From Junior Disney Employee to CEO: The Unconventional Career Advice That Shaped a Leader
How rewriting the CEO's op-ed launched Josh Simon's career and his advice for Gen Z professionals.
1The bold edit that changed everything
As Disney's most junior employee in the early 2000s, Josh Simon took the extraordinary step of completely rewriting CEO Michael Eisner's op-ed when asked for feedback. This unexpected move from the Harvard Crimson alum didn't backfire - instead it initiated a lasting professional relationship with one of media's most powerful executives. Simon's willingness to contribute beyond his pay grade demonstrated the value of initiative in corporate environments.
2From $300M Funko to Disney roots
Simon's current role as CEO of Funko, the pop-culture collectibles company valued at $300 million, builds on lessons from working under three iconic CEOs: Eisner at Disney, Mark Parker at Nike, and Ted Sarandos at Netflix. Each leader shared a common trait - deep passion for their products and customers. Parker sketched sneakers in meetings, Sarandos was a film obsessive, and Eisner personally reviewed Disney scripts late into his tenure.
3Turning around a struggling brand
When Simon joined Funko in September 2025, the company faced declining sales (down 22% YoY), excess inventory, tariff issues, and debt concerns. His leadership has driven a 35% stock increase and 7% sales growth, particularly in Europe (20% growth). The turnaround involved applying lessons from his mentors while evolving Funko beyond licensed products into a pop culture engagement platform.
4KPop demonstrates new strategy
Simon's vision for Funko manifested when the company quickly capitalized on the KPop Demon Hunters trend, creating a product line that accounted for 7% of Q1 2026 net sales. This responsiveness to cultural moments reflects Simon's belief that Funko should be a 'canvas for fans' rather than just a collectibles manufacturer.
5The permission paradox
Simon's key career advice contradicts conventional wisdom: 'Don't really ask for permission.' He advocates finding niche opportunities to contribute beyond assigned responsibilities. However, this approach requires thoughtful selection of value-added initiatives rather than random extra work. His Disney experience proved that strategic over-delivery can create career-defining relationships.
6Mastery before expansion
While encouraging initiative, Simon stresses that young professionals must first become exceptional at their core responsibilities. He describes his early Disney days as a '24/7, all-nighter culture' where mastering fundamentals was crucial. Only after establishing this foundation should employees look for ways to expand their impact beyond formal job descriptions.
7Three CEO mentors, one common lesson
From Eisner, Parker, and Sarandos, Simon learned that transformative leadership combines deep industry knowledge with authentic passion. Eisner's hands-on film involvement, Parker's designer roots, and Sarandos' video store background informed their leadership styles. Simon now applies this principle at Funko, believing passionate leadership inspires both products and teams.
8Redefining career advancement
Simon's trajectory from op-ed editor to CEO challenges traditional career ladder assumptions. His story demonstrates that strategic initiative often outweighs strict hierarchy adherence. For Gen Z professionals, the lesson is clear: exceptional performance combined with well-chosen extra contributions can accelerate careers in unexpected ways.