Pixie Dust & Profits
149 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsPixie Dust and Profits is a podcast for small business owners who LOVE DISNEY and want to SPRINKLE SOME OF THAT MAGIC onto their own businesses.
Join us as we explore the mouse's $69.5 BILLION-DOLLAR operation and break down exactly how you can apply these concepts to your 4-5-6+ FIGURE BUSINESS.
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Episodes
Down the Rabbit Hole
November 14, 2023 10:00 - 13 minutes - 18.1 MBJoin us as we unveil the magic of internal promotion – not in ranks, but in marketing! And we’re not just talking about content repurposing. We’re diving into the rabbit hole to find how strategic promotion can help you sell your products from within your existing offerings. Drawing inspiration from how Disney cleverly markets new attractions within their parks, this episode is all about leveraging what you already have to enchant and engage your customers further. Listen now and discover:...
Seasonal Treats In Your Business
October 31, 2023 10:00 - 17 minutes - 23.4 MBAs we gear up for our next Pixie Dust LIVE event, we reflect on how Disney theme parks consistently surprise and delight their regular visitors. From limited-time treats at the parks to the clever marketing strategies Disney employs, we discuss how small businesses can take a page out of Disney's playbook and share some advice on how businesses can create their own “limited-time offers" to entice and retain customers. Plus, get ready for a bit of an unexpected debate about Disney merchandise...
Genie+ Changes
July 18, 2023 10:00 - 17 minutes - 24 MBIn this episode, we discuss the changes to the Genie+ system at Disney, sharing our experiences – both successful ones and not-so-successful ones. Though the fluctuating prices of Genie+ can be frustrating, a dash of strategy here and a sprinkle of Pixie Dust there, and you'll conquer these parks without breaking the Genie+ bank to make the most of your next Disney visit. Listen now and discover: How Genie+ replaced Fast Pass at Disney parks, offering Lightning Lane passes for popular rid...
Moving Your Mirrors
July 11, 2023 10:00 - 11 minutes - 16.1 MBIn this episode, we discuss a seemingly peculiar design choice of Disney Parks: the bathroom mirrors. More specifically, how they’re intentionally placed away from the hand-washing stations for a very conscious reason—and it’ll make so much sense once you hear it! (No one preens like Gaston, after all.) Listen now and discover: How intentional design can help run your business more smoothly and prevent bottlenecks The importance of identifying and addressing these obstacles to enhance ef...
One Day at Disney
July 04, 2023 10:00 - 14 minutes - 19.6 MBIn this episode, we discuss the concept of content multiplication using Disney's "One Day at Disney" as an example. We can’t get enough of how Disney strategically planned and executed multiple forms of content from a single project, including a coffee table book, a documentary, and short episodes. Listen now and discover: The importance of intentional content planning and structuring to maximize output across different platforms The difference between content multiplication and repurpos...
Disney vs. Universal
June 27, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 22 MBIn this episode, we discuss the concept of the lifetime value of a customer. Case in point: Disney and Universal. Both are theme parks that illustrate different pricing models. Disney focuses on encouraging longer stays and offers discounts for multi-day tickets, while Universal caters to shorter visits and prices accordingly. Tune in to discover how these insights into different pricing strategies can be applied to pricing services in the business world. Listen now and discover: How Disn...
Free Speech Extends to Businesses, Too
June 20, 2023 10:00 - 11 minutes - 15.4 MBIn this episode, we’re discussing the ongoing battle between Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, and Disney. It all started when Disney spoke out against a bill in Florida that restricts school children from talking about the “don’t say gay” bill. Disney has been striving to be more inclusive and representative in their content and employment practices. In *alleged* retaliation, Governor DeSantis threatened to remove Disney's special district status, which would shift the cost of managing Disn...
The Disney Dining Plan Returns!
June 13, 2023 10:00 - 12 minutes - 17.3 MBWe’re kicking off summer with a brand-new series! Join us as we discuss the highly anticipated return of the Disney Dining Plan. While it may seem more expensive than paying out of pocket, we explore why people still love it. The convenience of upfront payment and the elimination of worrying about expenses make it a popular choice. We discuss ways you can incorporate convenience into your business offerings, such as offering automated payments and additional services. Tune in to discover how...
