{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/bc5f9100-dfa0-4585-8f60-a2049c614a16/67d851f1af1d0430550ba98f?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Ep. 221: Blu Dot’s John Christakos on Combining Artistic Vision and Business Acumen","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61b7709a16956261f5e950ae/1742229890496-8ea7ff51-d58e-479c-83d2-c07a514ee018.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>John Christakos, co-founder and CEO of Blu Dot, grew up taking road trips with his father to textile mills, skipping school in favor of real-world experiences. He went on to double major in economics and studio art, a combination of creativity and business which proved itself invaluable later in life. After a life-changing year traveling the world with his closest friends, John eventually co-founded Blu Dot alongside them in 1997. In the decades since, under John’s leadership, Blu Dot has grown into an overwhelming success with a dynamic retail presence (online and IRL), prestigious design awards, a devoted following, and a reputation for responding to their customers and world events, with empathy, curiosity, and humanity.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.cleverpodcast.com/blog/http/wwwcleverpodcastcom/blog/john-christakos-blu-dot-modern-design-business\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Head to cleverpodcast.com for a transcript (with links!) of this episode, images, and more!</a></p><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://www.cleverpodcast.com/subscribe\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">SUBSCRIBE</a> - listen to Clever on any podcast app!</p><p><a href=\"https://www.cleverpodcast.com/subscribe\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">SIGN UP</a> - for our Substack for news, bonus content, new episode alerts</p><p><a href=\"https://www.cleverpodcast.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">VISIT</a> - cleverpodcast.com for transcripts, images, and<a href=\"https://www.cleverpodcast.com/all-pisodes\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> 200+ more episodes</a></p><p>SAY HI! - on<a href=\"https://bit.ly/4jEzIz3\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Instagram</a> &amp;<a href=\"https://bit.ly/4kVhniZ\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> LinkedIn</a> @cleverpodcast @amydevers</p><p><br></p><p>Clever is hosted &amp; produced by<a href=\"https://www.cleverpodcast.com/about\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Amy Devers</a>, with editing by<a href=\"https://www.markzurawinskimusic.com/audio-work.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Mark Zurawinski,</a> production assistance from Ilana Nevins and Anouchka Stephan, and music by<a href=\"https://www.elteneleven.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> El Ten Eleven</a>.</p><p>If you enjoy Clever we could use your support! Please consider<a href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/clever/id1106679693?mt=2\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> leaving a review</a>,<a href=\"https://www.cleverpodcast.com/contact\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> making a donation, becoming a sponsor</a>, or introducing us to your friends! We love and appreciate you!</p>","author_name":"Amy Devers"}