From technology to cosmetics, a lot has changed over the years, or should I say has improved our way of living. You might have heard from your elders on how they have dealt with life in the past. All of this changed when technology emerged and since then, everything has improved.
The people who made it all possible are called entrepreneurs and they are the people who are not afraid to take risks to create a business or enterprise. Entrepreneurs are considered as agents of change and they engage themselves in disrupting industries.
Here are 10 entrepreneurs who changed an industry forever:
1. Steve Jobs – Technology
We all know who Steve Jobs is, he is often times even considered the father of technology for what he has contributed to the Tech Industry. When he was just a young man without direction in life, he and his friend, Wozniak, launched the Apple computer. They financed their entrepreneurial venture by selling their assets, such as Jobs’ Volkswagen bus and Wozniak’s scientific calculator. They started their business in the garage of Steve Jobs’ house.
The duo started to revolutionize the computer industry by releasing their first Apple computer. Their computer machine was smaller, cheaper and could be accessed by the consumers easily. They also promised an intuitive product that can make a difference to anyone’s life. This is how they started democratizing the technology. Nowadays, Apple has developed more types of technology within our reach and has dictated the evolution of modern technology.
2. Mark Zuckerberg – Social Media
Mark Zuckerberg started his fascination with computers and programs at an early age. At a very young age, he developed his own messaging program which was used by his father in his clinic and by the whole family. He also developed computer games that he and his friends played and was considered a prodigy in his pre-teen days. When he studied at Harvard University, he developed a program to match the course selections of students to others, and during this time, he also invented Facemash, a program that compared two students, but was later on shut down by the school administration.
During his time at Harvard, some of his fellow classmates sought his help to develop a dating site for the Harvard elite, but later on, he dropped out of school to work on his own social networking site. This was named as The Facebook, where a person could make their own profile, upload photos and communicate with other users. A lot of investors and companies have invested in Zuckerberg’s “Facebook”. Now, Facebook is one of the most popular social media networks. It helps connect people from anywhere around the globe and helps advertisers reach consumers with ease.
3. Bill Gates – Software Industry
Bill Gates has shown interest in computers at a very young age, together with his friend, Paul Allen, who at the time was two years his senior. When Gates was studying at Harvard, Allen showed him an article about Altair 8800 mini-computer kit; they contacted the company and proclaimed that they can run the Altair computer with the BASIC software they are working on. The company became interested and asked them to demonstrate to them their software. They developed the software in Harvard’s computer lab and Allen demonstrated the software without even trying if it works on an Altair computer, which luckily ended up working.
They named the software Micro-Soft, later on dropping the hyphen and known today as Microsoft. Microsoft and Gates went through a lot of struggles to lead Microsoft as one of the top software companies in the world. Nowadays, Microsoft is one of the most popular software systems used around the globe and most computers are ran on Microsoft Windows.
4. Jeff Bezos – E-Commerce
Like all other kids, Jeff Bezos was fascinated with how things worked and grew interested into computers when his family transferred to Miami. He continued his interest in computers when he studied Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at Princeton University. He worked at several firms on Wall street and became the youngest vice president for D.E Shaw investment firm, but he did what others think is crazy, he quit his job to venture into internet marketing by selling books online.
He developed a software where he could sell his books and he named it Amazon.com. The test was successful, and the launch was a hit as they began reaching foreign countries selling books. Today, after the ups and downs the company and Bezos has experienced, Amazon is still successful and they have have diversified their products. They offer a different array of products that people would want to purchase, ranging from clothes, electronics, toys and many others. Amazon has become an easy way to shop for those who do not want to go out and have ever since offered the easiest and fastest way to shop online.
5. Larry Page and Sergey Brin – Internet Search Engine
Although the two came from different countries, they shared a common goal, to develop a dot-com business based on their own terms and not because they have been dictated by the prevailing business culture. They started by arguing with each other when they were both studying for their Ph.D. degree, but soon found themselves having a common fascination and later working together on a research project. Their goal at the time was to develop a search tool that when you input a word or a phrase, the first link to appear is the most relevant one to the subject.
They developed their search tool, without compromising their Ph.D. studies and slowly worked on their project. When they have released their search tool, they became successful in their aim to show the most relevant web pages associated, and they tried licensing their technology. However, no company was interested, and the founder of Yahoo.com suggested that they form a search engine company, and Google was born. Now, the word Google is very common in any household. If you are looking for something, people will say, “Just Google it”.
6. Richard Branson – Music
Richard Branson always had the desire to become an entrepreneur, just like his mother who was also an entrepreneur. He struggled in school and when he was 16, he dropped out of school and started running a magazine called The Student. In his magazines, he would interview prominent personalities and advertise records which instantly became a success. He changed the name to “Virgin” and sold records at a lower price compared to other outlets. It started the Virgin Records label where he ended up build ing a recording studio and his first artist was Mike Oldfield.
He continued to expand his business through his entrepreneurial efforts and created a travel company. Later on, he launched the Virgin Atlantic Airline, and some series of Megastores. He experienced financial struggles and was forced to sell his company, but he remained focused and started again. Now, his Virgin Group has over 400 companies under its control and is still continuing to expand.
7. John D. Rockefeller – Oil and Gas
John Rockefeller was a businessman who worked as a commission merchant. He studied the opportunity of growing an oil business during his time and he decided to establish an oil refinery. He named it the Standard Oil Company, and it instantly became a success. After the success, he expanded his business by buying out his competitors’ oil refineries.
With his move, it led to an American monopoly. Rockefeller was credited with helping shape America as to what it is today and is also considered as one of America’s pioneering businessman.
8. Ray Kroc – Fast Food
Ray Kroc participated in the World War I as a Red Cross ambulance driver and worked as a salesman after the war. One of his clients was the McDonalds brand, and the brothers purchased some of his products and he offered to work as a franchising agent for them. He, later on, eclipsed the brothers and became the president of McDonald’s Corporation.
He bought out the owners and was able to surpass its competitor, Burger King. He retained some of the original employees while continuing to incorporate new elements. Today, McDonald’s is one of the most successful fast food chains around the world, serving burgers and fries to millions on a regular basis.
9. J.K. Rowling – Fantasy Novels
One of the most recognized authors of today’s generation is J.K. Rowling, the author of the book series “Harry Potter.” She experienced struggles when she was divorced and left alone with her daughter. She struggled to support herself and her daughter when they were both living on welfare for numerous years. She also thought of committing suicide, but later on realized that it’s wasn’t the solution to her problems as she diverted her energy into the thing she enjoyed most – writing.
She had an idea of the story she wanted to write and she tried to sell it to publishers but received numerous rejections. When it finally was bought and published, it became a hit in every country. After selling the first three books, it also earned a movie deal and added to her earnings. Her books and the story of Harry Potter is now embedded in the minds of millions of adolescents everywhere who have read and watched the entire series.
10. Mary Kay Ash – Cosmetics
In the world of cosmetics, Mary Kay is a reputable brand that women use constantly and she has also helped the women’s empowerment movement. When Ash worked as a salesperson in a company, she worked diligently, but the company promoted the man, whom she trained, above her and was earning a higher salary than her. She quit her job and started her own business by formulating her own cosmetic products.
Mary Kay, Inc. was born, and this helped women achieve financial success. Today, Mary Kay, Inc. helps women to become more beautiful by using their cutting edge cosmetics products. It also stands as living proof that women can achieve massive success by pursuing their dreams as well.
Conclusion
In this post, I shared with you 10 entrepreneurs who changed an industry forever. As you can see, it just takes a big idea with persistent execution to achieve success and change the world around you.
