• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Launch Youniversity

Turning Good Intentions into Reality in Your Career, Business and Life

  • ABOUT
  • PODCAST
  • BLOG
  • ELEVATOR PITCH
    • LOGIN
  • CONTACT

jeff

042: Lessons From Pixar Animation Studios

August 21, 2017 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

Lessons From Pixar Animation Studios
Lessons From Pixar Animation Studios
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
042: Lessons From Pixar Animation Studios
Loading
00:00 / 0:22:44
iTunes
RSS Feed
Share
Link
Embed

Download filePlay in new windowDuration: 0:22:44

Subscribe: iTunes

You can also listen to the Launch Youniversity Podcast on Google Play, Stitcher and TuneIn.

SUMMARY:

From Buzz Lightyear’s “To infinity and beyond!” to Dory’s “Just keep swimming” and Ellie’s heart-string-tugging “Adventure is out there!”—there’s no debate on how impactful and influential Pixar has been over the last couple of decades.

When Jeff was in California, he had the opportunity to tour the creative powerhouse and is sharing his lessons with us on today’s podcast.

LINKS + RESOURCES:

Pixar Animation Studios

LYP 035: Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull [Launch Youniversity Book Review]

Ed Catmull’s 10 Lessons on Leadership and Creativity

THREE TAKEAWAYS:

1. Ask Big

This lesson happened before Jeff even stepped into the Pixar building. He knew he would be in California, and he knew that he wanted to tour the facility. So he asked. At the time he asked, he figured there was almost no chance of his email being seen let alone answered, but sure enough, it worked out. When you don’t ask big, you’ve already told yourself no. 

2. Invite Feedback

Pixar movies aren’t great because every idea they have is great, they’re great because they invite and recruit feedback. When you create in a vacuum, it’s hard to see anyone else’s perspective other than your own. Feedback is critical to your success.

3. Playfulness is serious business

On one hand, the Pixar brand is funny and playful and incredibly creative. But on the other, Pixar is a movie powerhouse with multimillion dollar budgets and goals to manage. It could be easy to get caught up in the high-pressure situations of hitting deadlines and coming up with the next iconic movie, but Pixar keeps playfulness central to their company culture.

Tagged With: culture, get out of your office, jeff, pixar, studio tour, tim elmore

034: The Launch Loop in Action: How Jeff Is Bringing an Idea to Life

June 9, 2017 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

The Launch Loop in Action: How Jeff Is Bringing an Idea to Life
The Launch Loop in Action: How Jeff Is Bringing an Idea to Life
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
034: The Launch Loop in Action: How Jeff Is Bringing an Idea to Life
Loading
00:00 / 0:42:02
iTunes
RSS Feed
Share
Link
Embed

Download filePlay in new windowDuration: 0:42:02

Subscribe: iTunes

You can also listen to the Launch Youniversity Podcast on Google Play, Stitcher and TuneIn.

Summary:

We’ve spent a lot of time on the podcast talking about the five steps of The Launch Loop.But what does it actually look like when it’s being applied to a real launch?

Jeff Henderson is embarking on his next idea, a tool for fathers and sons to connect, called Champion Tribes. In today’s episode, Jeff is sharing how he used the Launch Sequence to move Champion Tribes from idea to reality.

Welcome to episode 34 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.

Links + Resources:

Champion Tribes

Additional reading on The Launch Sequence

The Launch Sequence 101

Step 1: Understand

Step 2: Imagine

Step 3: Prototype

Step 4: Validate

Step 5: Launch

Three Takeaways:

1. Understand + Imagine. It started with an idea. Jeff and David had an idea for a tool that could make a positive difference in the world. Once the idea sparked, it was time for step 1 of the Launch Sequence: Understand. They spent time examining their why. What problems would this product solve? Who would this be for? How could this make a difference in their life?

Then, they moved to step 2: Imagine. They wanted to build a product for busy fathers, so they needed to imagine how their product would fit into the life of a busy father. The initial idea was a book, but they quickly realized that a busy dad doesn’t have time to read a 300 page book. When you imagine, you need to embrace empathy and step into the shoes of your customers.

2. Prototype + Validate. Once Jeff and David were clear on the problem they were solving, who they were solving it for and how they wanted to build it… it was time for step 3: Prototype. They had to actually build the product. They focused on building the product with quality and integrity, even if they weren’t yet sure it would be successful.

Then it was time for step 4: Validate. Jeff reached out to his network and found trusted people who fit the product’s target demographic. He asked them to test the product in exchange for open and honest feedback on what worked, what didn’t work and what could be improved. Customer feedback is a gift, don’t be scared of it.

3. Launch. The final stage is where Champion Tribes is today. They are in step 5: Launch.

Jeff and David are getting ready to share Champion Tribes with the world. Like all launches, it’s risky and scary. But through following the Launch Sequence, they can be confident in knowing that they didn’t just rush or scramble to push out an idea. Why the product exists, who it exists for, how it will be used and what it’s impact will be have all been carefully and thoughtfully considered.

As Jeff said on the episode, they could be back on the podcast talking about why it was successful, or, they could be back to talk about why it didn’t take off. But that’s the great thing about the Launch Sequence, it’s cyclical.

Whether your product or idea succeeds or doesn’t, you go back to step 1 and understand why.

Thanks for listening to another episode of the Launch Youniversity Podcast! Let us know how we’re doing and what you’d like to hear next by leaving a review on iTunes!

Tagged With: champion tribes, jeff, launch loop

000: Introducing The Launch Youniversity Podcast

September 20, 2016 by Launch Youniversity Leave a Comment

The Launch Youniversity Podcast
The Launch Youniversity Podcast
000: Introducing The Launch Youniversity Podcast
Loading
00:00 / 00:27:58
iTunes
RSS Feed
Share
Link
Embed

Download filePlay in new windowDuration: 00:27:58

Subscribe: iTunes

You can also listen to the Launch Youniversity Podcast on Google Play, Stitcher and TuneIn.

Summary:

Welcome to The Launch Youniversity Podcast! In the first-ever episode, Jeff Henderson, David Farmer, Shane Benson and Kevin Jennings explain what Launch Youniversity is, why they’re passionate about it and how they hope it serves you, the listeners.

Launch Youniversity aims to engage the next generation of leaders who are driven to accelerate their personal and professional development by providing them with resources, tools, and advice to promote their ingenuity.

The Launch Youniversity Podcast helps go-getters, like you, discover what it takes to turn good intentions into reality in their career, business, and life.

Links + Resources:

  • Read more about Jeff, David, Shane and Kevin
  • Resource: A Toolbox for Launchers
  • The Five Elements of the Launch Sequence

Three Takeaways:

1. We’re all launchers. Whether you are launching your own business, a product, or an idea within your company.

2. There’s inevitably going to be uncertainty. If you’re willing to embrace the uncertainty, you’re going to grow.

3. You don’t need to know everything. Surround yourself with the people who have been there before.

Tagged With: david, jeff, kevin, mentors, resources, shane, what does launch youniversity do, what is launch youniversity, when did launch youniversity start

Footer

On the Blog & Podcast

We condensed decades of business experience into the bite sized blog articles to help you keep moving forward. Here's some topics we're passionate about:

  • Launching Ideas
  • Being a Leader
  • Pitching and Presenting
  • Marketing Your Idea
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Intrapreneurship

Get Mentored Via Inbox

Each month we'll send you two emails with the top resources from our blog and podcast. When you sign up, you'll also get instant access to The Launch Loop — our ebook sharing the five steps guaranteed to get your ideas off the ground every time.

© 2025 Launch Youniversity · Rainmaker Platform