The blogsphere is alive today with all things “Elvis”. Let’s talk about the King.
The reason people still hold him in reverence is because he took people where they had never been before. He was the explorer opening up new horizons with his music. Elvis had help in those early years that forever change the landscape of our culture.
Gary North wrote an interesting examination of the entrepreneurship behind the “Elivs” Brand.
“Phillips is laughed at as the man who sold Elvis' contract.
But he probably could not have provided the setting Elvis needed
to become an icon within a year.
Parker is hated by the fans because he got 25%, then 50%, of
Elvis' income. But he brought Elvis to the attention of his
audience. He gave Elvis the venue that made Elvis into an icon.
There was no indication that Elvis would escape the junior high
school circuit until Parker took over his schedule in June, 1955.
It is not good enough to have raw talent. You need access
to an audience. The entrepreneur brings talent and market
together for the sake of profit.”
The entrepreneur is the one who can see what is not there. Howard Schultz didn’t create Starbucks, he saw the opportunity and built upon it! Ray Kroc didn’t start McDonalds, he was a milk shake machine salesman, and the McDonalds restaurant bought more milk shake mixers than anybody. These two individuals envisioned what Col. Parker saw and they bet their futures on that possibility. That is the essence of entrepreneurship!
“From Moscow, London or Memphis, Elvis Presley is still the King of Rock and Roll”
Long Live the King!
