Podcast Summary
Being Cautious in Business Dealings: Stay skeptical and investigate potential business opportunities thoroughly to avoid being deceived.
Even in the entertainment industry, where dreams and creativity abound, there are individuals who try to exploit opportunities through deceit. Sachi's whimsical idea of a Real Housewives themed park showcases her imaginative side, but the discussion took an unexpected turn when we learned about a man named Charles Hensley who attempted to deceive Lucie Arnaz by claiming to reboot her parents' production company, Desilu. Arnaz, being the steward of her parents' legacy, was rightfully suspicious and contacted the corporate powers to investigate. This situation highlights the importance of being cautious and skeptical in business dealings, even when they seem intriguing. Meanwhile, if you're looking for an engaging thriller to listen to, consider checking out "First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston on Audible. As an Audible member, you can choose one title a month to keep from their extensive catalog, including the latest bestsellers and new releases. And when it comes to proposing, don't second-guess the ring. Design a unique, one-of-a-kind ring at Bloomingdale's to make the moment special.
From academia to entrepreneurship in homeopathy: Charismatic individuals with academic credentials and a knack for identifying potential opportunities can build successful businesses in unconventional industries
Charismatic individuals with academic credentials and a knack for identifying potential lucrative opportunities can build successful businesses, even in the realm of homeopathic treatments. Charles Hensley, a chameleon scammer, found success with Zicam, a zinc-based gel for the common cold, despite the lack of FDA trials and approvals. Starting in the late 1990s, Hensley, a chiropractor and former professor, joined forces with a student to develop and patent the formula. The duo's gamble paid off, with Zicam becoming a bestseller and generating significant profits. Despite the success, Hensley's restless nature led him to seek new opportunities, eventually selling his stake in the company and moving on to the next venture. The story serves as a reminder that individuals with a unique perspective and the ability to capitalize on emerging trends can create successful businesses, even in unconventional industries.
From cold cure to global health crisis entrepreneur: Charles Hensley's entrepreneurial journey took him from developing a cold remedy to tackling global health crises, showcasing resilience and adaptability, even when faced with unproven claims and consumer mistrust.
The entrepreneurial journey of Charles Hensley, the co-creator of Zicam, was filled with unexpected twists and turns. From dreaming up a cold cure during a night of drinking, to tackling a global medical crisis with SARS, to founding a cosmetics company in Asia, Hensley's story is a testament to resilience and adaptability. However, it's important to note that while Hensley claimed to have cured the common cold and later developed a product to treat influenza and potentially inhibit the SARS virus, the evidence for their effectiveness is unproven. Additionally, Zicam faced negative press and a loss of consumer trust due to reports of a link between its use and the loss of smell. Despite these challenges, Hensley continued to pursue new ventures, demonstrating the tenacity and creativity common among entrepreneurs.
Charles' Transformative Journey in Business and Personal Life, Amidst Challenges and Controversies: Despite legal issues and controversies, Charles adapted and learned from mistakes, transforming his business and personal life, and continuing to innovate despite challenges.
Charles, the creator of Jovel cosmetics and various health remedies, underwent a significant transformation in his personal appearance and business ventures, but faced numerous challenges and controversies along the way. As Jovel gained popularity and Charles expanded into other industries, he faced a global health crisis with bird flu, which pulled him back into the medical field. Despite his efforts to sell a remedy for the virus, Vira 38, he faced legal issues due to mislabeling and lack of clinical data. Meanwhile, his first invention, Zicam, faced lawsuits over side effects, leading him to form a new company, Nasal Therapeutics Inc., and launch a new product, TheraMax, which was marketed as zinc-free. Throughout it all, Charles continued to learn from his mistakes and adapt to new challenges.
Timing and legality in business: Entrepreneurs must navigate timing and legality to succeed, but setbacks can lead to resilience and reinvention
Timing and legality are crucial factors in business success. Charles' attempt to sell Vira 38, a product similar to Zicam, came at a time when the FDA was cracking down on the use and sale of Zicam due to health concerns. This resulted in Charles' arrest and conviction for selling an unapproved drug. On a brighter note, the discussion also highlighted the power of e-commerce platforms like Shopify and affordable fashion brands like Quince, which can help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses despite challenges. Charles' response to his legal troubles was to write a novel about his experiences, demonstrating the importance of resilience and reinvention in business.
