Walter Disney’s Life Tells A Tale of What To Expect When Starting A Business

Understanding that dreams come at a price and why you shouldn’t give up

The only problem with anything of tomorrow is that at the pace we’re going right now, tomorrow would catch up with us before we got it built.”-Walt Disney

One of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, Walter Disney, created a magical world that still exists to be “The happiest place on earth.” however, Walt didn’t achieve a God-like remembrance for nothing – he spent his entire life, perfecting his creation. Through pain and suffering, rich and poor, Walter Disney didn’t give up.

A brief background

Walter Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American entrepreneur, animator, writer, voice actor, and film producer. As a film producer, Disney holds the record for most Academy Awards attained by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations.

Walters’s father, Elias, was a harsh man. He didn’t believe Walter or his siblings should have toys or playtime; however, in his spare time, water dedicated his life to art. Regardless if his father disapproved.

While Walt desperately wanted to escape his father, he did so by forging a document that allowed him to join the Red Cross as an ambulance driver, and was sent to France.

Walter and his brother, Roy, eventually leaving they’re harsh childhood behind, would soon start a business together. I’m sure we all know what that business is.

Walters struggles with starting his business

While Walter Disney may be a genius, and still to this day, being 32 years old with a baby, Disney movies are my joy — and now my daughter is a beautiful reason to re-watch every single piece of Disney in existence. However, he struggled – a lot.

Laugh-O-Grams studio

Laugh-O-gram studio was a small business started by Walter Disney, along with a few others. Laugh-O-gram was able to find investors in New York, which allowed Disney to hire employees for his startup. However, the business had problems making money after the investors in New York went broke– by the end of 1922, the company could no longer pay its employees – eventually leading to the bankruptcy of Laugh-O-Gram studios.

Oswald, the rabbit

After the bankruptcy of Laugh-O-gram studios, he left for LA with 40$ in his pocket. He wanted to try his luck in acting – unfortunately, that didn’t and well for him either.

Once again, the great Walter Disney created a new start. A character named Oswald, the rabbit. It started as a massive success in one reel animation. However, when Disney went to New York renegotiate plans with his producer, he came to find out that the producer swiped his animators from under Disney – Disney lost all rights to Oswald, the rabbit. Once again, back at square one.

Mickey Mouse

It was actually on the train ride back to California, where Disney came up with the idea of the notorious, Mickey Mouse.

“The life and ventures of Mickey Mouse have been closely bound up with my own personal and professional life.” – Walt Disney

Even after having created the mascot of Disney today, Walter Disney, after being robbed of his most excellent animator, struggling to survive after many failed attempts at fame, had a nervous breakdown. And Mickey was placed on the backburner – for now.

Disney took some time off and came back with a brand new plan, Snow White and the seven dwarfs.

Disney took off after Snow White hit the box office like a pile of gold. However, his later films, fantasia, Bambi, and Pinocchio, didn’t do quite well.

You’d think he would have given up.

WWII strike

During the war, Walters’s crew went on strike. It caused a $4million debt. After the war, it was a slow climb back to the top. Disney took a gamble and decided to put his works on television instead of the big screen – this gamble paid off.

The T.V. Shows, Mickey Mouse Club, and Davey Crockett, eventually funded Disneyland.

Disneyland

I know, I know, technically this part should be in the “successes” category, nonetheless, upon Disneylands opening, it was called black Sunday.

Here’s why.

Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, California. Due to the widespread excitement, tickets were forged, and the toll of guests skyrocketed. Temperatures were in the 100s, women’s herls we’re melting in the fresh asphalt, drinking fountains weren’t working due to plumber strike, and some of his rides we’re malfunctioning.

Later, Disneyland would be the start of an everlasting fortune, both financially and emotionally.

What Walter Disneys suffering led too

Walter Disney became one of the greatest entrepreneurs of all time. And it wasn’t easy.

Disney is worth over $130-billion, his direct family – owning only 3%, roughly around $3.9-billion.

From the creation of Mickey, and for presumably, the rest of existence, Disney will be here.

Walter Disney said,

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all the troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”

Takeaways for entrepreneurs

Walter Disney is a prime example of the risks, downfalls, and rewards when starting your own business.

If being an entrepreneur was easy, Wed all be rich.

Focus on the goal – your dream. Put every ounce of your existence into it. Failure is inevitable; however, so is a success if you get back up.

Here are a few quotes from Walter Disney – dreamer, fighter, achiever.

“Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows.” -Disney-

“The difference in winning and losing is most often not quitting.” -Disney-

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Disney-