Pixie Dust & Profits

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we're discussing one of the ways Disney protects their public image.

Have you ever made a decision in your small business but thought to yourself afterwards, "was that really a good idea?" In this episode, we're here to help you navigate safety and risks in your small business, and why you should be conscious of both.

Listen now and discover:

• Creative ways Disney facilitates their parks and experiences to create the safest route possible for guests
• Why they're so protective over their image, and why you should feel the same way about your own business
• The one thing we think every single business should always prioritize over anything else
• How interactions online can negatively affect your small business (and how to avoid this!)
• Why costs will always rise with bigger risks and why we think it's best to say "no" to these

Your small business takeaways:

• Safety really does lead to sustainability in your small business
• Always think about what you put out into the world before it's visible
• Never invest what you can't afford to lose

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we're discussing new changes that Disney is implementing in their journey to becoming a more inclusive corporation. More than 200,000 people are employed by Disney, and it's their mission to make each of them feel like they truly belong. Listen now to hear about how they're paving the way in inclusion and how you can use these ideas in your own small business to represent, educate, and empower. Listen now and discover:

• New specific changes that Disney is making so they can be more inclusive to their cast members
• How Disney shows their representation and diversity at the corporate level (check it out here)
• The mission behind "counting everyone in"
• How to look outside of your own box and consider different perspectives when making new hires or joining new programs
• Why we are so passionate about being able to employ and support other female business owners

Your small business takeaways:

• Take a look at who you're hiring and ask yourself: Does this new hire represent the population I'm serving?
• Review your old policies and consider if they need revising- chances are if they've been around for a while, they could use a refresh
• Follow people outside of your own box and increase your circle

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we're geeking out over the brand new experience for Star Wars lovers, the Galactic Starcruiser.

Even if you don't consider yourself a Star Wars mega-fan, the innovation employed in the overall experience will be jaw-dropping. Listen now to learn more behind the brand-new resort, how they're using innovation and upsells to delight their customers and how you can use these same tactics to enhance your customers' experience, too.

Listen now and discover:

• Why we're geeking out over this brand-new resort hotel experience that will be unlike any other lodging we've ever stayed at
• How Disney used their knowledge of cruise ships to bring this same concept to a on-land experience
• The unique perks that will be included in this specific hotel experience...and the price you might expect to pay for it
• Ways you can enhance the experience for your customer through one purchase to generate more revenue
• How to upsell to your customers and build their loyalty and trust with your small business

Your small business takeaways:

• Consider extra offerings for your customers to upgrade to a more "premium" experience
• It's easier to sell to a customer that already trusts you
• Leverage the things that are working in your business to create whole new experiences

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we're joined by Diane Barrowsmith of SixCastleCompany to discuss Disney's innovative new offer—U.K. Staycations with Disney's Magic at Sea.

Disney Cruise Lines are famous for enhancing the high seas, but recently they have launched a brand new Staycation experience based out of the U.K. Listen today to hear some sneak peek thoughts about this new venture launch and get inspiration on creating new revenue streams out of existing resources.

Listen now and discover:

• What makes Disney Cruise Line so unique to any other cruising experience
• How to tweak your product for your specific audiences so that it reaches a wider range of people
• Why creating scarcity can be an effective marketing tactic to create excitement...and how Disney did it well with the Staycation launch
• How you can bring a similar strategy to your own company for increased engagement, and more sales

Your small business takeaways:

• Don't forget about your secondary audiences when marketing your products
• If something isn't selling, don't count it out. Look at the environment that it's in first before deciding on whether or not you want to continue offering it
• Don't underestimate the power of a gut feeling

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we're discussing how quickly Disney parks are getting booked up and why planning ahead is an absolute must.

When Disney closed their parks last year, nobody knew when they'd get back to "normal"... but as vaccinations rise and capacity remains capped, we're seeing less and less resort availability for the tail-end of 2021. Combined with a once-in-a-lifetime 50th anniversary celebration, well, Disney has the perfect storm for demand. Listen and learn how urgency and scarcity can speed along the purchase decision for your customers.

