this and where can I / how should I learn more about the entire process?

This is more out of curiosity since I don't really work in finance anymore, I used to be a trader but I'm now enrolled in a PhD. I'm asking this because recently SPACs seem to be really popular and I have a friend who used to work almost exclusively on SPAC listings. This friend of mine has very impressive networking skills, is extremely mature for his age, used to work in a well known boutique investment bank but somehow managed to open his own boutique IB in China, all when he was just a touch over 25. His main business was helping Chinese businesses list in the US or overseas through SPACs in the early days and definitely back when Matt Levine hadn't started writing about it yet.

Thus, my question is more out of curiosity then anything (although I'm sure any answers would also be helpful to those looking to strike out on their own). What does this process involve and how what do I need to go about it as an independent financier?

Thanks