Disney-smart or stupid?

A maverick writer, James Altucher who coined the 5 x 5 Rule said that Walt Disney was the “stupidest person in the room.” (or, maybe turned out to be the smartest in the room!)

Why?

Because he was smart enough to stand next to his brother Roy (who kept Walt positive after their first business went bankrupt).

He also stood next to Ub Iwerks (who drew that rodent for Walt).

He also stood next to Margaret Winkler (the first person to buy a Disney film: Alice in Wonderland), and Lillian Bounds (who not only named that little rat Mickey Mouse, but then married Walt).

You’d think this is all Walt needed. Four people. Now he was drawing and selling movies.

But Walt Disney was not in the movie business!

The movies were barely breaking even and it was the middle of The Great Depression.

He then stood next to the smartest person in the room. A guy named Kay Kamen who took a two day bus ride just to talk to Walt when he first saw Mickey Mouse.

Because the Walt Disney company was not in the movie business, or story business, or theme park business.

Kay convinced Walt what business he was really in. It was in the wrist watch business. In 1935, not even breaking even from movies, they sold 2 million watches.

Kay convinced him to make watches. And toothbrushes. And blankets.

Because movies are not about stories. Movies are giant focus groups to see what products will sell!

And because Walt Disney stood next to the smartest person in the room.

Walt Disney didn’t just sit around reading comic books and fantasies. He was inspired to do something by the smartest folks in the room.

Well, who knew?

Disney created what is now the most successful media empire ever because of who he stood next to and how it inspired him to do something.

So…who are YOU standing next to?