People contact us from time to time asking about what we do in our Secret Facebook Group. The short answer is that we share questions, ideas, feedback, thoughts, ups, downs, successes, failures, smiles and tears. It's a proactive place where our members learn, share and grow together. Discussions include everything from branding and website design to product photography and how our spouses help us in our businesses. (That last one was an especially hot topic!) Additionally, each week, we have an “Action of the Week.” Here is a recent one.
This particular Action of the Week is designed to remind us that success leaves clues, and that we should look for “intersectional ideas” as a way to boost creativity and success.
The Intersection of Ideas
“Intersectional ideas” is a term first used by Frans Johansson in his book, The Medici Effect by Frans Johansson. In the book, Frans provides great examples of how ideas born in one industry can be used as the inspiration for new ideas and products in another. He calls these ideas “intersectional ideas” because they often occur at an unexpected crossroads. (Get the book here).
An Example: The Burqini
After she moved from Lebanon to Australia, Aheda Zanetti discovered that her new home had a thriving beach culture. As a traditional Muslin woman, Aheda could wear a bikini like many other women, yet the traditional Muslin burka makes it challenging to have a good time on the beach.
The intersectional idea for Aheda was born at the crossroads between the swimwear industry and her faith. What if you could make a burka using the types of materials used to create bikinis? Voilà! The Burqini (or “burkini”) was born. (Learn more about the Burqini at this link.)
Another Example: The Bath Bomb
In 1931, a chemist combined baking soda and anhydrous citric acid to create a tablet-sized product to help with heartburn and stomach aches. When an “Alka-Seltzer” tablet is dropped into water, it fizzes to release the drug ingredient (aspirin) that is said to relieve the discomfort. Not only do you get the active drug ingredient in the product, but you get a fun fizz in your glass at the same time.
Fast forward to a company called Cosmetics Go Go, which eventually became Lush Cosmetics. The founders combined the same ingredients together, added fragrance oil, formed the mixture into a ball shape, and Voilà! The bath bomb was born. Watch this video where the animated founders talk about the creation of the first bath bombs.
Study Other Fields to Find Success In Your Own
Studying the successes of creative entrepreneurs in other fields other than your own is a great way to see what works for others and then tweak those things so you can apply them to your business with similar results.
This is just one example of the way we use our Actions of the Week to inspire and encourage each other to do small things that lead us to our goals.
