PodcastsThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven BartlettNick Cannon: How I ACCIDENTALLY Built A $1.3 Billion Business & My Ex-Wife Mariah Carey Saved My Life!

Nick Cannon: How I ACCIDENTALLY Built A $1.3 Billion Business & My Ex-Wife Mariah Carey Saved My Life!
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven BartlettWed Sep 20 2023
Early Years:
- Nick Cannon had a strong sense of optimism and imagination as a child
- Despite growing up in a community with limited resources, he felt like he had a lot and believed in his ability to achieve anything he wanted
- His family home was filled with love, although it wasn't traditional due to his parents separating when he was young
- His father turned his life around after experiencing incarceration and became dedicated to helping others
Going Down the Wrong Path:
- Nick Cannon went through a rebellious phase as a teenager, gravitating towards the unknown and wanting to prove that he wasn't just a goody-two-shoes
- He admired the gang culture glorified in Southern California at the time but managed to avoid getting caught up in it
Meeting Jamie Foxx:
- Nick Cannon met Jamie Foxx when he was 15 years old and formed a connection with him
- Jamie Foxx saw potential in Nick and invited him to hang out, offering support and guidance
Meeting Will Smith:
- Through connections made at Laugh-A-Palooza comedy festival, Will Smith's company Overbrook signed Nick Cannon to a holding deal when he was 16 years old
- This led to meeting Will Smith himself, who became an influential mentor figure for Nick Cannon
- Will Smith taught him the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance
Lessons Learned from Mentors:
- From Jamie Foxx, Nick Cannon learned storytelling skills and how to captivate an audience with humor
- From Will Smith, he learned the value of hard work and dedication to one's craft
Finding Success in Writing:
- Starting from writing jokes as early as 11 years old during his stand-up comedy career, Nick Cannon developed strong writing skills
- Writing for Kenan & Kel at age 17 gave him experience working on television shows
- Self-funding the pilot for Wild 'N Out at age 23 allowed him to retain ownership and negotiate from a position of strength
The Importance of Owning Intellectual Property:
- Nick Cannon recognized the value of owning his intellectual property early on, which gave him leverage in negotiations
- He understood that owning IP allows for more control and financial success in the entertainment industry
Balancing Narcissism and Self-Love:
- Nick Cannon believes that there is a balance between narcissism and self-love
- While extreme narcissism can be unhealthy, having confidence, self-promotion, and self-dedication are important for success
- This mindset enables individuals to believe in themselves, know their worth, and operate at their highest potential
Continued Success with Wild 'N Out:
- Wild 'N Out has become an enduring brand that continues to grow in popularity after 21 seasons
- Nick Cannon plans to continue the show until its 25th season before considering passing it on or gracefully bowing out