Making a profit out of doing what you love is a fantastic ideal. But the reality can be tough, and that’s why we have out so much thought and care into creating this course.

And that’s why we love these tips from straight-talking tycoon John Brown. John famously published Viz magazine in the nineties and built a vast contract publishing company. He sold his stake in 2004 and is now chairman of a number of small businesses, including a magazine, a restaurant, an Internet business and a jewellery business. So he knows whereof he speaks. I go to see John regularly for advice on Idler matters and find his good sense and experience invaluable. And John will be our keynote speaker on our forthcoming Business for Bohemians course – our MBA for the real world.

John Brown’s top business tips

1) Do what you are interested in: because work is a big part of your life and if you are not interested in something you can’t tell good from bad.

2) Take responsibility: at a certain stage you’ve got to go out alone, not wait for others to tell you what to do

3) Product: you’ve got to find something that people want or need or both, be it a physical product or a service.

4) Business Plan:  essential for yourself not just backers etc.

5) Finance: raise enough at the beginning so that you are not constantly chasing your tail financially.

6) Just do it: with the previous five under your belt, time to take the leap.

7) Management accounts: a key backbone of any business.  Ideally monthly.

8) Management: if you employ more than a couple of people arguably your most important role is managing the people under you.  It is a minefield but give it the time and patience it needs.

9) Take advice from others who have been there before but at the same time always trust your own judgement. You will know best.

10) Know when to quit:  either from a position of strength or weakness.

We’ve also just got a “yes” from creative entrepreneur Charlie Gladstone of Pedlars retail store and the Good Life Experience festival. Now an employer of 120 people across five businesses, Charlie knows what is in store for all business bohemians.

Click here to read more about our Business for Bohemians course.