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The Accidental Creative
Taking An Idea From Hunch To Shark Tank and Beyond
Taking An Idea From Hunch To Shark Tank and Beyond

Taking An Idea From Hunch To Shark Tank and Beyond

Several years ago, toymaker Neil Hoffman had an idea for a new toy that would make his family's life much more fun. The problem was, he had another job at the time, and this "side project" was likely to take up much more time and resources than he could spare. On this episode, we discuss Neil's journey from idea, to an appearance on Shark Tank, to creating an internationally successful toy product that has changed the lives of families across the globe.

The Accidental Creative
Wisdom At Work (with Chip Conley)
Wisdom At Work (with Chip Conley)

Wisdom At Work (with Chip Conley)

There are many stages we go through in our career, from novice to being the senior and most experienced person on the team. How we think about our role as we transition through these stages plays a large part in the quality of the body of work that we build. On today's episode, Chip Conley, a strategic advisor at Airbnb, shares insights into the making of a modern elder from his new book Wisdom At Work. 

The Accidental Creative
Running Down A Dream (with Tim Grahl)
Running Down A Dream (with Tim Grahl)

Running Down A Dream (with Tim Grahl)

There are a number of creative battles that must be won in order to get from where you are to where you want to be. Unfortunately, many creative pros are "taken out" of the game because they aren't prepared for what's inevitably going to come there way. Tim Grahl has been in the trenches for years, and on today's episode we discuss some of the common pitfalls creative pros face in building something great with insights from his new book Running Down A Dream. 

The Accidental Creative
Podcast: Unbranding (with Alison Stratton)
Podcast: Unbranding (with Alison Stratton)

Podcast: Unbranding (with Alison Stratton)

How do the best brands in the world inspire loyalty? And, why do some brands just seem to fall apart even though they seem to be doing everything right? On today's episode, Alison Stratten is here to share a few stories of brands who have leveraged comfort, cost, convenience, and convergence to grow incredible customer loyalty. Alison is the co-author of the new book Unbranding. 

The Accidental Creative
Podcast: Permission To Screw Up (with Kristen Hadeed)
Podcast: Permission To Screw Up (with Kristen Hadeed)

Podcast: Permission To Screw Up (with Kristen Hadeed)

When you hear the story of the founding of a business, you often get the sanitized version. You only hear the high points. However, it's often in failure that the biggest lessons are learned. Today's guest Kristen Hadeed founded Student Maid several years ago, but the early days weren't always so smooth. She's just published a book called Permission To Screw Up in which she chronicles some of the lessons learned as an entrepreneur and a boss, and on today's show she shares some of the hightlights.

The Accidental Creative
Podcast: Entrepreneurial You (with Dorie Clark)
Podcast: Entrepreneurial You (with Dorie Clark)

Podcast: Entrepreneurial You (with Dorie Clark)

It's one thing to build an income around a product or an idea, but it's something entirely different to build a business. On today's episode, Dorie Clark shares insights from her new book Entrepreneurial You. She's going to help us think through how to develop multiple sources of revenue to grow trust, influence, and income. 

The Accidental Creative
Podcast: Becoming a 10% Entrepreneur (with Patrick McGinnis)
Podcast: Becoming a 10% Entrepreneur (with Patrick McGinnis)

Podcast: Becoming a 10% Entrepreneur (with Patrick McGinnis)

So many creative pros spend their entire life exchanging their time and skills for money, but never gain an ownership stake in the work they do. However, some have discovered how to build a portfolio of assets that appreciates over time and gives them more freedom to pursue the work they love.

On today's show, Patrick McGinnis discusses the concept of a 10% Entrepreneur, and how to begin making small side bets that could lead to financial and creative freedom.

The Accidental Creative
Podcast: The Power Of Calling Your Own Bluff (with Julien Smith)
Podcast: The Power Of Calling Your Own Bluff (with Julien Smith)

Podcast: The Power Of Calling Your Own Bluff (with Julien Smith)

Julien Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Breather, a company that allows anyone to book beautiful, private, professional spaces whenever they need them. However, it's an idea that almost didn't happen. In this interview, Julien shares why he felt the need to launch something, why it's important to be an "operator", and why you need to focus on building something a few people will love rather than something a lot of people will like.

The Accidental Creative
Podcast: Brian Wells on Risk, Entrepreneurship, and Criticizing By Creating
Podcast: Brian Wells on Risk, Entrepreneurship, and Criticizing By Creating

Podcast: Brian Wells on Risk, Entrepreneurship, and Criticizing By Creating

Many people have ideas they’d like to pursue, whether that’s a new business, or a personal project, but in the choking stress of day to day life, their passion eventually wanes and the idea lies dormant. How do you actually bring an idea into the world, even while you are balancing all of the normal pressures of a job and a family?

The Accidental Creative
Podcast: Dave Munson of Saddleback Leather
Podcast: Dave Munson of Saddleback Leather

Podcast: Dave Munson of Saddleback Leather

What do you do when competitors are knocking off your product? Today's guest, Dave Munson (founder and CEO of Saddleback Leather), decided to create a video to show them how to do it better. In today's episode, Dave shares how to build your business around an ethic, why showing your values is critical, and the importance of seeking wisdom and establishing a vision.

The Accidental Creative
Podcast: Chris Michel on Art, Compliance Mechanisms, and Entrepreneurship
Podcast: Chris Michel on Art, Compliance Mechanisms, and Entrepreneurship

Podcast: Chris Michel on Art, Compliance Mechanisms, and Entrepreneurship

Chris Michel is a successful entrepreneur, having built and sold multiple companies, and a world-traveling writer and photographer. In this interview, he shares his thoughts about where ideas come from, the importance of compliance mechanisms, and how to continue to grow and evolve in life and work.