Ep. 221: Blu Dot’s John Christakos on Combining Artistic Vision and Business Acumen
John Christakos, co-founder and CEO of Blu Dot, grew up taking road trips with his father to textile mills, skipping school in favor of real-world experiences. He went on to double major in economics and studio art, a combination of creativity and business which proved itself invaluable later in life. After a life-changing year traveling the world with his closest friends, John eventually co-founded Blu Dot alongside them in 1997. In the decades since, under John’s leadership, Blu Dot has grown into an overwhelming success with a dynamic retail presence (online and IRL), prestigious design awards, a devoted following, and a reputation for responding to their customers and world events, with empathy, curiosity, and humanity.
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What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten?
When I graduated from business school I was talking to a successful entrepreneur about starting my own business. He said 'just pick something that you love to do and try and do it better than others.' It seems like simple advice, but it was an epiphany for me. I felt like if you were starting a business you needed something think of something novel. But in reality, the best thing to do is to do what you love.
What’s your current favorite tool or material to work with?
I’ve enjoyed experimenting with saddle leather, wet-molding it into different shapes, then stitching those together to form larger shapes.
What book(s) is on your nightstand?
No book on my nightstand
Favorite restaurant in your city?
My favorite restaurant is Cardamom at The Walker Art Center. It’s a block from my house.
Who do you look up to and why?
I get served up a lot of Steve Jobs quotes in my Instagram for some reason. And I find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with almost everything he says. His description of business being a blend between art and commerce, or the left brain and the right brain, ring so true to me.
What are the last five songs you listened to?
Lauryn Hill, Ex Factor
Les McCann and Eddie Harris, Compared to What
Buddy Miles, Them Changes
Talking Heads, The Great Curve
Elvis Presley, Polk Salad
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