When The Creative Entrepreneur launched in New York, it wasn’t just a book party—it was a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and the true spirit of entrepreneurship.
Hosted by Nile Rodgers, the music legend behind countless global hits, and Carolyn Dailey, founder of Creative Entrepreneurs, the night was alive with personal stories, powerful insights, and moments that brought the pages of the book to life.
Held at the beautifully designed San Vicente West Village, the evening felt less like a formal launch and more like an electric gathering of creative spirits. Nile Rodgers, guitar legend and founder of Chic, shared unforgettable stories about his journey — from writing global hits to navigating the often-treacherous waters of the music business.
Rodgers reflected on how mastering the business side of his career was essential to protecting his creative freedom — a key theme that runs through The Creative Entrepreneur. His openness about the highs, the setbacks, and the strategies that helped him endure offered guests an authentic look at what it means to build a lasting creative legacy.
Meanwhile, Carolyn Dailey, founder of Creative Entrepreneurs and the author of The Creative Entrepreneur, spoke passionately about why understanding the intersection of creativity and commerce is crucial for today’s innovators. Her book, featuring insights from ten of the world’s leading creative entrepreneurs, captures the real-world lessons behind creative success.
The night wasn’t just about speeches — it was a true celebration. Nile even brought out his legendary Fender Stratocaster, “The Hitmaker,” and thrilled the crowd by playing some of his timeless hits live — a once-in-a-lifetime moment that perfectly embodied the spirit of creative joy and business mastery.
As a special highlight, longtime friend Spike Lee was in the crowd, lending his voice and energy from the “peanut gallery” — another powerful reminder of the community that forms around fearless creativity.
Carolyn Dailey emphasized the mission of the book: “It’s a book, but it is a much bigger movement. It’s a mission to show that creativity and commerce, this whole myth, we want to revolutionize the old school thinking that the two shouldn’t mix. And in the book we do that, hopefully, through interviews with 10 creative icons about how they built their businesses, and also with practical advice, because we want to crush that myth and show that business is how creativity becomes real and gets into the world,”
If you want to be part of this movement order your copy of The Creative Entrepreneur today—and discover the real stories behind building a successful creative life.
Read the full Forbes feature on this magical night here.