Stevland Hardaway Judkins was born blind – the third of six children in a poor family living in Saginaw, Michigan. Suffering from retinopathy of prematurity, he never gained eyesight, but this disability didn’t stop him. Rather, it served as his inspiration. “Little Stevie” developed his passion for music as a young child. He taught himself piano, harmonica, bass, drums, and sung in the church choir. No, he couldn’t see, but he could make music, and that’s what he did!

In 1961, he was introduced to Motown CEO Berry Gordy, was quickly signed, and given his now famous name Stevie Wonder by producer Clarence Paul who said, “We can’t keep calling him the eighth wonder of the world!” At the age of 12, he released his first two albums, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie and Tribute to Uncle Ray.

Fast forward 50 years – Stevie Wonder has recorded more than 30 U.S. top ten hits and won 22 Grammy Awards. He has won an Academy Award, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was named Rolling Stone’s ninth greatest singer of all time.

None of this could have been possible if he dwelled on his disability. Stevie Wonder may not have been able to see with his eyes, but he was truly a visionary. He saw his potential and what he could offer the world. When you listen to Stevie Wonder, you don’t think about his blindness, you simply appreciate his music.  

What is there to be learned from the story of Stevland Judkins, a.k.a. Stevie Wonder?

Don’t make excuses for yourself
Yes, things can be difficult, and there are always obstacles for EVERYONE! But you, and only you, can either choose to make them an excuse for failure or a challenge that you will overcome.

Rise Above
There is always a way to rise above any current situation and excel. The economic climate has been horrible for many over the last few years, yet there are many businesses and business owners in all industries that have found a way to hang on, and yes, even prosper despite the situation. Like Stevie Wonder, you can choose to make lemonade out of the lemons if you set your mind to it!

Stop Complaining and Work Hard
No one wants to hear your bad “situation.” Stevie excelled in a tough industry where failure runs rampant. Why? He was dedicated, hard working, and talented. He didn’t want others to feel sorry for him. He wanted to blow people away with his music. …And, that he did!

Get a Mentor
Berry Gordie was Stevie’s early mentor, who took him under his wing and helped to propel his career. Should you, could you find a mentor or someone who can help you plot your path? It might be well worth your effort.

Personal Note from Julie: I have every Stevie Wonder album, and when I want inspiration to run, write, cook, I often listen to him. I made sure that several Stevie Wonder songs were played at my wedding. I’ve taught my boys about his music,  and truly consider him one of the greatest musicians of all time. Thank you Stevie! Now, here’s one of my favorites that always make me dance and sing!

Do you remember these facts about Milli Vanilli? Or, do you have more recollection of them having their Grammy revoked when it was revealed that the voices that you heard on their hit songs were not, in fact, their own. Yep, they became far more famous as the duo who lip-synched their way through performances.

Once discovered to be imposters, Milli Vanilli hit the skids. Their popularity took an instant nose dive. They were promptly dropped by Arista Records and became the laughing stock of the music industry.

So, what does Milli Vanilli’s story have to do with your business? Well, actually, there’s quite a bit to learn from their mistakes. Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus never had the ability to sing well enough to make hit records. They looked good, but simply couldn’t deliver the goods. Can you afford to take liberties with what you deliver to your customers? Probably not!

Be Honest with What You Can Deliver
To not pull a “Milli Vanilli”, you need to always be aware of and honest about what you are capable of delivering. You can’t extend yourself past the point where you are competent, and expect to succeed. Fab and Rob didn’t sing as well as the performers who recorded their records. They knew they didn’t have the talent, but that didn’t stop them from passing themselves off as an act that did. 

If a client is asking for something that is beyond the scope of what you can do, you’re better off passing on the work then trying to bluff your way through it. Of course, you should set the bar high and develop new skills, but you will get caught if you’re trying to fudge on your sill set or pass yourself off as someone else other than yourself. Success and peace of mind come from carving out your own space and becoming successful for your own strengths.

Focus On More than Just Your Image
Let’s face it. Milli Vanilli became successful because of their visual image and not much else. While the songs were catchy, they weren’t particularly memorable. Once everyone discovered that they couldn’t sing, their fans moved on to the next group of pretty faces that they saw on MTV.

In business, a great website, brochure, or a perfectly tailored suit can get you in the door to present what you have to offer. But, if you can’t back up the glossy image with real substance, you’ll be kicked to the curb faster than you can say Milli Vanilli. The reality is that image isn’t everything. Talent, quality service, dedication, and innovation are also just as important.

Understand the Stakes
Milli Vanilli probably never predicted how dramatic their downfall was going to be. In fact, their story is quite tragic. Half of the duo, Rob Pilatus, never recovered from the scandal, eventually turned to drugs and crime, and unfortunately died of an alcohol and prescription drug overdose in 1998.

All business owners need to understand that one fall might be all it takes to put you out of the game especially if customers feel duped or cheated. Think long and hard about the impact of deception. Do you want to risk it all for the possibility of a potential gain?

Side note: Julie is not ashamed to admit that she enthusiastically went to see Milli Vanilli in the height of their success in 1989. She may have also bought their album.

 From her self-titled debut album in 1983, she understood the importance of building a memorable image. Never shying away from controversy or opinions, she fearlessly branched out into acting, design, writing, directing, and political activism while also taking time to be a wife and a mother along the way.

 Beyond donning a cone bra to garner attention, are there specific lessons to be learned by looking at how Madonna has managed her empire? Definitely! Here are just a few brand development strategies that every business owner can implement.

