<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><br><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><br><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><br><p><strong>Special thanks to our sponsors!</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.wix.com/studio" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Wix Studio</strong></a> is a platform built for all web creators to design, develop, and manage exceptional web projects at scale.</li><li><a href="https://www.subzero-wolf.com/trade-resources/kitchen-design-contest" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove's Kitchen Design Contest</strong></a> is a global design competition celebrating outstanding kitchen design projects. Apply now!</li></ul><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Clever with Amy Devers

Amy Devers

Ep. 221: Blu Dot’s John Christakos on Combining Artistic Vision and Business Acumen

MAR 18, 202556 MIN
Clever with Amy Devers

Ep. 221: Blu Dot’s John Christakos on Combining Artistic Vision and Business Acumen

MAR 18, 202556 MIN

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><br><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><br><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><br><p><strong>Special thanks to our sponsors!</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.wix.com/studio" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Wix Studio</strong></a> is a platform built for all web creators to design, develop, and manage exceptional web projects at scale.</li><li><a href="https://www.subzero-wolf.com/trade-resources/kitchen-design-contest" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove's Kitchen Design Contest</strong></a> is a global design competition celebrating outstanding kitchen design projects. Apply now!</li></ul><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>