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What happens when Disney sends you a cease and desist? Most people panic. Amy Morris built a global entertainment empire.
She went from performing on cruise ships to launching Pop Up Global, taking on an entire industry, rewriting the rules for performers, and scaling worldwide.
We get into the hustle behind it all: dealing with industry gatekeepers, breaking into Dubai’s entertainment scene, and the real sacrifices of building something massive.
If you want to know what it really takes to go from side hustle to global success, this is the episode for you.
🔗 Find Amy on LinkedIn and Instagram
Takeaways from Amy’s episode
1️⃣ A legal threat can be a launchpad
When Disney hit Amy with a cease and desist, she didn’t panic, she pivoted. That forced shift turned Pop Up into a scalable brand.
2️⃣ Your industry isn’t set in stone, disrupt it
The entertainment world was stuck in its ways. Amy saw the gaps, built a fresh approach, and won contracts that bigger, older players had ignored.
3️⃣ Take risks before you feel ready
Amy wasn’t “big enough” to pitch for a cruise line contract, but she did it anyway. That bold move landed her biggest break and changed everything.
4️⃣ Pay and culture matter more than perks
Amy rebuilt the performer experience: fair pay, mental health support, and a culture that puts people first. Now, top talent seeks her out.
5️⃣ If you want to be exceptional, you have to be the exception
Amy’s journey proves that standing out means doing things differently. That mindset turned her side hustle into a global entertainment brand.
In this episode we cover:
00:00 Introduction to Amy Morris
02:14 The Journey Begins: From Performer to Entrepreneur
05:04 Cruise Ship Chronicles: A Year of Hard Work
05:58 The Birth of Pop-Up Princesses: A New Venture
09:35 Facing Challenges: The Disney Cease and Desist
11:44 The Big Break: Partnering with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
15:18 Creating a Supportive Work Environment
19:14 From Pop-Up Entertainment to Global Expansion
20:28 Relocating to Dubai: A New Chapter
24:04 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Business
26:11 Overcoming Industry Challenges and Misconceptions
28:21 Addressing Pay Inequality in the Industry
31:37 Creating a Culture of Collaboration
34:24 Building a Unique Company Culture
35:40 The Power of Friendship in Business
37:58 Prioritizing Employee Well-being
40:02 Finding Work-Life Balance
44:27 Taking Risks in Business
45:52 Navigating Life Abroad
47:27 Influential Resources for Growth
49:16 The Sacrifices of Entrepreneurship
51:17 Advice to My Younger Self
Learn from another Millennial Master in the creative industry:
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