Backstage Pass: Pixie Dust LIVE
February 21, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 35.8 MBWant to mastermind with other business owners in The Happiest Place on Earth? Pixie Dust Live is a live business retreat held at Disney World, designed for anyone who needs to find breakthroughs in their biz. During this mastermind retreat, you’ll work with industry experts (that’s us!) and other business owners like you to find 1:1 support and guidance for anything you might be struggling with, or growing towards, in your own biz. Plus — we have a lot of fun at Disney too (yes...
Leadership Lessons from Bob Iger: Part 2
February 07, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBIn part 2 of our series on leadership lessons from Bob Iger, we dig into what curiosity, fairness, integrity, and thoughtfulness look like as a business owner. If you missed part one, we encourage you to go back and listen to that episode first! There, we talk about some of Iger’s greatest achievements and how his unwavering optimism played a role in forging some of the most successful years in all of Disney history. Resources mentioned: The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 1...
Leadership lessons from Bob Iger
January 24, 2023 10:00 - 28 minutes - 38.8 MBDuring Bob Iger’s 15+ years leading Disney, he’s given small business owners something to look up to and learn from. In this first episode of a two-part series, we’re taking the leadership lessons Iger discusses in his book, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company. We’ll dive into each of the 8 lessons that Iger shares and explain how you can also use these lessons in your own small business!
The Importance of Autonomy for Your Employees and Contractors
January 10, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 40.1 MBHave you ever wondered how Disney has trained over 75,000 Cast Members to create magic each and every day? They don’t tell their team exactly how to do it — they give them the resources and uniforms and trust their employees to be an evangelist for the brand. And it works! Wondering how you can bring this into your own business when you hire a team member? In this episode, we’re talking all about teams, leadership, and the importance of autonomy to build culture. Tune into find out how you...
Should You Abandon Ship?
December 13, 2022 10:00 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBIf you’re a perfectionist like us, you want to see a project through to the very end. But in business, not every project is going to make it. And if you’re not careful, something that was meant to be fun and exciting could very quickly turn into a money pit. So, how do you know when you should or should not abandon a project, and what are some ways you could avoid that fate? Listen to this episode to find out!
Bob Iger Is Back
November 29, 2022 12:00 - 31 minutes - 43.9 MBI don’t think ANYONE could have predicted the latest news — Bob Iger is back! After stepping away for 999 days and telling us that he wouldn’t be returning as CEO, Iger has returned to replace Bob Chapek, the CEO with arguably the rockiest reputation in Disney history. So, why did this happen, and what can we as business owners learn from it? Listen to this episode to find out!
Magical Onboarding Experiences: Client Gifts & Small Touches They’ll Remember
November 15, 2022 12:00 - 12 minutes - 17.5 MBHave you ever had a magical credit card onboarding experience? Probably not, huh? It always feels boring at best, and stressful at worst, to sign up for a new credit card. Unless, that is, you’re signing up for a Disney credit card! They’ve managed to make signing legal disclaimers feel fun with a few simple elevations to their onboarding packet — and they included gifts! Let’s talk about how you can implement a similarly fun experience into your own customer onboarding process, with ...
How to Create Elevated Inclusion in Your Business
November 01, 2022 09:00 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MBHave you ever wondered how Disney manages to make you feel like you’re having the most exclusive and individualized experience, even when you know thousands of other people are being treated the same way? We did, too! So today, we decided to break down what Disney does so brilliantly and how their exclusive inclusivity works so well.
Delivering the Full Experience to Repeat Customers
October 18, 2022 09:00 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBYou want clients and customers to keep coming back for more — but how do you keep the magic alive for them? Recently, a trip to Disney World left Nicole a little less than satisfied. Listen to this episode as we discuss how to keep the magic alive for your long-term clients and customers!
How To Avoid Business Meltdowns
October 04, 2022 10:00 - 17 minutes - 24.1 MBManaging your client's expectations can be a day job in and of itself. In this episode of Pixie Dust and Profits, we’re talking about how Disney does this so well and how we can do the same in our own businesses!
Cast Members Going Above and Beyond
September 20, 2022 09:00 - 16 minutes - 23 MBYou know how going to any Disney property is absolutely magical? It’s all thanks to the amazing cast members! So today, we thought we’d extend the lessons of that podcast and talk about some times that cast members went above and beyond their duties for us… and how you can apply that to your own business! We talk about how Disney meets disabled guests with kindness and accommodations, how even the littlest guests have an amazing experience, and more. Then, we share THREE key strategies...
