Starting a business is a challenge, to say the least. At a time when the our economy isn't exactly booming and even big-name, established companies are hurting, it seems as if even the most savvy of creators are finding it hard to get their ideas off the ground.
But the truth is, many of today's most widely-recognized entrepeneurs have started small. And since everyone here at MamásLatinas would love to see Latina women (especially moms!) as the heads of the next Fortune 500 companies, we decided to round up 5 amazing success stories that are sure to leave you feeling newly inspired. Check them out below!
Spanx
Spanx creator Sara Blakely first came up with the idea for her company after she spent months unsuccessfully trying to find pantyhose that didn't have seamed toes, and that didn't roll up the leg when she cut them. Eventually she decided to take action, investing her life-savings of $5,000, moving to Atlanta, and researching and trying to create production deals with local manufacturers. In 2000, she launched the Spanx brand from her own home, undertaking all initial calls and marketing herself. Flash forward and the Spanx company/brand are now valued at more than $1 billion.
Apple
Steve Jobs formed Apple Computer in his parents' garage with then co-creator Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976. After recruiting more members to the company and several turbulent years, Jobs was fired in 1985. He was brought back in 1996 and named interim CEO. Under his leadership, sales grew significantly. Eventually, he dropped the "interim" and remained CEO of the company until his death in October 2011. Apple is now one of the most powerful brands in the world, with its worldwide annual revenue in 2012 totaling approximately $156 billion.
Mark Zuckerberg launched a little thing called Facebook from his Harvard dorm room on February 4, 2004. With the help of his roommate, he started to spread the site to other universities. While it continued to grow, Zuckerberg and some friends moved to California, using a small house as their office. Over the years, Facebook attracted more users, more investors, and underwent many versions. As of September 2012, Facebook has over 1 billion active users, more than half of whom use Facebook on cell phones. Its revenue in 2012 was a reported $5.1 billion.
Ben & Jerry's
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield decided to open a business after taking a course on ice cream making. After discovering that the only college town without an ice cream shop was Burlington, Vermont, they took $8,000 in savings and a $4,000 loan to lease an old gas station and purchased equipment, brainstorming one-of-a-kind flavors along the way. Now, they are one of the most internationally recognized ice cream brands in the world.
Zumba
The dance fitness program was created by Colombian dancer Alberto "Beto" Perez in the 1990s. Perez first came up with the concept in 1986 when he forgot his tape of aerobics music for a class he was teaching and had to improvise a class using traditional salsa and merengue music. After finding success in Colombia, the Zumba program spread to the U.S. and other countries and has now become a worldwide phenemenon in fitness, spurring gym classes, video games, and clothing lines.
