Let me ask you something. If Oprah called you right now and said, “I want you on my show,” would you hesitate? Would you say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” and go scuba diving instead? Because that’s exactly what Dr. Phil did. And there’s a lesson in that for every single MSP business owner reading this.
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You Don’t Have To Have A Plan – You Just Have To Be Ready
When Dr. Phil was first approached to be on Oprah’s show, he wasn’t looking for a spotlight. He wasn’t trying to be a TV personality. In fact, he had spent over 20 years in litigation consulting without ever giving a single interview. Not one. Total ghost in the courtroom. And he liked it that way.
But then Oprah came knocking. And he still said no.
It wasn’t until Oprah herself got on the phone—after her producer struck out—that Dr. Phil agreed to appear. But here’s the kicker: He told her, “I’ll just do what I do and say what I say. If it works for TV, great. If not, that’s fine too.”
That attitude is what separates winners from wannabes. He didn’t beg for attention. He didn’t mold himself to what someone else wanted. He knew the value he brought and let the chips fall where they may.
This is the same mindset I hammer home to my MSP clients. You don’t need the perfect plan or the perfect pitch. You just need to know your stuff and be willing to put yourself out there. If you wait until it’s all figured out, you’ll be waiting forever.
Blunt Works. Polish Is Optional.
The first time Dr. Phil ever opened his mouth on Oprah’s stage, the guest was a stripper who claimed she was going to save womankind. Oprah turned to him and said, “What do you think?”
His reply? “Before you save the world, how about you get a job where you keep your clothes on?”
Now whether you agree with the delivery or not, the man was being honest. And that blunt honesty—unfiltered and unflinching—is what catapulted him into public favor. The audience gasped. But they also leaned in.
The lesson? You don’t have to please everybody to build a following. In fact, trying to appeal to everyone is one of the fastest ways to disappear. You need to own your message, be direct and stand for something—even if it shocks a few people along the way.
You can polish up your positioning later. But don’t water yourself down trying to be “professional.” Professionalism doesn’t close deals. Clarity and confidence do.
Pay Attention To The Signals—And Act On Them
After Dr. Phil’s first appearance on Oprah, the floodgates opened. Networks, producers, production companies—you name it—were all calling.
But what did he do? He just handed it all to Oprah and said, “If you ever want to do a show, let me know.”
Four years later, she pulled him into her office and said, “Hey dummy, 80% of our mail is for you. It’s time.” And that was the beginning of a 23-year run.
Here’s what I want you to take away from that: Sometimes opportunity doesn’t show up with flashing lights and a marching band. Sometimes it’s sitting in your inbox, your voicemail or the feedback you keep getting from clients.
Are people asking for the same service over and over again? That’s a signal. Are they responding more to one marketing message than the others? That’s a signal. Are you consistently getting referrals for a certain type of client? That’s a big neon arrow pointing at your ideal target.
Listen to what your market is telling you—and then act on it.
Final Thought: Stop Waiting For Permission
Dr. Phil didn’t wait for someone to groom him for TV. He didn’t try to be the next Oprah. He just said what he thought, helped people and followed the opportunities that came his way.
You don’t need a polished resume to grow your business. You don’t need to be “ready” to start marketing. And you certainly don’t need anyone’s permission to be successful.
What you need is the guts to say “yes” when the moment comes—and the confidence to follow through. Now go make something happen.
