Starting a business is an adventure with lots of ups and downs. Lessons and help can come from surprising places, like movies. Here are five movie characters that show us paths to follow or avoid in the world of business.
1. Jordan Belfort from “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)
What not to do
In “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort, a man who gets rich but does many wrong things. He is greedy and breaks many laws to get money, which ends up causing big problems.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs:
- Be Honest and Fair: Being honest and fair is vital as a business person. A good name is priceless.
- Avoid Taking the Easy Way Out: Don’t choose the wrong, easy ways. It’s better to build your business slowly and rightly.
2. Miranda Priestly from “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006)
What to do (and what not to do)
In “The Devil Wears Prada,” Meryl Streep plays Miranda Priestly, a successful leader in fashion. She shows good and bad ways to lead people.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs:
- Be Clear and Demand the Best: Be clear about what you want and accept only the best work. This helps your business to succeed.
- Care for Your Workers: But also remember to care for your workers. Happy and respected workers do better work.
3. Joy Mangano from “Joy” (2015)
What to do
In “Joy,” Jennifer Lawrence plays Joy Mangano, a woman who invents a successful product. The movie shows her going from struggling to being rich, teaching about not giving up and always improving.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs:
- Always Look for New Ideas: Always try to make your products or services better to meet what customers want and to stay ahead.
- Be Strong and Keep Going: Even when things are hard, don’t give up. Keep working hard to reach your goals.
4. Jules Ostin from “The Intern” (2015)
What to do
Jules Ostin, played by Anne Hathaway in “The Intern,” is the founder and CEO of a successful e-commerce startup. Despite her company’s rapid growth, she faces several challenges and learns the importance of delegation and work-life balance.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs:
- Learn to Delegate: Trust your team and delegate tasks effectively to ensure business operations run smoothly.
- Maintain Work-Life Balance: Make time for your personal life to avoid burnout and maintain overall well-being.
5. Ray Kroc from “The Founder” (2016)
What to do (and what not to do)
“The Founder” features Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald’s into a global franchise. The film demonstrates the power of persistence but also warns against unethical behavior.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs:
- Be Persistent: Stay committed to your goals and work hard to achieve them.
- Ethics Are Crucial: Never compromise on your values for the sake of expansion or profit.
In the end, think of movies as more than just stories on a screen. They can be guides, showing us different paths and choices. Let the characters’ journeys – their successes and failures – be a mirror to look into our own lives and decisions in the world of business. These tales can move beyond entertainment, offering wisdom and insight as you walk your own entrepreneurial path.
