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The Magic of Great Business Ideas

There are many people in this world who you can look to for business inspiration but one of my all-time favorites was Paul Newman.

Here’s a guy who took a simple idea (his salad dressing recipes) and turned it into one of the most successful philanthropic ventures we’ve ever seen.

Paul is a wonderful example of why I love great business ideas because he demonstrates that with a single idea you can have a massive impact on the world.

For him, it started by selling his popular recipes which grew into a wildly successful business.  The inspiring part of this story is how he then took that success and turned it into a well of contribution.

Recently while visiting Don’s Brain Blog I came across the YouTube video that was published on the NewmansOwn.com website as a tribute to Paul.

Watch the video and then ask yourself…

“How Can My Ideas Help More People?

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7 Comments »

Comment by Angela Wills
2008-10-09 12:54:56

A sad loss of a great man. But I’m sure he left knowing he made a real difference in the world and that must be a wonderful feeling. Thanks for the video.

Angela

Comment by Stu McLaren
2008-10-09 12:59:46

@Angela – it certainly is sad but he made a HUGE impact on thousands of people and my hope is that he inspired enough people who will carry forward his business ideals (I know I’m trying to).

 
 
Comment by Don The Idea Guy
2008-10-09 13:13:02

Thanks for reposting this important message, Stu. Paul Newman’s example is certainly one we can all strive to follow when creating new ideas. What does it hurt to add a bit of “do some good” to our innovations. (More importantly, who can we help?)

The spirit of Newman’s Own was certainly present when I worked up this idea for a client — http://www.DrinkPinkDay.com. Would love to hear what you think.

Comment by Stu McLaren
2008-10-09 16:47:37

@Don – your Drink Pink Day is wonderful. I wish more businesses would come together for things like this – it gives a lot more meaning to everything we do as entrepreneurs.

It reminds me of when I came home from our trip to Ghana for my wife’s charity (http://www.WorldTeacherAid.org). After that trip I came back more determined and more focused to grow my business because I realized how it can act like a tool that supports a TON of kids in the communities we are working with.

It just gives everything you do in your business a greater purpose. That’s when it gets exciting!

Hopefully we can collaborate on a project down the road… just think of the possibilities of bringing together two “Idea Guys” :)

 
 
Comment by Sean Maclean
2010-06-28 03:24:51

Hi Stu,

I was surfing your site, actually found you through Amy’s charity site, and I want to thank you for posting this video. I am in the middle of taking a unique creative idea to the internet market, it’s an online for-profit that raises money for charities, non-profits, community groups with the intent of investing in projects that build capacity within communities all over the world.

This was super for me to see today. My project has hit tipping point after tipping point for two weeks now, and it’s been exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. It’s also distracting in the sense of losing sight of the purpose of all this energy. Today I needed to be reminded why I am doing this. Not really why, but something that gave me strength and inspiration for the journey.

Seeing your story in Ghana and this video, just what the doctor ordered…

Kudos to you and Amy for your continued commitment to these projects.

Ever need a hand just ask…

Sean

 
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