High School Dropout: Simon Cowell’s Early Years
High School Dropout: Simon Cowell’s Early Years
His signature catch phrase, Simon Cowell has become one of the most recognized faces in the television industry by not only being rude but more importantly by listening to what he was at heart – a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur. A music producer and executive, TV personality and businessman all rolled into one, Cowell has been steadily climbing to success for almost four decades. Love him or hate him, Cowell is now worth over $100 million and continues to leave his mark in the entertainment industry.
Born on October 7, 1959 in Brighton, England, Simon Philip Cowell grew up in Elstree, Hertfordshire with his three half-brothers, a half-sister, as well as a brother and a sister. His father, Eric, was a successful real estate agent as well as an executive in the music industry, while his mother, Julie, was known throughout town as a socialite. “I had a quiet, nice childhood,” recalls Cowell. “We had no McDonald's, no color television, and luckily no Paula Abdul.” Largely raised by nannies, Cowell and his brother were sent off to boarding school and were frequently transferred for their misconduct. By the time Cowell was just 16 years old, he had already been a registered student at 16 schools.
To some, Cowell was an opinionated and troublesome child; to others, he was funny and outspoken; but, he was nevertheless the same Cowell the world has come to know today. Cowell recalls the first time he made an honest criticism – when his mother was wearing a fur coat and matching hat for a special occasion. She asked her son, “Does Mommy look pretty?” Cowell replied, “No, Mommy looks like a poodle.” Similarly, in one of his music classes, Cowell told the teacher she was wasting her time in trying to teach the students musical instruments because they all sounded dreadful. Cowell was subsequently kicked out of that class.
Cowell would never graduate from any of those 16 schools he attended over the years. In 1979, he got his first job working as a mail room clerk for EMI Music Publishing, thanks to his father’s connections. “In many ways, I was glad that I had started my career on the very low rung of the business,” Cowell recalls. “It was there that I learned how to deal with people.” Over the next few years, Cowell would work his way up within the ranks of the company to eventually become a record producer. Unsatisfied with his prospects, Cowell left EMI in the early 1980s to form E&S Music, his own independent music company.
The success Cowell has achieved today would be hard won; E&S Music collapsed less than one year after its launch. Cowell swallowed his pride and returned to EMI. But, Cowell’s entrepreneurial instincts would not rest for too long. After just a short time, Cowell again left EMI to form Fanfare Records along with fellow former EMI mail clerk Iain Burton. Cowell’s attempt at creating his own independent music label would prove to be far more successful the second time around.
High School Dropout Simon Cowells Early Years
Like this article? Share it with your friends
“I don’t mean to be rude, but…”
His signature catch phrase, Simon Cowell has become one of the most recognized faces in the television industry by not only being rude but more importantly by listening to what he was at heart – a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur. A music producer and executive, TV personality and businessman all rolled into one, Cowell has been steadily climbing to success for almost four decades. Love him or hate him, Cowell is now worth over $100 million and continues to leave his mark in the entertainment industry.
Born on October 7, 1959 in Brighton, England, Simon Philip Cowell grew up in Elstree, Hertfordshire with his three half-brothers, a half-sister, as well as a brother and a sister. His father, Eric, was a successful real estate agent as well as an executive in the music industry, while his mother, Julie, was known throughout town as a socialite. “I had a quiet, nice childhood,” recalls Cowell. “We had no McDonald's, no color television, and luckily no Paula Abdul.” Largely raised by nannies, Cowell and his brother were sent off to boarding school and were frequently transferred for their misconduct. By the time Cowell was just 16 years old, he had already been a registered student at 16 schools.
To some, Cowell was an opinionated and troublesome child; to others, he was funny and outspoken; but, he was nevertheless the same Cowell the world has come to know today. Cowell recalls the first time he made an honest criticism – when his mother was wearing a fur coat and matching hat for a special occasion. She asked her son, “Does Mommy look pretty?” Cowell replied, “No, Mommy looks like a poodle.” Similarly, in one of his music classes, Cowell told the teacher she was wasting her time in trying to teach the students musical instruments because they all sounded dreadful. Cowell was subsequently kicked out of that class.
Cowell would never graduate from any of those 16 schools he attended over the years. In 1979, he got his first job working as a mail room clerk for EMI Music Publishing, thanks to his father’s connections. “In many ways, I was glad that I had started my career on the very low rung of the business,” Cowell recalls. “It was there that I learned how to deal with people.” Over the next few years, Cowell would work his way up within the ranks of the company to eventually become a record producer. Unsatisfied with his prospects, Cowell left EMI in the early 1980s to form E&S Music, his own independent music company.
