Welcome in everyone to another deep dive.
You know, we'd love to take a look at people
who have achieved success in a variety of different areas.
Absolutely.
And today is no different.
We're gonna be looking at the career of Nick Cannon.
Uh-huh.
And we are going to be referencing his interview
on the diary of a CEO YouTube channel.
Yeah, great source.
Yeah, and I think you'll find
it's packed with unexpected insights.
For sure.
So.
It really is.
I think the thing that really struck me
right off the bat was how open he was.
Right.
About, you know, everything from, you know,
his early struggles to the lessons
that he's learned along the way.
Absolutely.
I completely agree.
What struck me is how he really goes into depth
about his journey.
Mm-hmm.
You know, it's just really fascinating to see
how someone with such a public persona,
you know, we see Nick Cannon all over the place.
Uh-huh.
But to hear him talk about how he approaches,
you know, entrepreneurship and mentorship
and, you know, building a legacy,
it's really fascinating stuff.
Yeah.
Yeah, so let's start kind of at the beginning.
You know, he talks about kind of growing up
in challenging circumstances,
but yet having this unwavering self-belief.
Yes.
And he calls it youthful optimism.
Yeah.
But it seems like it's more
than just a positive attitude, you know?
Yeah, I think it's,
it's really the ability to make things happen.
Yeah.
You know, he had this dry,
he had this belief in himself
that he could make his dreams a reality.
Right.
And, you know, we're talking stand-up comedy
at 11 years old, writing for television by 17.
Right.
Like that takes serious drive and talent.
Uh-huh.
And, you know, and having mentors like Jamie Foxx
and Will Smith certainly didn't hurt either.
Oh yeah, talk about learning from the best.
I mean, come on.
I mean, just think.
Jamie Foxx and Will Smith early in his career.
It's just fantastic.
So what were some of the things
that he picks up from these guys?
Well, it talks about, you know,
how Jamie Foxx is mastery
of storytelling and improvisation
really shaped his comedic style.
Interesting.
You know, and then there's Will Smith
with that relentless work ethic.
Right.
You know, that clearly rubbed off on him.
Yeah.
But, you know, he's also honest
about learning from Will Smith's mistakes too.
You know, early financial mistakes.
Like, you know, buying a matching Range Rover
with his first big check.
Oh.
And totaling it like six months later.
Ouch.
Yeah.
Very expensive lesson.
Yeah, yeah.
But it sounds like he really took those early experiences
to heart.
He did.
Especially when you look at the creation of Wild N Out.
Yeah.
This wasn't just, you know, a share.
This was a calculated business move.
Totally.
I mean, he saw a gap in the market
for a platform that, you know,
showcased up-and-coming comedic talent.
Right.
And, you know, he self-funded the pilot episode.
Oh.
Which is already really impressive.
But here's the real genius move.
Okay.
He secured the intellectual property rights
before even pitching the show to MTV.
Wait a minute, hold on.
That's huge.
Yeah.
I mean, most people wouldn't even think of that.
Why was that so important?
It gave him control.
Okay.
Having ownership of the IP meant that he had leverage
in negotiations.
You know, it's such a brilliant lesson
for anyone in the creative field.
Uh-huh.
You know?
Your ideas have value.
Right.
Protect them.
So, Wild N Out becomes a massive hit.
Launched as the careers of stars like Kevin Hart
and Pete Davidson.
Yeah.
He didn't stop there.
He built an entire ecosystem around the show.
He did.
Tours, merchandise, restaurants, even a cruise line.
It's amazing.
It's a textbook example of brand expansion.
You know?
Right.
He didn't just create a show, he created a movement.
Wow.
You know, it's a blueprint for any entrepreneur
looking to really amplify their reach and impact.
And then there's his whole approach to money.
Yeah.
Which is so fascinating.
It is.
He talks about happy money,
refusing to sign artists to restrictive contracts,
and even helping them financially
with no strings attached.
Yeah.
What is that all about?
It's about empowering others.
You know, not controlling them.
Okay.
He's actively pushing back against what he calls bad money.
Uh-huh.
The kind that exploits artists
and just prioritizes profit over people.
Right.
You know, creates this toxic environment.
So happy money is kind of the antidote to that.
It is.
It's about using your success to uplift and empower others.
So instead of, you know, signing artists
to these restrictive contracts that only benefit him,
you know, he invests in their careers,
he provides resources, connections,
and allows them to own their masters.
Wow.
You know, it's about fostering a sense of community
and shared success.
So how does this play out in his business dealings?