Listen now and discover:

• The new Park Reservation rules at Disney and why planning ahead is an absolute necessity right now
• Which parks hit capacity first and why they're so in demand
• Honest ways you can help your customers understand that your offer is limited in quantity or time
• Smart marketing tactics to increase scarcity and urgency… without being scammy or dishonest

Your small business takeaways:

• Take a step back and look at the supply and demand of your industry to understand the current purchasing environment for your customers
• Make it a no-brainer for your customers to purchase in the moment
• Understand that honesty and integrity is the backbone of a great customer experience that leads to future sales and raving fans, never create fake urgency or scarcity

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we discuss how to build an effective team.

If you want to make sure all of the dreaming, planning, and doing actually gets done, you'll want to listen now and discover the 3 types of people you need behind the scenes of your business.

Listen now and discover:

• The difference between a Finder, Minder, and Grinder, or a Visionary, Integrator, and Doer, as we like to call them.
• How to use your zone of genius to determine which roles you cover and which you need to fill
• What can happen to your team dynamic (and major deliverables!) if you don't have each of these members represented

Your small business takeaways:

• Take a look at your team and see which roles you have filled and where you may have a gap
• Care for your doers well because they help to make the magic happen!

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. We all know that Disney prioritizes safety and customer experience for their guests, from how they design their rides to how they control the mosquito population in the swampy lands of Florida.

Today, we're getting to the bottom of pesky mosquito management in the parks. Listen now and learn why it's important to use metrics to make targeted, impactful decisions in your small business.

Listen now and discover:

• Why the topic of mosquitoes is what first made us truly geek out over Disney operations
• The natural methods used throughout the parks to keep pestering mosquitoes away
• Why it's a must as a small business owner to keep track of your business data
• A few small ways you can begin to take a deeper look if you aren't yet tracking your metrics
• Why it really is better to be profitable and productive

Your small business takeaways:

• Measure your data first, then say goodbye to things that are no longer supporting your business well
• Think about future problems you may experience and design your business to eliminate them
• Make sure you have pixels installed on your website so you can have data in the future!

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we're discussing how to get your business prepared for the future by cutting expenses and planning ahead like our friends over at Disney do best.

It's no secret there have been some major cut-backs to the magical experience we all know and love. Listen today to hear about all of the pretty hefty cuts that Disney has had to make due to coronavirus and how you can take these helpful cuts back to your own small business.

Listen now and discover:

• The shocking amount Disney has saved just by cutting out daily fireworks show... and why it ended up being a major financial game changer
• How to determine what investments actually make sense to your business in the long run
• Practical ways you can take advantage of the courses and programs you're already in to help save you from spending extra $ elsewhere
• Tips you'll want to consider when you're thinking about making your next big financial investment

Your small business takeaways:

• Only invest in courses that you need right now in your business, otherwise it could lead to wasted money
• Be sure your goals match up with the financial investments you're willing to spend your hard earned money on
• Remember: Sometimes saying "yes" to something potentially means saying "no" to something else

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode we're discussing ways to determine your capacity, aka how many customers you can actually support at one time.

Within each Disney park, different experiences can vary with how many customers can be accommodated at once. Between the types of products and services you offer and the bandwidth on your schedule, this episode will get you thinking about just how many people you can effectively support. .

Listen now and discover:

• How Disney organizes each ride line to make it as efficient as possible for the guests waiting in line
• The reason why the underground tunnels at Magic Kingdom, known as Utilidors, were created, and how they help shape the flow of traffic in the parks today
• Why it's important to map out the realistic number of customers you're able to serve
• A simple way you can keep from overbooking yourself with an easy calendar hack

Your small business takeaways:

• It's okay to say "no" to more work to protect yourself from burning out
• Take a continuous improvement eye to your business to look for ways to more efficiently support your customers

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode we're discussing Disney ending the annual pass program at Disneyland and Magical Express at Disney World.

Making the decision to cut a product isn't easy… and doing it in a way that doesn't anger customers is even harder. Listen now to learn a few tips and tricks for discontinuing a product or service in your business.

Listen now and discover:

• Why we have to say goodbye to the Magical Express, and what will be replacing it in the future
• How COVID has continued to negatively affect Disneyland and why annual pass holders will be refunded this year
• Ways you can keep your customers happy even when you decide to cancel programs or services
• How to update your purchase terms to protect your future self should you decide to discontinue them at a certain point

Your small business takeaways:

• Look at the data to help you make decisions on which offerings to have in your business
• Be honest with your customers when removing a program and give them a new path to follow
• Always offer what feels right for you & your business!