Rick Rubin - Co-Founder of Def Jam Records and one of the most successful record producers ever.

Last week he was asked the question:

“What if other people don’t like your stuff?”

His response?

“I’m not making it for them, I’m making it for me”

I’ve been chewing over this the past week. Here’s why it matters to you…

There is a difference between art & business.

He was speaking as an artist.

What does this mean for you? Where do the two intersect?

Successful founders can find the pulse between them.

Art > Business > Art

Let me explain…

Entrepreneurs are problem solvers; most start by ‘scratching their own itch’

This is essentially a form of art.

Some will succeed in business… by accident.

Others’ “art” will remain exactly that… just art.

The problem occurs once you try to achieve meaningful growth.

Growth is dictated by the market, meaning you are forced to create for someone else…

So the challenge is…

→ Transforming art into business.

In pursuit of commercial viability, many will lose the originality of art as they attempt to be like everyone else…

But…

Once proven… This is where you must become the artist once again.

Pushing beyond boundaries requires courage, and the freedom to do things “for their own sake”.

You stay ahead of the market, by being willing to fail…

It’s a beautiful, yet improvised dance of intertwinement…

Essential for longevity.

• The biggest brands started by solving a single problem.
• They also have strong commercial foundations.
• They also value artists who can pave the way.

It’s easy for Rick to take the purist approach.

But in reality, no one wants to be a starving artist!

Your uniqueness gets you started, and differentiates you…

But the key to scale is in serving others.

You've found your balance if you can keep your artistic integrity while still making money and growing consistently.

The end goal is to express yourself and be rewarded for it.

To be a truly successful artist.

A market of 1.

Enjoy your weekend! ✌🏽

–

P.S. I’m hosting a workshop next Thursday on “How To Create a 6-figure Marketing Strategy”

• Unsure which metrics matter or what to track?
• Still waking up and deciding what to post?
• Fed up of working with no results?

Bonus: You’ll get my Marketing Calendar Template I've used with $5M brands.

Plus a clear daily plan to execute February.

Tickets are just $100

Reply INFO to this email if you're interested ✌🏽

(Recording is included for all customers. But it will not be for sale after the event on Friday.)