Flying? or Falling with Style – Lessons from Pixar

I have been listening to Lawrence Levy and the incredible story of Pixar. What struck me was the journey that business went on and how precarious its position was before it hit success. When you strip back the volume of dollars and scale of projects, there are wonderful lessons for us all in not giving, being tenacious, taking the risk and believing in a dream. Timely for all of us in small business, who go through stages of wondering whether we are failing or if we will ever get it done. Pixar called it falling with style.
Originally started by George Luca and Lucan film, Steve Jobs took if off Georges’ hands for 50 million, because it was just too expensive to maintain. A software development tech company, it was not seen as an entertainment company. Lawrence was brought in by Steve Jobs to work on the business side and to make Pixar a viable proposition. A three-film deal had been made with Disney and Toy story was in development, mainly taken on to keep it float. Lawrence describes Steve Jobs has written from his personal chequebook each month to cover the shortfall to keep operating and he was not happy. Imagine purchasing a business for fifty million dollars, and then you had to keep the cashflow propped up from your personal bank account. – How many of us have done that!
It’s a fantastic story and it may be surprising to learn that in the film industry, the animation was one of the worst genres to make money, they usually don’t. The success of Toy Story was crucial to Pixar, more to help establish credibility so they could raise capital through investors. At the time, they hoped that the opening box office would hit fifteen million, it actually hit forty million in its opening weekend, and ended up taking One hundred ninety-one one million. Now that’s the summary line right? Can you imagine the conversations, arguments, anxiety, stress, consultants, strategy, workshopping, sleepless nights and most of all the sacrifice that would have gone into navigating the viability of Pixar? To push through fear risk, disillusionment, ego, and light the way for creativity and a vision. How amazing is that?
Lastly, I learnt one of the most surprising things was that Steve Jobs wealth was catapulted into the billions, not by Apple but by Pixar.
Go with the twists and turns, trust your instincts and keep your eyes on the why, and what you’re trying to do, we may not all be Pixar, but there is a lesson in not giving up.

Lawrence Levys book is available online click here

Until next week
Andy xx