That Time I Got COVID at Disney World
September 06, 2022 09:00 - 24 minutes - 33.9 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re discussing that time Nicole ended up with a postive COVID test during her vacation… yikes! Listen now and discover how the situation was handled and why crafting a good client experience isn’t only about a single interaction or a single event. A great experience can even turn a disappointing situation into one that’s not-so-bad in the end.
Summer Series: The Day-to-Day of Running Your Biz
August 16, 2022 06:00 - 29 minutes - 40.5 MBRevisiting Disney’s Trajectory Over the Last Two Years We’ve got a Super Summer Series Surprise for you! For those who have been following along, or those who have just arrived (welcome!!), this summer we’ve been revisiting our favorite Pixie Dust & Profits podcast episodes from seasons past. So far, we’ve had such an amazing time listening back to these popular episodes AND giving you updated information from our 2022 perspectives on the topics. This week, though, we’re giving you some...
Summer Series: Growing Your Business With Collaboration
August 02, 2022 04:20 - 36 minutes - 49.9 MBEpisode 65: Revisiting Episode 014: Growth by Collaboration Our Summer Series continues this week with another back-to-the-basics episode from Pixie Dust’s past! As you might already know, we’ve been spending the summer revisiting some of our favorite episodes and also providing some much-needed updates from a 2022 perspective! This week, we revisit Episode 014, where we discussed the successful collaborations that Disney has created — with some unexpected brands. We dig into Disney’s ...
Summer Series: Disney+ Lessons Learned for Your Next Launch
July 19, 2022 21:24 - 36 minutes - 49.8 MBWe’re continuing our Summer Series this week. As usual, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business, but this Summer we’re spending some much-deserved quality time with some of our older and most popular episodes. This week, we’re revisiting In Episode 012, where we talked all about the launch of Disney+ and one of Disney’s biggest Hot Mess Express launches. It feels weird to think about planning movie nights without the platform now, but during ...
Summer Series: The Importance of Data in Your Small Biz
July 05, 2022 06:00 - 29 minutes - 40.8 MBThe nostalgia is REAL this week, folks! For the continuation of our flashback Summer Series, we’re taking it as far back as we can this week with our FIRST. EVER. EPISODE! 💗💛💜 Episode 001 aired all the way back in May 2019 when we were just two Disney lovers with a dream for this podcast. We love seeing (and hearing!) how far we’ve come, and hope that you’ll enjoy and get inspired by revisiting the beginning of it all with us! To recap: Episode 001 talked all about Disney’s data collect...
Summer Series: Meeting Clients Where They Are
June 21, 2022 06:00 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBWe’re back with a little help from our former selves to recap and revisit another popular episode from the past! Episode 007 (not to be confused with Bond, James Bond) aired almost two and a half years ago. In Covid years that must be something like a decade, right? This episode was so important to us, and to all of you, because we talked all about meeting your clients where they’re at and the steps to take to ensure equal presence and opportunity amongst your client base. We want to reca...
Summer Series: Slow Seasons in Business
June 03, 2022 23:15 - 14 minutes - 20.1 MBIt’s so weird listening to episodes that aired in “pre-COVID times.” Episode 13 aired over two years ago! It seems like so much of the world, and how we work within it, has changed. We wanted to revisit this important episode, and the tips we shared in it, to remind you and ourselves that maybe things aren’t as different as they feel. To recap: Episode 13 discussed the importance of knowing business trends and how to prepare for the slow seasons throughout the year. When we look a...
Slow Seasons in Business
June 03, 2022 23:15 - 14 minutes - 20.1 MBIt’s so weird listening to episodes that aired in “pre-COVID times.” Episode 13 aired over two years ago! It seems like so much of the world, and how we work within it, has changed. We wanted to revisit this important episode, and the tips we shared in it, to remind you and ourselves that maybe things aren’t as different as they feel. To recap: Episode 13 discussed the importance of knowing business trends and how to prepare for the slow seasons throughout the year. When we look at ...
Make Your Business “Stick(y)”!
March 15, 2022 12:00 - 15 minutes - 29 MBIn this new episode of Pixie Dust & Profits, we discuss how Disney has made their 50th anniversary an event you won’t want to miss – and can’t miss, even if you tried! Inspired by our last trip through the Orlando airport, we were blown away by the effort Disney made to ensure their 50th-anniversary “sticks” in the minds of visitors and, honestly, anyone who travels through the Orlando airport. Tune in as we break down this marketing magic and discuss how you can apply the same “stickine...
