Upon hearing the name Ryan Reynolds, one might immediately think of the quick-witted and irreverent actor who brought characters like Deadpool to the screen. However, Reynolds is more than just an A-list celebrity; he’s a savvy entrepreneur whose business endeavors have garnered a staggering total of over $2 billion in sales.
So, how did this versatile actor transition from Hollywood sets to the executive boardrooms of major corporations? The answer lies in his distinctive perspectives on business, creativity, and leadership.
Reynolds has taken on various roles in the business world. His 25% majority stake in the emerging Mint Mobile proved lucrative when T-Mobile acquired the startup for $1.35 billion in just four years. Fortune reports that between 2017 and 2020, Mint Mobile’s revenue soared by nearly 50,000%, with many subscribers attributing their sign-ups to Reynolds’ influence.
This successful venture was not Reynolds’ first foray into high-profile business. In 2020, he sold his Aviation American Gin brand to Diageo for $600 million after obtaining an ownership stake in 2018.
What’s striking about Reynolds is his comfort in navigating uncharted territories. In an interview with Entrepreneur, he openly admitted, “Does he know what he’s doing? Not really! And he’s not afraid to admit it.” Reynolds emphasizes the necessity of being willing to be “bad” at something before becoming proficient, highlighting it as a crucial leadership trait.
Reynolds champions the power of admitting uncertainty, viewing it as an asset in leadership. He states, “I think it’s such a great tool of leadership to be able to say, ‘I don’t know.’ The worst leaders I’ve ever worked with or been around are the ones who are steadfast and indignant in their righteousness and really worried about their image. So I love saying, ‘I don’t know.'”
Additionally, Reynolds sees problems not as hindrances but as opportunities for creative solutions. He expresses that challenges “really inspire ideas and ways to create.” This ethos of transforming obstacles into stepping stones is evident in his venture, Maximum Effort, an advertising agency renowned for producing viral ads for brands like Match, Mint Mobile, and Aviation Gin.
The surprising success in advertising is amplified considering Reynolds’ initial dislike for marketing, perceiving it as a mere obligation. His perspective underwent a significant shift during a decade-long effort to bring “Deadpool” to life, challenging Hollywood skepticism. The experience reinforced his core belief that limitations can fuel creativity.
Reynolds recalls, “Every time the studio took money away from our budget, we replaced whatever set piece we lost with character.” This emphasis on character over spectacle propelled “Deadpool” to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, solidifying Reynolds’ conviction that resource constraints can drive innovation.
