A Founder's Life
Join me as I explore the powerful intersection of entrepreneurship, health & wellness, and parenthood. In each episode, I’ll be interviewing inspiring individuals who excel in one or more of these areas, sharing their stories, insights, and lessons. My goal is to provide valuable takeaways that can help you thrive both personally and professionally.
A Founder's Life
Ep #18 - What Disney Taught Me About Success, Failure, and Balance - Mark Jaffe
🔥 The Secret to Business Growth? Learn to Fail Well – Mark Jaffe’s Story 🔥
Most people think success comes from avoiding failure. But what if the secret is learning to fail well?
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Mark Jaffe, former Disney executive and business strategist, to reveal the mindset shifts, leadership lessons, and personal strategies that helped him grow Disney’s music division, pivot into consulting, and create a thriving career without sacrificing family and personal passions.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
✅ The surprising lesson that shaped Mark’s career: Failing well is the key to success
✅ How he helped grow Disney’s music revenue from $30 million to $120 million
âś… The business reinvention strategies every founder needs to know
✅ Why work-life balance isn’t a myth—and how to actually achieve it
🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more founder insights!
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Who is Mark Jaffe?
03:15 - How a comic strip job application launched his career
07:30 - Behind the scenes: Scaling Disney’s music division
12:20 - The best career advice ever: “Learn to fail well”
18:00 - The business reinvention formula for long-term success
23:50 - How to scale a company without sacrificing your life
29:15 - Why family, travel, and adventure matter as much as business
34:40 - Running for mental clarity: How movement fuels success
39:20 - The power of passion & resilience in entrepreneurship
44:50 - Final thoughts: Building a business and life that truly matters
📍 Connect with Mark – Find him at www.markjaffe.com or reach out at mark@markjaffe.com.
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