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Business Ideas – 3 Success Lessons from Jim Henson (The Muppets)


hi I’m Evan Carmichael welcome to

hi I’m Evan Carmichael welcome to another edition of mulling the Masters I

another edition of mulling the Masters I

another edition of mulling the Masters I believe that the fastest and most

believe that the fastest and most

believe that the fastest and most effective way to grow a business is to

effective way to grow a business is to

effective way to grow a business is to model the strategies of people who’ve

model the strategies of people who’ve

model the strategies of people who’ve already done what you’re trying to do so

already done what you’re trying to do so

already done what you’re trying to do so today we’re going to look at how a young

today we’re going to look at how a young

today we’re going to look at how a young man who loved the theater started doing

man who loved the theater started doing

man who loved the theater started doing puppet shows on a local TV station and

puppet shows on a local TV station and

puppet shows on a local TV station and turned it into one of the most beloved

turned it into one of the most beloved

turned it into one of the most beloved puppet franchises in the world this is

puppet franchises in the world this is

puppet franchises in the world this is the story of Muppets found there Jim

the story of Muppets found there Jim

the story of Muppets found there Jim Henson and the top three lessons you can

Henson and the top three lessons you can

Henson and the top three lessons you can learn from his success Jim Henson was

learn from his success Jim Henson was

learn from his success Jim Henson was the son of a stay-at-home mom and a

the son of a stay-at-home mom and a

the son of a stay-at-home mom and a father that was working for the

father that was working for the

father that was working for the Department of Agriculture his mother

Department of Agriculture his mother

Department of Agriculture his mother spent hours entertaining him and his

spent hours entertaining him and his

spent hours entertaining him and his siblings for making up stories and

siblings for making up stories and

siblings for making up stories and allowing them to use their imagination

allowing them to use their imagination

allowing them to use their imagination his childhood was a happy one as he

his childhood was a happy one as he

his childhood was a happy one as he spent countless hours exploring the

spent countless hours exploring the

spent countless hours exploring the shorelines of Deer Creek one of his most

shorelines of Deer Creek one of his most

shorelines of Deer Creek one of his most significant relationships early on was

significant relationships early on was

significant relationships early on was with a young friend Kermit who would

with a young friend Kermit who would

with a young friend Kermit who would later inspire one of his most celebrated

later inspire one of his most celebrated

later inspire one of his most celebrated Muppets Henson developed a close

Muppets Henson developed a close

Muppets Henson developed a close relationship with his maternal

relationship with his maternal

relationship with his maternal grandmother who was an artist herself

grandmother who was an artist herself

grandmother who was an artist herself and occupied her time painting quilting

and occupied her time painting quilting

and occupied her time painting quilting and doing needlework she was the main

and doing needlework she was the main

and doing needlework she was the main motivating force behind Henson’s efforts

motivating force behind Henson’s efforts

motivating force behind Henson’s efforts constantly cheering on his artistic

constantly cheering on his artistic

constantly cheering on his artistic talents and encouraging him to put his

talents and encouraging him to put his

talents and encouraging him to put his creative imagination to use as a

creative imagination to use as a

creative imagination to use as a freshman at the University of Maryland

freshman at the University of Maryland

freshman at the University of Maryland he was given the chance to perform

he was given the chance to perform

he was given the chance to perform puppets on a twice daily 5-minute show

puppets on a twice daily 5-minute show

puppets on a twice daily 5-minute show on wrc-tv he created salmon friends with

on wrc-tv he created salmon friends with

on wrc-tv he created salmon friends with fellow student Jane Nebel whom he later

fellow student Jane Nebel whom he later

fellow student Jane Nebel whom he later married in 1959 the show ran for six

married in 1959 the show ran for six

married in 1959 the show ran for six years while Henson continued to pursue

years while Henson continued to pursue

years while Henson continued to pursue his degree in arts and theater design

his degree in arts and theater design

his degree in arts and theater design salmon friends was a testing ground for

salmon friends was a testing ground for

salmon friends was a testing ground for numerous Muppet characters that would

numerous Muppet characters that would

numerous Muppet characters that would later become instantaneously

