A what??? A Marvel!
It was just the beginning of something big.
Rewind to 1950 in the Missouri Ozarks. A vacuum cleaner salesman from Chicago, Mr. Herschend, purchased a lease on Marvel Cave near the town of Branson. His intent was to spend the summers there giving tours of the cave.
Unknown at time, it was just the beginning of something much larger.
First, to keep waiting tourists occupied, a small 1880’s village was constructed near the cave entrance. Demand grew, and so did the popularity of the attraction. One thing lead to another, and as the years passed by the village steadily grew into a destination we now know as…
Silver Dollar City.
A hole in the ground—Marvel Cave—started it all.
Another story comes from California in the early 1920’s.
Walter Knott and his family began selling berries and baked goods at a roadside stand. About 10 years later, Mrs. Knott opened a small restaurant nearby. Her chicken dinners became so popular that the waiting line grew.
Like the Herschends, this was their “Marvel Cave”.
The Knotts built a few small buildings and attractions to entertain waiting customers. In 1940, Walter built Ghost Town, the beginning of another popular theme park. Things progressed, and gradually what started as a roadside produce stand transformed into…
Knott’s Berry Farm.
So why do I need a “Marvel”?
Because I have some big ideas. The problem is, I can’t afford them; they are much bigger than me.
But I can start with a Marvel!
Here are some quick thoughts:
A Marvel may not be “the thing”
Marvel Cave is not a theme park. Nor is a roadside produce stand.
But they were steppingstones to get to a bigger “thing”.
A Marvel is something you have, or can afford
The Knotts and Herschends worked with what they had. They didn’t go wild and outside their limits.
A Marvel may not be obvious. Take a look around. It could be an asset that can be sold or borrowed against for capital.
It could even be intangible, like a skill or relationship with the right person who can make things happen.
A Marvel may be one of several in a row
One may open the door to the next. Each one serves a purpose, whether it is financial, exposure and attention, or practical experience. Work each Marvel; push it, grow it, keep moving forward!
A Marvel is that thing that ushers you to the next step.
By now, I hope you get the idea.
Big—perhaps impossible—ideas and endeavors don’t happen overnight. They usually require a Marvel.