Bob Iger Made This Mistake That Every Teen Entrepreneur Should Avoid

Ah, Bob Iger. The man who steered Disney into a golden era of Pixar magic, Marvel mania, Star Wars revival, and, let’s not forget, Baby Yoda. He’s practically the Elon Musk of storytelling (minus the flamethrowers). But guess what? Even the king of the Magic Kingdom has had his fair share of mistakes. And yes, dear teen entrepreneurs and their wonderfully supportive parents, there’s one in particular that you should totally avoid if you want to build your business empire before you’re old enough to rent a car. Ready to dive in? Let’s roll!

The “I Can Do It All” Syndrome

Bob Iger, in his early days as Disney CEO, was known for trying to do everything. He wanted to oversee the big-picture stuff and handle the nitty-gritty. He wanted to approve the next blockbuster movie and make sure the Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels were the right level of salty. Okay, maybe not the pretzels, but you get the point. He spread himself way too thin, and it almost led to burnout , a no-no for anyone aiming to be the next Bezos or Buffett.

And here’s the kicker: You’re probably doing the same thing. Yup, you. Teens are notorious for trying to be superheroes without the capes. You’re balancing school, sports, TikTok dances, and building the next big app , all while thinking you can handle every single detail by yourself. Spoiler alert: you can’t. And that’s okay!

Lesson 1: Learn to Delegate Like a Pro

One of the smartest moves Bob eventually made was learning to delegate. He brought in top-notch talent and trusted them to run with their expertise. He focused on the vision while letting others handle the nitty-gritty details.

For you, teen business moguls in training, this means learning to share the load. Got a friend who’s great at designing logos? Let them handle your branding. Know someone who can write killer captions? Hand over your social media. Building a dream team isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s what legends do.

The “I Can’t Say No” Trap

Let’s rewind to when Disney was scooping up big-name companies like a kid grabbing candy at Halloween. Marvel? Yes, please. Lucasfilm? Absolutely. But there were times when Bob Iger said “yes” to projects or partnerships that didn’t align with Disney’s brand or long-term goals. And guess what? It led to a few awkward, expensive missteps.

Sound familiar? If you’re the kind of teen who says yes to every opportunity, every collab request, or every idea that pops into your head, you might be stretching yourself too thin or pursuing projects that don’t fit your vision.

Lesson 2: Get Comfortable Saying No

Here’s the deal: Your time and energy are precious. If an idea or opportunity doesn’t align with your goals or values, it’s okay to pass. In fact, it’s smart. Focus on what moves the needle for your business. The rest? Politely decline. Remember, even Iron Man doesn’t join every fight. Pick your battles , and your business moves , wisely.

The “Ignoring the Audience” Oops

In his early days at Disney, Iger and his team occasionally launched projects that missed the mark because they didn’t fully understand what audiences wanted. For example, remember The Lone Ranger? Exactly. Neither does anyone else.

Teen entrepreneurs, you might be guilty of this too. Maybe you’re so hyped about your candle-making business that you’re ignoring the fact that your friends , your target audience , actually want neon phone cases instead.

Lesson 3: Listen, Learn, and Pivot

Your audience is your BFF in business. Talk to them. Survey them. Stalk their Instagram Stories (in a totally not-creepy way). Figure out what they’re loving, hating, and wishing for. Then, adjust. Pivoting isn’t a sign of failure; it’s what keeps you relevant and in demand.

A Final Sprinkle of Magic

Here’s the truth, straight from Disney’s playbook: Making mistakes is part of the entrepreneurial journey. Even the greats, like Bob Iger, stumble. What matters is learning from those mistakes and bouncing back stronger.

So, to recap:

1. Delegate like a boss. You can’t (and shouldn’t) do it all.
2. Master the art of “no.” Not every opportunity is worth your time.
3. Listen to your audience. They’re your north star.

Remember, building a business is a lot like riding Space Mountain: It’s thrilling, it’s unpredictable, and sometimes, it’s downright terrifying. But with the right strategies , and a little inspiration from Bob Iger’s missteps , you’re well on your way to building something magical. And who knows? One day, you might even outdo Disney. Just don’t forget us when you’re famous, okay?