Building a Creative Business on Your Terms (with Paul Jarvis)

In the noisy world of creative business advice, Paul Jarvis stood out as a refreshingly authentic voice. I came across him in 2015 when I heard him on Erik Fisher’s Beyond The To Do List podcast. I discovered his Sunday Dispatches newsletter and read his book (Everything I Know), which resonated deeply with me. I believe Paul’s philosophy and approach to creating businesses on our terms will feel familiar to many introverts, highly sensitive people, and multipotentialites who want to craft practices that feel like extensions of themselves, not performances for the world.

I spoke to Paul in August 2015, and we explored topics related to building a creative business on your terms.

Redefining Success on Your Terms

Paul reminds us that success doesn’t have to conform to traditional metrics. Society tells us to chase financial benchmarks, titles, or accolades, but he invites us to determine our self-worth from within. Whether critiquing the outdated IQ test or redefining financial goals, he encourages a shift from external validation to internal alignment.

For example, “What is enough?” is associated with a minimum viable amount to achieve business sustainability. But what about the other side of the coin? What is enough so we know when and where to stop?

This message is liberating for introverts and sensitive souls. It reminds them that their creativity and voice matter more than the relentless pursuit of “bigger, better, more.”

Authentic Communication and Marketing

Authenticity is central to Paul’s approach. For example, he rewrote a sales email in a way that felt true to his voice, even though it carried the risk of lower conversions. For him, the short-term gain of “sounding right” wasn’t worth sacrificing the long-term integrity of his business. Those around him criticised him for being crass with his language. But this helped him connect with HIS people, rather than alienating himself from himself and bringing clients he doesn’t click with.

This lesson is vital for anyone tempted to copy industry “gurus” or mimic trends for quick wins. Authenticity builds trust, fosters creativity, and allows you to enjoy the work rather than just enduring it. It also helps you filter out the people who are not the right fit for your style, approach, and tone.

Facing Fear and Letting Go of Perfectionism

Fear and perfectionism don’t entirely disappear, no matter how successful you become. Paul is candid about his struggles with failure and stagnation. Aligning work with personal values helps him (and can help you). When you’re driven by meaning rather than perfection, the work becomes a source of joy, even when the outcome isn’t perfect.

Knowing When to Say “Enough”

One of Paul’s most striking lessons is the idea of “enough.” Inspired by a friend who takes long breaks after meeting financial goals, Paul emphasises the importance of financially, emotionally, and creatively defining what’s sufficient for you.

This concept flips the conventional narrative of endless growth. For introverts and highly sensitive people, recognising “enough” can prevent burnout and create space for the reflection and rest you need to thrive.

Failure as a Compass

Paul also distinguishes between quitting and taking a break. Walking away from a project isn’t always a failure—it’s often a sign of growth. You can pivot, experiment, and learn when you enjoy the process rather than fixating solely on the result.

Expressing Yourself Fully (On Your Terms)

Paul’s tattoos and casual swearing reflect his belief that self-expression matters. You don’t need to appeal to everyone; instead, focus on what feels right. Whether or not you agree with everything he says and does is less important than the inspiration we can get from how Paul expresses himself and uses that to connect with the people he serves.

Building Your Path

Paul Jarvis doesn’t sell a formula for success—he teaches an approach to thinking. For those of us seeking to build creative businesses on our terms, his insights remind us to:

• Prioritise authenticity over popularity.
• Define our metrics for success.
• Accept imperfection and align our work with our values.
• Embrace rest and balance by knowing when we’ve reached “enough.”

Ultimately, Paul challenges us to create not for the masses but for the joy of the process—a message worth taking to heart and grappling with for ourselves.

Watch The Conversation

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