It's worth noting that The Profit picks companies that are inherently dramatic because it's a TV show.

The goal of a TV show is to get you to watch. Thus, the more of a train wreck, the more likely you watch.

If Marcus was trying to maximize his ROI on the business investments, he would start with different businesses and more reasonable owners.

Instead, he is maximizing the ROI on his TV show and his Brand (ugh, I hate that word).

So, by losing a small amount of money on some ridiculous businesses, he makes a whole lot more on the back end of being on TV, selling business books, giving speeches, and in general looking like a business hero.

The long play here is very, very smart and has obviously paid off already.