Hello Beautiful People,
Michael Roderick is one of the nicest human beings in show business. And that’s no exaggeration. Michael began his career as a high school English teacher before producing Off Broadway and then on Broadway. This combination of experience in the arts and entrepreneurship led to Michael starting an arts incubator program to teach more artists about building and growing their own businesses (PLAE). Eventually, he decided to develop a workshop on networking which grew into a full-time consulting practice and that became Small Pond Enterprises. Most recently, Michael founded The Connecting Connectors Conference (ConnectorCon). Those are all of the things that you’ll read on the Small Pond Enterprise website. The details in black and white. But, what you won’t really read about is how nice Michael is, how he’s a mentor for so many artists and entrepreneurs across the city, how I’ve never heard anyone utter his name with anything but sheer admiration. Michael is, without a doubt, a Mover & Shaker of the entertainment industry, and I’m so very happy to introduce him to you all.
MM: First things first, can you explain to our readers what inspired you to create Small Pond Enterprises?
MR: I was originally inspired to create Small Pond when I was made aware of how many artists were never taught about business. I saw so many problems with this and I thought that it was really important to start educating. As my own career began to grow, I noticed that no one was teaching anything about the importance of relationship strategy so the business shifted into a consulting firm that worked with artists, entrepreneurs, and business development professionals. We have done a lot of really cool things since then, but the focus has always been on connection and education
MM: Can you explain to our readers a bit about the Starving Artist Program that is run via Small Pond Enterprises?
MR: As demand for services have increased, prices have gone up. When I started to look at the cost of some of the services we provide, I realized that many of the services were not accessible to group of people who got me started on all of this in the first place, so I decided to create some low-cost services that would give those who were struggling a leg up.
MM: Just for fun, what musical theater character is least like your personality? Most?
MR: Least: Edward Hyde from Jekyll and Hyde. I’m no good at being a bad guy. Most: Harold Hill from The Music Man. I’m all about creating community.
MM: Just for fun, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
MR: Seth Godin’s Purple Cow, Robert Cialdini’s Influence, Adam Grant’s Give and Take.
MM: Just for fun, what sound do you love, and what sound do you hate?
MR: I love the sound of people meeting one another for the first time, and I hate the sound of people fighting.
MM: Just for fun, if you were stranded on a desert island what movies and television shows would you want readily available to you? (Assuming there is a DVD player.)
MR: I have a wacky movie collection. My favorite movie is Jaws so that would have to be in there. Shows I would totally want with me would have to be the first season of Heroes and probably Dexter.
MM: What’s next for Michael Roderick?
MR: I’m currently launching a new morning education series for entrepreneurs interested in monetization
MM: What words of wisdom would you offer to students in high school who wish to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?
MR: Meet awesome people now. When you are in school, people at higher levels will be open to meeting with you and mentor you. Find great mentors, build amazing relationships now, and find great partners for your projects. Nobody makes it on their own in the business. They always have someone helping them behind the scenes. Be the architect of your own discovery.
MM: In today’s economy, arts programs in schools are being cut. What reasons would you give a politician for preserving the arts?
MR: When we get rid of the arts, we cause students to stop thinking creatively. Once that happens we cripple things like entrepreneurship and innovation. The arts give us the ability to explore what’s possible. Losing that would be awful and will only hurt the businesses of the future.
MM: Who is/was your favorite teacher?
MR: In high school I had a great English teacher named Mrs. Parkhurst. She was one of the first teachers to push me in my writing and get me to really test my limits. It’s because of her I developed my tenacity. She got me to rewrite things so many times and it was a major training for me in resilience.
Thank you, Michael!
Live, Love, Learn,