Years ago, I attended a small private event with Olivia Newton-John. She spoke openly about her daughter, her breast cancer journey, and the realities of her career. It was relaxed and unscripted—nothing like the polished performance most people know.

What I reflected on afterwards is how most of us focus on the performance, not fully understanding the work that goes into perfecting that performance. The training, the repetition, the practice, the pressure, the discipline. All the invisible layers behind the moments that look effortless.

Any great product whether physical, performance, or service is the same. 

People see the final garment, the launch, the polished campaign. They don’t see the failed samples, the technical issues, the sourcing challenges, the rounds of refinement, or the decisions that never make the timeline.

But that unseen work is what makes great product.

That short afternoon with her was a clear reminder: whether it’s a performance or a product, what the world experiences is only the surface. The real work happens long before anyone sees it.

And the best part, I got to sing Summer Nights with Olivia.