Jon Underwood is the founder of Death Café, a large movem ent where people gather to drink tea, eat cake and discuss death. Their aim is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives. Jon spoke to Global Inno vation Magazine about his current crowdfunding campaign and what made him start in the fi rst place. Tell us about yourself, where did you grow up?
I grew up in Chester, which is near Liverpool in the North West of Eng land. My dad was an accountant and my mum was a social worker and teacher. Dad is an atheist and my mum is
Jewish. My dad was strict and when my parents split when I was 8 and then things were much more relaxed. I have always been interested in culture so I avidly consumed …show more content…
Key positive and negative moments on this journey?
This work has incredible highs and big downsides.
On the plus side Death Café is a global phenomenon which has improved man y people
͛
s lives and had a significant cultural impact in an area I am passionate about and think is vitally important. I love the work and the people who like Death Café are generally amazing so I
͛
ve made lots of new friends. Death Café has also celebrated and helped promote peopl e, mostly women, who are similarly passionate about this work, who may not have had a pl atform before.
On the downside I have substantially reduced my income, which is now very sm all indeed. If I had focused on financial return I am sure the projects would never have got o ff the ground.
However now that they have some traction I need to ensure that they are sustai nable. This is not easy as my work is somewhat groundbreaking and ahead of the cultural curve.
What 3 bits of advice would you give yourself if you walked through the door of your company, about to start on your first job?
Do what you love, believe in your vision and trust your process.
What book or film would you share with someone that has inspired you?
I
I grew up in Chester, which is near Liverpool in the North West of Eng land. My dad was an accountant and my mum was a social worker and teacher. Dad is an atheist and my mum is
Jewish. My dad was strict and when my parents split when I was 8 and then things were much more relaxed. I have always been interested in culture so I avidly consumed …show more content…
Key positive and negative moments on this journey?
This work has incredible highs and big downsides.
On the plus side Death Café is a global phenomenon which has improved man y people
͛
s lives and had a significant cultural impact in an area I am passionate about and think is vitally important. I love the work and the people who like Death Café are generally amazing so I
͛
ve made lots of new friends. Death Café has also celebrated and helped promote peopl e, mostly women, who are similarly passionate about this work, who may not have had a pl atform before.
On the downside I have substantially reduced my income, which is now very sm all indeed. If I had focused on financial return I am sure the projects would never have got o ff the ground.
However now that they have some traction I need to ensure that they are sustai nable. This is not easy as my work is somewhat groundbreaking and ahead of the cultural curve.
What 3 bits of advice would you give yourself if you walked through the door of your company, about to start on your first job?
Do what you love, believe in your vision and trust your process.
What book or film would you share with someone that has inspired you?
I