[quote style=”boxed”]One word: execution. You hear far too often “oh, I am going to finish school” or “I am going to save to buy a new car” then 5 years later, people are in the same spot. Life is short so to get any progress with it, you need to execute. Stop making excuses and execute.[/quote]
Steve Gabriel has always had a desire to create. When he was only 8 years old, he set up and ran a neighborhood carnival with two goals in mind; one was to provide a fun outlet for the neighborhood kids and the other was to generate money. As time went on, and after a finance/accounting degree from Northeastern University, Steve found himself with the same drive to create something. It was only a few months after graduating when Steve and 36creative co-owner Trent Sanders formed 36creative and set forth to develop brilliant creative design. Presently, 36creative is still doing just that: generating brilliant creative design. Steve lives in Salem, New Hampshire with his beautiful fiancée Katie.
What are you working on right now?
There is a short answer and a long answer to this question. For the sake of saving reading minutes, I’ll give you the short answer: making things better. The internal business model at 36creative is that there is always room for improvement, so whether we are working on a corporate re-brand or brainstorming ways to simplify a users experience on a website, we are constantly making things better. The problem we see every day is that more and more “design” companies are creating items using current trends, not because it makes sense but because it is “what’s hot.” Instead, we put our efforts into creating the waves for them to ride on. Its takes a certain drive, creativity and business awareness to constantly make things better. This is what I am working on. So much for the short answer.
Where did the idea for 36creative come from?
It all came from a need. The more marketing techniques I was exposed to, the clearer I could see a need for innovation. People get so stuck in old and comfortable approaches that they actually get in their own way. It is in recognizing this pattern and the need to evolve from a marketing standpoint that 36creative was born. We don’t just do great creative design, we provide innovating marketing solutions.
What does your typical day look like?
I wake up with the sun, shave my head, shower, eat, read some online new, answer some emails and then head into the office to conquer the day. Most days are filled with phone calls, internal meetings, client presentations and emails. I love this stuff!
How do you bring ideas to life?
One word: execution. You hear far too often “oh, I am going to finish school” or “I am going to save to buy a new car” then 5 years later, people are in the same spot. Life is short so to get any progress with it, you need to execute. Stop making excuses and execute.
3 trends that excite you?
- Interactive design: That stuff is where the future is at. It is starting to really define a company’s online brand and it is changing so fast, it’s tough for companies to keep up with.
- Death to Fax: We have never and will never have a fax machine and I love the fewer and fewer requests we receive for faxes. Later dude, hello scan and email.
- Mobile Life: “There is an app for that” is so true. Granted the mobile app world is somewhat saturated, however if you really have a need for some life enhancing mobile application, I guarantee there is a solution only a few touches away.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
The worst job I ever had was data processing for an insurance company. The only thing I learned from it is that if you do it for too long, it can kill you. If you can handle more than just entering data then find that more to handle. Awful.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
Rogaine. I would have started using Rogaine when I was in high school. Was that not the right answer?
What is the one thing you did/do as an entrepreneur that you would do over and over again and recommend everybody else do?
Trust your instinct. I think true entrepreneurs can often get wrapped up in the “he said I should…” or “she recommended I…” routine and they do not listen to their instincts. Just because a textbook tells you something is right, it doesn’t mean you can’t find a better way. That’s the fun in all of this. Breaking barriers and steering from the norm. Follow your instincts and you will succeed.
Tell us a secret…
I once knocked myself out with a baseball bat while trying to impress a girl. Not cool. Didn’t work.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Community playlist sharing in the cloud for a small fee. If you can get that going, call me up and I will be your first client. I wish I had the time.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom because it really makes you look a little deeper into life, what it is and what to do with it. It’s not business or design related, but a good overall read. Do it.
If you weren’t working on 36creative, what would you be doing?
I am not sure as I can’t see any alternative career path, however I have always wanted to study Kung Fu in Japan, so maybe I would be doing that.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
Kim Kardashian. Just playing. I would recommend the following:
- CNN Breaking News to stay connected.
- David Airey because he does great work.
- ShitMyDadSays just because it’s funny. You can’t beat humor.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
I laugh out loud all day long. The last time I laughed out loud was because I went to spit out my car window, but it was up. I was with a few people who were there to witness this.
Who would you love to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
Bill Gates.
What is the recipe for a solid idea and movement?
The recipe is simple: a spark of an idea mixed with passionate minds. At my firm, everyone has an opinion and ideas are constantly made better.
What motivates you?
The sun, the people I work with and the work we do.
Connect:
Steve Gabriel Email: [email protected]
www.36creative.com
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.