Small Shop Safety with Misty Henry
March 01, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutes - 56.8 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. This week we’re joined by Misty Henry, the creator of The Makers Resource Shop who is on a mission to help makers build successful and safe businesses. If you’re a small shop, you won’t want to miss Misty’s golden nuggets on compliance and consumer safety laws, especially if you sell goods used by children. As a member of our Profitable & Productive Party, she also shares how she’s seen incred...
Do the Pre-Work
February 15, 2022 12:00 - 13 minutes - 25.4 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re talking about how important it is to do the pre-work before you make your trip to Disney and how you can apply this to your business launches. Tune in as we discuss the planning we do before we take a trip to Disney and how doing this same pre-work can benefit your business. If you have launches coming up, or you’re planning for major growth this year, you’ll want to tun...
057: The Endless EPCOT Construction
February 01, 2022 12:00 - 16 minutes - 31.1 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas for how you can better run your online business like Disney — and even a few things that you don’t want to do like Disney! This episode is about the latter, for once. In this episode, we’re discussing the seemingly endless construction at Disney World, specifically at Epcot. When we visited in October 2021, we were shocked by how much construction was happening in full view of the park goers! This was OK for us because we’ve been so many times, but we cou...
The Endless EPCOT Construction
February 01, 2022 12:00 - 16 minutes - 31.1 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas for how you can better run your online business like Disney — and even a few things that you don’t want to do like Disney! This episode is about the latter, for once. In this episode, we’re discussing the seemingly endless construction at Disney World, specifically at Epcot. When we visited in October 2021, we were shocked by how much construction was happening in full view of the park goers! This was OK for us because we’ve been so many times, but we coul...
Take Advantage of Your Existing Technology
January 18, 2022 11:00 - 12 minutes - 23.1 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re discussing Disney’s newest rides: Ratatouille, Rise of the Resistance, and Mickey's Runaway Railway. If you are thinking about starting something brand-spankin' new in your business, listen now to hear how you can use things you already have in your business instead. This way, you can stop chasing the “new and shiny,” and instead get results for your audience and your b...
056: Take Advantage of Your Existing Technology
January 18, 2022 11:00 - 12 minutes - 23.1 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re discussing Disney’s newest rides: Ratatouille, Rise of the Resistance, and Mickey's Runaway Railway. If you are thinking about starting something brand-spankin' new in your business, listen now to hear how you can use things you already have in your business instead. This way, you can stop chasing the “new and shiny,” and instead get results for your audience and you...
Making Your Offers Fool-Proof
January 04, 2022 11:00 - 21 minutes - 39.4 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re talking about the steep learning curve that is booking a Disney World vacation. First-time visitors to Disney World are faced with unfamiliar lingo, important (and unknown) deadlines, and ever-changing rules. Listen now to hear why it’s so important to make your products easy to understand *and* use. Listen now and discover: The lexicon of WDW knowledge we drew upon t...
055: Making Your Offers Fool-Proof
January 04, 2022 11:00 - 21 minutes - 39.4 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re talking about the steep learning curve that is booking a Disney World vacation. First-time visitors to Disney World are faced with unfamiliar lingo, important (and unknown) deadlines, and ever-changing rules. Listen now to hear why it’s so important to make your products easy to understand *and* use. Listen now and discover: The lexicon of WDW knowledge we drew upon...
Disney+ & Expanding Your Revenue Potential
December 21, 2021 11:00 - 18 minutes - 17.5 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re discussing how Disney+ is leveraging home viewings to distribute their theatrical releases. We’ve all had to majorly pivot our offerings over the last two years due to the shutdown. Listen now to hear how you can appeal to different audiences by expanding your current offerings. Listen now and discover: The benefits of being able to watch movies in your own home and...
054: Disney+ & Expanding Your Revenue Potential
December 21, 2021 11:00 - 18 minutes - 17.5 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re discussing how Disney+ is leveraging home viewings to distribute their theatrical releases. We’ve all had to majorly pivot our offerings over the last two years due to the shutdown. Listen now to hear how you can appeal to different audiences by expanding your current offerings. Listen now and discover: The benefits of being able to watch movies in your own home a...
Disney Rule-Breakers and Business Boundaries
December 07, 2021 11:00 - 20 minutes - 19.6 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re discussing rulebreakers who abuse Disney’s convenient guest experience policies… and how Disney has pushed back. If you have pushy customers that don’t respect your policies, listen now to hear how you can place strong boundaries in your own small business so that you aren’t being taken advantage of. Listen now and discover: Why the Disney disability policy has been ...
