Some world famous brand owners strive for fame and literally do not leave the front pages of magazines. Their names and photos constantly appear in well-known publications and on Internet resources. However, there are also successful businessmen who prefer to remain in the shadows and practically do not show their faces. Nevertheless, we found them. We suggest you look at people who, through their work, allow other people to enjoy the things that are used daily. At the same time, the brand name is well-known to everyone, but their creators are not well known to anyone and usually do not show their faces.
Nike and its creators
Young and full of ideas, Phil Knight met Bill Bowerman through a shared passion for running. A couple, and many athletes of that time, were completely dissatisfied with the quality of shoes sold in the United States in the 60s. As a result, two ambitious guys decided to start working with Blue Ribbon Sports (now this is Asics brand). The shoe supplier was a company from Japan.
However, working with suppliers became increasingly difficult, so entrepreneurs decided to create their own sneakers. Appearance is the brainchild of Bowerman. The recognizable design and pattern of the characteristic sole, which improves traction, came to the young man's head when looking at an ordinary waffle iron.
Already in 1978, the brand received its recognizable name Nike, and then its immortal logo. Interestingly, Knight himself wanted a different name. He was more impressed by the Sixth Dimension. But he listened to the opinion of his colleagues and did not change anything.
Starbucks and its founder Howard Schulz
Starbucks originally functioned as a regular store selling coffee beans. And only in 1987, when the company was purchased by Howard Schulz (owner of Il Giornale coffee), the institution began to turn into a cafeteria with all sorts of “goodies”.
Howard drew inspiration from the atmosphere of Italian espresso bars, where he often visited. In addition, the founder of Starbucks was also a coffee promoter in the United States. To date, Starbucks Cafe can be found in almost any major city in the world.
"Zara", or How a humble tailor founded his empire
Amancio Ortega started his business in the 70s. In the living room of his house, he and his wife sewed nightgowns and dresses for a small number of customers. Perhaps the family business would not have remained too noticeable if one of the buyers had not canceled its rather large order. After conferring, the couple decided to sell everything that was already sewn. As a result, a small store was opened in the city of A Coruña.
Things were going pretty well. Amancio decided that his brand would follow an unusual concept. Every 2 weeks, something new appeared on the shelves. Over time, the company was renamed Inditex and new clothing stores appeared, one of which is called Zara Home.
"Pandora" and its permanent leaders Winnie and Per Enevoldsen
In 1982, Enevoldsen opened a small jewelry store in Copenhagen. It mainly sold items brought from Thailand. In 1987, the company grew and the founders decided to create jewelry with their own hands. The highlight was a unique and inimitable design.
More than 10 years passed before Pandora jewelry became world famous. In 2000, husband and wife invented a bracelet with the ability to change pendants. Customers immediately appreciated the thing and since then the company has been very popular.
FerreroSweet business from Michele Ferrero
In 1957, Michele inherited the family business of producing hazelnut and chocolate paste. The young man began to quickly delve into the essence of the work and created more and more popular products.
In order for the goods to be in demand, Michele imagined an ordinary housewife and her needs. So it occurred to him to create a Kinder Surprise chocolate egg. It is known that children love cocoa, and parents offer them milk. Michele combined these two products together, adding the effect of surprise.
A little later, he launched the production of Ferrero Rocher and Raffaello chocolates, and also improved the family recipe for chocolate paste, giving it the resonant name Nutella.
Michelle noted that any woman cares about her figure. Thus, Tic Tac tablets appeared on sale, in which, as you know, only two calories.
Hard Rock Cafe and Founders Isaac Tigrett, Peter Morton
The world famous cafe network has a very interesting history of creation. Once the musicians of a group called The Doors recorded an album called Morrison Hotel. At this time, they came across a Hard Rock Cafe. The place captivated them with its atmosphere and surroundings. After taking some photos of the coffee shop, they subsequently placed them on the cover of their new album.
A year later, they were called by two Englishmen, Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, and asked permission to open such coffee houses in London. The musicians did not resist, and soon a chain of coffee houses with a free atmosphere began to conquer the world.
Lacoste. Terrible "crocodile" Rene Lacoste
A world famous brand was invented not by a fashion designer, as some people think, but by a French tennis player. In the 20s of the last century it was customary to play tennis in long-sleeved shirts. Once Rene Lacoste sewed a short-sleeved shirt for one of the tournaments. Rene was called the "crocodile": he did not forgive the mistakes of his rivals. Thus, on the T-shirt in which the athlete played, an illustration of that animal appeared, which later became the brand's permanent logo.
Lego and its creator Ole Kirk Christiansen
In the early 30s, Ole Kirk opened a company where he intended to produce ironing boards. However, he soon switched to the sphere of wooden toys. Since 1947, the toys became plastic, and then the famous Lego blocks appeared, which could be assembled together. Interesting fact: blocks are compatible in all their variants. Even modern details can be easily assembled with the very first ones that have just been released.
Ole Kirk lived 66 years and left his company to four children.
Google and its creators
Everyone knows what Google is, but not everyone knows and saw the faces of the legendary search engine. Larry Page and Sergey Brin were students when they wrote scientific work related to search engines. And already in 1998, friends founded their legendary company.
Instagram has its own face
Initially, "Instagram" was created as a platform for posting unusual photos. Its creator Kevin Systrom wanted to create something unique, so he used an old camera to publish pictures. Soon, the platform gained immense popularity and was bought by the owners of Facebook.