Business for Self-Employed Creatives

In this episode, I'm talking with celebrity publicist and owner of Caprio Media Design, Michael Caprio. Michael represents celebrities like Olivia Newton-John, Ian Ziering, Leeza Gibbons, Richard Marx, and Jon Secada, along with Vegas shows like Chippendales and Human Nature.

He talks about how his love of Broadway led to a thriving career in PR and ultimately starting his own company.

We discuss the 3 most important things his mom taught him - "be kind, be honest, and be forgiving." He also adds "be respectful" to that list, and applies these traits in everything he does. He understands the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people, which is why he only does business with people who have these same values.

Hear Michael explain why kindness should never be mistaken for weakness, how communication is lacking these days, and why his biggest pet peeve is when people don't respond to emails. Check out the full episode for more insight into the world of publicity, staying humble, and doing more than what's expected of you.

Find Michael on social @mikecaprio

Connect with me through your favorite platform: https://pods.link/aardvarkgirl

 

02:00 Doing more than what’s expected of you, in terms of throwing a media event.

04:13 “We all have to understand that we have to help each other.”

05:14 Looking at the bigger picture to find relationships that are going to last 20 years, as opposed to a three- or four-month contract. Michael has been representing Olivia Newton-John for the last 22 years.

07:16 Michael’s vow to take these three things his mom taught him through the rest of his life: be kind, be honest, and be forgiving.

09:45 “You have to respect the people you work with.”

12:10 The influence of the team around you.

13:12 Choosing to work with down to earth, kind clients like Olivia Newton-John, Ian Ziering, Richard Marx, Vinny G from Jersey Shore, Chippendales, Jon Secada, and more.

16:54 Having a good sense of who you are and what you can deliver. “I firmly believe you just need to be honest.”

19:42 Thinking outside of the box – how Michael’s career started with an internship in college.

22:39 The importance of loving what you do. “I've rarely had a day where I wake up and I go, “Oh God, I've got to deal with that person today.” And that, to me, that’s success.”

23:40 Michael’s post-college journey, turning a 3-day temp job into a full-blown career.

28:20 Creating opportunities. “You'll succeed in life if you actually listen. If you don't always keep your mouth open, but you keep your ears open all the time, you're going to get a lot further.”

31:50 Moving on to create his own company, Caprio Media Design, in 1998. “Success is skill and opportunity.”

34:10 The difficulties we’re facing now with the pandemic, and why it’s important to do what we can to help. “If you can’t give back, what’s the point of getting?”

36:40 No matter what your skill is, you can choose to be positive, kind and respectful. 

38:12 The importance of communication in business, and why his biggest pet peeve is when people don’t respond to emails.

43:23 In addition to being kind, honest, and forgiving, be respectful. “Have respect for what everybody's doing. We are all the exact same person.”

45:35 “Our future is all about young people, and young people have to be passionate. Actually, everybody has to be passionate.”