053: Disney Rule-Breakers and Business Boundaries
December 07, 2021 11:00 - 20 minutes - 19.6 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re discussing rulebreakers who abuse Disney’s convenient guest experience policies… and how Disney has pushed back. If you have pushy customers that don’t respect your policies, listen now to hear how you can place strong boundaries in your own small business so that you aren’t being taken advantage of. Listen now and discover: Why the Disney disability policy has bee...
052: Jungle Cruise & The Quest for Continuous Improvement
November 23, 2021 11:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re hashing out the recent updates to the classic Disney ride, Jungle Cruise. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of the DisneyParks brand. We’ll cover what changes have been made and why. Skip(per) on over to hear why it’s important to always be thinking about small tweaks and changes you can make in your own small business. Listen now and discover: The brand new upd...
Jungle Cruise & The Quest for Continuous Improvement
November 23, 2021 11:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re hashing out the recent updates to the classic Disney ride, Jungle Cruise. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of the DisneyParks brand. We’ll cover what changes have been made and why. Skip(per) on over to hear why it’s important to always be thinking about small tweaks and changes you can make in your own small business. Listen now and discover: The brand new updat...
051: Galactic Starcruiser: Pricing Out Your Audience
November 09, 2021 11:00 - 16 minutes - 30.7 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re revealing what we know about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience. Despite its guarantee to be an out-of-this-world experience, our sticker shock was still astronomical. Listen now to hear how Disney prepared their audience well to buy into this experience, and how you can do the same with your customers. Listen now and discover: The shocking price tag f...
Galactic Starcruiser: Pricing Out Your Audience
November 09, 2021 11:00 - 16 minutes - 30.7 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re revealing what we know about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience. Despite its guarantee to be an out-of-this-world experience, our sticker shock was still astronomical. Listen now to hear how Disney prepared their audience well to buy into this experience, and how you can do the same with your customers. Listen now and discover: The shocking price tag for...
Frustrating Your Fans: Disney's Annual Passes
October 26, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutes - 51.4 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode we’re discussing the not-so-welcome changes to Disney’s Annual Pass program. Price increases and less perks that we no longer get access to without having to pay even more money? Ew. Listen now to learn better ways to prepare your customers for upcoming changes. Listen now and discover: The return of Disney’s Annual Pass and why we’re frustrated with the changes The perks...
050: Frustrating Your Fans: Disney's Annual Passes
October 26, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutes - 51.4 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode we’re discussing the not-so-welcome changes to Disney’s Annual Pass program. Price increases and less perks that we no longer get access to without having to pay even more money? Ew. Listen now to learn better ways to prepare your customers for upcoming changes. Listen now and discover: The return of Disney’s Annual Pass and why we’re frustrated with the changes The per...
049: Building Hype: Disney's 50th Anniversary Celebration
October 12, 2021 10:00 - 18 minutes - 34.5 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re looking at Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration. New rides, limited-edition merchandise, and once-in-a-lifetime fireworks displays await inside! Listen now for tips on building excitement and anticipation with your customers. Listen now and discover: What you can expect to see during The 50th Anniversary celebration The different ways Disney builds FOMO ...
Building Hype: Disney's 50th Anniversary Celebration
October 12, 2021 10:00 - 18 minutes - 34.5 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we’re looking at Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration. New rides, limited-edition merchandise, and once-in-a-lifetime fireworks displays await inside! Listen now for tips on building excitement and anticipation with your customers. Listen now and discover: What you can expect to see during The 50th Anniversary celebration The different ways Disney builds FOMO an...
Disney+: Behind the Attraction
July 13, 2021 10:00 - 21 minutes - 39.5 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we marvel at Disney’s ability to reimagine their characters, rides, and movies in new (and profitable) ways. The latest is Behind the Attraction, a new Disney+ series telling the stories behind the iconic rides at Disneyland and Disney World. We also discuss the upcoming Jungle Cruise movie, live-action remakes, and Disney’s ability to weave together universes through multipl...
048: Disney+: Behind the Attraction
July 13, 2021 10:00 - 21 minutes - 39.5 MBEach week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we marvel at Disney’s ability to reimagine their characters, rides, and movies in new (and profitable) ways. The latest is Behind the Attraction, a new Disney+ series telling the stories behind the iconic rides at Disneyland and Disney World. We also discuss the upcoming Jungle Cruise movie, live-action remakes, and Disney’s ability to weave together universes through multi...