Business in Shoreditch: Interview with Hector Proud Director of Idea Generation

G: Tell us about your business(-es):

I’m the managing director of Idea Generation – a group of creative production / service companies, including pr, marketing, sponsorship, filming – as well as a public gallery & programming arm.

G: What did inspire you to start?

I wanted to have a vehicle to help translate creative ideas into reality – whether they were my own ideas – or other people’s

G: Why is your business unique?

Few things are truly unique – but our approach aims to stand out in that it marries stand-out creativity with a highly disciplined organisational approach / execution

G: Tell us about the other projects you are working on?

Well, Shoreditch Fringe for a start. (see www.shoreditchfringe.org) Also a big project called comedy on the canals for 2012. Another one is i-Ghosts, but I’m not allowed to say much about that at the moment.

G: What are the main challenges maintaining your business and how are you overcoming them?

Money, money, money. Ensuring that your enthusiasm for creative ideas is matched by the business acumen to provide a revenue stream to pay for it!

G: what would you say has been your most memorable experience while developing your business?

Ok – there are a lot of these. Perhaps watching Gorillaz live in rehearsal in 2005; the launch of many of our best exhibitions (Mick Rock; Robert Altman; Storm Thorgerson; Syd Barrett); organising 1,000 multi-coloured naked people on the big chill hill for Spencer Tunick…

G: What were the funniest moments that happened while running your business?

Many of the above.. suggesting a story about Jose Mourinho for time out magazine.

G: Tell us about do’s and don’ts when running the company?

Do:

– place absolute priority on things that might feel difficult or unnecessary, namely:

– hiring the right people

– accurate budgeting

– business planning

Don’t:

– ignore doing the above. the tempation is to run ahead with day-to-day work, and put off doing these things. don’t – you’ll almost certainly regret it..!!!

G: Why do you choose Shoreditch to run your business?

unique eco-system of creative companies and can-do attitude – and affordable offices (just..)

G: What should help for the development of Shoreditch entrepreneurial community?

Rent control!!

G: Who/what are your favorite CEOs/Businesses in Shoreditch?

That’s the thing – there aren’t really any favourites.. just your favourite project of the moment..

Massively in awe of companies like Mother, Moshi Monsters, Frieze

and most of the galleries around us..

G: What are your favorite places in shoreditch?

Easy – Albion.

G: What does the future has in store for shoreditch?

That’s the exciting thing.. who knows.

Twitter: @hectorproud

Linkedin: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/hectorproud

Website: www.ideageneration.co.uk