Derek Sivers is a man of many talents. An author, entrepreneur, musician, and speaker, he has led an incredibly full life and has had a wide range of experiences that feed into his unique perspective. Despite being best known for founding CD Baby, the pioneering online music store, he has made his name as a thought leader and philosopher, exploring ideas around creativity, personal growth, self-improvement, and business.

Born in California and raised in New York, Derek first came to the public eye in the music world where he spent his twenties as a prolific composer and performer, culminating in the founding of CD Baby in 1998. Over the next decade, CD Baby became the largest online seller of independent music and was eventually sold for $22 million in 2008.

Since then, Derek has been focusing on writing, speaking, and mentoring entrepreneurs. His blog is one of the most popular personal development resources online, and he is a sought-after speaker at conferences around the world. He is the author of several books, including Anything You Want, which has become a classic in the startup literature, and Hell Yeah or No, which explores the importance of saying no to distractions and focusing on what truly matters.

Derek's work is characterized by his ability to simplify complex ideas and distill them into actionable insights. He is a master of telling stories that inspire and motivate, and he has an uncanny ability to find the underlying patterns that connect seemingly disparate fields. His approach is refreshingly honest, and he isn't afraid to share his own successes and failures along the way.

In addition to his work as a thought leader, Derek is also an accomplished musician, photographer, and writer. He has lived in many different parts of the world and is fluent in multiple languages, giving him a unique global perspective. He is passionate about helping others find their own path, and his work has touched the lives of millions of people around the world.