The complex world of emerging diseases and business: Political forces and power struggles can impact the response to emerging diseases, and the business world can also present challenges and opportunities
The world of emerging viral diseases is not just about science and medicine, but also about political forces and power struggles. This was revealed in the book "Viral Winds" by Charles Hensley, who faced danger not only from the SARS virus but also from those trying to stop him. Later, Hensley moved on to other industries, including Hollywood, where he attempted to trademark the name Desilu Studios and create a new venture. Despite his past, he claimed his studio would bring Hollywood back to its "golden age" with old labor systems and contracts. However, the validity and feasibility of his plans and movies, such as "Moonlight Blonde," remain questionable. Overall, Hensley's experiences highlight the complex and intriguing world of emerging diseases and the business world.
Man attempts to defraud investors with fake evaluation letter: Investors beware: Always conduct thorough research and verify information before making business investments to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
Charles, a man with a questionable past and unearned confidence, attempted to defraud investors by promising them profits from a nonexistent company, Desilu Studios, which he claimed was worth over $11 billion. He used a fake evaluation letter from a disbanded company, The Beverly Wilshire Group, to back up his claims. Despite the lack of evidence, he managed to convince an investor to give him $18,000, which he spent on flights and luxury accommodations in Las Vegas. Charles' belief in the year 2018 and the potential success of Desilu Studios seemed genuine, but his actions were deceitful and illegal. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of due diligence and transparency when it comes to business investments.
The Power of Belief and Persuasion in the Entertainment Industry: Charles Hensley's confidence and charisma attracted investors despite unfulfilled promises, highlighting the importance of belief and persuasion in the industry.
Charles B. Hensley, the CEO of Desilu Inc., was able to generate significant interest and investment for his revived studio by making bold claims and promising major projects, such as a V movie trilogy. However, it was later revealed that these claims were not backed by reality, as Charles had not secured the rights to the V franchise or the blessing of the Arnaz family. Despite this, his confidence and charisma were able to attract investors and generate excitement, demonstrating the power of belief and persuasion in the entertainment industry. Kenneth Johnson, the creator of the V franchise, was among those who were initially fooled by Charles' promises but remained hopeful and determined to see the project come to fruition.
Hidden subscriptions leading to financial mismanagement: Monitor and cancel unwanted subscriptions to save an average of $720 a year and avoid financial mismanagement and legal consequences.
Hidden subscriptions can significantly add up and waste money without realization. This was demonstrated in the story of Charles, who was found to be using investors' cash for personal expenses instead of financing his studio, Desilu. Meanwhile, the importance of monitoring and canceling unwanted subscriptions was highlighted through the use of the personal finance app, Rocket Money. The app helps users save an average of $720 a year by identifying and canceling unnecessary subscriptions. In the business world, as seen in the Desilu case, the consequences of financial mismanagement and deception can lead to legal battles and significant losses for investors. It's crucial for individuals and businesses to stay on top of their finances and be transparent in their dealings.
Charles' Legal Troubles and Potential Distractions: Creatives should focus on completing projects instead of being sidetracked by potential distractions like Las Vegas.
Charles, the subject of this investigation, found himself in deep legal trouble beyond civil court proceedings. In August 2022, he was indicted on 11 counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft by the US attorney's office, and charged with securities fraud and lying to investors by the SEC. Facing a maximum of 222 years in prison, Charles' past financial successes, including his Zicam business, seemed to be overshadowed by his questionable business dealings. His scam appeared to span various industries, from health and wellness to Hollywood, creating a scattershot pattern. Despite his dabbling in various creative projects, it seems the allure of Las Vegas and its Wynn Hotel proved to be a distraction that hindered his ability to follow through. The lesson here may be for creatives to steer clear of Las Vegas and focus on completing their projects rather than being sidetracked by potential distractions.
Dua Lipa's Approach to Self-Care and Creativity: Global pop star Dua Lipa emphasizes the importance of self-care, non-negotiables, and mindfulness for managing a busy life. Listen to her insights on creativity, work ethic, and radical optimism in the latest episode of 10 Percent Happier.
Successful people, like global pop star Dua Lipa, prioritize self-care and non-negotiable practices to manage their busy lives. In her interview on the 10 Percent Happier podcast, Dua Lipa shared her approach to creativity, work ethic, and mindfulness. With the help of a talented team, including Paul Schroat, Sachi Cole, and Sarah Hagie, Dan Harris explored her insights on radical optimism, scheduling, and meditation. This episode, releasing everywhere on May 10th, offers practical advice for anyone looking to enhance their own life and creativity. Join Wondery Plus to listen early and ad-free.
