Some of the most popular brands in the world have humble beginnings. Many of these companies were started by entrepreneurs with a vision and a passion for their product. In some cases, the businesses were started in garages or basements. Today, these brands are known around the globe and are worth billions of dollars.
The following is a list of some of the most popular brands in the world and the stories behind their successes:
Coca Cola
Coca Cola is one of the most popular soft drinks in the world. The company started out as a small business venture in Atlanta, Georgia in 1886. The founder, John Pemberton, was a pharmacist who developed the syrup for the drink. He then sold it to a local drugstore owner who mixed it with soda water and sold it for 5 cents a glass.
The drink became popular, and Pemberton soon partnered with another businessman, Frank Robinson, to mass-produce it. They came up with the now-famous red and white logo and began selling the drink in bottles. Coca Cola was an instant hit and quickly became one of the most popular beverages in the world.
Today, the company is worth billions of dollars and operates in over 200 countries. It remains one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson is one of the most popular motorcycle brands in the world. The company was founded in 1903 by two childhood friends, William Harley and Arthur Davidson. They started the business in a small workshop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The first Harley Davidson motorcycle was made in 1904 and it quickly became popular among motorcyclists. The company continued to grow and by 1913, they were producing over 1,000 motorcycles per year.
Today, Harley Davidson is a global brand with a loyal following of fans. The company sells motorcycles in over 70 countries and is worth billions of dollars.
Nike
Nike is one of the most popular sports brands in the world. The company was founded in 1964 by two runners, Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. They started the business by selling running shoes out of the trunk of their car.
With the company beginning to sponsor athletes, the brand became a household name. In 1971, they created the now-famous “swoosh” logo and launched their first national advertising campaign. Nike became a household name and remains one of the most popular sports brands in the world today.
KFC
KFC is a leading fast-food chain in the world. The company was founded in 1952 by Colonel Harland Sanders. He started the business by selling fried chicken out of his roadside restaurant in Kentucky.
Sanders’ chicken became popular with the brand franchising the restaurant. KFC now has over 20,000 locations in over 100 countries. It is one of the most recognizable brands in the world and remains a popular choice for fast food.
Gillette
Gillette is a leading manufacturer of razor blades and other personal care products. The company was founded in 1901 by King Camp Gillette. He invented the safety razor, which quickly became a popular product.
Gillette continued to grow and by the 1920s, it was one of the most well-known brands in the world. The company remains a leading player in the personal care industry and is worth billions of dollars.
Apple
Apple is probably one of the most, if not the most, popular technology brands in the world. The company was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. They started the business in Jobs’ garage and developed the first Apple computer.
In 1984, they launched the now-famous Macintosh computer. Apple has continued to innovate and grow, becoming one of the most valuable companies in the world. Apple’s iPhone’s are immensely popular devices across the world and is an attraction for users every single year. As per statistics till 2019, there are more than 948 million iPhone users in the US itself.
Google is a leading giant in the technology space. The company was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. They started the business while they were students at Stanford University. Google’s history was relatively uneventful until 2004 when they launched their now-famous search engine.
Since then, Google has become the dominant player in the search engine market. The company has also diversified into other areas such as self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, and much more.
Today, Google is a global brand that offers a wide range of products and services. It is one of the most valuable companies in the world.
Netflix
Netflix is a leading streaming service in the world. The company was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. They started the business as a DVD rental service. The rental service started with just a few hundred titles but quickly grew their selection.
In 2007, they launched their now-famous streaming service. Netflix has continued to grow and today, they have over 150 million subscribers in 190 countries. The company is worth billions of dollars and is one of the most popular streaming services in the world.
Disney
Disney is an immensely popular entertainment brand in the world. The company was founded in 1923 by Walt Disney and his brother, Roy. They started the business by producing cartoons.
In 1937, they released their first full-length animated movie, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. The movie was a massive success and put Disney on the map.
Today, the company produces movies, TV shows, theme parks, and more. It is one of the most valuable brands in the world and remains a popular choice for entertainment.
Starbucks
Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee brands in the world. The company was founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker. They started the business by opening a coffee shop in Seattle. The company expanded with more coffee shops and by the 1990s, it was a global brand.
Today, Starbucks has over 30,000 locations in more than 70 countries. It is one of the most popular brands in the world and is worth billions of dollars.
Facebook (Now Meta)
Meta is a social media platform that allows users to connect with friends and family online. The company was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. They started the business while they were students at Harvard University. The platform gained immense popularity among teenagers for networking and socializing purposes. It almost became a cult in its own unique way.
Facebook today has over 2 billion monthly active users. It remains a popular choice for social networking and is worth billions of dollars.
These are some of the most popular brands in the world and their stories. These companies have all grown to be worth billions of dollars and are recognizable around the globe. What started as small businesses in someone’s garage or home, has turned into global empires. These stories show that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
What other popular brands do you know? Share their story in the comments below!
