Felix Dennis: An Unconventional Path to Wealth and Happiness
Felix Dennis was an unusual character who made a fortune in the publishing industry, and then pursued creative passions like poetry and tree planting.
Though known for living flamboyantly, he also cared deeply about nature and human development.
Dennis didn’t follow a standard path, but his offbeat principles on money, business, and life still hold insights for those seeking prosperity or meaning.
From Dropout to Media Mogul
Dennis began as a law school dropout and counter-culture rebel in 1960s London.
Short on cash, he and two friends started Oz – an irreverent underground magazine covering sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. But in 1971, Felix was jailed on obscenity charges for Oz (later overturned).
After release, Felix rebounded to co-found Dennis Publishing in the mid-1970s.
He targeted niche audiences overlooked by mainstream outlets – computing, martial arts, and motorbikes.
The timing was perfect as personal computers took off. Titles like PC Zone, MacUser, and Computer Shopper became big hits through the 80s/90s.
Felix eventually published over 50 magazines and made his first fortune.
Principles for Wealth Creation
In his memoirs and poems, Felix distilled iconoclastic principles of getting rich:
- Spot new waves and ride them – Felix had an eye for rising trends ahead of the curve. Tapping early enthusiasm in computing fueled success.
- Take bold risks and work intensely – Felix thought big and took chances. Launching Oz invited controversy but built name recognition. He also outworked competitors.
- Exploit the power of targeted media – By focusing on magazines precisely, Felix cornered markets lucrative advertisers coveted.
- Build great teams and delegate – Felix inspired teams to share his edgy vision. He delegated management once divisions were running smoothly.
- Don’t diversify too quickly – Felix avoided over-expansion, even after finding a winning formula. He grew strategically within his core competency of publishing.
Unusual Path to Happiness
Felix lived larger than life after money flowed in – mansions, parties, drugs, and rock stars. But extreme living took a toll. He later sought fulfillment beyond business and pleasure. Felix came to view money as fuel for pursuing meaning, not an end itself.
Passions like poetry and ecological efforts brought deeper purpose. Felix bought substantial forest land to conserve and published several acclaimed poetry books. He saw creativity and nature as vital to human flourishing. Despite the skepticism of others, Felix found contentment in nurturing arts and ecosystems.
Though unconventional, Felix Dennis charted his own course to both wealth and happiness. He believed risks and imagination unlocked prosperity, but that money should enable enriching oneself and society beyond accumulation and spending. For Felix, net worth expanded when purpose tied finances to passion.
Key Takeaways
Felix Dennis exemplified unorthodox principles for getting wealthy:
- Spot emerging waves before they crest – anticipate trends
- Take bold risks with an intense work ethic
- Leverage targeted media properties
- Assemble talented teams then delegate
- Avoid over-diversification outside core strengths
Happiness requires more than money or hedonism. Felix Dennis found greater meaning in nurturing creativity through writing poetry and conserving nature by planting forests. He came to see finances as fuel for fulfilling one’s passions, not an endpoint.
Felix Dennis charted his own colorful route to prosperity and contentment. While eccentric, his offbeat philosophy on money, business, and life still offers much for those seeking their own success.
The unconventional path still led to riches. But also to the understanding that true wealth means using resources to enrich oneself and the world around us.
