Colin Cowie: Creating Luxury Experiences for A-List Celebrities

Colin Cowie is a top designer for all things weddings, as well as galas, charitable events, corporate and destination celebrations. He’s beloved by the likes of Oprah, Jerry Seinfeld, Elton John, Michael Jordan, Bruce Willis, Jennifer Aniston, and countless other A-list celebrities.

Since Colin arrived in Los Angeles from Kitzwe, Zambia at the height of apartheid in 1985, his professional life has soared. Colin grew up in a household that constantly entertained friends and family, so when he came to the US, he just started doing the same thing he had always been doing at home in Zambia.  While teaching cooking lessons at age 23, he met a woman whose chance encounter soon led to his first wedding assignment for a local bachelor: Hugh Hefner.

Thirty-one years of parties, weddings, and multi-day events later, he’s never created the same event twice.

The degree to which Colin Cowie cares for and personalizes his work is not just unmatched, it’s nearly indescribable, and precisely why he’s consistently relied upon by the most discerning of clientele. He learns everything there is to know about his clients, over hors-d’oeuvres and champagne, until the event he crafts (and the journey on which he takes his clients to get there) is not just perfectly tailored, but permanently unique. When he isn’t designing weddings and Fortune 500 parties, Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball or Guinness Book of World Records-breaking pyrotechnic shows abroad, Colin works as “creator-director” for elite brands like NetJets, Dom Perignon, and Bergdorf Goodman; even private islands.

Idyllic as Colin’s life may sound, and so often is, he and Andy extend their conversation today beyond the exclusive glamour of the luxury events industry to the unseen challenges once faced in the midst of the great recession, Colin’s daily routines (from meditation and “I am” statements to nightcaps), professional strategies, and the critical value of humility and gratitude.

Show Highlights:

  • Beef jerky and Jaegermeister aren’t things you normally associate with Colin – hear his story about both.
  • Delivering babies? Yep, Colin’s done that too.
  • Even at the top of his game, Colin Cowie wasn’t immune from a crisis – hear how he lost 80% of his income almost overnight.
  • Learn how Colin feels about his employees leaving to start their own business.
  • Colin’s philosophy behind what he charges for his services.
  • Learn about Colin’s multiple streams of income and his recommendations for you to create them too.

Links

Colin Cowie Lifestyle

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Wilkie Blog

FOOD, Inc. NYC

•Learn more about each of Colin’s books on Goodreads andAmazon

Jerry Moss: Legendary A&M Records Co-Founder

To play this episode, please visit it on The Music Makers Podcast!

Today, we present the story of a legend who facilitated incredible change in the music business. I’m sitting down with the one-of-a-kind Jerry Moss, Co-founder of A&M Records. If you’ve heard of artists like The Police and Sting, Janet Jackson, Quincy Jones, Peter Frampton, Cat Stevens, The Carpenters, Chet Baker, Bryan Adams, Carole King, Sheryl Crow, and Cheech and Chong, then you’ve listened to some of  the products of Jerry’s keen ear for good sound. Founded together with iconic trumpet playing recording artist, Herb Alpert, A&M records has signed artists with astounding careers and lasting legacies. You will get to hear all the history of the world’s largest independent record label, as well as some of the coolest stories of Jerry’s personal journey. His story is truly remarkable.

He’s worked with some of the best artists in the world, been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and even won the Kentucky Derby! Jerry Moss has led an extraordinary life and humbly tells us how lucky he feels. Starting with a dream to sit at the entertainer’s table in the Catskills, Jerry’s career in music began with a series of fortunate acquaintances and opportunities taken. Although not an actual musician, he has a keen musician’s ear and has made many brilliant signings based on experiencing artists perform, as well as influencing some of the greatest recordings.

“We hired great people, and we didn’t stand for any corruption in any way.” – Jerry Moss 

You’ll hear stories of working with Sting and the Police, as well as incredible discoveries made with international artists like Soundgarden. Artists like The Carpenters and Garbage also found their advocate and supporter in Jerry. Everything he chooses to be a part of is intentional, and good things are manifested from his honorable actions. Jerry has paved a path through a notoriously shady industry with integrity and honor.

Episode Highlights: 

  • Discover how Jerry’s upbringing in the Bronx has influenced his career choices and opportunities.
  • Learn what motivated Jerry to get into the music business.
  • In spite of the challenges, Jerry maintained the highest sense of integrity throughout
  • Partnering with Herb Alpert was true magic.
  • Learn the decision process behind signing current pop artists, and then why he made the switch to Rock n’ Roll.
  • Why the lyrics and delivery matter most to Jerry.
  • Developing artists was part of the process at A&M
  • Jerry particularly loved signing artists with great performance ability.
  • Jerry has a huge passion for horse racing.

Suggested Reading:

Broken Music by Sting