The Creative Process

Discover practical insights on creativity, music, and entrepreneurship from writer and musicologist Mark Samples. These short, story-driven essays help artists and creators level up their careers with timeless lessons, smart frameworks, and real-world examples. Perfect for musicians, educators, and creative pros seeking growth.

Posts tagged Derek Sivers
Make Gifts and This Will Happen

What makes someone feel compelled to share your work with all their friends? A spirit of generosity.

And when it comes to generosity, Derek Sivers is legendary.

After a career as a professional musician, Sivers’s company CD Baby made it possible for thousands of independent bands, ​including mine​, to sell our CDs in the early 2000s.

When he sold CD Baby for $22 million, he gave it all away, ​putting the proceeds​ in a charitable trust to benefit musicians.

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