Creative Enterprise releases inspirational new book: One Thing I Know

Creative Enterprise (delivered by Creative England, part of Creative UK) today releases One Thing I Know – a new book to inspire the next generation of business leaders. Made possible by National Lottery funding from the BFI, the book has been compiled by Writer/Editor Anthony Story and designed by Fiasco Design. With the subtitle Hard Earned Insights From Industry Leaders, this 2022 edition is published following the success of the first volume of One Thing I Know in 2013. 

Creative companies are driven by passion. Most founders set out with a mission to produce inspiring work – not to wade through spreadsheets – but the business still needs running. While there’s plenty of advice around to help, it doesn’t usually focus on the specific issues faced by creative companies. One Thing I Know provides heard-earned insights from 33 creative entrepreneurs. Many have been there and done it before, others are still on the journey, picking up useful insights as they go. They all come from the world of TV, Film and video games – with many of them blending those media as the technology evolves. Their articles consider some of the critical business challenges they have faced and explore how they have tackled them. Separated into six chapters – Vision & Realities, Audience & Buyers, Creativity & Dedication, Growing Pains & Opportunity, People & Culture and Money & Focus – One Thing I Know is an essential source of inspiration and reassurance for anyone pursuing a similar path. 

Compiled by Writer/Editor Anthony Story, with original artwork by 16 illustrators, One Thing I Know includes forewords and essays from Creative UK’s CEO, Caroline Norbury OBE, and Creative UK’s Chief Investment Officer, Mehjabeen Patrick, as well as Anthony Story and Sir Ian Livingston CBE, best-known as the co-founder of the phenomenally successful company Games Workshop.  

Caroline Norbury OBE, CEO at Creative UK said: “It is a paradox of the Creative Industries that too often our companies possess the talent, dynamism and ideas that are vital to making any business a success, yet lack the rigorous business expertise, structures or discipline found in other sectors. By vastly increasing and democratising opportunities for developing talent and sharing knowledge, I believe we can unleash untapped potential across the UK. The insights of the brilliant individuals who have contributed to One Thing I Know will surely provide a spark to set the creative curiosity or ambition of any aspiring entrepreneur aflame, offering practical guidance and inspirational stories in equal measure.” 

Mehjabeen Patrick, Chief Investment Officer at Creative UK said: “There are creative entrepreneurs and innovators throughout our sector using their considerable talents to push the boundaries of what creativity can achieve. While their talents are found in abundance, what is not so readily available is the funding needed for creative businesses to thrive and grow, or the knowledge often required to access it. Whether an emerging creative leader or established business founder, my hope is that people take from this book the confidence to believe in their abilities and ideas, and the conviction to remain true to both in the pursuit of success.” 

Anthony Story, Writer/Editor, said: “One thing that makes it lonely at the top, is having confidence that the choices you make are the right ones. This book shines a light on key decisions taken by a range of creative entrepreneurs at strategic moments in their careers. They provide a stream of insights, across all main elements of running a business, to explain the factors, motives and mistakes which helped them take the right path when it mattered.” 

To access a free digital version of One Thing I Know: Volume 2 or request a free hard copy (limited availability), please visit otik.wearecreative.uk/en-gb/one-thing-i-know-2022  

For press and media enquiries and to receive a hard copy of the publication for review, please contact Matthew Horne, Communications Manager, Creative UK on matthew.horne@wearecreative.uk  / 07874 867947 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

One Thing I Know contributors 

The full list contributors to One Thing I Know: Volume 2, is as follows: