Wahl Street: 10 Things We Learned From The Documentary Series

From starting as the rapper “Marky Mark” to executive producing the recent series McMillions, Mark Wahlberg has been recognized for his tv, film, and acting work. However, Wahlberg is documenting his new business ventures while balancing his busy film schedule.

In the HBO Max Originals Wahl Street, subscribers can follow Wahlberg alongside his team members with advice from successful CEOs about entrepreneurship while building seven brands. Wahl Street also presents the first steps to start your business to even handling your start-up team during unpredictable circumstances like a global pandemic.

10 Growing Is Tough Even For Successful Ventures

In 2011, Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Paul and Donnie started a family business called Wahlburgers. Though starting as a casual dining burger restaurant in Boston, Wahlburgers is now an incredibly successful franchise with currently 49 restaurants. There was even a reality tv show about the restaurant and Wahlberg’s family. Despite the massive expansion across America and internationally, Wahl Street explains the many obstacles to doubling the business.

For Wahlberg, Wahlburgers is one of his hardest brands to maintain. From meetings about the dryness of the burgers to the company’s leadership spending more than what the business is making, Walhberg is transparent about the difficulties of expanding. Specifically, Wahlberg emphasizes how creating an enjoyable experience at each location equally is tough. However, hiring the right people and understanding your objective is the key to grow and learn from the obstacles of the business.

9 A Product Must Be Meaningful In A Person’s Life

Wahlberg is known for his toned body and rigid workouts in his personal gym. But to ensure the business he is investing in is impactful, Wahlberg attends one of his business ventures F45, a global fitness community specializing in innovative, high-intensity group workouts. By being part of the F45 community, Wahlberg can understand the product and message.

Wahlberg wants to open multiple studios to help people stay as healthy as possible because he believes the F45 community will be meaningful for many people’s lives. Business leaders such as Shark Tank’s Daymond John and CEO of Hasbro Brian Goldner emphasize the value of providing a product and how it should be meaningful to someone’s life.

8 When To Say “No” For Entrepreneurs

Wahlberg was hitting many roadblocks in terms of funding and contracts such as losing support from an investor for his clothing line Municipal during the pandemic.

However, Wahl Street highlighted how “no” is often said by people who do not want other people to succeed. Entrepreneurs need to see the word “no” as a motivator to keep pushing forward and following their gut. But what is also entrepreneurial is learning when to say “no” and when to say “yes”, understanding the current culture for a business to grow.

7 Business Partners Are Based On Trust

Wahlberg shows his close friendships with many of his business partners. He believes investing in a business is important but creating the foundation is with people one can trust.

An example of trust is Wahlberg treating Archie Gips, who is the Partner and President for his production company’s unrealistic ideas, like his brother. Mark believes professional experience is important but trust and a healthy partnership are vital to keeping a business afloat.

6 Invest In A Businesses To Give Value

Wahl Street also revealed Wahlberg is pitched 5 times with business ideas. However, the business ideas he chooses are the ones that he does not get in the way of but rather adds value to. The best pitches are the ones that tell a story and that are relatable.

Wahlberg meets a small business owner named Lisa who pitches her convenience store Green Zebra Grocery. Wahlberg loves her leadership and passion for healthy eating and is inspired by her story as a single mother. However, the documentary even took a step forward to show how the coronavirus pandemic hurt small businesses like Green Zebra Grocery. Sadly, Lisa lost funding because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

5 Do Not Get Involved In Both Sides of A Business

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wahlberg had to switch gears to save his businesses, particularly Wahlburgers, which was closed down fully. However, his business partners recommended not to be involved in both sides of a franchise and franchisee.

His main goal is to make sure his business survives the pandemic and people can keep working for his company. In fact, this mindset pushed him to hire a new CEO and President who had prior experience at Coffee Bean.

4 Definition of Earned Media

With F45, Wahlberg had some of his celebrity friends attend the gym and post their gym experience. Some familiar faces include Mario Lopez and even Maisie Williams.

Their support for Wahlberg and F45 is known as “earned media”, which is when a client or customer supports a company because a specific artist supports the company. Meaning, the public figure brings added value to the business.

3 Using Your Time Wisely

The pandemic taught Wahlberg the importance of time and spending quality time with his family is valuable. And respecting time is trusting yourself throughout your journey.

An entrepreneur should make sure to go back to their fundamentals, trust their gut for their investments, and eliminate any distractions.

2 Never Compromise Who You Are

Despite the ups and downs, an entrepreneur should never compromise who they are to be who they wish to be professionally. There are many challenging moments but staying true to oneself makes a brand what it is.

Though losing an investor for Municipal, the brand still launched during the pandemic. This launch was possible with Wahlberg’s and his business partner’s own financial input,  staying true to its mission by “representing & inspiring a self-made, unstoppable attitude”.

1 Do Everything You Can

In this HBO Max series, Wahlberg shared a piece of advice that he lives by and tells his children. Wahlberg claims, “The goal is to not let anyone down and make sure everything you do is a success.

Never compromise the effort you’re putting in. Just make sure you have to live with regret. You’ve done everything you’ve can as much as you possibly can. We leave nothing to chance.”

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