From Garage to Global: 5 Big Brands that Started Small
Do you dream about taking your business from humble to global?
Every global empire begins somewhere — sometimes in garages or tiny home offices. So smash the limits on small thinking, and draw inspiration from 5 companies below with the origin to stories prove that starting small can lead to something huge.
Do you dream about taking your business from humble to global?
Every global empire begins somewhere — sometimes in garages or tiny home offices. So smash the limits on small thinking, and draw inspiration from 5 companies below with the origin to stories prove that starting small can lead to something huge.
Every global empire begins somewhere — sometimes in garages or tiny home offices. So smash the limits on small thinking, and draw inspiration from 5 companies below with the origin to stories prove that starting small can lead to something huge.
1. Amazon – From Garage to Global Marketplace
In 1994, Jeff Bezos launched Amazon as an online bookstore from his garage in Seattle. With just a handful of employees, the company focused on selling books via the internet — a novel concept at the time. Fast forward to today, and Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer, offering everything from cloud computing to groceries. Bezos’s customer-first approach and willingness to experiment became the foundation of Amazon's explosive growth.
2. Apple – Born in a Garage, Now in Every Pocket
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started Apple in 1976 in Jobs' parents’ garage. They built the first Apple computer by hand and sold it to a local retailer. What began as a two-person tech experiment is now a $2 trillion company leading innovation in consumer electronics. Their story is a powerful reminder of how creativity and vision can reshape entire industries.
3. Nike – From Selling Out of a Car to Global Concept Stores
Before it became a global sportswear powerhouse, Nike started with Phil Knight selling running shoes from the trunk of his car in the 1960s. Originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports, the brand's big break came with innovative shoe designs and strategic athlete endorsements. Today, the Nike swoosh is one of the most recognised logos in the world, as is their tagline, "Just do it."
4. Spanx – Billion-Dollar Brand, Built at Home
Sara Blakely founded Spanx with $5,000 in savings and no background in fashion. She created her first prototype in her apartment, cut the feet off her pantyhose, and solved a common wardrobe problem for women. Spanx grew by word-of-mouth and eventually gained national attention. Blakely became the youngest self-made female billionaire, proving that simple ideas can lead to massive success.
5. Airbnb – From Air Mattresses to Accomodation Giant
In 2007, roommates Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia rented out an air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment to cover rent. They called it “Air Bed & Breakfast.” What started as a creative solution to a financial problem is now a global platform offering millions of unique stays in over 220 countries. Airbnb disrupted the hospitality industry by turning ordinary homes into extraordinary travel experiences.
The World is Your Oyster
These stories remind us that you don’t need massive funding or a perfect plan to start — just a clear vision, resilience, and a willingness to take the first step. Whether you’re building from your garage or launching your side hustle after hours, stay motivated by this fact: global empires can grow from great ideas –– no matter how small.
Ready to start your own "garage to global" journey? The best time to begin was yesterday. The next best time is now.
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