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Fred_Rogers

I grew up watching Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as a child. I loved both shows. Lessons on being kind and using my imagination stick with me to this day.

When my husband and I had our children, these programs once again became a part of my life as a new generation learned about King Friday and X the Owl.

Fred Rogers’ Neighborhood of Make Believe was in production for 33 years and what a sad day when this loveable American fixture passed away.

I wondered about his legacy. I wondered about the show and if it would be syndicated.

Today’s youth may not appreciate the simplicity of the show but those same lessons still need to be taught.

I thought about one of the business classes I took in college.

We were learning about the life cycle of a business.

BELL-Curve

Every business will go through these different life cycles and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was no exception. How long you stay in each phase varies from business to business.

When Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood went off the air in 2001, it looked like the show entered the death phase of the cycle.

Well imagine my surprise when I found out that it didn’t really die, the show experienced a rebirth.

Our daughter and grandson were over watching TV and I heard something very familiar. It was the theme song from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood but different.

I sat down and watched Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood with my grandson and realized Fred Rogers’ vision…his brand didn’t die, it was reborn.

Daniel_Tiger's_Neighborhood_character

All the old characters are there but in a whole new format…one that kids today can appreciate.

The lessons and values Fred Rogers held are still being shared and taught and I was glad to see the reinventing of the brand.

The show is a hit, well at least in our house. It’s the one show my grandson will sit still for and watch.

Businesses don’t have to die. I remember my college professor telling us about a microfiche company that reinvented itself and remains a profitable company to this day. Businesses just have to look for ways to reinvent themselves.

If you’ve taken your business as far as you can take it, selling it is always an option. Someone else may be able to breathe life into your original idea and make it useful to a whole new generation of consumer.

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