The absurdity of what resonates with our culture is never lost on me. I wanted to have a little bit of fun today to illustrate the point that the difference between legacy and a whimsical moment is often nothing more than a conviction to the absurd.
In 1975, Gary Dahl, an advertising copywriter, was at a bar and thought it would be hilarious if he could market a pet rock and ship the rock in a box with care instructions. They would not have all of the fuss of live pets and the same enjoyment. Oh, please, the legacy of inanimate objects of pets lives on even today with Chia Pet (over 15 million are still sold annually), even Potato Parcels (over $1mm in sales). Gary went on to sell approximately 1.4 million rocks in a few months and earned a profit of over $1million. Still though, most of these marketing ideas are fads and footnotes in capitalism.
On the other end of the spectrum are Beanie Babies. Ty Warner was an unsuccessful actor, but consummate salesman and knew the world of plush toys well, having worked for Dakin until 1980. In 1986, he mortgaged his house, used his inheritance to launch Ty, Inc. He started selling plush toys of his own. In 1993, he introduced Beanie Babies and methodically reduced supply to maintain demand. As of 2020, Ty is number 359 on the Forbes Richest Americans list with an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion. Plush toys.
Today, the pressure to perform under extraordinary circumstances as an artist and creative business is at a fever pitch. The “seriousness” of it all lets you believe that what you are doing is any more important than a pet rock or beanie baby. It is not and yet it wholly is. We all have heard stories of how people used to camp out waiting for the release of the next beanie baby in the collection. Just like people are willing to pay for NFTs today. No, the reason your work matters is because you believe it does and are willing to live wholly in that truth.
The difference between Gary and Ty is the vision to carry it through and allow the tide to carry you forward. I have no comment on the character of Gary or Ty only that they each had a thought and Ty kept going and going with it. The real question for you is your own conviction, the desire to find gravitas within first and foremost.
Nobody needs what you do no matter how much they scream and yell. Want and desire is a powerful tool from which you can remain the center of an ever growing storm. The entire point is to own the illusion and the reality all at once. The power of faith is the willingness to overcome the moment to get to tomorrow. This is your responsibility as an artist and creative business. Truly, it is your choice whether to be Gary or Ty. No shame in going either way, just own the legacy you create for yourself and let it be. Your voice matters because you say it does.
If Gary Dahl and Ty Warner can teach you anything, let yourself bathe in the idea that there are no limits to your conviction, only those you set for yourself.
