Everyone wants to license with the biggest brands in the world… but that’s exactly where most people go wrong.

In this episode of Born to License, David shares a powerful snippet from his conversation on the It’s No Fluke podcast with Jeff Barrett — breaking down the smart way to get started in licensing.

Because while brands like Disney or Bluey are incredibly appealing, they’re also the hardest to access — especially if you’re new to licensing.

Instead, the real opportunity lies in building momentum step by step.

In this episode:

🚀 Why you shouldn’t start with the biggest licenses

• The reality of working with top-tier brands
• Why new licensees often get rejected
• Thinking long-term (3–4 year strategy)

🎯 The smarter way to enter licensing

• Starting with “hungry” brands open to new partners
• Building credibility before going after A-list IP
• Creating a clear pathway to bigger deals

📈 Real case study: from first deal to major success

• Working with Care Bears (via CloudCo) as a first خطوة
• Scaling into a major opportunity with Wicked
• How collectability doubled customer spend

💡 Key insight: licensing is a journey

• Why momentum matters more than starting big
• How smart brand selection drives long-term success
• Turning one deal into many

The key takeaway: Don’t start at the top — build your way there.

The most successful licensing strategies aren’t built on one big deal… they’re built on smart, strategic progression.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

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