I did listen to Taylor Swift on the Kelce Brothers podcast, and I do know that she subsequently became engaged to Travis Kelce.
OK, to be honest, I am a fanboy over the moon. Like millions of humans, I hung on all two hours of the interview and was thrilled by the revelations and fun. I only became more convinced that Taylor Swift is an amazingly smart, creative, generational talent in… business.
So in honor of Tayvis and TS 12, here are a half-dozen of my favorite T Swift quotes for entrepreneurs from the pod. I hope these are an inspiration to take your business to New Heights! (Alright now…)
1. “I would so much rather lead heart-first.”
Early in the interview, Taylor told in detail the story of the negotiations that led to her purchasing outright all rights to her own music catalog. I ate it up. To start those negotiations, she says, she first sent her mother and brother to talk to the private equity firm that owned the catalog, even before she sent lawyers (Gasp!).
Look, I am sure they were briefed by the lawyers ahead of time. But to me this was a case-study in how an entrepreneur’s personality, values, and story can often be their edge in deal-making with bigger commercial interests. I’ve used that play for clients — it’s an effective approach.
2. “He coaches and lives in a very intentional way. …When you lose your shit, you lose your leadership.”
At this moment, Taylor was talking about Kansas City Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid, always choosing the right moments to show anger or warmth to his team. To me, it’s a great reminder to leaders to always exercise what executive coach Steven Payne calls “conscious leadership.” Every leadership moment, he told me, you have to think of yourself as on a stage with everyone watching — because they are.
3. “You can pre-order it now. On my website.“
Miss Swift was not in the least bit hesitant to take advantage of the podcast’s large, loyal, and loving audience to not just announce, but actively pitch, her new album. Or as I used to tell Cub Scouts getting ready to sell popcorn, never forget to Ask For The Sale.
4. “I was feeling a complete pivot.“
For her upcoming album, Taylor said, she felt like her customers were ready for a new product, and she felt like making a different product, so she went for it. That’s the entrepreneurial edge: we have the freedom and agility of having our own company and our own factory. Use that edge.
5. “Think of your energy as if it’s expensive.“
This was Taylor’s warning not to obsess, or even much focus, on what social media has to say about you. As she put it, constructive criticism from trusted sources is one thing, but sweating every Like and Comment is a waste of time, energy and spirit. So she said, focus on what you need to learn and decide, “everything else is not my business – I have a business to run.”
6. “That’s me, 100% Present.”
About living in the moment when you succeed, but it also captures the business lesson of the entire interview: You can be your brand. As an entrepreneur, it is often most effective to make yourself – your passions, your interests, your values – a quality and differentiator of your products and services. Across the two hours of the podcast, Taylor’s comments only reinforced what her product tells us. She is her music, and her music is her. Because by definition there is only one Taylor Swift, her product can have no competitors.
As a service provider myself, there’s a nice lesson of self-confidence in that. Thanks TS. And congratulations.
Entrepreneurs: Navigate Growth with a Business Lawyer
Ready to apply these lessons in your own business? In the words of Taylor herself, Speak now! At Princeton Business Law, we help entrepreneurs navigate growth, from business formation to contract disputes, and protect what they’ve built. Let’s have a conversation
