Last month, Creative Access partnered with leading media law firm, Simons Muirhead Burton to host an inspiring evening of conversation exploring what it means to build a career on your own terms. Bringing together founders, CEOs and creative leaders from across the cultural and media landscape, the event delved into the realities of moving away from traditional employment and creating businesses shaped by purpose, community and creativity. The discussion offered an honest look at risk-taking, pivot points and the growing number of ways to build a life in the creative industries.
Our trailblazing panel included:
- Alex Zepherin, founder, Don Dada Studios and Creative Access alum
- Dhanny Joshi, co-founder and managing director, Big Deal Films
- Laura Tannenbaum, CEO, Fabric Social, founder, That Lot and Creative Access non-executive director
- Peter Weiss, partner and head of corporate and commercial teams at SMB
- Rami Kadri, founder, Two Tabs Social and Creative Access alum
- Mel Rodrigues, CEO, Creative Access and founder, Gritty Talent (chair)
What motivates the leap into entrepreneurship?
The conversation began with the question that connected all of our speakers: what inspires someone to step away from stability and build something of their own?
Dhanny shared that his journey started with ambition and a determination to carve out space in the music industry after spotting gaps he felt compelled to fill.
Rami, on the other hand, described a very different path, one that began with studying criminology before unexpectedly moving into digital campaigns. Working on Little Mix, then on award-winning projects, gave her the confidence to shape her own future and respond to the lack of senior representation she saw around her.
For Alex, her first Creative Access internship highlighted the desire to take more ownership over her creative work. Freelancing with Tate and the BBC helped her build momentum until she eventually launched Don Dada Studios.
Laura spoke about progressing through senior marketing roles before co-founding That Lot. Early partnerships with Virgin Media and Channel 4 showed her the potential of building an agency rooted in strong ideas and strong relationships.
Peter, meanwhile, reflected on the guiding role of purpose in his career, shaped early on by his work with the Death Penalty Project and the importance of being surrounded by people who challenge and support you.
Finding early funding and building from the ground up
The panel explored the first steps of building a business, a stage often marked by uncertainty and experimentation.
For Dhanny, not having money became a strange advantage because it forced him to be creative, unafraid and deeply resourceful.
Laura explained how converting early clients into retainer relationships brought stability and made it easier to plan month by month.
Rami highlighted the importance of industry networks. Her work on Burna Boy’s album created trust and visibility, while grants such as PRS and Time to Power Up helped fuel the next phase of her work.
Alex credited a strong support system and the unexpected rise in freelance opportunities during the pandemic, which enabled her to build her studio more quickly than expected.
Skills, networks and the people who help a business thrive
While talent and ideas matter, the panel agreed that a sustainable business relies on the people who surround you.
Dhanny spoke about understanding his own strengths and weaknesses early and bringing in people who filled the gaps, from lawyers to operations specialists.
Rami emphasised the value of outsourcing and learning from younger creatives, particularly when working on projects like FLO and the MOBO Awards.
Alex underlined the importance of communication and personal connection because the relationships you build can be as influential as the work itself.
Shaping culture and leading with values
The discussion then turned to internal culture and the environments each founder aims to create.
Peter reminded us that strong values are inseparable from good business and that a clear vision guides decisions at every stage.
Alex described how her own lived experiences shaped the culture at her studio, especially the importance of trust, creative freedom and learning from both positive and difficult moments.
Laura spoke about the need for psychological safety and flexibility and how important it is for teams to show up as their full selves without fear of judgement.
Dhanny reflected on representation in the TV industry and how the experiences behind Dreaming Whilst Black informed his approach to access, progression and preparing under-represented creatives for real challenges. The growth of the Big Deal Films alumni network is a testament to the lasting impact of this focus.
Closing reflections
The evening ended with an open Q&A that touched on long-term planning, confidence building and the unpredictable but rewarding nature of creative entrepreneurship.
Thank you to our brilliant panellists, to SMB for hosting us, and to everyone who joined us for an energising and thoughtful conversation.
To stay connected with future Creative Access events and opportunities across the creative industries, make sure you are registered with us and keep an eye on our Opportunities Board.
