[Music] Make a Dollar or Go Home

Your business isn’t a Disney movie—hope is not a strategy.

In this episode, Leigh Farnell shares “Make a Dollar to Stay in the Game”, a no-nonsense anthem for entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners who want to combine passion with profit. It’s about cutting the distractions, ditching the “busy for busy’s sake” mindset, and focusing on what actually brings in revenue.

From Michael Gudinski’s golden rule—“If you can’t sell it, don’t make it”—to the Japanese concept of Ikigai, Leigh shows how to build a business where doing what you love also pays the bills. If it doesn’t make a dollar, why are you doing it?

I wanted a constant reminder that I need to stay focused on measurable outcomes when it comes to business.. to not just entertain myself and my creative mind..

That I need to do things that add commercial value.. not just creative value...

So..

I gave GPT chat these instructions..

write a song about not getting distracted.. if it is not going to make me a dollar why am I doing it? .. the commercial mindset.. you can't stay in business if you don't make a dollar.. have the make a dollar mindset not the 'lets entertain myself' mindset.. its not about being busy.. its about making a dollar so you can stay in the game.. as Michael Gudinski once said 'if you can't sell it, don't make it..' the commercial mindset not the artist mindset.. combine your artist mindset, your do good mindset with your commercial mindset.. Ikigai means getting paid for doing what you love.. not just do what you love and hope it all comes out well.. 'build it and they will come' was in a movie.. make sure they will come before you build it.. hope is not a plan.. your business is not a disney movie.. its a business.. people need to pay you for what you do..

This is what it created..

🎵 "Make a Dollar (Stay in the Game)" By Leigh Farnell

[Verse 1] I had a dream, yeah, sure I did But dreams don’t pay the power grid You can sketch, you can sing, you can dance all day But if it don’t make a dollar, then it don’t pay

Michael said it—Gudinski style: “If you can’t sell it, don’t make that file” Hope is not a strategy, friend That Disney tale? It’s gotta end

[Chorus] 🎵 If it don’t make a dollar, why am I doin’ it? I’m here to build, not play or ruin it Busy ain’t the goal, I’m stackin’ the game I got purpose, passion—but profit’s the flame Combine the soul with a business mind Ikigai, where the stars align If they won’t pay, it’s just a hobby name— I’m here to make a dollar… and stay in the game 🎵

[Verse 2] Build it and they’ll come? That’s a script from a flick This is real life, gotta make it stick You want impact? Then make it sell ‘Cause the rent don’t care what you dreamt so well

Artist mind? Yes, bring your gold But wrap it tight in a product sold Do good, be great—but don’t forget Even angels need a budget set

[Bridge] Check the mirror—who’s your crowd? Will they buy it, and shout it loud? Pre-sell, pre-test, pre-make the wave Before you dig your business grave

Commercial mindset, clear as day You can’t feed hearts if your bills don’t pay Legacy lives when the cash can flow No shame in money—just make it grow

[Chorus] 🎵 If it don’t make a dollar, why am I doin’ it? Not here to waste time or keep on pursuin’ it If passion’s the fuel, then sales are the flame Without revenue, you’re out of the game Balance the mission with market demand Dreams only dance when they’ve got a brand You want to thrive? Then learn the name— It’s profit with purpose… stay in the game 🎵

[Outro Spoken/Soft Melody] 🎵 Love what you do—but get paid too Ikigai means money’s in the view So stop the scroll, stop playin’ small— If it don’t make a dollar, why do it at all? 🎵

www.leighfarnell.com