On this episode of the How This Works show, Skipper Chong Warson talks to Carl Cleanthes, founder of Epic Made, a creative content agency based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Carl shares his entrepreneurial journey from selling timeshares to establishing an agency that now collaborates with top brands like SyFy, Nickelodeon, USA, TNT, and WWE. He discusses his passion for art and creativity, focusing on his exploration of NFTs as a way to immortalize his late father’s artwork. Throughout the conversation, Carl emphasizes the importance of living authentically, expressing emotions freely, and using his creativity to honor his father’s legacy.
Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.howthisworks.show/028-carl-cleanthes. You can also listen on Youtube: https://youtu.be/yn74GSse5f0.
Key details from the episode:
- Carl describes himself as a "lifelong, ADHD, extroverted, creative kind of like counter culture, delightful weirdo," heavily influenced by his father’s art
- Early entrepreneurial ventures included earning money through in-game economics in Everquest
- After struggling with depression and dissatisfaction in traditional employment, Carl quit his IT job in 2007 and started his agency by hiring art school students, expanding into animation, illustration, and graphic design
- He embraces an unconventional lifestyle, incorporating barefoot walks, toe shoes, upcycling, and growing his own food
- The pandemic significantly impacted his business, pushing him to explore NFTs as a new creative outlet and revenue stream
- Carl launched an NFT project using his late father’s artwork, which he sees as both a healing journey and a new business direction
- He continues to honor his father’s creative legacy through live streaming sessions where he creates new art incorporating his father’s work
Special Guest: Carl Cleanthes.
