The entertainment industry is constantly booming, with movies and TV shows within every genre. Without realizing it, there are many that teach us valuable lessons on how to be an Entrepreneur and what steps we can take to correctly navigate ourselves.
This article contains three popular TV shows that provide insightful strategies for the Entrepreneur in you and will motivate you to innovate your business fearlessly. The experience may be rocky at some points, but do not let that stop you from unleashing your full potential.
1. Kitchen Nightmares: (2007-2014), Relaunched in 2023
This reality show documents raw footage of hotheaded, esteemed chef Gordon Ramsey visiting failing businesses across the United States. During his restaurant experience, he thoroughly surveyed the restaurant, from the meal service to the interior. Though he can be in heated arguments with stubborn owners, he is still a valuable mentor to everyone he encounters. By the end of each episode, he revitalizes the business by renovating the establishment to a trendy theme and adds professional chefs and menu items. This leaves both customers and staff feeling enthusiastic instead of dreadful.
This strategy contributes to the foundation of another, which is to keep your consumers your top priority. Many of the owners did not realize that the old structure and actions were not just hurting themselves and the business but also the customers. They were driving them away by making tasteless food while lacking authenticity in all areas. Chef Ramsey was able to reinstall their passion for the culinary arts and why they entered the industry in the first place through his advice, and that is exactly what business owners should take away. If you are ever feeling down about your business, remind yourself who you are doing this for in the end. You are influencing your customers with bold ideas to achieve better, while aiming to lead them in the right direction. It’s all a matter of your heart, so be humble and work toward giving your customers a positive experience.
What entrepreneurs should take away (without destroying their kitchen)
Through his insightful mentorship, Ramsey taught significant strategies for future business owners. One such strategy is to understand when things go wrong. Many owners on the show wanted their companies to continue operating the way they were and were resistant to change. They failed to realize that having the same structure for a long time is a recipe for disaster. With the right guidance and styles, their perspective on operations allowed them to improve on their mistakes. As a result, they successfully served delicious food and communicated with staff more openly and honestly. For future owners, implementation of change is not a bad thing and can help you identify problems quickly before they escalate. You are providing a service and should be open to trying new ideas, as they can significantly help your company thrive for the better.
2. Suits (2011-2019)
This fictional TV show takes place within a law firm in the heart of New York City and features a dynamic duo in the legal world. Genius associate Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) and renowned lawyer Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) work together to solve the most intricate of cases and strive to win each and every suit that comes their way. Their insightful strategies encourage future lawyers to be not only the best of the best but also rising business leaders.
What entrepreneurs should know, while being slick and classy
An important business strategy that can be taken away from the show is to lead with passion. Harvey Specter is one of the best mentors to Mike and his firm and always leads with confidence. He is always on top of what he is doing with his cases and has this fire inside of him that tells him to never give up, regardless of the case’s outcome. To all future business leaders, be like Harvey in the sense that you push to allow yourself and your team to go above and beyond. There will be challenges along the way, but treat them as assets, as they will motivate all involved to just keep on moving.
Another business strategy is to be prepared for anything. This idea is seen many times within the show through the main characters, as well as others, like Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman) and Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle). The characters continuously do research and readings, before heading to court and plan out all of the right decisions for their clients. What business owners need to understand is that the plan will not go accordingly each time. It is best to strategically organize your motives, as you can find yourself in sticky situations when you least expect. With a backup plan, you’ll feel more at ease and solve problems before they appear. You will also lead your clients on the right path, which makes everything better.
3. Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007-2021)
This hilarious yet dramatic reality show documents the lives of the prominent Kardashian-Jenner family, navigating their way through Hollywood extravaganza. ‘Momager’ Kris Jenner focuses on getting the best opportunities for her six children–Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Robert, Kendall, and Kylie– and instills the power of business and family into each of them. Through Kris’ guidance, each sibling made their mark in the business world and taught us all unforgettable strategies.
What entrepreneurs will learn gracefully and quickly
The first strategy is to give time for everything to play out. Yes, the Kardashians may have previously achieved some prominence due to the 1995 Robert Kardashian and OJ Simpson trial. But, they each took respective time and value within their successful companies and weren’t able to achieve everything in one instance. The family even went through failed businesses throughout the years before starting renowned businesses such as ‘Skims’ or ‘Kylie Skin’. For all entrepreneurs, don’t immediately believe your brand will be successful from the get-go. There may be obstacles like critics and budget cuts, but give it time for your company to thrive and grow. Like the Kardash-Jenner family, don’t give up and keep going!
Another strategy is to find your audience. The siblings each have their audience within their respective industries– Kylie’s is within the beauty industry, Kim’s is within the clothing industry, Kendall’s is within modeling, etc. If you have a real passion for a business, ensure you have a target audience in mind. This can also help with forming trustworthy relationships and the right product ideas. Promoting your brand is also crucial, as it can keep your audience in the loop about upcoming deals and memberships.
Time to Press Play
These shows are a must-watch if you want to become an entrepreneur or startup owner. You will learn lessons that can help you excel in any given situation. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and learn from the best!
