Ep. 102 What if Kodak had made the iPhone? What if the world’s most trusted brand for capturing memories hadn’t missed its digital moment?

In the first episode of our 5-part series, The Downfall of Big Business, Merchon Hargrave takes us back to the glory days of Rochester, NY — when Kodak provided high-paying jobs for our friends, family, and neighbors, and the city thrived on its success. But that success didn’t last.

Kodak invented the digital camera in 1975 — yet by 2012, the company that once powered our local economy had filed for bankruptcy after failing to pivot.

Kodak’s fear of cannibalizing their film profits kept them from pivoting. The result? Bankruptcy, job loss, and a legacy left behind.

So what went wrong? And more importantly: how can you avoid making the same mistake in your business?

💡 What’s the “film” in your business that you’re afraid to let go of?

🎯 Key Takeaways:

Why attachment to your product can stifle innovation

The danger of ignoring market shifts

How to recognize the essence of your business

Pivoting with purpose — not panic

Using data over ego to guide your decisions

Resources:

Episode 100 Live Celebration Watch on Spotify

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Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome + Series Intro: The Downfall of Big Business
01:00 – Why Kodak? A Rochester Legacy
02:30 – Kodak’s Rise: From Film King to Household Name
04:00 – The Missed Opportunity: Inventing Digital but Failing to Adapt
07:00 – Solopreneurs vs. Corporate Giants: The Speedboat Advantage
09:00 – Letting Go Doesn’t Mean Failure
12:00 – What Is the Core of Your Business?
13:30 – The Kodak Phone That Never Was
15:00 – Pivoting Toward Your Ideal Client’s Needs
16:30 – Fail Forward: Lessons Through Action
17:30 – Ego vs. Data in Decision-Making
18:50 – Final Thoughts: You Are Not the Titanic

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