Wrigley
Famous for its chewing gums, Wrigley was started by William Wrigley Jr in 1909. Before then, he worked as a salesman for his father’s soap business. Wrigley Jr gave free umbrellas to whoever bought his soap, but the umbrellas faded in the rain, so he switched to giving free baking powder.
The baking powder proved more popular than the soap, so he dumped soap-selling to sell baking powder. He did not want to give free soap to whoever bought his baking powder, so he gave out chewing gums, which, like the baking powder, turned out more popular than the soap. Wrigley saw a business in selling chewing gum, and in 1909, he bought Zeno Manufacturing, the company that supplied him with the chewing gums and converted it into the Wm Wrigley Jr. Company.
This little bit of trivia was brought over from Listverse. I think it's a good way to show that the old saying about turning life's lemons into lemonade really proves true! Quite a swing from soap to chewing gum, isn't it?
Coffee out on the patio this morning. Cool front is due in later this evening, but that's OK.
9 comments:
I was making Cabbage Patch Clothes and at a craft show in an upscale mall in Birmingham. (I did shows all over the South.) At that mall I sold more CP clothes for animals than I did for dolls. So, I quit craft shows and doll clothes and started making dog clothes and craft shows. I drove a route and sold them directly. I made more money and was less tired. It was the best thing I ever did. Except for the fact I am terrified of dogs, it all worked out well. Somewhere, there is a parrot and a whole bunch of pot-bellied pigs sporting clothes I made, not to mention dogs and dolls.
Some people have an eye for business opportunity. I couldn't sell a life raft to a drowning man. :)
I'm with Sixbears. I couldn't sell girl scout cookies. My daughter , on the other hand.....
Selling soap led to owning Wrigley Field/The Chicago Cubs & Catalina Island...
Hey Linda...
I think that is so cool! Mom was a doll maker and she paid someone to hand make their clothes and hats. I still have a lot of her dolls here, but no one seems to want them anymore.
Thanks for stopping by this morning!
Hey Sixbears...
I know what you mean. Never was a salesman myself, but I've known those that were good at it!
Thanks for coming over today!
Hey Momlady...
That shows what I mean about knowing folks that could sell snow to eskimos. Me? Not so much...
Thanks for the visit this morning!
Hey Rob...
And all from very humble beginnings.
Thanks for visiting this morning!
In one year Mr. Wriggley sure made himself a nice nest.
I also did some selling from Ceramics, to hats n scarves, baby blankets and my photo's. It was fun and made some money.
Hey Jo...
Never know what the public is in the mood for, that's for sure!
Thanks, sweetie, for dropping by today!
When I was in school, our class took a trip to Pittsburgh and toured a chewing gum manufacturing business. I am not sure, but I believe that it was Teaberry gum. My memory has failed me some. I do remember all the machines, quite impressive.
Hey Dizzy...
Did ya get any free samples? Bet that was a noisy tour!
Thanks for coming over today!
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