The success Cowell has achieved today would be hard won; E&S Music collapsed less than one year after its launch. Cowell swallowed his pride and returned to EMI. But, Cowell’s entrepreneurial instincts would not rest for too long. After just a short time, Cowell again left EMI to form Fanfare Records along with fellow former EMI mail clerk Iain Burton. Cowell’s attempt at creating his own independent music label would prove to be far more successful the second time around.
High School Dropout Simon Cowells Early Years
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 | |
 |
No article feedback found. |
| |
Leave Your Feedback |
 | |
| |||
Stephanie RobeyStephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals. She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences. Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Read Steph's Blog Meet Steph and Dave Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich - Visit Stephanie Robey's Website |
|||
David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
|||
Linda RichardsonLinda Richardson is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of Richardson, a global sales training and performance improvement company. As a recognized leader in the industry, she has won the coveted Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sales Excellence and she was identified by Training Industry, Inc. as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential Training Professionals.” Ms. Richardson is credited with the movement to Consultative Selling and is the author of ten books on selling and sales management, including Sales Coaching — Making the Great Leap from Sales Manager to Sales Coach, and Stop Telling, Start Selling. She teaches sales and management at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Executive Development Center. Linda is a frequent speaker at industry and client conferences, has been published extensively in industry and training journals, and has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Nation’s Business, Selling Power, Success, and The Conference Board Magazine. Learn more about Richardson's sales training and performance improvement solutions at http://www.richardson.com web - Visit Linda Richardson's Website |
|||
Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
|||
Casey GollanCasey Gollan, Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs. Add $1 Million to $10 Million in the next 1 to 3 years. Since 1996 Casey has to added hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses. Watch a free video see client results Business Coaching website. - Visit Casey Gollan's Website |
|||
Joe DagerJoe Dager is President of Business901, a progressive coaching company providing no-nonsense direction in areas such as Lean Six Sigma Marketing and organized referral marketing. What others say: In the past 20 years, Joe and I have collaborated on many difficult issues. Joe’s ability to combine his expertise with “out of the box” thinking is unsurpassed. He has always delivered quickly, cost effectively and with ingenuity. A brilliant mind that is always a pleasure to work with.” - James R. If you want to learn more about Business901, start a conversation with us. We can be found @ Web/Blog: Business901.com Web/Blog: FundingYourNonprofit.com LinkedIn Profile Follow me on Twitter - Visit Joe Dager's Website |
|||
John PowerJohn Power, founder of Biltmore Franchise Consulting, has extensive experience developing and marketing franchises and business opportunities. He has been in and around franchising for over twenty years. From 1980 through 1990 he conceptualized, organized, and developed the American Video Association. He grew AVA to 2,000 national members, before selling the company it 1990. It was later merged into another home video marketing company. From 2000 to 2005 he worked as a contract marketing and human resources consultant to several local and national companies. In 2005 Mr. Power began working as a franchise development consultant on a full-time basis. Since that time he has helped more than three dozen companies initiate and develop their franchising program. He notes that there are many companies interested in developing a franchise program, and who need his specialized assistance. Mr. Power is a “hands-on” franchise consultant. He said, “I am the ‘nuts and bolts’ person who tends to the details for my clients.” Mr. Power holds a B.S. degree with a major in Marketing. See: www.biltmorefranchise.com You may contact Mr. Power at: jpower@biltmorefranchise.co - Visit John Power's Website |
|||
Dianne CramptonDianne Crampton is an executive leadership coach, team culture consultant, author and president of TIGERS Success Series, Inc. Dianne has been helping CEO's and Executives connect their employees to their core values and goals for over 20 years using the trademarked TIGERS team culture process, which stands for trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk and success. To download a free white paper on behaviors that build strong teams and behaviors that will predictably tear them down go here. Dianne's contribution to the 2010 Pfeiffer Consulting Journal (an imprint of John Wiley and Sons Publishers) entitled TIGERS Hearted Teams is available in November 2009. Her new book TIGERS Among Us: 5 Winning Business Team Cultures And Why, Three Creeks Publishing will release in March 2010. To receive publishing discounts, subscribe to the free TigerTracks Newsletter here. - Visit Dianne Crampton's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
|
 | ||
 |
||
|
||
 |
||
 | ||
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
 |
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"
Click Here To Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
 |
 The Idea Compass Business Coaching Free Marketing Plan Template Instant Newsletters QuickBooks Self Quiz |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 Political Blogs
Top Political Blogs of 2009 | |
 |
Write The PR
Press Release Builder | |
| ||
 | ||||
| ||||
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
|
|
|
