What can the stories of successful companies such as Starbucks, Walmart and Apple have in common?
One of the elements that gives answers to these success stories is to be found in certain interesting little details that contributed in some way to the creation of companies that are currently well known in the market.
Certainly none of these companies achieved success easily. Each had to overcome different obstacles and overcome many battles to get to where they are today.
On the other hand, you could get in these stories a reflection of your own experience with your venture, since in their beginnings they usually start from the same point.
The stories of successful companies and their beginnings:
Below, we will introduce you to the different stories of entrepreneurs and their dreams that today are recognized as business successes in the market.
In turn, this article aims to show you that these stories are not so different from the process that you, as an entrepreneur, may be going through right now.
And the fact is that these stories of entrepreneurship are not very different from the process you are probably going through right now. Through them we want to show you that, if you are consistent, work hard and have a long-term vision, you can build your own great company.
1. The story of Sam Walton and Waltmart:
After succeeding with a small store, Sam Walton founded Walmart in 1962.
It was initially underestimated by the competition, who thought that a business offering lower prices and higher quality would be a complete failure. However, and to the disgrace of many, after 8 years of hard work Walton managed to open 38 outlets, which turned over around 44 million dollars.
2. Howard Schultz’s beginnings with Starbucks:
Few people know that it took a $1,350 investment from three professors in 1971 to get Starbucks founded.
Howard Schultz was not the direct founder of the coffee chain. However, taking a risk and buying the coffee chain changed his life and undoubtedly improved the chain’s direction.
Schultz appeared on the scene in 1980, after a trip to Italy where he observed the warm treatment of baristas and their public at coffee stands.
After returning to the United States, Schultz made the decision to buy Starbucks, which involved a complex process between him and the founders, as they did not agree with his ideas.
Later, thanks to his efforts in 1992, he was able to launch the most successful public offering of that year. If you had invested $1,000 in its stock at that time, by 2018 you would have more than $220,000.
Currently, the Starbucks chain has more than 23 thousand points of sale around the world.
3. History of KFC:
It is the second most famous franchise in the world after McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, KFC. In 1940, Colonel Harold D. Sanders was able to patent his famous formula of 11 herbs and 11 spices, with which he gained popularity and began to expand his own business.
Although it wasn’t until he was 65 that he was able to sell his own KFC franchise. Sanders goes down in history as one of the most important people in the economic world who achieved success at an older age.
Due to the pressure and his advanced age, he decided to sell his corporation for two million dollars.
Tough beginnings
Sanders was not born into a well-to-do family, so he spent the first half of his life working hard and was forced to take several jobs to make ends meet.
Among some of his work, he has worked as a boat operator, salesman, lamp manufacturer and manager of a gas station.
Despite his best efforts, the Great Depression pushed his life to the limit, to the point that he had planned his own death. It was there that he decided to focus on one of his greatest talents: cooking.
4. History of Nike:
Nike is currently the world market leader in sports footwear and apparel. It has more than 55,000 employees, and if that were not enough, in 2013 its net profit exceeded 2 million dollars.
Likewise, in the mid-1980s, Nike’s sales reached a historic peak, when its main competitor, Reebok, tried to displace them from the first place.
It was then that they decided to add NBA star Michael Jordan to their massive penetration campaign. This campaign was baptized “Just do it” and with it they were able to give an important boost to the company.
This is undoubtedly considered the brand’s most representative campaign.
Start building your own story:
After learning about these success stories, we see that they share a common element: will is power.
To build your own story you must learn to face your fears and focus on working on a talent that will later help you succeed in your dream of being a successful entrepreneur.
These types of stories undoubtedly become a source of inspiration for you not to stop and work for your dreams, even when many people call your ideas absurd.
No one has yet come forward to say that their path was easy, but if you work with compassion, dedication and commitment you will be one of the featured stories in this article.
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