99 Untold Stories of Top Brands (and the lessons we can learn from them)

Amust-read for entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketers, and brand enthusiasts who want to uncover the hidden stories behind some of the world’s most iconic brands. It’s not just a collection of success stories; it's a strategic guide that distills actionable lessons from these brands' journeys.

Want to learn from the best?

Have you ever wondered what makes a company truly great?

I often find myself captivated by the journeys of icons like Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Rolex, and Ford. What propelled them to become the giants they are today? Their stories are filled with challenges, victories, and defining moments that hold the answers.

Fueled by my passion for these legendary brands and my fascination with their hidden tales, I embarked on a personal quest to uncover the lesser-known stories behind their success. I believe these untold narratives offer profound lessons and sparks of inspiration that can transform our own ventures.

My mission was to gather these secret stories of top brands under one "roof," creating a captivating guide that unveils how these industry leaders navigated their unique paths. This guide is my gift to you, a treasure trove of insights, wisdom, and inspiration drawn from the legends of the business world, ready to ignite your own journey to greatness.

💡 Here are some insights you will learn from the stories:

• How you can transform a crisis into an opportunity
• How truly listening to your users can be the difference between triumph and failure
• The critical importance of choosing the perfect name for your idea/startup/company
• The necessity of patience and giving your company the TIME it needs
• How embracing social responsibility can bring unexpected benefits to your company
• The life-saving power of building a passionate community around your product
• The surprising impact of offline efforts in our digital world
• Why pivoting is a vital part of the entrepreneurial journey
• Why it's important to trust your instincts
• How mixing disciplines can create a winning product
• Why standing by your values and doing the right thing during hard times will ultimately reward you
• The power of bold moves
• Why transparency should be a value, not just a buzzword
• If something bothers you, you should be the one to fix it

In this book you will find stories about these companies:

Bumble, Zoom, Prada, Waze, Asana, Gucci, DocuSign, Miro, Headspace, Grammarly, Intercom, Quora, Ritz-Carlton, Atlassian, Figma, HubSpot, Slack, TED, Wolt, Zillow, Zapier, Walt Disney, TripAdvisor, Pinterest, Coursera, Evernote, Ferrari, Telegram, Bloomberg, YouTube, Notion, Crocs, Booking, Sony, Harley-Davidson, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, Mailchimp, WhatsApp, Instagram, Garmin, Google, Salesforce, Microsoft, Grubhub, Nordstrom, Uber, Bosch, Shazam, GoPro, Dribbble, Warby Parker, Gap, eBay, Adidas, Puma, Samsung, IBM, Spotify, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Red Bull, SoundCloud, 7-Eleven, Boeing, Nike, Tinder, Under Armour, Coca-Cola, IKEA, Tesla, Yelp, FedEx, Ford, Visa, Pepsi, Rolex, Mercedes, Airbnb, Netflix, Starbucks, Nvidia, McDonald's, Shopify, Apple, Southwest Airlines, Amazon, Fiverr, Walmart, Wix, Twitter, HBO, Viber, Snapchat, Block, Fitbit, Udemy and Deloitte.

👀 Part of the stories you will discover

• Who named their company after his daughter?
• In an inspiring display of patriotism, which two companies rallied to support the Allies during World War II?
• Which company operated in Nazi Germany and created a product that remains popular to this day?
• In its early days, which company used postcards to thank its users personally?
• Which company deliberated between two names from the same book and ultimately chose the "right" one?
• Who initially provided gear for snowboarding before becoming a household name?
• Which colossal company nearly shut down due to its abysmal performance?
• Which messaging company sparked social change in a European country?
• Which product company played a pivotal role in saving wildlife?

📖 Sample chapter 📖

From Brothers to Rivals: The Origins of Adidas and Puma

In the small Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, Germany, the story of two brothers,

Adolf ("Adi") and Rudolf Dassler, unfolded in a way that would shape the global athletic

footwear industry. Their journey from collaboration to rivalry led to the creation of two

of the most iconic sportswear brands in the world: Adidas and Puma.

