In 2017, I set out to start a different kind of business. It was going to be a business that was creative in every way. From its purpose and structure - through to the way it generates revenue and re-invests it into future projects.

But first, let’s go back a step.

I was 8 years old when I first remember wanting to work in radio. As well as loving music I loved listening to people ‘make stuff up’. It felt like the ultimate form of creative expression.

I was lucky enough to get my first job in radio aged 20, and from there built a 20 year career working across media publishing and media agency.

When it came time to do something for myself I had one philosophy. Whatever I did had to make the world a more creative place.

That mission has set a clear focus on what I do, and how I do it.

The Ideas Business was to be a business of ideas. That means there wouldn’t be one singular product or service that we offer. We were going to find varied ways to add value for our clients. Then we would re-invest the income generated from those efforts into developing even more ideas.

Our first idea was offering Creative Consulting services back to media.

Then came Workshop and Conference facilitation.

We were then asked to put together training programs and coaching sessions on Creativity.

Then came a podcast, followed by an annual media industry survey about creativity.

When Covid arrived, we launched an online course.

And now (in collaboration with others) we’ve launched a subscription growth service for scale-ups, and are in the process of developing a creative leadership program.

The Ideas Business will continue to change over time. As we uncover new problems to solve we will discover new opportunities that solve them. Our fluidity and versatility is our unique difference. We will create, curate, and collaborate with others to develop products and services that help people.

The one thing that won’t change is my guiding philosophy: Strive to be of value, and make the world a more creative place.