How did this book start out?
The initial idea was a straight-talking business book, providing inspiring insights for unleashing creativity. While my book still provides quick-shot motivational advice, the style has developed into a deeper exploration of creative principles, or as Kirkus Reviews describes it, “A book of colorful tidbits to inspire creative thought.”
Why did you change the format?
I adapted the book in response to peer reviews. When asking for feedback, friends overwhelmingly preferred a more relaxed, conversational style. The Billion-Dollar Creative contains serious messages delivered in a light-hearted way. It’s the perfect book to pick up at the airport, or read over a weekend.
Where are you taking it next?
The goal is to complete all ten books. The follow-up will be a new series featuring real-life dilemmas, challenges and difficulties experienced by high-profile creative artists.
What is your billion-dollar creative idea?
I’m working on three. The first is an evocative digital magazine for daily inspiration based on innovation, creativity and design.” It’s a photo-themed Pinterest-Flipboard hybrid, showcasing stunning artwork from top agencies and designers. It covers latest trends from across the globe and hottest innovations from the world’s biggest brands. It took me three months to figure out the design across all media platforms, and I’m looking forward to rolling it out later this year. The second is a mind-blowingly awesome project management system that’s more visually dynamic than anything I’ve seen on the market. The third is a full-service digital agency, which doubles as an incubator/accelerator for creative impresarios and “technopreneurs.”
How has your background and experience made you an expert in business development or management — what has made you the expert?
In 2001, in my mid-20s, I set up my first company: a U.K.-based training consultancy. I’ve since been working on multiple ventures. Expertise develops over time. You try, you fail, you grow . . . try, fail, grow . . . and so on, until you get it right. You need to keep learning to recognize when you’re veering off-track so you can make adjustments to get back on the right path, and know when to take yourself out of the game to avoid burnout. This sounds easy. But it isn’t.
Can you boil down the essence of the advice for creative entrepreneurs in a sentence or two (i.e. elevator pitch)?
I think the idea of a single takeaway for successfully starting up and running a business, is a myth. There are too many variables. The same applies to developing creativity. There are hundreds of things you need to know. My first book covers 25 principles for unleashing creativity. Master these, and you’ll be well on the way.
David Margolis is author of The Billion–Dollar Creative: Inspiring Insights for Unleashing Creativity, published by Pacific Night. He spends his time between New York, London and Israel.
Q&A:
David Margolis
The Connector speaks with the author of “The Billion-Dollar Creative,” which explains 250 principles of creativity, over a 10-book series.