From Bankruptcy to Billions: The Business Comeback Stories Every Business Owner Needs to Hear - Part 1
Jul 31, 2025
Explore inspiring tales of resilience as the hosts dive into Apple's near-collapse in 1997, where Steve Jobs sought help from Microsoft to save the company. Unpack Tesla's critical moment in 2008 when Elon Musk gambled his entire fortune to keep the dream alive. Discover the importance of learning from others' struggles and how to organize overwhelming thoughts with effective strategies. Plus, gain insights into what separates successful businesses from those that fail amidst adversity.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Use Tougher Challenges As Reference
Seek out stories of people who overcame challenges worse than yours to keep perspective.
Use these reference points to maintain hope and find ways forward in tough times.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Organize Thoughts to Prevent Paralysis
Organize overwhelming thoughts on paper when stressed to prevent paralysis.
Chunk related issues together to gain clarity and focus on solving problems.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Steve Jobs' Bold Apple Rescue
Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997 with the company nearly dead and only 90 days of cash.
He borrowed $150 million from rival Microsoft and cut 70% of inventory to save the company.
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Episode 59: From Bankruptcy to Billions: The Business Comeback Stories Every Business Owner Needs to Hear - Part 1
Episode Summary: In this powerful two-part series, Ryan and Brook dive deep into the mindset required to overcome seemingly impossible business challenges. Through the lens of Apple's 90-day death sentence in 1997 and Tesla's Christmas Eve miracle in 2008, they explore what separates those who survive crisis from those who quit. This isn't motivational fluff—these are real stories of companies closer to death than most entrepreneurs will ever face, and the lessons that can transform how you approach your own "impossible" moments.
Key Takeaways:
(09:50) The power of seeking reference points: Why Ryan actively hunts for stories of people who overcame worse challenges than what he's currently facing
(12:09) Brook's "one, two, three, too many" strategy: How to organize overwhelming thoughts on paper and prevent decision paralysis in crisis moments
(14:41) Apple's 90-day cash crisis: How Steve Jobs turned to his biggest rival Microsoft for $150 million and used breathing room to cut 70% of inventory
(26:53) Elon's $40 million Christmas Eve gamble: The moment Tesla was two days from bounced payroll and Musk bet his entire PayPal fortune on the company
(34:28) The gladiator mindset: Why less than 1% of businesses survive 10 years and what it takes to be in that elite group
Notable Quotes:
"We're either learning or we're growing, right? And like you and I have been very good at turning quickly to go, okay, what story and language are we giving this shit?" - Brook (04:49)
"One of my strategies around keeping my head screwed on straight when I have a challenge is I go seeking out as many examples and reference points of people who have overcome something way fucking worse than what I'm dealing with right now." - Ryan (09:17)
"Picture this: You're Steve Jobs, and you've just returned to the company you co-founded only to discover that it's pretty much a walking corpse." - Ryan (14:10)
"Business is a sport for gladiators. And it's like, we're not saying that like metaphorically, like straight up." - Brook (34:28)
What's your "impossible" right now? Instead of focusing on why it can't be done, start seeking out reference points of people who overcame something way worse. Remember: every time you decide not to pack it in, every time you get up off the mat one more time, you're stacking credibility with yourself and building the identity of someone who figures it out. Part 2 drops next week with even more incredible comeback stories that will change how you see challenge forever.
Connect with Empire Partners: This is just Part 1 of an epic two-part series. Subscribe now so you don't miss Part 2, where Ryan and Brook share the most insane comeback stories you've never heard. Leave a review and share this with a coach who needs to hear that their current challenge isn't the end of their story—it might just be the plot twist.
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