Hasta La Ideas

Illustration by Tom Lane

A collection of 45 personal essays by entrepreneurs from the creative industry has just been published by Creative England. One Thing I Know is billed as a guide for anyone setting up a creative business – and it’s also free from their website…

The recollections and stories also feature on the One Thing I Know site, with each one offering advice on a range of subjects from how set up a company, getting noticed, hiring and handling money, to dealing with clients and expanding the business.

The One Thing I Know site

“There’s one request which stands out from working with a wide variety of people running creative companies: ‘I’d like to talk to someone who’s done it before’,” writes co-editor Anthony Story in the book’s foreword.

“Hearing insights from entrepreneurs who have already navigated the challenges they face can clarify things in a way 20 business consultants would never achieve.”

The collection’s other editor, Daniel Humphrey, also recognises the hard-fought battles that young freelances face from personal experience.

“It’s a familiar story that many people in their twenties face,” he writes. “Speak to them and you’ll soon catch the mood: opportunities are rare and helping hands rarer still. While it would be easy for this ‘lost generation’ to moan and give up, they’ve instead done something pretty special.

“Small creative businesses are popping up across the country, fronted by recent graduates and freelancers who refuse to sell themselves short.”

Appropriately the book and website, both designed by Fiasco Design, also contain original artwork from over 30 commissioned UK artists.

Illustration by Jamie Jones

The articles come from both established creatives – including Dave Sproxton (Aardman), Charles Wace (twofour), Spencer Buck (Taxi Studio), and Jim Douglas (Future Publishing) – as well as from those whose are just starting out.

The free book can be ordered from onethingiknow.co.uk.

Update: Due to unprecendented demand the first print run has now sold out. According to the post on the site: “We will be looking at a second print run in the coming weeks and suggest that you email onethingiknow@creativeengland.co.uk and ask to be put on the waiting list so that you can be among the first to hear when it is available again.”

Illustration by Chris Malbon

Cover llustration by Little Whale Studio

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