I’ve got a story for you that’s as timeless as it is tasty. Picture this: a teenager hustling his father’s product, Wrigley’s Scouring Soap, door-to-door. That teenager was none other than William Wrigley Jr., and his journey from soap to one of the world’s most iconic gum brands is packed with lessons we can apply to our own businesses today.

In 1891, at just 29 years old, Wrigley packed his bags and moved from Philly to the Windy City of Chicago. There, he started offering customers a free can of baking powder with every purchase of soap. To his surprise, the baking powder was a bigger hit than the soap! Being the savvy businessman he was, Wrigley pivoted, offering baking powder with a little extra incentive: free gum.

Once again, customers preferred the bonus item. Recognizing an opportunity, Wrigley made a bold move. He ditched the soap and baking powder altogether, and in 1893, he launched two flavors of gum: Spearmint and Juicy Fruit. The rest, as they say, is history.

Wrigley’s commitment to heavy advertising across various media platforms and billboards catapulted the brand to over $1 million in revenue by 1908. Fast forward a century, and Mars Inc. snapped up Wrigley for a cool $23 billion, with a little help from Warren Buffett, whose earliest business venture was—you guessed it—hawking Juicy Fruit at the tender age of six.

Today, Mars generates a staggering $50 billion in annual revenue.

So, what can we, as modern business owners, learn from William Wrigley Jr.?

1. Adapt to Customer Preferences: Don’t be married to your product if your customers are telling you they want something else. Flexibility and willingness to pivot can open up new, lucrative opportunities.

2. Add Value with Incentives: Offering something extra can make your main product more attractive. It’s all about perceived value.

3. Bold Moves Pay Off: Sometimes, you have to make a bold decision to leave behind what’s familiar to pursue a bigger opportunity. Courage in business can lead to extraordinary success.

4. Invest in Marketing: Wrigley understood the power of advertising. Consistent and creative marketing efforts can significantly amplify your brand’s reach and impact.

5. Think Long-Term: Wrigley’s initial investments and strategic pivots weren’t just about quick wins. They were about building a brand that would endure and thrive for over a century.

Whether we’re offering new services, adding valuable incentives, or making bold business moves, let’s channel a bit of that Wrigley magic and aim for extraordinary growth.

Remember, you won't profit unless you implement,

Vance "just a pinch between the cheek &.... ooops, wrong product" Morris

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