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For sometime now, we’ve had a special project in the works. We wanted to give our listeners and readers a chance to hear a new Why Didn’t I Think of That?® feature every day, even if they’re away from the radio. And that’s exactly what we’ve done. Today marks the beginning phases of a plan [...]


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Hall of Fame Spotlight: Spray Paint

Nobody thought about putting paint in an aerosol can until Ed Seymour. In 1949, Seymour was looking for a novel way to demonstrate a new aluminum paint. His wife suggested putting it in an aerosol can, like ones recently introduced for insecticides. To his surprise, the sprayer — not the paint — became the star of his demonstration.


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Hall of Fame Spotlight: Dole Pineapple

While in Hawaii in the 1800′s, James Dole discovered a fruit most people had never seen or heard of before: The pineapple. He began importing the fruit to the mainland and introduced the country to this exotic, sweet treat. The pineapple became a national favorite, and the Dole Food Company became the largest supplier of fruits and vegetables in the world.


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TOMS Shoes

He started his first business in college. He sold his second business to Clear Channel. He came within four minutes of winning CBS’s the Amazing Race. He’s led an interesting life, but what Blake Mycoskie is best known for is starting TOMS Shoes, the company that has donated well over a million shoes to needy men, women, and children.


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Hall of Fame Spotlight: Gatorade

Today it’s as synonymous with sports as cheerleaders or sweatbands. But not too long ago, Gatorade was just a nameless concoction, cooked up to revitalize the University of Florida’s football team: the Gators. The Gators were losing. A lot. One reason for that was the hot Florida weather dehydrating the players. The “Gator-Aid” not only saved the team, but it has been hydrating and refreshing some of the world’s greatest athletes ever since.

Today’s Hall of Fame Spotlight: The Story of Gatorade.

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What they do:
Footless pantyhose and body slimming undergarments.

Inspiration:
Sara Blakely was getting ready for a party, put on some white pants, and didn’t have the shapely smooth lines she wanted. Rather than switch to black – she grabbed control top pantyhose and cut off the feet. She loved it, and knew others would too.

About the business:
Blakely called it SPANX She researched and wrote a patent for her footless pantyhose and with $5,000 in savings, she rode around begging mill owners to make her product. Only one said yes to her crazy idea, but it only takes one. By 2001, SPANX moved out of Blakely’s apartment and into a real office in Decatur, GA. By 2008, sales were an estimated $350 million.

Axioms:

Related Blog Stories:

TOMS Shoes - March 23, 2012

He started his first business in college. He sold his second business to Clear Channel. He came within four minutes of winning CBS’s the Amazing Race. He’s led an interesting life, but what Blake Mycoskie is best known for is starting TOMS Shoes, the company that has donated well over a million shoes to needy men, women, and children.

Snappy Socks - September 9, 2011

Here’s a mom-turned-entrepreneur who solved a common frustration that most of us just take for granted: Matching Socks.

Boogie Wipes - May 10, 2011

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Made to Order - April 5, 2011

Can you imagine ordering a book and having to wait while it was printed and bound? Of course not. But some small businesses across the country are starting to realize that having well-stocked inventories isn’t necessary for their business.

Premiere: Heritage Link Brands - February 15, 2011

Selena Cuffe recognized an injustice, and decided to do something that many of us forget is even an option: help people AND make money.