I mean, give us some concrete examples.
So think about Kalani, you know.
Okay.
He saw her potential on America's Got Talent.
Even when others didn't,
he helped her finish high school,
he provided resources,
and he connected her with Atlantic Records.
Wow.
And he did all of this
without locking her into a restrictive contract.
That's incredible.
Yeah.
It's like he's flipping the script
on how the music industry traditionally operates.
Totally.
Yeah.
It's a refreshing approach, you know.
He's more interested in nurturing talent
and building genuine partnerships.
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows, right?
No.
I mean, his life has been marked
by some pretty intense challenges.
You're talking about his loop as diagnosis.
Yeah.
He's a 12 at the peak of his career.
He's diagnosed with lupus nephritis.
It's a serious autoimmune disease.
And he's been very open about, you know,
the physical and emotional toll it's taken on him.
He has.
He talks about those early days,
like the fear, the uncertainty.
Yeah.
And he credits Mariah Carey, his wife at the time,
you know, for being his rock.
And helping him navigate that difficult period.
It's a stark reminder, I think.
Yeah.
Success, you know, doesn't make you invincible.
Nope.
And, you know, these health challenges forced him
to confront his own mortality.
Right.
To really evaluate what mattered most.
Exactly.
You know, it's interesting, he talks about how he used to visit
children's hospitals.
Yeah.
Even before his diagnosis.
Really?
He said seeing, you know, these kids
who were facing these life-threatening illnesses.
Right.
But yet they would still find, you know,
these moments of joy.
Yeah.
You know, it had a profound impact on him.
Almost like he was subconsciously preparing himself,
you know, for his own health struggles.
Yeah.
It really speaks volumes, I think, about his empathy.
Uh-huh.
And his desire to connect with others, you know,
even in the midst of his own challenges.
It's powerful.
Yeah.
You know, it reminds me that we often find strength
and resilience by acknowledging our own vulnerabilities
and connecting with those who are going through
tough times as well.
So, you know, let's kind of shift gears a little bit here.
Okay.
Let's go a little deeper into his business savvy.
Okay.
You know, I mean, this guy, at 22,
he's riding wild and out.
Wow.
At 23, he's self-funding the pilot.
Yeah.
And by 24, the show is a hit.
That's incredible.
But, you know, we can't overlook the fact
that he had the foresight to secure
those intellectual property rights.
Right.
Before even pitching the show to MTV.
That was a genius move, you know.
It demonstrates a deep understanding of the industry
and the importance of owning your ideas.
Yeah. I think a lot of creatives...
I just don't think like that.
They get so caught up in the creative part
that they don't think about the business end of it.
And that's where a lot of people fall short.
Absolutely.
And it really paid off big time for him.
Oh, yeah.
He built incredible entertainment,
this multifaceted company that, you know,
does everything from consumer products
to film and television production.
Yeah.
He even had a successful headphone brand back in 2009.
I didn't know that.
He was bringing in over $100 million annually.
Wow.
He's a master at spotting opportunities
and staying ahead of the curve.
You know, it's like he has the sixth sense
for what's going to be the next big thing.
Remember, he saw Kalani's potential
when she was just a teenager on America's Got Talent?
I mean, even Simon Cowell...
Didn't see it.
But Nick did.
So let's talk a little bit more
about his mentorship style.
Okay.
You know, and particularly this concept of happy money.
Yeah.
It's such a refreshing contrast to the bad money
he talks about that often plagues the music industry.
So can you elaborate a little bit
on what he means by that?
So, you know, he sees bad money
as money that's earned through explication.
Okay.
Shady deals, a lack of transparency.
Uh-huh.
You know, it's all about prioritizing profits over people.
Right.
And it creates this really toxic environment.
So happy money is kind of the antidote to that.
Exactly.
It's about using your success to uplift and empower others.
Okay.
So instead of signing artists
to these restrictive contracts that benefit him,
he invests in their careers,
provides resources, connections,
and allows them to own their masters.
Wow.
So it's really about creating a sense of community
and shared success.
You know, it's a powerful example, I think,
of how we can really redefine success in business.
Yeah.
It's not just about the bottom line.
It's about the positive impact you're having
on the people that you're working with.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
He even talks about struggling with the idea
of signing artists at all.
Really?
Because he doesn't wanna control their creative journey.
He prefers to collaborate, you know,
and split publishing rights,
which is practically unheard of in the music industry.
Yeah, it really is.
It makes you wonder, you know,
what if more people adopted this approach?
Right.
