Fascinating Growth Origins of Big Brands & How they gained inspiration for growth?
From Shell to Taj Hotels, Wrigley to Colgate, 13 stories of inspiration
In the vast landscape of business, certain brands stand out not only for their success but also for the captivating tales of their origins. Behind every household name lies a story of innovation, perseverance, and visionary insight. From humble beginnings to global empires, these brands have navigated through challenges, seized opportunities, and transformed industries. In this article, we delve into the fascinating growth origins of some of the world's biggest brands, exploring how they gained crucial insights that propelled them to unprecedented heights of success.
Shell Origin Story
The fascinating origins of the Shell Company started with Marcus Samuel, a London businessman who initially sold antiques also ventured into selling oriental seashells due to their popularity in interior design. The demand for seashells led him to import them from the Far East, laying the groundwork for an import-export business. His sons expanded the business to include oil exporting. To address the shipping challenges of leaky barrels and space constraints, they commissioned a fleet of steamers. Their first oil tanker, named 'The Murex', became the first tanker to deliver kerosene to Asia by passing through the Suez Canal in 1892, thus revolutionizing oil transport.
The bright iconic red color used in the Shell logo has its origins in their kerosene cans, which, as a general practice, are painted red.
It is interesting to see the growth trajectory of Shell, from antiques to sea shells to oil trading to tankers to refineries. This exemplifies the role of gaining insights from clients and the market in achieving stellar growth.
Red Bull Origin Story
Here is another fascinating example of Red Bull, the iconic energy drink. Founded in 1984 by Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull was inspired by a Thai beverage called Krating Daeng. While in Thailand, Mateschitz tried Krating Daeng and claimed it cured his jet lag. Later, Mateschitz partnered with Yoovidhya, a pharmacist who created the Thai drink in the '70s, to tailor it for Western tastes. In 1987, the first can of Red Bull Energy Drink was sold in Austria, and its slogan “Red Bull Gives You Wings” became iconic.
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OPI Origin Story
The third interesting example I want to present is that of OPI, the famous nail polish brand. Initially, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann and George Schaeffer, co-founders of OPI Products, were running a dental-supply company. George noticed that nail technicians were buying dental acrylics to create nail extensions. Unimpressed by the scarce and dull polish options available for women at the time, Suzi and George saw an opportunity. They realized that the nail industry lacked glamour, and with Suzi’s keen eye for color, they decided to dive into the manicure business. Thus, Odontorium Products Inc. was born. Suzi’s creative genius extended beyond naming bold nail polish colors like “A Grape Affair” and “A Butterfly Moment”. She also shaped the beauty game and earned her title as the First Lady of Nails. Today, OPI remains a global leader in nail care and color, thanks to their vision and determination.
Again, another one that emphasizes the role of client insights in business growth.
Taj Hotels
Sometimes, even personal adversities can be a seed for innovation and growth. For example, Taj Hotels, one of India's largest hospitality chains, was founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1903. Its origin was a bit surprising, as Tata's initial vision for the company was inspired by a personal experience of being denied entry into a European-owned hotel due to his Indian heritage. This incident motivated him to establish the first luxury hotel in India, the Taj Mahal Palace, in Mumbai.
Here are a few more fascinating and interesting origin stories of big brands:
Wipro
Wipro, one of India's leading IT services companies, was founded in 1945 by M.H. Hasham Premji as Western India Vegetable Products Limited. Initially, it dealt with vegetable products such as cooking oil. In the late 1970s, Wipro shifted its focus to the IT industry under the leadership of Azim Premji, the founder's son.
Samsung
Samsung, founded by Lee Byung-Chull in 1938, had humble beginnings as a grocery trading store in the city of Taegu, Korea, with a mere US$27 capital. Initially, Samsung was into trading and exporting goods such as dried Korean fish, vegetables, and even its own noodles. After the Korean war, they diversified into sugar. But over time, Samsung diversified its interests, and its transformation into a global tech giant is a remarkable journey.
LG
LG, initially known as Lucky Chemical Co., Ltd., began its journey in 1947. Founder Chairman In-hwoi Koo named it “Lucky” after the success of “Lucky Cream”, Korea’s first makeup cream. Lucky started with soaps and cosmetics. In 1958, it expanded into electronics, establishing Goldstar Co., Ltd. (now LG Electronics).
Nokia
Nokia, founded in 1865 as a paper mill operation in Finland, had humble beginnings. It started with wood pulp mills making toilet papers, then expanded into electricity generation and rubber production. By the 20th century, Nokia had embraced technology. In the 1960's, it pioneered in Mobile Radio Telephony before the advent of cellular phones. It ventured into PCs and launched the Nokia Booklet 3G.
Ikea
Ikea, founded by Ingvar Kamprad in 1943, had its modest beginnings as a mail-order sales business in which one sells merchandise by accepting and fulfilling orders through the mail. He was selling small items like pens, stationery, and other goods and started this venture when he was just 17. However, it was in 1948 that Ikea took a significant turn by adding furniture to its product line. Ingvar’s vision for Ikea was to create a better life for as many people as possible, regardless of their budget.
ITC
ITC Limited, formerly known as the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited, indeed has a fascinating transformation story. Partly driven by concerns about the long-term sustainability of the tobacco business due to regulatory pressures and changing consumer preferences, ITC transformed itself in 20 years and diversified across various categories such as food products, personal care, stationary, and lifestyle products under brands like Aashirvaad, Sunfeast, Bingo, Classmate, and Fiama Di Wills.
Wrigley
Wrigley, the chewing gum brand, has an equally interesting origin. In 1891, William Wrigley Jr., who assisted his father in running a soap shop, initially offered free umbrellas to soap buyers. Later, they replaced the umbrellas with chewing gum and shifted to selling baking powder. The popularity of the gum led to increased demand, prompting Wrigley to hire a chewing gum manufacturing company, which eventually became the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. Today, Wrigley is the largest manufacturer and marketer of chewing gum in the world.
Lamborghini
Lamborghini, known for its high-performance sports cars, was founded in 1963. It had a rather unexpected origin. Before venturing into the world of sports cars, Lamborghini was primarily known for its tractors, "Lamborghini Trattori". Their tractors were well-regarded for their reliability and performance in the agricultural sector. Ferruccio Lamborghini owned several luxury cars like Ferrari, but he was dissatisfied with the performance of his Ferraris, so he developed his own cars.
M&M
Founded in 1945 as Mahindra & Mohammed, our own iconic M&M (Mahindra & Mahindra) brand initially traded steel with suppliers in England and the United States. It later shifted its focus to manufacturing general-purpose utility vehicles, becoming one of India's major automobile manufacturers.
Colgate
The small soap and candle business that William Colgate began in New York City early in the 19th century is now, more than 200 years later, a truly global company serving hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide. In 1873, Colgate introduced aromatic toothpaste in jars, and in 1896, it revolutionized dental care by introducing toothpaste in a collapsible tube.
In reflecting on the growth origins of these iconic brands, one common thread emerges: a keen interest in understanding and serving customers. From Shell to Colgate, these brands have demonstrated the importance of observing for customer insights and remaining open to experimentation. As entrepreneurs and business leaders chart their paths to success, they can draw inspiration from these stories, recognizing that growth often stems from a deep understanding of customers' needs, an unwavering commitment to learning, and the courage to embrace new ideas and possibilities. By embodying these principles, businesses can not only thrive but also leave a lasting impact on the world.
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