later become instantaneously

later become instantaneously recognizable including Henson’s

recognizable including Henson’s

recognizable including Henson’s signature character Kermit the Frog it

signature character Kermit the Frog it

signature character Kermit the Frog it also allowed him to experiment with new

also allowed him to experiment with new

also allowed him to experiment with new techniques that will allow for the

techniques that will allow for the

techniques that will allow for the puppets to appear more lifelike such as

puppets to appear more lifelike such as

puppets to appear more lifelike such as using special framing to allow the

using special framing to allow the

using special framing to allow the puppeteer to work off-camera Henson was

puppeteer to work off-camera Henson was

puppeteer to work off-camera Henson was no exception in the world of

no exception in the world of

no exception in the world of entrepreneurship he too experienced the

entrepreneurship he too experienced the

entrepreneurship he too experienced the disappointment of failure and faced the

disappointment of failure and faced the

disappointment of failure and faced the challenge of staying motivated but he

challenge of staying motivated but he

challenge of staying motivated but he knew that he had Talent and through the

knew that he had Talent and through the

knew that he had Talent and through the highs and lows of his career Henson all

highs and lows of his career Henson all

highs and lows of his career Henson all the while remained unwilling to give up

the while remained unwilling to give up

the while remained unwilling to give up on his goals drawing strengthened

on his goals drawing strengthened

on his goals drawing strengthened from a higher power Henson doggedly

from a higher power Henson doggedly

from a higher power Henson doggedly continued to chase of dreams the hard

continued to chase of dreams the hard

continued to chase of dreams the hard work and faith paid off because the

work and faith paid off because the

work and faith paid off because the Muppets have become some of the most

Muppets have become some of the most

Muppets have become some of the most beloved characters on television today

beloved characters on television today

beloved characters on television today entertaining millions of children from

entertaining millions of children from

entertaining millions of children from around the world by tapping into his

around the world by tapping into his

around the world by tapping into his creativity and by experimenting with new

creativity and by experimenting with new

creativity and by experimenting with new ideas Jim Henson was able to turn a

ideas Jim Henson was able to turn a

ideas Jim Henson was able to turn a small-time puppet show on TV into an

small-time puppet show on TV into an

small-time puppet show on TV into an internationally recognized brand to help

internationally recognized brand to help

internationally recognized brand to help you tap into your creativity

you tap into your creativity

you tap into your creativity here are three auction items you can

here are three auction items you can

here are three auction items you can learn from Jim Henson option number one

learn from Jim Henson option number one

learn from Jim Henson option number one remain faithful to yourself as long as

remain faithful to yourself as long as

remain faithful to yourself as long as you believe in yourself you have hope

you believe in yourself you have hope

you believe in yourself you have hope it’s possible you can get to where you

it’s possible you can get to where you

it’s possible you can get to where you want to go your business will likely

want to go your business will likely

want to go your business will likely change multiple times from when you

change multiple times from when you

change multiple times from when you started it no matter how great an idea

started it no matter how great an idea

started it no matter how great an idea you have it’s gonna change as you start

you have it’s gonna change as you start

you have it’s gonna change as you start talking to customers if you believe that

talking to customers if you believe that

talking to customers if you believe that what you’re doing is right and is

what you’re doing is right and is

what you’re doing is right and is helping people keep going don’t give up

helping people keep going don’t give up

helping people keep going don’t give up do something every day to move your

do something every day to move your

do something every day to move your business forward and remain faithful to

business forward and remain faithful to

business forward and remain faithful to yourself or you’ll regret it for the

yourself or you’ll regret it for the

yourself or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life

rest of your life

rest of your life despite being rebuffed on countless

despite being rebuffed on countless

despite being rebuffed on countless occasions and underestimated as a

occasions and underestimated as a

occasions and underestimated as a provider of simple and fluffy children’s

provider of simple and fluffy children’s

provider of simple and fluffy children’s entertainment Henson was resolute in his