You know, could we create a more equitable
and supportive environment for artists and creatives?
It's a question worth pondering.
Now, you mentioned how, you know,
he saw Kalani's star power early on.
Yeah.
He seems to have a knack
for identifying these future stars.
What's his secret?
Well, he talks about recognizing natural talent,
you know, seeing those sparks of potential
and then kind of watering the seeds, you know,
of their passion.
Yeah.
He encourages, you know, even his own children
to really focus on what brings them joy
and helps them to develop those skills.
You know, it's all about nurturing
that genuine enthusiasm
and helping people tap into their unique abilities.
It's not just talent though.
Right.
It's also about hard work.
Of course.
You know, he's a firm believer in the 10,000 hour rule.
Yeah.
And you look at his career,
it's evident that he lives by that principle.
He's constantly pushing himself to learn and grow.
Whether it's stand-up comedy, acting, writing producing,
I mean, the guy's unstoppable.
You know, it's got this relentless work ethic.
Yes.
Always juggling these multiple projects.
He's hosting, she's producing, he's writing,
he's mentoring, it's mind-boggling.
It's crazy.
He even jokes about needing to learn to slow down
and prioritize his health.
Right.
But you can tell that his drive and passion
are really what fuel his success.
And yet, amidst this whirlwind of activity,
he still prioritizes family.
Yeah.
It's incredible how he manages to balance his career
with being a father to 12 children.
That's a lot.
Yeah, he embraces the chaos and finds joy
in the journey of fatherhood.
I mean, that's a lot of chaos to embrace.
It is.
But it speaks to, you know, his capacity for love
and his willingness to really embrace all facets of life.
Right.
You know, even the messy parts.
Absolutely.
It's a good reminder, I think,
that success isn't just about achieving goals.
It's about finding fulfillment in those everyday moments.
Yeah.
And connecting with the people that matter most.
For sure.
So it's really inspiring how he embraces, you know,
both the highs and the lows and finds purpose, you know,
even in the face of adversity.
But it also makes you wonder, how does he manage it all?
Right.
I mean, where does he find the energy
to keep going with such a demanding schedule
and such a large family?
Well, he emphasizes the importance of fun.
Fun.
You know, like, having fun is his fuel.
Oh.
You know, it's about finding joy in the process.
Okay.
Not just focusing on the end goal.
Uh-huh.
And he encourages, you know, his kids
to pursue what they love.
Right.
Because when you're having fun,
you're more likely to stick with it.
Yeah.
Put it in the work and ultimately achieve mastery.
It's that age-old wisdom, right?
Yeah.
Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life.
Exactly.
But he kind of takes it a step further.
He does.
It's like he approaches everything
with the same playful energy.
Yeah.
And he's had a fascinating shift in perspective,
you know, regarding legacy.
Oh, really?
He used to be, you know, really focused
on building this lasting legacy.
Okay.
But he's come to realize that his children aren't his legacy.
Yes, children aren't his legacy.
They're their own individuals.
Right.
And he's simply there, you know, to guide them
for part of their journey.
That's a profound realization.
It is.
So if his children aren't his legacy,
then what does Nick Cannon want to be remembered for?
He wants to be remembered for his compassion.
Okay.
His gratitude, his humility, and his humor.
You know, he wants to make people smile.
Yeah.
He wants to make the world a better place
through his art, his music, his actions.
Right.
He wants to leave behind something
that brings joy to others long after he's gone.
And you could argue I think that he's already achieved that.
I think so too.
I mean, wild and out has been a cultural touchstone.
For over two decades.
It's incredible.
Launching countless careers.
Bringing laughter to millions.
Exactly.
It's a platform that really celebrates diversity,
creativity, and the power of humor to connect us all.
And beyond his entertainment career.
Right.
He's, you know, quietly making a difference
through his philanthropy and mentorship.
Yeah.
He's giving back to the community,
empowering young artists.
Right.
And challenging those norms of the music industry.
Well, it's been an incredible deep dive.
It has.
Into Nick Cannon's journey.
Yeah.
He's clearly so much more than what we see on the surface.
Absolutely.
So as we wrap up, you know, think about this.
OK.
How can you infuse a little youthful optimism and happy
money into your own pursuits?
I love that.
Sometimes the greatest success comes from empowering others
and finding the joy in the journey.
Absolutely.
And remember, even amidst the hustle.
Right.
Never lose sight of the things that truly matter.
Yeah.
Your health, your relationships, and the things
that bring you genuine fulfillment.
Great advice.
Thank you.
You got a disguised light.