# 11 Companies Built Aroun... ! [ rw-book-cover] (https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1265667403410804739/mYX0Zsr4.jpg) URL: https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867585341563318333 Author: @nealtaparia on Twitter ![rw-book-cover](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1265667403410804739/mYX0Zsr4.jpg) ## AI-Generated Summary None ## Highlights > 11 companies built around a single product: > 1. Crocs (2002) > ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ger--IEbsAIrMXA.jpg) ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867585341563318333)) > Everyone called Crocs "ugly." > Doctors & chefs loved them because they were comfortable & easy to clean. > Now they sell 150 million pairs annually. Sometimes, being "ugly" pays off. <video controls><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585355043811329/pl/dsg0XEz7avay-kMA.m3u8?tag=14&v=69a" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585355043811329/vid/avc1/480x270/DcDyJWzOygCmt2N3.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585355043811329/vid/avc1/640x360/uzHOyWngLUUTQtTb.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585355043811329/vid/avc1/1280x720/Ew809oxdvsbVqZCy.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video> ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867585443040280971)) > 2. LEGO (1932) > Started making wooden toys during the Great Depression. > Switched to plastic bricks in 1949. One simple idea: Every brick must fit with every other brick. > That commitment to compatibility still drives them today. > ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ger_FDBbsAUvgfg.jpg) ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867585459746222522)) > 3. Spanx (2000) > Sara Blakely cut the feet off her pantyhose to create seamless underwear. > She wrote her own patent to save $3000. > That resourcefulness turned into a billion-dollar revolution in shapewear. <video controls><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585473012805634/pl/Aodk7FBn3XHeGVJ9.m3u8?tag=14" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585473012805634/vid/avc1/480x270/JJc4_OgWjzrmyGso.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585473012805634/vid/avc1/640x360/LWRDNs5-IQ7582LX.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585473012805634/vid/avc1/1280x720/yl8NpcKGtLP5lsqd.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video> ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867585726743031923)) > 4. Play-Doh (1956) > Started as a wallpaper cleaner company about to go bankrupt. > Then a teacher used it in her classroom as modeling clay. > That pivot to children's toys saved the company and created a cultural icon. <video controls><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585740835893249/pl/y7xaV2TU0dIP08kp.m3u8?tag=14&v=8b1" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585740835893249/vid/avc1/320x568/AvOc8NcwcY1F_yGU.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585740835893249/vid/avc1/480x852/up713LJP2-ogqOkE.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585740835893249/vid/avc1/720x1280/UV0ysGO5OFqMaxWx.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video> ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867585801338728650)) > 5. Tupperware (1946) > Earl Tupper created airtight containers from plastic waste. > But they didn't sell in stores - until a woman named Brownie Wise suggested home parties. > That sales innovation created the modern direct-selling industry. <video controls><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585814655643651/pl/Gx7L8roQSMtCjZrv.m3u8?tag=14&v=df2" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585814655643651/vid/avc1/480x270/acnHQIQ-0gya4oG8.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585814655643651/vid/avc1/640x360/9jGd7NmqR4rnUjV1.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867585814655643651/vid/avc1/1280x720/pIcUqNbMkzLCOY9Y.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video> ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586010466725987)) > 6. WD-40 (1953) > The name tells the story: It took 40 attempts to get the formula right. > Scientists created it to prevent Atlas rockets from rusting. > Now most people use it to stop squeaky hinges. > Over 70 years later, they still use the exact same formula. <video controls><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586023892692995/pl/pTsJkdPxuucpPq1W.m3u8?tag=14&v=ff9" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586023892692995/vid/avc1/480x270/TddZm5OrDdV4ZcX0.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586023892692995/vid/avc1/640x360/_OQgptgQX6KjFu41.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586023892692995/vid/avc1/1280x720/QHaRRrJOCSOzynTQ.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video> ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586206781124993)) > 7. Sriracha (1980) > David Tran fled Vietnam with nothing but a hot sauce recipe. > He never advertised. Never changed the recipe. Never raised prices. > The sauce grew purely through word of mouth into a global phenomenon. <video controls><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586220186120194/pl/RvV6lmdi9gLuCasP.m3u8?tag=14&v=84e" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586220186120194/vid/avc1/480x270/Ym1PYOPdFnVgVyt7.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586220186120194/vid/avc1/640x360/RYwNRQcvSw6uTA2g.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586220186120194/vid/avc1/1280x720/IBQXE_qwA6Xr6hnj.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video> ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586330882191563)) > 8. Red Bull (1987) > Found a Thai energy drink used by truckers to stay awake. > Modified it for Western tastes. > Spent 20 years perfecting ONE drink while others launched dozens of flavors. > ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ger_4vObsAEP6_F.png) ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586348942758270)) > 9. Duracell (1924) > Started making mercury batteries for military equipment. > For 100 years, they've had one mission: Make batteries that last longer. > That singular focus made them a household name. > ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ger_5ucbsAAcJwW.jpg) ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586365166432578)) > 10. Carmex (1937) > Alfred Woelbing made the first batch in his kitchen to treat cold sores. > The recipe was so perfect, they never changed it. > 87 years later, it's still made exactly the same way. <video controls><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586378638536706/pl/SXtNx9hBWJOuqilX.m3u8?tag=14&v=dfb" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586378638536706/vid/avc1/480x270/K_vtoPA_c6R5smVf.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586378638536706/vid/avc1/640x360/bxi4v5su0xrevCNP.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586378638536706/vid/avc1/1280x720/DKi3IUjdaSlbWLTj.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video> ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586614832300439)) > 11. White Claw (2016) > Saw an opportunity: Health-conscious drinkers wanted something lighter than beer. > Created hard seltzer when no one knew what it was. > Now every major beverage company is trying to copy them. <video controls><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586628237373441/pl/oP4OpIzOMgJ_bfam.m3u8?tag=14&v=e44" type="application/x-mpegURL"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586628237373441/vid/avc1/480x270/VZ653ciK1lCng4QF.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586628237373441/vid/avc1/640x360/ZHZdboH5nvtFxKCd.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4"><source src="https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1867586628237373441/vid/avc1/1280x720/jVvrrDXIww1JJlpj.mp4?tag=14" type="video/mp4">Your browser does not support the video tag.</video> ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586878519787691)) > Success isn't about doing everything. > It's about doing ONE thing better than anyone else. > You don't need a list of products or a suite of services to be successful. > You can do more with less. ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586891601899790)) > A bit about me: > I built 2 multimillion-dollar businesses without investment, selling my first for $60M after starting it in high school. > Now, I'm building a multi-million dollar gaming startup—and writing on X about how to do more with less. ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586903484379417)) > Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this: > 1. Follow me [nealtaparia](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia) to learn how to be a work-less, do-more entrepreneur > 2. Repost this thread if you found it helpful ([View Tweet](https://twitter.com/nealtaparia/status/1867586915295543465))