entertainment Henson was resolute in his

entertainment Henson was resolute in his capacity to blaze his own path and make

capacity to blaze his own path and make

capacity to blaze his own path and make his mark in the industry as a serious

his mark in the industry as a serious

his mark in the industry as a serious artist he knew he had strengths bolston

artist he knew he had strengths bolston

artist he knew he had strengths bolston puppetry and television production and

puppetry and television production and

puppetry and television production and sought to find a unique way to combine

sought to find a unique way to combine

sought to find a unique way to combine the two his confidence allowed him to be

the two his confidence allowed him to be

the two his confidence allowed him to be willing to take chances and try new

willing to take chances and try new

willing to take chances and try new routes puppeteer Ian was not a popular

routes puppeteer Ian was not a popular

routes puppeteer Ian was not a popular profession and there were few role

profession and there were few role

profession and there were few role models to whom Henson could look for for

models to whom Henson could look for for

models to whom Henson could look for for inspiration but Henson knew where his

inspiration but Henson knew where his

inspiration but Henson knew where his talents lay and he did not anticipate

talents lay and he did not anticipate

talents lay and he did not anticipate the scope of his own success he always

the scope of his own success he always

the scope of his own success he always knew he can make a positive contribution

knew he can make a positive contribution

knew he can make a positive contribution and in a different way than most by

and in a different way than most by

and in a different way than most by having faith in himself Henson was able

having faith in himself Henson was able

having faith in himself Henson was able to reinvent the world of puppetry and

to reinvent the world of puppetry and

to reinvent the world of puppetry and enrich imaginations around the world

enrich imaginations around the world

enrich imaginations around the world according to Henson the show’s not dead

according to Henson the show’s not dead

according to Henson the show’s not dead as long as I believe in it I think if

as long as I believe in it I think if

as long as I believe in it I think if you study if you learn too much of what

you study if you learn too much of what

you study if you learn too much of what others have done you may tend to take

others have done you may tend to take

others have done you may tend to take the same directions everyone else it’s

the same directions everyone else it’s

the same directions everyone else it’s just a matter of figuring out how to

just a matter of figuring out how to

just a matter of figuring out how to receive the ideas or information that

receive the ideas or information that

receive the ideas or information that are waiting to be heard I find that it

are waiting to be heard I find that it

are waiting to be heard I find that it really helped me to start the day with a

really helped me to start the day with a

really helped me to start the day with a good frame of reference

good frame of reference

good frame of reference as part of my prayers I think whoever’s

as part of my prayers I think whoever’s

as part of my prayers I think whoever’s helping me I’m sure that somebody or

helping me I’m sure that somebody or

helping me I’m sure that somebody or something is action item number to

something is action item number to

something is action item number to remain positive about your goals as

remain positive about your goals as

remain positive about your goals as entrepreneurs we want things to happen

entrepreneurs we want things to happen

entrepreneurs we want things to happen immediately unfortunately the world

immediately unfortunately the world

immediately unfortunately the world often makes us wait hold on to your

often makes us wait hold on to your

often makes us wait hold on to your goals and know that they are possible as

goals and know that they are possible as

goals and know that they are possible as long as you have hope you think of ways

long as you have hope you think of ways

long as you have hope you think of ways to make things work out seconds that

to make things work out seconds that

to make things work out seconds that motivate you and that provide value to

motivate you and that provide value to

motivate you and that provide value to others and don’t let them go until you

others and don’t let them go until you

others and don’t let them go until you reach them when you believe in them

reach them when you believe in them

reach them when you believe in them others around you will as well an

others around you will as well an

others around you will as well an eternal optimist Henson took uniquely

eternal optimist Henson took uniquely

eternal optimist Henson took uniquely spiritual approach to his work he

spiritual approach to his work he

spiritual approach to his work he believed that he was on the earth to

believed that he was on the earth to

believed that he was on the earth to achieve something that would contribute

achieve something that would contribute

achieve something that would contribute back to others as long as he tried to

back to others as long as he tried to

back to others as long as he tried to create a positive message through his

create a positive message through his

create a positive message through his work the results would be positive in

work the results would be positive in

work the results would be positive in return it was this optimism that allowed

return it was this optimism that allowed

return it was this optimism that allowed Henson to succeed even in the face of

Henson to succeed even in the face of

Henson to succeed even in the face of rejection and doubt

rejection and doubt

rejection and doubt despite the often negative response and

despite the often negative response and

despite the often negative response and Henson got to his ideas he looked upon

Henson got to his ideas he looked upon

Henson got to his ideas he looked upon everything as a learning experience and

everything as a learning experience and

everything as a learning experience and a growth opportunity Henson recognized

a growth opportunity Henson recognized

a growth opportunity Henson recognized that there would always be a certain

that there would always be a certain

that there would always be a certain amount of negativity and suffering not

amount of negativity and suffering not

amount of negativity and suffering not only in his own life but also throughout

only in his own life but also throughout

only in his own life but also throughout the world however he saw little point in

