Simple Ideas. Humble Starts. $100M.

In our third edition we followed links to the stories of ordinary people who became billionaires from their ideas. In this edition we'll tap back a little on the potential expectations of what can be derived from just one idea to explore Link 3 - '10 ideas that made $100 million' .

If you're new to us it is recommended that you read issue 1:?One Idea is All it Takes

About:?Trevor Nel is an 'ideas-generating machine' and co-founder of?WISDOMS ?. You can connect with WISDOMS? and become: 1. a?PATRON ?and/or; 2. a?PLAYER ?, and/or; 3. a?PARTNER ?- follow each link for more info.

Link 3: 10 ideas that made $100 million -?(Please note: reference to these links are time-specific as at writing and links may and will change over time. The importance of the concept of consistently researching what it is that makes ideas ultimate wealth-generators does not change.)

1. Firefighters Chris & Robinson Sorenson opened Firehouse Subs sandwiches – a firehouse theme franchise – www.firehousesubs.com - with 514 franchise outlets raking in $284.9 million in total sales in 2011.
2. Mary Ellen Sheets built up her two sons’ idea of a trash & furniture hauling business into Two Men And A Truck - www.twomenandatruck.com - operating from 224 locations generating $220 million sales in 2011.
3. Bert and John Jacobs came up with a slogan on a t-shirt – Life Is Good – www.lifeisgood.com - merchandising $100 million in 2011.
4. A further reference to Sara Blakely of Spanx - www.spanx.com .
5. Geoff, Dave and Catherine Cook developed myYearbook in 2005 and sold it for $100 million in 2011. Rebranded to www.meetme.com .
6. Jennifer Telfer created Pillow Pets – www.pillowpets.com - stuffed animals that became plush pillows for kiddies – generating $300 million in sales in 2010.
7. Tom and Kate Chappell developed Tom’s of Maine - www.tomsofmaine.com - selling natural foods and personal care products. Colgate Palmolive bought 84% for $100 million in 2006.?
8. Jim Koch took his great-great-grandfather’s home-brew recipe and created the Boston Beer Company - www.bostonbeer.com - turning $513 million in 2011.
9. Joel Glickman created a plastic construction toy , from an idea with straws - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%27Nex , to become K’NEX, generating $100 million in 2012.?Sold to Basic Fun in 2018 - www.basicfun.com/knex
10. Jim McCann had the idea to add a new technology tweak of the time (an 800 phone number) to the phone number for his flower shop, and then added a .com to it to become 1-800-FLOWERS.COM - www.1800flowersinc.com - generating $689.8 million in total revenue in 2011.

The moral of these 10 stories on Link 3 : 10 ideas that made $100 million - is this:

Ideas come in all forms, shapes and sizes. Open your ideas up to every possibility of becoming reality.

Next week:?issue 4 - we'll delve into the concept of 'possibility-thinking'. How to view every event, occurrence, challenge, or problem, as an opportunity to develop and test new ideas.

Trevor Nel?is author of numerous publications & articles, including :

1. Another GREAT Day in Africa!
2. Confessions of a SERIAL Entrepreneur
3. Here's How To Be Well-Prepared For YOUR Cycles Of Success
4. Here's How YOU Can Make A Meaningful Difference In Other People's Lives
5. COMRADES Marathon: Metaphor For The Marathon Of Life
6. Riding the wild, wild River Of Life
7. Life Lessons Learnt as a Dusi Rat