David Parrish is an international keynote speaker specialising in creative entrepreneurship, creative business and the creative industries. He brings together practical business expertise with first-hand experience of working with creative entrepreneurs and organisations in more than 60 countries.
His speeches explore how creative people can combine their talent and passion with smart business thinking — without sacrificing their creativity, values or independence.
David’s distinctive perspective comes from working at the grassroots of the creative economy. As well as being an entrepreneur and business owner himself, he has advised, trained and mentored hundreds of creative businesses internationally.
His keynote speeches draw on this experience, using real examples of creative entrepreneurs, business models and strategies from around the world.
Find out more about David Parrish as an international keynote speaker
Keynote Speeches on Creative Entrepreneurship
David speaks about creative entrepreneurship from the perspective of the people actually building creative businesses.
His keynote topics can include:
How to Succeed as a Creative Entrepreneur
How creative entrepreneurs can combine creativity with the most appropriate business techniques to achieve their own definitions of success.
New Business Models for Creative Entrepreneurs
How creative businesses can design innovative business models, generate new income streams, use intellectual property effectively and respond to changing markets.
How Creative Entrepreneurs Can Thrive in the Creative Economy
Practical strategies for building sustainable creative enterprises within a rapidly changing international creative economy.
Creativity, Innovation and Business
How creativity can be applied not only to products and services, but also to strategy, marketing, business models and entrepreneurship.
Designing Your Creative Business — On Your Own Terms
How entrepreneurs can design businesses around their ambitions, values and preferred lifestyles rather than simply following conventional definitions of business success.
Each keynote is tailored to the conference, audience and local context rather than delivered as a standard presentation.
International Experience with Creative Entrepreneurs
David has worked with creative entrepreneurs and organisations in more than 60 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
His international work has included keynote speeches, workshops, mentoring and creative-business development projects for creative industries support organisations, governments, development agencies, creative hubs, incubators and conference organisers.
This experience gives David an unusual combination of international perspective and practical understanding of the everyday opportunities and challenges facing creative entrepreneurs.
“David knows the ecosystem of creative industries and has enormous practical experience in working with creative businesses. David is a high-level professional who speaks the genuine language of creative entrepreneurs.”
— Gaukhar Kozhasheva. Art2B Lab. Almaty, Kazakhstan
A Creative Business Practitioner — Not Just a Speaker
David’s ideas come from practice as well as theory.
He has founded and managed businesses in the creative industries, has an MBA (with distinction), and is the author of T-Shirts and Suits: A Guide to the Business of Creativity and Chase One Rabbit: Strategic Marketing for Business Success.
T-Shirts and Suits has been translated and published in 14 countries and is used by creative entrepreneurs, educators and creative-business support organisations around the world.
David’s books can also be incorporated into conferences and international projects, including copies for delegates and participants.
A Speaker Who Understands Creative Audiences
Creative entrepreneurs don’t always respond well to conventional business language or one-size-fits-all advice.
David’s approach starts with the entrepreneur: their creativity, ambitions, values and definition of success. He then helps audiences explore the business strategies and models that fit those objectives.
His speaking style is informal, practical and engaging, using stories and international examples rather than jargon-heavy presentations.
“His ability to establish a rapport with creative and cultural entrepreneurs is second to none.”
— Sean Durney. Culture Liverpool. Liverpool City Council.
Invite David to Speak about Creative Entrepreneurship
David speaks at conferences and events for creative entrepreneurs, creative industries organisations, creative hubs, business support agencies, governments and organisations developing the creative economy.
A keynote can also form part of a wider international programme combining speaking, training workshops, books for participants and publishing collaborations.