Walt Disney gained worldwide fame with the animated film ‘Steamboat Willie,’ but Disney’s first studio went bankrupt. By the mid-1930s, he had produced over 400 animations, most of which suffered heavy losses. In 1938, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made $8 million in just the first half—more than ten times the earnings of other films. Meanwhile, with this animation, the company paid overdue wages to its employees and recovered the losses it had sustained. An unusual event that changes everything is called a “tail event.” 40% of publicly listed companies in the U.S. stock market lose nearly all their market capitalization 10 years after going public. Business and investing, after all, are based on probabilities. No one knows what the “tail event” will be. Therefore, to succeed, you need to try small, steady, many times with little impact, even if you fail. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
As the chef gained fame through broadcasting, restaurant profits actually fell. One would expect higher profits with increased fame; yet, the opposite occurred. The restaurant’s original profit model relied on multi-course meals, but the broadcasts focused on just one or two popular dishes. While customer numbers surged, the average price per order decreased. Additionally, costs associated with running a restaurant have risen due to the influx of patrons. The influence of social media is leading to an increasing number of celebrities; yet, their true feelings can be quite complex. Achieving fame can be surprisingly detrimental. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”