Business Ideas - 3 Lessons from Guy Laliberte (Cirque Du Soleil)

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My name is Evan Carmichael and welcome to a special video post brought to you by American Express Canada. They have recently launched their Amex for Business Canada Facebook Page at http://on.fb.me/qI3i2i where you can access the latest news, information and resources for Canadian entrepreneurs.

I believe that the fastest and most effective way to build a business is to model the strategies of people who have already done what you're trying to do. I call it Modeling the Masters.

Today we're going to look at how a young entrepreneur went from performing in the streets and sleeping on park benches to becoming a billionaire who plays high stakes poker and is a space tourist in his spare time. This is the story of Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté and the top 3 lessons that you can learn from his success.

"I bet everything on one night. If we failed, there was no cash for gas to come home." - Guy Laliberté

Guy Laliberté, (born September 2, 1959) is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, poker player, space tourist and the founder of Cirque du Soleil. When Laliberté was 18 years old he left Canada for Europe to become a street performer. He played traditional Canadian music on an accordion with a hat for donations and slept on a park bench by night. He also met other street performers who taught him how to breath fire, juggle, perform magic, and walk on stilts before returning home.

Unable to find a 9-5 job back home, he started a business that would create large-scale street shows. After 3 years of successful shows in 13 Canadian cities, Laliberté wanted to get bigger. In 1987 his company was booked as the opening act for the Los Angeles Arts Festival. He spent all the money he had to get to Los Angeles and prepare for the show. If it didn't work out he'd have to perform on the streets to get gas money to go home. Luckily for him the gamble paid off - his performance received standing ovations and ticket sales came flying in.

With an estimated net worth of US$2.5 billion, Laliberté was ranked by Forbes in 2011 as the 11th wealthiest Canadian and 459th in the world. In 2006, Laliberté was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and his company now employs over 5,000 people - not bad for a hustling entrepreneur who started off sleeping on park benches because he couldn't afford to pay rent.

Action Item #1: Have a Greater Purpose
Action Item #2: Foster a Creative Workplace
Action Item #3: Take Risks

True Story

Laliberté understands the importance of getting the right people for his company. Once a year, Cirque du Soleil engages in a hiring campaign to bring new and freshly energized talent on board. For 16 weeks, anywhere between 60 and 70 candidates from around the world are gathered together to be tested. Pushed to their limits, Cirque encourages candidates to do things they probably have never done before, evaluating not only their core competencies, but also their values, generosity, courage, teamwork and problem solving skills. Laliberté wants to hire people who are risk-takers, just like himself, and who fit with the company's core values.

More Quotes

"It was live or die in L.A. And we bet everything on one night."

"If you want to be good you have to connect with the best people."

"Today, the dream is the same: I still want to travel, I still want to entertain, and I most certainly still want to have fun."

What Do You Think?

Does your company have a greater purpose? Are you afraid to take risks? What part of Guy Laliberté's message impacted you the most? As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts if you leave a comment below!

Evan Carmichael

To learn more check out my list of Guy Laliberté articles at http://www.evancarmichael.com/Famous-Entrepreneurs/1689/summary.php. Also don't forget to check out the Amex for Business Canada Page at http://on.fb.me/qI3i2i

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Business
• Idea
• Tips
• Guy
• Laliberte
• Cirque
• du
• Soleil
• Cirque Du Soleil
• Circus

[ModelingTheMasters]

@rm84tv Thanks - glad you liked it!

[rm84tv]

Good video, I had no idea who this guy was but he is a true hustler.

[ModelingTheMasters]

@moonwitch5 Thank you!

[moonwitch5]

very inspiring!