Learning from Past Small Business Successes

Many well-known companies started as small businesses that grew out of a simple idea. There's always an element of luck and business savvy associated with small business success but the most necessary foundation is an idea that works. Having the widest inventory selection or a unique business plan is not enough to turn your small enterprise into a landmark company. Learn from these past small business successes:

Mary Kay

Before she was lovingly referred to as the "pink Cadillac lady," Mary Kay Ash was a woman with a good idea. After retiring as a top sales person in the Dallas, Texas she soon discovered retirement was not enough for this over achiever. As she began to write her memoirs, she reflected on the most memorable moments in her glittering sales career. One memory that was not too pleasant was the story of her most disappointing letdown. After working hard to reach a sales goal with her company, she finally had the opportunity to meet the president of the company.

At this meeting, Mary Kay felt like a million bucks until the CEO that she had worked so hard to meet ignored her, looking past her to see the end of the line. Mary Kay took this experience to heart but in a positive way. She began a company for women whose goal it would be to make everyone feel special. Mary Kay's private motto was, "Treat everyone like they had an invisible sign around their neck that said, 'Make me feel special." Today this multi-million dollar company still promotes the idea of the personal touch.

Leroy Hill Coffee

When you get the chance to visit Alabama, you'll become familiar with the name Leroy Hill. This stand out coffee company started as a small business nearly 50 years ago. The secret of Leroy Hill's success? Do one thing and do it right. For decades, Mr. Hill experimented with coffee formulas and bean varieties until finding the mixture so many Southerners love. Today Leroy Hill's legacy remains. This coffee company has a small product line but as many will attest to, it has the best flavor in the southern United States.

Coca Cola

Coca-cola was the brainchild of pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton. He presented the public with the first drafts of his bubbly drink in 1886. From that first jug of syrup Dr. Pemberton sold 9 drinks. Today this former small business sells more than 1.7 billion Coke products a day. What's the lesson to learn from this past small business? Think outside the bottle! New ideas that click can make you a fortune.