the world however he saw little point in

the world however he saw little point in wasting his energies focusing on that

wasting his energies focusing on that

wasting his energies focusing on that instead he directed his energies towards

instead he directed his energies towards

instead he directed his energies towards more constructive efforts

more constructive efforts

more constructive efforts according to Henson I believe in taking

according to Henson I believe in taking

according to Henson I believe in taking a positive attitude toward the world

a positive attitude toward the world

a positive attitude toward the world toward people toward my work I believe

toward people toward my work I believe

toward people toward my work I believe that we form our own lives that we

that we form our own lives that we

that we form our own lives that we create our own reality and that

create our own reality and that

create our own reality and that everything works out for the best I

everything works out for the best I

everything works out for the best I think this is why we’re here to work our

think this is why we’re here to work our

think this is why we’re here to work our way through all this and hopefully come

way through all this and hopefully come

way through all this and hopefully come out a bit wiser I’m better for having

out a bit wiser I’m better for having

out a bit wiser I’m better for having gone through it all I know I drive some

gone through it all I know I drive some

gone through it all I know I drive some people crazy with what seems to be

people crazy with what seems to be

people crazy with what seems to be ridiculous optimism but it has always

ridiculous optimism but it has always

ridiculous optimism but it has always worked out for me action item number

worked out for me action item number

worked out for me action item number three take the road less traveled you’ve

three take the road less traveled you’ve

three take the road less traveled you’ve got to do something different to stand

got to do something different to stand

got to do something different to stand out doing the same thing as everyone

out doing the same thing as everyone

out doing the same thing as everyone else is not a recipe for success

else is not a recipe for success

else is not a recipe for success find out what’s unique about you as an

find out what’s unique about you as an

find out what’s unique about you as an individual and your business leverage

individual and your business leverage

individual and your business leverage your uniqueness and show people how

your uniqueness and show people how

your uniqueness and show people how you’re different

you’re different

you’re different don’t try to market to everyone find

don’t try to market to everyone find

don’t try to market to everyone find your niche provide overwhelming value

your niche provide overwhelming value

your niche provide overwhelming value and then expand your customer base

and then expand your customer base

and then expand your customer base hence it not only revolutionized

hence it not only revolutionized

hence it not only revolutionized children’s television around the world

children’s television around the world

children’s television around the world but with this pioneering technology you

but with this pioneering technology you

but with this pioneering technology you who brought puppetry to a higher level

who brought puppetry to a higher level

who brought puppetry to a higher level his success came from being able to

his success came from being able to

his success came from being able to devise a new way to approach an ancient

devise a new way to approach an ancient

devise a new way to approach an ancient form Henson set what would become the

form Henson set what would become the

form Henson set what would become the new standard in the industry with his

new standard in the industry with his

new standard in the industry with his imaginative ability to think outside the

imaginative ability to think outside the

imaginative ability to think outside the box

box

box it was Henson’s innovative and

it was Henson’s innovative and

it was Henson’s innovative and pioneering spirit that served as major

pioneering spirit that served as major

pioneering spirit that served as major drivers of his success he refused to

drivers of his success he refused to

drivers of his success he refused to settle for the status quo and insisted

settle for the status quo and insisted

settle for the status quo and insisted on creating something new fresh and fun

