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Dumi Siwo’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Moving from Zambia to the UK at the age of 13, he brought with him a deep love for storytelling and visual arts.

Despite facing early challenges in breaking into the job market, Dumi carved out his own space in the entertainment industry by capturing the vibrant energy of club nights and collaborating with artists and DJs.

As the founder of Firmative, Dumi has partnered with major record labels like Atlantic Records and collaborated with big names, including Anne-Marie, Ed Sheeran, James Blunt, Ella Henderson, Rita Ora, and many more.

📖 Dumi’s book recommendations

1️⃣ Principles by Ray Dalio — An influential book about the importance of understanding one’s own values and principles. Dumi highlights how this book taught him about vulnerability, seeking truth, and redefining success. It builds on the equation of reality, big dreams, and relentless effort to achieve your goals.

2️⃣ Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill — A classic in personal development literature, this book explores the power of thought and the principles of success. Dumi appreciates how many of the principles align with those in Principles by Ray Dalio, reinforcing ideas about ambition, mindset, and perseverance.

3️⃣ The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger — This memoir offers insights into leadership and decision-making from his time as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Dumi finds inspiration in how Iger applied core principles to overcome challenges and drive growth, providing real-world examples of effective leadership.

4️⃣ Atomic Habits by James Clear — This book explores the science of habit formation and how small changes can lead to remarkable results. Dumi values the practical strategies offered for building good habits and breaking bad ones, which he applies to his daily routine and pursuit of personal and professional goals. Also the first Millennial Masters Book Club recommendation.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Dumi Siwo

04:17 The Spark of Creativity: Early Filmmaking

09:10 Navigating University: The Path to TV and Film

12:23 Finding Opportunity: Love Dough and Early Career

13:52 Building Firmative: The Journey of Growth

19:08 Resilience and Overcoming Challenges

21:16 Leadership and Team Dynamics

25:45 The Role of Mentorship in Personal Growth

29:32 The Art of Deep Conversations

31:25 Finding Inner Confidence and Power

33:06 The Role of Fitness in Personal Growth

34:07 Influential Books and Their Impact

36:16 Defining Big Dreams and Personal Missions

38:18 The Value of Time and Family

39:29 Sacrifices on the Entrepreneurial Journey

40:39 Lessons Over Regrets

42:28 The Future of Entertainment and Media

44:32 Navigating Social Media as a Parent

45:58 The Importance of Physical Connections

49:48 Working with Talented Artists

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🎙️ Know someone who I should interview for the podcast? Email me on daniel@millennialmasters.net