We hear of Apple, Amazon,
Microsoft and Google starting at home and in a garage - but we do not hear of Yankee Candle as
much. A boy in 1969 could not afford a Christmas gift for his mom - so he determined
that a melted crayon was better suited than showing up empty handed. And thus
he would melt her heart.
The takeaway challenge is brief
but deep and something we can learn from a sweet 16 year old boy: While times
have changed, and the value of the dollar has changed the truth remains
timeless – learn to hone the discretion between innovation vs. investments.
Before you invest monetary value
into your venture, seek counsel and be proactive in research. It took just one neighbor to see the homemade
candle that Mike Kittredge of Yankee Candle would bestow his mother with - And
so she ordered it for herself. The story goes that he sold it to her – and used
the proceeds to make two more: One for his mom and one more to sell.
Here are a few others who let
loose their entrepreneur spirits and honed innovative enterprises in their
garages:
Mattell: The face of the company may be more recognizable as Barbie
dolls, Fisher-Price and Hotwheels (the list goes on) but this man-cave-garage
quickly turned a cash-cave for Harold “Matt” Matson and Ruth and Elliot
Handler. Circa 1945, this El Segundo Company steadily introduced the toy industry
to revolutionized gaming for diverse ages and demographics. And it all started
with picture frame scraps and dollhouses.
Harley Davidson: With their three piece suits and top hats, William
S. Harley, at just 20 years old, and friend Arthur Davidson did not resemble
the modern black, white and orange leather vested Harley riders we see on highways
now. But from 1901 until 1905 they were able to take a drawing to make a bike
and recreate the concept into a motorized model.
During the First World War, their
ingenuity supported the troops surpassing over 10,000 machines. They gave new
meaning to the roaring 20’s as the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the
world. This success culminated because from their first failed experiment -
they said it was a valuable learning experience.
Disney: We quote him; we watch his movies; we know his name is Walt,
but it was his Uncle Robert’s garage to which we owe a portion of this blog’s
symbolic gratitude. Along with brother Roy, Walt began his productions with
Alice in Wonderland and since then every day has been a wonderland. With a high
school diploma, family values, wild imagination and strong work ethic he created
a world-renowned empire.
The Garage: Empty
boxes. Overflowing boxes, unable to shut. Oil, paint and water spillage, rotted
wood, rusty metal, roller skates, squeaky toys, loose bolts and was that a
stray cat? We are lucky if we can park our vehicle in the garage. But for some
they have used this storage addition, whether attached to the home or not, as a
resource for their business dreams. Maybe it started as a means for survival,
maybe a source or outlet for their brain to breathe. But their garages had just
as much potential as their gutsy and they would use it. Did they know they
would outgrow it? Did they know they would succeed? Did they know that we, the
future would have a future for it?
So where are your origins? For some, it’s a garage. For some
it’s their mom’s basement, some their living room, their college dorm room,
their pressboard desk or their laptop or even a smartphone.
For us, it’s The Couch and now wherever you are in your journey
we welcome you to join The Project. We can help you get from the ground to the
garage and get you on The Green Couch.
-The Green Couch
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