My First Million The (Improbable) Story of Savannah Bananas' Rise to a $1B Empire
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Dec 5, 2025 
Jesse Cole, the creative force behind the Savannah Bananas, discusses his journey transforming a struggling baseball team into a billion-dollar entertainment phenomenon. He shares his unique idea-generation habits, inspired by showbiz legends like Disney and Barnum. Learn how Jesse navigated through financial hardships, embraced outrageous promotions, and prioritized fan engagement. He reveals his influences from viral creator MrBeast and emphasizes building a culture of creativity in his organization, all while pursuing the exhilarating challenge of delivering a memorable experience.
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Humble Beginnings In Gastonia
- Jesse started as a 23-year-old general manager with a team that had 200 fans and $268 in the bank.
- He experimented with entertainment for years before finding scale.
Wild Early Promotions That Landed
- Early promotions ranged from garbage-can nachos to firing a mascot for 'BGH' as stunts.
- Only four players initially agreed to dance but became the team's most popular players.
Break From Normal To Create Buzz
- Do the exact opposite of what's normal to create remarkable experiences people remember.
- Focus on unforgettable stunts and promotions to generate word-of-mouth.