The tale begins in the aftermath of World War I. In 1924, the Dassler brothers founded

the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory, combining their skills and ambitions. Adi, the

younger brother, was a craftsman with a passion for designing high-performance

athletic shoes, while Rudolf, or "Rudi," was a natural salesman with a talent for

marketing. Together, they aimed to produce innovative sports shoes that would

enhance athletic performance.

The Dassler brothers' shoes quickly gained recognition for their quality and

performance. Their big break came during the 1936 Berlin Olympics when American

sprinter Jesse Owens won four gold medals wearing their handcrafted spikes. This

success catapulted the Dassler brand into the international spotlight and established

their reputation as a leading sports shoe manufacturers.

However, the relationship between the brothers began to deteriorate during World War

II. The exact reasons for their falling out remain unclear, with theories ranging from

political differences to personal grievances. What is known is that their partnership

became untenable, and in 1948, the brothers decided to part ways and dissolve their

joint business.

Adi and Rudolf each set out to establish their own companies, leading to the birth of two

legendary brands. Adi Dassler founded Adidas (a portmanteau of his nickname, Adi, and

the first three letters of his last name, Dassler) on August 18, 1949. Adi's focus was on

innovation and quality, and he continued to develop cutting-edge athletic footwear that

catered to the needs of athletes.

One of Adidas's early breakthroughs was the introduction of the screw-in stud, which

allowed soccer players to adjust their cleats for different playing conditions. This

innovation played a significant role in West Germany's victory in the 1954 FIFA World

Cup, solidifying Adidas's reputation for excellence in sports footwear.

Meanwhile, Rudolf Dassler founded Puma (originally named Ruda, a combination of his

first and last names) on October 1, 1948. He later rebranded the company as Puma,

inspired by the agility and strength of the big cat. Puma quickly made a name for itself

by producing high-quality athletic shoes and signing endorsement deals with prominent

athletes.

One of Puma's most iconic moments came during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City,

when sprinter Tommie Smith wore Puma shoes during his historic 200-meter victory

and subsequent Black Power salute on the podium. This moment cemented Puma's

status as a brand associated with both athletic prowess and social significance.

The rivalry between Adidas and Puma was intense and deeply personal, affecting not

only the two companies but also the entire town of Herzogenaurach. The town became

divided, with residents aligning themselves with either Adidas or Puma. The Dassler

brothers' feud was so profound that employees from the two companies rarely

interacted, and even local businesses chose sides.

Despite the rivalry, both Adidas and Puma thrived, each carving out significant market

share and becoming influential players in the global sportswear industry. Over the

decades, both brands expanded their product lines beyond footwear to include apparel

and accessories, constantly innovating and setting new trends in sports fashion.

The impact of the Dassler brothers' split on the business world is immense. Adidas and

Puma's competition drove both companies to push the boundaries of innovation,

resulting in numerous advancements in sports technology and design. Their story is a

testament to how sibling rivalry and entrepreneurial spirit can lead to extraordinary

achievements and lasting legacies.

Today, Adidas and Puma remain headquartered in Herzogenaurach, symbolizing the

lasting influence of the Dassler brothers. The two companies have grown into

multinational corporations with a global presence, sponsoring top athletes, sports

teams, and events worldwide. Their products are worn by millions of people, from

professional athletes to casual consumers, reflecting the enduring appeal and quality of

their brands.

The story of Adidas and Puma is a fascinating narrative of family, conflict, and success. It

highlights the transformative power of competition and the way personal dynamics can

shape the trajectory of entire industries. Through their determination and vision, Adi

and Rudolf Dassler left an indelible mark on the world of sports and fashion, proving

that even the most intense rivalries can lead to remarkable outcomes.

Takeaways

1. Personal relationships can significantly impact business outcomes: The Dassler brothers'falling out led to creation of two separate, highly successful companies, demonstrating how personal dynamics can shape entire industries.
2. Competition can drive innovation and growth: The intense rivalry between Adidasand Puma pushed both companies to continually innovate and improve their products, benefiting the sports industry as a whole.
3. Entrepreneurial spirit can overcome adversity: Despite their bitter rivalry and thechallenges of starting separate businesses, both Adi and Rudolf Dassler built enduring,successful companies, highlighting the power of determination and vision.

I hope you enjoy this book and the stories within, and gain insights from the actions of these top brands.