What Taylor Swift Taught Me About Business
Oct 11, 2024In this episode, Shannon explores some of the most important business lessons gleaned from the remarkable career of Taylor Swift. Whether or not you are a fan of her music, there’s no denying the impact of her career. Here’s how Taylor Swift’s journey can provide invaluable insights for business owners.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Taylor Swift is her ability to play the long game. When her masters were sold without her consent, she didn’t just accept defeat. Instead, she undertook the massive project of re-recording her albums, transforming a negative situation into a strategic and financial windfall. This reflects a key lesson for business owners: having a long-term vision and resilience is essential. A strong "why" helps navigate challenges with a focus on long-term benefits, rather than short-term setbacks.
Taylor Swift’s response to adversity often involves outworking and outshining her critics. She doesn't get bogged down by negative comments or actions; instead, her success becomes her response. This teaches an important lesson for entrepreneurs: stay focused on your own goals and work diligently toward them. Adversarial attempts to derail you can be best answered by excelling in your own lane. This focus not only minimizes distractions but also maximizes productivity and success.
Taylor Swift has also emphasized forgiveness without forgetting. Holding onto grudges can be both draining and counterproductive. Business owners can experience similar emotional and relationship challenges, whether with a client, an employee, or a partner. The ability to forgive—while retaining the lessons learned—frees up mental and emotional space, enabling more effective management of current and future relationships.
Another valuable insight shared by Taylor is that no career or business comes free of negativity. If you avoid negativity, you’ll struggle to grow. Criticisms and setbacks are inevitable but also opportunities for growth. Embracing these challenges builds resilience and better prepares entrepreneurs for the journey ahead. As Taylor’s experience demonstrates, even the most successful ventures face criticism, and handling it well is a crucial component of sustained success.
Taylor Swift’s career also underscores the importance of earning the right to diversify. Beginning in country music allowed her to build a loyal fan base before she branched out into pop and indie genres. This principle of going deep before going wide is highly applicable to businesses. Focusing on one niche and mastering it sets a strong foundation for future expansion. Taylor’s methodical approach allowed her to explore new musical territories while retaining her audience.
"Keep What You Earn," initially focused on business tax strategies, has similarly expanded its content as the audience grew. By first establishing credibility and expertise in a specific area, Shannon was able to branch out into broader topics such as marketing, sales, and personal business stories. This strategy allowed for growth while maintaining a loyal listener base.
In conclusion, Taylor Swift's career offers numerous business lessons—from playing the long game and staying focused to embracing negativity and earning the right to diversify. Entrepreneurs can draw inspiration from her journey and apply these principles to their own ventures.
What you'll hear in this episode:
03:38 Taylor Swift re-recorded albums after masters sold.
08:25 Forgive without forgetting; find peace internally.
11:25 Turn off notifications after a viral post.
13:38 Focus on one skill for initial success.
16:54 Focus efforts, earn the right to broaden scope.
If you like this episode, check out:
Expanding Your Worth: Beyond Saving
Silence These Voices In Order to Succeed
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The information contained in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not individual tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before implementing anything you learn.
