The Business of Creativity: An expert guide to starting and growing a business in the creative sector

Would you like to earn a living following your creative passion and doing what you love every day? This book will show you how. In The Business of Creativity, Michael Jacobsen draws on his rich experience of owning and operating global entertainment businesses to provide the practical guidance that creative start-ups need to get going. His two key mantras are that each business needs a vision, mission and values, and that the route to success is to observe those who have been successful in your sector and to model their approach. As well as explaining exactly how to do this, he covers the business essentials that all creative entrepreneurs need to consider. The creative sector is worth GBP36bn a year to the British economy; it is big business and the opportunity is there for entrepreneurs in creative industries to start up and build successful businesses. But bridging the gap between creativity and commerce can be difficult - some see a conflict between artistic integrity and a profit motive, and how exactly do you take your spare room creative enterprise to the next level?In this book Jacobsen looks at: what foundations to put in place to get your business started; how to set up and grow your business; sources of funding and tips for organising business finances; what angels and other investors will look for; where to find support; and the psychology of business success. There are also numerous case studies from successful creative businesses of all sizes and wisdom from high-profile businesspeople operating in the creative sector. This straight-talking business guide is packed with actionable advice and essential tips to give you everything you need to start and grow your creative business.

Table of Contents:
About the author Preface Introduction 1. Curtain Up - Getting Started In Business The Ingredients for Success A Sound Footing for Your Business 2. How To Set Up Your Business Vision, Mission and Values General admin and tax (the boring stuff) Research Choosing a Business Structure Business Systems Buying a Business Starting a Creative Sector Business at Home 3. How To Grow Your Business The Biggest Mistakes When Starting a Business How to Write a Business Plan Proof of Concept Marketing Legal tips 4. Finance And Funding Financial Ratios Financial Statements Day-to-Day Finance Sources of Funding Other Funding Channels for the Creative Sector How to Pitch for and Raise Money How to Take On an Investor and Manage Them 5. Where To Find Support Accelerators 6. Psychological Mastery Tips for Psychological Mastery Fitness and Psychology 7. What To Do Next Combining it with Your Job Doing it from Your Spare Room Making the Break - Going It Alone What Do I Do and How Do I Do It? Some Inspiration 8. Famous British Success Stories 9. Words Of Wisdom Next Steps Concluding Thoughts - How to Become a Professional Business Person Without Losing Your Creative Streak Index

About the Author :
Michael Jacobsen is an Australian-born serial entrepreneur, now based in Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Business degree from UTS in Sydney and a financial diploma from the Australian Securities Institute. He is active in UK and European business and is also an angel investor and business mentor to start ups, growth businesses and businesses in the creative sector, predominantly in the UK and Europe. He sits on the board of the world-renowned Australian Centre for Event Management, a division of the business faculty at the University of Technology Sydney. Michael co-founded/owned and was founding co-producer of 'Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage', which held its world premiere in Australia in 2004 and has since played in Holland, Canada, the USA, Germany and London's West End. It set box office records in Germany, Canada and London and is one of the most successful live entertainment products ever staged in terms of ticket sales and revenue. Michael also co-founded and developed the 13,000-seat Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, and sat on the board as an executive director. For a number of years he was also on the board of the 2000-seat Capitol Theatre in Sydney and was CEO and board member of the 12,000-seat Sydney Entertainment Centre for six years. He has also been involved in the promotion of concert tours by numerous leading artists including Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Barbra Streisand. Alongside his own entrepreneurial activities, Michael is active as a business mentor in the UK and Europe. He has taken numerous companies to market and worked with others on how to become investable - assisting them in gaining finance, venture capital and private equity. Michael is passionate about education and in addition to his work as a business mentor, he lectures at universities in London, is a mentor at the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, sits on the steering committee for NACUE Create (National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs), has acted as a resident entrepreneur for the StartUp Britain campaign and is a mentor for the Doug Richard School for Creative Startups.