Podcast
Podcast
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Mark Jaffe, former Disney executive and business growth strategist, to reveal the surprising key to long-term success: learning to fail well, staying true to your passion, and making time for what truly matters.
Mark Jaffe is a seasoned consumer products and technology executive with over 40 years of leadership experience and a thriving consulting practice. He has helped over 110 companies achieve breakthrough revenue growth by aligning strategy, innovation, and core value propositions.
Previously, Mark held senior roles at Walt Disney Records, Warner Bros, and Capitol/EMI, where he led major successes like growing Disney’s revenue from $30M to $120M and contributing to iconic franchises like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.
As a consultant, he’s driven exponential growth for clients in beauty, fashion, furniture manufacturing, and entertainment tech—even doubling revenue for companies during the recession.
An entrepreneur himself, Mark co-founded tech ventures in e-commerce and financial services, both achieving successful exits.
He holds degrees from UCLA and USC, and outside of work, he’s an adventure traveler and marathon runner who values multigenerational experiences.
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Mark Jaffe, former Disney executive and business growth strategist, to reveal the surprising key to long-term success: learning to fail well, staying true to your passion, and making time for what truly matters.
🔥 The Career Move That Changed Everything – How Mark’s comic strip job application landed him a role at A&M Records, proving that thinking outside the box leads to big opportunities.
💡 Scaling Disney’s Music Division – Mark was behind the success of The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast soundtracks, helping Disney’s music revenue skyrocket from $30 million to $120 million.
🎯 Why Failing Well is the Key to Growth – The best career advice Mark ever received? “Learn to fail well.” He explains why resilience and adaptation are more important than avoiding failure.
📈 Business Reinvention & Growth Strategy – After Disney, Mark pivoted to consulting, helping companies uncover hidden revenue streams, refine their value, and scale without burnout.
🏡 The Secret to Work-Life Balance – Even in high-pressure roles, Mark protected his weekends for family time, travel, and personal growth, proving that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of relationships.
🌍 How Travel Strengthens Family Bonds – From trekking through Borneo to hunting with indigenous tribes in Tanzania, Mark shares why adventure has been a cornerstone of his family life.
🏃♂️ The Mental Clarity of Running – Running marathons isn’t just about fitness—Mark explains how long runs fuel his best business ideas and problem-solving breakthroughs.
📍 Connect with Mark – Find him at www.markjaffe.com or reach out at [email protected].
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