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How a Teddy Bear Company Outpaced Tech Giants | Sharon Price John | TED

Everything successful starts with heart — even the most pragmatic business plan, says Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear. She shares how she led a purpose-centered approach to save the beloved teddy bear company from bankruptcy and get it back to global profitability, all by asking one powerful question. (Recorded at TED@BCG on October 23,…

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Everything successful starts with heart — even the most pragmatic business plan, says Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear. She shares how she led a purpose-centered approach to save the beloved teddy bear company from bankruptcy and get it back to global profitability, all by asking one powerful question. (Recorded at TED@BCG on October 23, 2025)

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21 Comments

21 Comments

  1. @Random-potato2

    January 13, 2026 at 11:17 am

    I purchased YT premium but got this 11 minute ad 😀.

    • @naganwhat8364

      January 13, 2026 at 12:36 pm

      Yeah, old TED avoided doing that, it was more about viral, outstanding and booming presentations and ideas, not anymore it seems 😕

    • @LazerJund

      January 13, 2026 at 4:34 pm

      LMAOOOO

    • @humanemaths

      January 14, 2026 at 12:22 am

      I have premium but didn’t get any ads

    • @Random-potato2

      January 14, 2026 at 12:25 am

      @humanemathsthink about it. Sarcasm.

  2. @johnmorris679

    January 13, 2026 at 11:20 am

    A bit too “lovey dovey” for me.

  3. @dbdba

    January 13, 2026 at 11:44 am

    Simon Sinek has a similar talk on the same topic with just a slight change in wording.

    • @humanemaths

      January 14, 2026 at 12:22 am

      Can you give the link?

  4. @benjaminalomatu

    January 13, 2026 at 12:03 pm

    Talking about heart is fantastic. Thank You for making it bear ❤

  5. @antardatta8520

    January 13, 2026 at 12:24 pm

    Hello,guys.

  6. @WanderingWeirdly

    January 13, 2026 at 1:37 pm

    2:02 I usually get charged extra for that…

  7. @DiatomicLion

    January 13, 2026 at 3:05 pm

    I had a stroke saying this title out loud

  8. @acameyyy

    January 13, 2026 at 5:39 pm

    ❤❤

  9. @moka91808

    January 13, 2026 at 6:24 pm

    I know this is a TED talk, so time is limited, but I wish Sharon had taken more time to show examples of how heart-centred actions allowed their organization to defy the odds and come back stronger than ever. That was the missing piece in this talk.

    Lovely Roosevelt quote, I will be using it a lot.

  10. @BlackCatBritt

    January 13, 2026 at 9:31 pm

    the one Build A Bear store in my area recently downsized into a smaller mall location that no longer includes the “Building” step. It’s literally just a small store with overpriced pre-made bears & other licensed stuffed animals you can buy, with a rack or two of extra clothing options (also overpriced). It made me sad to see they are seemingly losing their heart to capitalism; this talk seems a bit ironic given this new development. I’m wondering if it’s just my area (western NY) or if anyone else has had this happen to BAB stores in their area?

  11. @achikaru

    January 14, 2026 at 12:18 am

    is it just me or everyone else think she is all bullshit ?

  12. @humanemaths

    January 14, 2026 at 12:22 am

    Thanks ❤🎉

  13. @awadheshverma6655

    January 14, 2026 at 7:59 am

    Before this video: confusion. After this video: unstoppable.

  14. @조원현-c3g

    January 14, 2026 at 6:29 pm

    Please set up shop in S. Korea!

  15. @lifemotivation6789

    January 15, 2026 at 7:22 am

    A company doesn’t survive because of numbers alone — it survives because of meaning.

  16. @AdityaMehendale

    January 15, 2026 at 6:37 pm

    *technically* there is another organ that comes even before the heart, but you won’t like the answer.
    Killer “know you care/care you know” quote tho..

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Watch the performers of Ghetto Classics Dance light up the stage with a breathtaking fusion of traditional African dance, classical ballet and modern hip-hop. Founded in Korogocho, one of Nairobi’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, this community-driven program empowers dancers through intensive training and mentorship. (Recorded at TED Countdown Summit 2025 on June 17, 2025)

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