In Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Royal Hawaiian in the early ’90s, I met Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil, and one of his close friends sitting outside on a beautiful sunny day. It was your typical conversation. We exchanged a few smiles and started discussing life. I distinctly remember when I asked, “What brought you here to Hawaii?” Guy replied, “Business travel. I have started a circus, but it’s different.” Since the only circus I knew had elephants and clowns, I asked if they were part of his circus. He immediately said, “No. Our circus is all with theatrical people, themed and entertaining. It’s about the people and not the animals in this time.”
It was about at that moment that I thought, “Wow, this is a different pick-up line.” So in order to dismiss my own insane thought, I asked, “Do you have pictures or a brochure?” Guy or his friend—I cannot remember his name, but I remember he had dark brown hair with a longer-cut style—said they thought they had one left. I thought one. This story was even funnier with only one brochure and traveling on business. Anyway, we all agreed to go and look for the one brochure and have a mimosa together. Nevertheless, they never found the only brochure, and I never really believed there was a new circus coming to town without animals.
Japan was where my next encounter with Guy Laliberté and Cirque du Soleil took place. I was visiting with friend Mitsuhito Owada and his family. Mitsu’s father was a prominent businessman for Fuji Television. Mitsu, I and his father were at their home in Japan having a conversation limited to language barriers. So instead of trying to explain Owada San popped in a VCR tape (yes, it was the ’90s). Up pops Guy’s face, and he is introducing the show Cirque du Soleil. I remember his face and the name. Wow, this was incredible! It was about a year before that I had been sitting at the Royal Hawaiian and listening to his dream. What’s even more amazing is that Mitsu’s father had tickets for us to go see the show in Tokyo. Since that time, I have seen Cirque du Soleil in several cities across the United States, including the show “O” in Las Vegas at the Bellagio.
The moral of the story is, never underestimate a dream or the person who has it. Believe. Preserve and cherish the moment when someone shares a new idea or vision.
Footnote: I was inspired to write today’s blog after seeing this news story pop up on my screen at 4:00 a.m. as I started my work day: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/EscapeTheRatRace/from-rags-to-worlds-richest.aspx
