The Business of Unique Challenges with Keith Burkinshaw

On this episode of the Pixel Retentive podcast, we welcomed Keith Burkinshaw, the founder and executive producer at KB Creations. With over a decade of experience in the corporate and live event production space, Keith has led his team to orchestrate large-scale experiences for some of the most recognizable brands in North America - including Amazon. What began as a broad attempt to “do everything” eventually became a refined and focused business built on creative excellence and reliable execution. Now in their seventh year, KB Creations has cemented itself as a go-to name for events that demand precision and flair.

What You'll Learn:

• Why niching down in your business can unlock higher-value opportunities - and peace of mind.
• The hidden cost of saying “yes” to the wrong work and how saying “no” became a growth tactic.
• The emotional intelligence it takes to manage high-pressure, high-stakes live events.
• Why creative businesses thrive on strong client relationships more than just portfolios.
• Lessons from years of live production, including the value of trust, calm, and precision.
• How past mentors and tough feedback helped shape Keith’s obsessive attention to detail.

“Every human has 100%. So if I’m taking 3% out of that and it’s not going towards what I want, that’s impacting me and us.” – Keith Burkinshaw

This simple but powerful quote from Keith struck me hard. So many business owners burn out because they try to do everything. But as Keith points out, your time and energy are finite. That means every choice - every “yes” to something that doesn’t fit - is actually a “no” to the thing that matters most. Whether you’re a designer, director, or developer, protecting your 100% is essential to building something sustainable and truly great.

Overview:

Man, this one hit home. Keith brought the kind of real talk that only comes from walking the hard road of entrepreneurship. He didn’t sugarcoat the early hustle - t-shirts in the garage, vinyl wraps, saying yes to anything just to keep the lights on. But over time, he found the courage to focus and built a business that thrives not just because of what they do - but how they do it. We talked about the mental game, the emotional intelligence required to lead, and the razor-sharp precision it takes to pull off large-scale live events. If you’re a creative running a business (or dreaming of it), this one’s a must-listen. Keith is the real deal.