I was in seventh grade the year Queen released their enduring classic, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Ms. Davis, my choir teacher, decided that our Penndale Junior High choir would perform it for our spring concert, with each grade taking a different role. She even brought in a rock band to accompany us. We loved it—though my grandparents didn’t “get it” at all! That experience remains one of the happiest memories from an otherwise dark time.
Scaramouche. Figaro. Galileo. Bismillah. Headbanging. Operatic. Epic.
Rock On
Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, was an unlikely front man for a successful rock band, at least at first glance. Yet he and his Queen bandmates wrote some of the best known and enduring rock songs of the 1970s and 80s, songs that became the soundtrack to my teenage years. And we mustn’t forget the Wayne’s World version, which captured how many of us rocked out to this song.
This week, two girlfriends and I saw the biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” At the film’s heart is a love story and we found ourselves entranced. As the credits rolled, we remained seated, unable to speak. Between the music taking us back to younger days and the actors embodying each character so completely, we agreed the film would be one we’d be thinking about for a long time.
Dissecting Freddie’s Actions
Naturally, I began dissecting what attributes Freddie displayed to achieve his success and how that relates to being a thriving business owner.
| Freddie’s Actions | Successful Business Owner’s Actions |
| Hung out where successful bands performed | Hang out where successful business owners hang out |
| Learned everything he could about his favorite performers | Learn everything they can about their ideal clients |
| Honed his craft and stayed in faith that his abilities were enough | Stay in faith and stay on course to achieve their dreams |
| Showed up fully as himself | Are authentic and have integrity |
| Didn’t take “no” for an answer when the EMI executives wouldn’t make Bohemian Rhapsody a single | Understand that for their ideal clients a “no” usually means “not right now” and they continue to nurture their relationships. |
| Embodied love | Embody love |
What would you add to this list? Want to talk with me about how you can take similar action? Schedule a virtual coffee date with me and let’s chat!
