Most successful companies often have unbelievable beginnings. The backstories of the majority of big companies in the world today are probably not how many people would imagine them to be.
It is always interesting to know that success is not always a preserve for the wealthiest individuals nor those with the most profound beginnings.
While inventors and innovators are unquestionably brilliant in their own right, they do not typically expect to find instant success with an idea.
Indeed, the success of a business is usually determined by a plethora of factors. It is almost impossible to believe that some of the most significant companies were founded in a basic garage.
The following companies are some of those that have quite some incredible beginnings.
1. Apple
Apple is among the biggest tech companies on the planet. This company was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and when they were still unaffiliated with any other major company. The company was started as simply an early computer hardware manufacturer after Wozniak assembled a basic computer. Even though the computer Wozniak assembled was usable, it lacked most of the basic modern features that comprise a computer.
The company nevertheless received a substantial support which enabled it to grow very quickly during the 1970’s. Today, Apple is a major software and hardware company that still has a profound impact on the direction that innovation is taking. Most people now are aware of Apple’s products like the iPhone but they might not be aware that the company had its humble roots in a garage.
2. Amazon
Amazon was founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos. At the time the company was being started, Bezos did not have any significant resources to open an office nor keep his wares. Instead, he used his Bellevue, Washington garage for the key operations during the companies initial moments. Bezos came up with a list of some of the items that he thought online customers would demand and decided to start his online shop with some of them. He sold various items initially including computer disks and other computer items. He, however, narrowed down his focus to books since he saw an opportunity both at home and around the world. The company would, later on, diversify its product list once again after gaining success.
3. Scottrade
Scottrade is unquestionably the largest brokerage and financial services firm around. This company chiefly deals in retail discount brokerage. The company was founded in 1980 by Rodger O. Riney. When it was founded, Riney did not have enough capital nor desire to look for quick funding. So the company was primarily a single branch operated from home before it expanded to another branch in a different location.
The company continued to have an immense growth over the 1980’s and by the time it was acquired by TD Ameritrade, it was already a significant player in the market. The company has grown by leaps and bounds over the years to become a leading stock trading company that operates both online and via various branches.
4. HP
Hewlett and Packard decided to start a tech company in a Palo Alto garage in 1938. With the mentorship of their professor, the initial phases of the company begun to take shape albeit informally. The two friends had electrical engineering degrees and they decided to put their knowledge into use by making electrical products with an audio oscillator being their first item. This oscillator and several others that they made were purchased the Walt Disney Studios. The two friends would then go on to make their partnership formal the following year and this would herald the proper establishment of Hewlett-Packard as an electronic gadgets company. The company continued to diversify its range of products as it grew over the years.
5. The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company was founded as Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney. The company is very famous for its dominance in the animation industry over the years. It has in recent times come to be also known for its theme park, film production and television among other things in the entertainment industry.
When it was founded in 1923, the company did not have enough resources to support the establishment of an office. The founding brothers, therefore, used a garage owned by their uncle, Robert Disney. The company’s roots in the small garage are definitely incredible compared to the behemoth that it has become.