Hey, I got a nice Valentine’s Day gift for you.
So, gather ‘round children, and let good ole’ Uncle Reynolds tell ya a story.
I mean, what else do you got to do, you already got your land investing done for today, right?
Anyway, you know I’m always looking to push you into being your best since I can see the untapped potential in you.
Sometimes reaching that potential and taking a risk to step out of your comfort zone can be scary tho…
Here’s what I mean…
About 80 years ago, Walt Disney released one of the most iconic films in history.
It’s a movie that is now a household name, despite its age.
It impacted millions of people and changed the future of the film industry, but it ALMOST didn’t happen.
The story goes that prior to that, Walt had been producing short 9 & 10-minute cartoons (featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, etc.) called “Silly Symphonies”, that everyone enjoyed.
Sure, doing what everyone else was doing was working alright, but Walt wanted more for himself, his company and his legacy.
He wondered if it was possible to produce a MUCH longer, FULL-LENGTH, animated film.
So, in 1934, Disney announced his plans to make a full-length animated feature.
Here’s the thing, this has NEVER been done before!
It was estimated to cost $250,000. (in 1934 money which is 5,201,529.85 in today’s money)
But instead, the 3-year production took around 750 artists & nearly 2 MILLION individual paintings, and almost $1.5 Million to complete (an unheard of a budget for 1937).
But to complete the movie, Disney scrambled to borrow more money – even taking out a mortgage on his personal home.
His brother & business partner Roy (along with many of his staff) whispered in his ear to get him to pull the plug on this MASSIVE, OVER-FUNDED project.
The Hollywood press viciously mocked him, calling the project “Disney’s Folly”.
Hell, his own wife predicted it would be a box office flop.
But Walt was dug-in at the heels and wouldn’t let his vision die.
Even though Walt was in debt up to his eyeballs, had lost enough sleep for 2 lifetimes, and had $1.5 Million invested (with NO guaranteed ROI) …
On December 21, 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Hollywood premiere opened to a packed house (silencing critics and haters)
It was INSTANTLY hailed a “masterpiece” by Time magazine, bringing in $8 million, smashing the box office record in 1937 (about $134 million in today’s money).
But what if Walt listened to his brother Roy, wife, and employees and pulled the plug on Snow White?
What if he kept playing small?
What if he let the unknown scare him from trying?
What if Walt WAITED “till the time was right?”
What if he stood on the fence about making the investment?
Chances are we’d NEVER have our memories from the greatest Disney movies and time spent with family at theme parks like Disneyland & Walt Disney World!
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
Have you experienced something similar to Walt?
I would bet you have, but for most people, they listen to the nay-sayers and never finish their snow-white.
So, for this Valentines Day, I want to remind you that unlike Walt, who had to mortgage his house …
You don’t have to call up your Mortgage Banker or max out a credit card to work with ME on how to do highly lucrative land deals.
Walt only needed 1 big win, Snow White, to fund the rest of his companies’ aspirations and fuel what we know today as one of the greatest media empires.
You only need 1 win as well.
To keep it real with you, there’s few bigger wins than a big juicy land deal done right.
So, the question you have to ask yourself is if you are ready to create your snow white, or will you let your haters win?
If you are ready to step up, then let’s talk…
-Coach Vic