Some of America’s biggest companies became household names for products they weren’t originally created to sell. In many cases, their biggest success came only after changing direction completely.
1. Tiffany & Co. Began as a Stationery Store
When Charles Lewis Tiffany opened his first shop in New York City in 1837, it sold stationery, fancy goods, and small gift items. Jewelry was added later, eventually transforming the company into one of the world’s most recognizable luxury brands.
2. Wrigley Started by Giving Away Gum
William Wrigley Jr. originally sold baking powder. To encourage sales, he included sticks of chewing gum as a free promotional gift. Customers became more interested in the gum than the baking powder, prompting him to switch businesses entirely.
3. 3M Originally Tried to Mine Valuable Minerals
Founded in Minnesota in 1902, 3M hoped to profit from mining corundum, a mineral used in grinding wheels. The deposit turned out to be nearly worthless, forcing the company to reinvent itself through research and manufacturing.
4. Colgate Began by Making Soap and Candles
Long before toothpaste made the company famous, Colgate produced soap, starch, and candles in New York. Toothpaste became a much larger focus decades later as dental care became part of everyday life.
5. DuPont Started as a Gunpowder Manufacturer
When Éleuthère Irénée du Pont founded the company in 1802, it specialized in high-quality gunpowder. Over time, it expanded into chemistry and materials science, eventually developing products like nylon, Kevlar, and Teflon.
6. Avon Originally Sold Books Door to Door
Founder David McConnell traveled as a book salesman and offered small perfume samples to customers. The fragrance became more popular than the books, inspiring him to build what would become one of the world’s largest beauty companies.
7. Nintendo Once Made Playing Cards Before Becoming a Gaming Giant
Although best known for video games today, Nintendo spent decades producing traditional playing cards in Japan before expanding into toys and eventually electronic entertainment.
