Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Make Your Mark summary
The Creative’s Guide to Building a Business with Impact
18 mins
Brief summary
Make Your Mark by Jocelyn K. Glei is a guidebook that helps readers find and embrace their creative voice. It offers practical advice and inspiration on how to overcome self-doubt and develop a strong sense of purpose in order to create meaningful work.
Table of Contents
Make Your Mark
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Every great, successful business starts with a defining purpose, which focuses on answering a need.
Though it might sound strange, many start-ups and entrepreneurs struggle to answer a simple question: “Why does your business exist?” Many point to their product’s awesome features, or talk about how their service is cheaper than the competition. Yet these replies don’t answer the question.
Regardless of what you offer or how it bests the competition, you will never be successful unless you can answer this simple question. Why? Because the answer outlines your purpose.
Every successful business has at its core a purpose which aims to make society a better place and which its products and services aim to embody. No matter how many features your product may have, if it doesn’t solve someone’s problem, it can’t succeed.
So, before you even begin your business venture, you need to figure out your purpose: How do you hope to benefit the world with your product or service?
Nike, for example, is famous for its innovations, connections with sports stars and cool image. Yet behind all this lies a purpose: to help people reach their athletic potential.
As your business develops you will need to constantly ensure that your actions align with your purpose. One good way to do this is by always asking “why.”
For example, whenever you want to add something to your product or service, ask: “Why does this matter?” Why, for example, would you want to add a voice command function to your kettle?
Answers like “because it’s cool” or “no one else has it” are unacceptable, since they don’t relate to your purpose. On the other hand, if you are trying to solve a problem for arthritic customers who want to make a cup of tea, then your development has a clear purpose and you have a reason to proceed.
Want to see all full key ideas from Make Your Mark?
Key ideas in Make Your Mark
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Make Your Mark about?
Make Your Mark features the wisdom and tips of 21 of the most successful entrepreneurs and creatives of the last few years. These artists, coders, developers and writers share the secrets and ideas that have helped them take their respective markets by storm.
Make Your Mark Review
Make Your Mark (2014) by Jocelyn K. Glei is a book that encourages readers to discover their true passion and create meaningful work. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Packed with practical exercises and insights, it offers a roadmap for finding fulfillment in our professional lives, empowering us to make a lasting impact.
- Through compelling case studies and interviews with successful individuals from various fields, it provides inspiration and guidance for carving out a unique path.
- The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to embrace their creativity, igniting a sense of excitement and purpose that makes it a truly engaging read.
Who should read Make Your Mark?
- People working in the creative industry
- Anyone looking to turn their creative skills into a business
- Leaders, managers and CEOs
Categories with Make Your Mark
Book summaries like Make Your Mark
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Make Your Mark FAQs
What is the main message of Make Your Mark?
The main message of Make Your Mark is to embrace creativity and find your unique voice to make a meaningful impact.
How long does it take to read Make Your Mark?
The reading time for Make Your Mark varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Make Your Mark a good book? Is it worth reading?
Make Your Mark is worth reading for its practical advice and inspiring stories. It motivates readers to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world.
Who is the author of Make Your Mark?
Jocelyn K. Glei is the author of Make Your Mark.
What to read after Make Your Mark?
If you're wondering what to read next after Make Your Mark, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- How to Tell a Story by The Moth
- The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing by Mel Lindauer
- Born For This by Chris Guillebeau
- Hardcore Self Help by Robert Duff
- When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein
- The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
- Saving Aziz by Chad Robichaux with David L. Thomas
- Mastery by George Leonard
- The Self-Made Billionaire Effect by John Sviokla and Mitch Cohen
- In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté