Cartoon Doll Emporium works on the development of children and teenagers imagination and ideas. It is the perfect spot for children waiting to explore and learn as well as impart knowledge. With a host of games and contests that are operated by qualified, knowledgeable staff who consist of psychologists, teachers and child advocates, Cartoon Doll Emporium promises to offer entertainment and knowledge at the same time making it appeal to children and adults.
Rob Kurtz is Senior Vice-President & Partner at Digital Emporium, a minority owner of theCartoon Doll Emporium. He has contributed to producing and writing for many network television shows as well as writing for a feature film for FOX. catches up with him for an exclusive tete-a-tete.
Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business.
Driver Digital Entertainment is an online network of great content serving Tweens, Moms and Males 18-35. . Cartoon Doll Emporium, our most popular Tween site, is a wonderful game site encouraging the imagination of tween girls and just having fun. We are located in New York City and we have offices in Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with employees all over the world, including Philippines, Israel, and Pakistan.
What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture?
We saw a remarkable opportunity in the new media landscape to create quality content (which we had done previously for traditional networks) without the wall of networks between the creator and the viewer. It was an exciting opportunity that we had to grab, especially with kids, who right now belong exclusively to Disney and Nick…
How important have good employees been to your success?
Our team is everything. If they’re not passionate about what they’re doing they don’t work at Driver. We’ve had to tell people, it’s time to go home, often they don’t listen… We have the best team in the world.
What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Get experience, and get it working with people who want to share what they know with you, so you can learn. The partners in our firm are all in their forties and have been working in media for at least 20 years, but we love and appreciate the younger members of our team, who have much to contribute. We make a point of listening to each other and learning from each other. Learn! Knowing what you’re talking about is everything, few people do. Be one of the ones who does.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I probably wouldn’t have spent 3 years in law school, when what I really wanted to be doing was something else. I would try harder with that one boss who was a real jerk, but was teaching me a lot.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ability to focus, ability to listen, ability to change.
How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Until the pain is greater than the potential success, even if I’d be proven right.
How many hours do you work a day on average?
10-12
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
I married a patient and wonderful woman. I appreciate her more and more every day. I try to make my weekends belong entirely to my family –I don’t always succeed, but I try.
What motivates you?
The desire to contribute, the desire to engage, my wife’s desire to pay our bills.
How do you generate new ideas?
Pray hard and then engage in the world and let that stimulate creativity.
What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Greatest fear – Disappointing my children.
Managing my fear – Breathe press harder, breathe.
What are your ideals?
The world is good, try to make it better.
How do you define success?
Knowing I contributed something positive, exceeding my expectations, and the expectations of those who are counting on me, whether its family, friends, partners or investors.
What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Be surprised at how hard you can work, stay tuned in to your inner voice, listen to those who are helping you.
Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
We started with friends who knew of our past success and who believed we could build something special.
How do you build a successful customer base?
LISTEN to THEM!!
How did you decide on the location for your business?
NYC or bust.
Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
The inability to sleep until you’ve met your goals.
If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
My grandfather.
Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Apple; insane creativity.