Hone Your Brand
Madonna has relentlessly worked on her brand image from day one. She knew there was value in not looking or sounding like everyone else. So, she created a style that was all her own. From her earliest videos, she had an urban look and sound that enabled her to not be pigeon-holed into one genre. By the time she performed “Like a Virgin” at the MTV Awards wearing a wedding dress and a “Boy Toy” belt buckle, she was already well on her way to becoming the top-earning female recording artist of all time.

 As a business owner, it doesn’t pay to simply copy your competitor. Instead, carving out your own niche is the start of developing the brand recognition that will establish your uniqueness and draw in customers. Do you have the guts to fearlessly do your own thing? If so, you can take this first step to enabling your brand to rise to the top of your industry.

Control Your Brand
Madonna is well-known for her take-charge personality. She cultivated her own image and has managed it very effectively over the years. She didn’t leave decisions up to a manager and has amassed a fortune by staying in control of every aspect of her personal brand.

 Controlling your brand is just as important. Everything from how your team represents your business to the quality of your marketing collateral can have a positive or negative effect on your overall brand. While micromanaging is not a particularly endearing trait for a business owner to possess, you do have to have enough control to know that everyone and everything that represents it must portray your business in the best possible light.

 Expand Your Brand
Madonna didn’t grow her fortune to exceed $500 million by only making hit songs. She branched out early into acting and directing, and has since diversified into a multitude of ventures that includes publishing, a fashion line, and even a chain of health clubs.

 Although you probably don’t need to expand your brand to the extent that Madonna has, seeking out opportunities that fall in line with what you already do can increase your ability to provide customer service while also generating new sources of revenue.

 Reinvent Your Brand
Madonna burst onto the stage in the 1980s wearing an eclectic blend of thrift shop chic and rosary beads, but transformed her look dramatically through the years. She evolved as an artist when she became a mother, started studying Kaballah, moved to the UK, and became heavily involved in a variety of causes including AIDS, children, and poverty in Africa. If she had just kept her “Boy Toy” image and didn’t evolve, she would have ended up being a one-hit wonder with a short-lasting career. Madonna’s biggest strength has been her ability to reinvent herself. She is a leader who sets trends and doesn’t seem to be stopping even though she is now in her 50s.

 Reinvention is vital for business owners if they want to succeed. Industry changes, improvements with technology, and consumer shifts can all have a dramatic impact on your success. Staying on top of these transitions and adapting to them is what will keep you fresh, relevant, and even one step ahead of your competition.  

Are you ready to “strike a pose” in your industry and set the foundation for your future success? Consider all that Madonna has accomplished through the many twists and turns in her career and use it for inspiration to be flexible, forward-thinking, and courageous in how you manage your business.

 Connect with Your Audience in a BIG Way
A Bruce Springsteen concert is never a quiet, low-key show. He works the crowd and plays his band like an orchestra. You can’t help but feel as if he’s singing straight to you, even in a sold-out stadium. Bruce gets it. Without his legions of devoted fans, he’d be just another guy from New Jersey.

 In business, it’s just as important to make the connection with those around you. To grow long-term success, you, too, need devotees that truly believe that you’re working just for them. Build your fan base just like Bruce.

 Be Real, Not Superficial
Even though Bruce probably has more money than some small nations, he still successfully projects an image of blue-collar, straightforwardness that you rarely see in other rock stars.

 You just can’t envision him lip-synching a song on stage, nor wearing a sequined, glam get-up. Because he’s so good at what he does, there’s no need for distracting background dancers, dizzying light displays, or overly-synthesized songs. That’s just not Bruce. He writes and performs real music that’s straight from the heart. He wears jeans and a t-shirt and plays his guitar. No muss, no fuss!

 Being down-to-earth is a good strategy for business, too. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to spot the salesperson who is better at show-boating than really selling or the marketing director who has a knack for making a sub-standard product look very appealing in a presentation. Instead, the best approach is always honest and real. Having a reputation as someone who isn’t full of B.S. will always work to your benefit in the long run.

Work Hard
Anyone who has ever been to a Bruce Springsteen concert knows that they can be long. While most performers tire and quit after an hour and a half, Bruce can go on for hours and hours. During one tour in the early 80s, his band consistently played nearly 40 songs over four hours each night. His tireless work ethic has definitely added to his popularity and mystique. When you buy a ticket to one of his concerts, you know you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

 Bruce has found success through hard work, and so can you. By putting your hours in, you’ll not only improve your skills, you’ll establish yourself as a roll-your-sleeves-up type who is willing to do what’s necessary to get a job done.

 Be a Perfectionist
Like all rock and roll stars with staying power, Bruce Springsteen makes performing look easy. He just picks up a guitar and plays, right? Not hardly! His “E Street Band” has up to nine performers on stage that all must work in synch to create the incredible music that they’re known for. This requires tremendous amounts of time rehearsing, practicing, and fine-tuning. Want to be a business rock star? Perfect what you do and then make it look easy.

 Over Deliver
At the core of every performance is Bruce’s desire to do anything and everything to make his crowd happy. Even now at 60 years old, he works the stage and makes his way into the audience just as he has done for decades. He takes audience requests for songs and belts out each tune with the enthusiasm and vigor of someone half his age. Of course, he rarely ends any show with less than a five song encore. Why do many fans almost consider his concerts “pilgrimages” that they couldn’t dare miss? It’s because he consistently over delivers, always leaving them feeling like they’re truly appreciated.

 Are you going over and above the call of duty and providing more than expected with your prospects, clients, and colleagues? Take it from “The Boss”, if you’re really “Born to Run”, you’ll make it your passion to over deliver, too!