Lego — The Comeback No One Saw Coming
By the early 2000s, Lego was collapsing. They chased theme parks, clothes, video games—and almost went bankrupt.
The toy that once defined childhood was losing relevance in the digital age.
Then came the turning point: Lego went back to its community.
They studied how kids actually used Lego—building, storytelling, creating worlds.
They scrapped distractions and doubled down on the core.
Fans could now submit designs through Lego Ideas. Collaborations turned into blockbusters like The Lego Movie. And what looked like a dying brand became the world’s most powerful brand by 2015.
The money lesson? When in doubt, return to your core. Listen to your customers. Build with them, not just for them.