on creating something new fresh and fun

on creating something new fresh and fun it was a risk but one that eventually

it was a risk but one that eventually

it was a risk but one that eventually paid off The Muppets have leapt off the

paid off The Muppets have leapt off the

paid off The Muppets have leapt off the television screens and become part of

television screens and become part of

television screens and become part of families around the world according to

families around the world according to

families around the world according to Henson you know that my feeling about

Henson you know that my feeling about

Henson you know that my feeling about puppetry relates to stylization

puppetry relates to stylization

puppetry relates to stylization simplicity boiling down to it’s a

simplicity boiling down to it’s a

simplicity boiling down to it’s a wonderful form and I really love it

wonderful form and I really love it

wonderful form and I really love it nobody creates a fad it just happens

nobody creates a fad it just happens

nobody creates a fad it just happens people love going along with the idea of

people love going along with the idea of

people love going along with the idea of a beautiful pig it’s like a conspiracy

a beautiful pig it’s like a conspiracy

a beautiful pig it’s like a conspiracy life’s like a movie write your own

life’s like a movie write your own

life’s like a movie write your own ending keep believing keep pretending

ending keep believing keep pretending

ending keep believing keep pretending simple is good

so remember remain faithful to yourself

so remember remain faithful to yourself remain positive about your goals and

remain positive about your goals and

remain positive about your goals and take the road less traveled to finish up

take the road less traveled to finish up

take the road less traveled to finish up this video I wanted to share one of my

this video I wanted to share one of my

this video I wanted to share one of my favorite true stories about Jim Henson

favorite true stories about Jim Henson

favorite true stories about Jim Henson and some of his best quotes Kermit was

and some of his best quotes Kermit was

and some of his best quotes Kermit was not always the best-known character Jim

not always the best-known character Jim

not always the best-known character Jim Henson created in fact the most popular

Henson created in fact the most popular

Henson created in fact the most popular character originally was Rolf the doc

character originally was Rolf the doc

character originally was Rolf the doc Henson created this Muppet for Purina

Henson created this Muppet for Purina

Henson created this Muppet for Purina Dog Chow and it became an instant hit in

Dog Chow and it became an instant hit in

Dog Chow and it became an instant hit in 1962 long before Kermit was known to

1962 long before Kermit was known to

1962 long before Kermit was known to most people not only was Rowlf the dog

most people not only was Rowlf the dog

most people not only was Rowlf the dog more popular the character was a regular

more popular the character was a regular

more popular the character was a regular on the Jimmy Dean show throughout 1965 a

on the Jimmy Dean show throughout 1965 a

on the Jimmy Dean show throughout 1965 a full decade before the Muppet Show ever

full decade before the Muppet Show ever

full decade before the Muppet Show ever aired for the first time on PBS

thank you for joining me for another

thank you for joining me for another edition modeling masters if you liked

edition modeling masters if you liked

edition modeling masters if you liked the video and you want to see more

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the video and you want to see more please give it a thumbs up below I’d

please give it a thumbs up below I’d

please give it a thumbs up below I’d also love to hear from you if you want

also love to hear from you if you want

also love to hear from you if you want to leave a comment under the video I

to leave a comment under the video I

to leave a comment under the video I always try to respond to all of them

always try to respond to all of them

always try to respond to all of them that I see so please leave a comment

that I see so please leave a comment

that I see so please leave a comment under the video and thank you and we’ll

under the video and thank you and we’ll

under the video and thank you and we’ll see you on the next episode

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