Believing that starting a business follows the straight path outlined in a business plan is far from being a cure-all. Life and entrepreneurship are not smooth sailing or a journey without seasickness, to say the least. When launching a business or when it faces challenges, it’s good to look at those who have managed to overcome obstacles. Some navigate the hurdles of entrepreneurship seemingly effortlessly. Here are the 5 most interesting and impactful anecdotes:

1. Denis Payre and the Creation of Kiala Proof that the success of a business can hinge on small details, the creation of the now-famous company Kiala left its mark on its founder, Denis Payre. Eager to launch his project in France initially, Denis Payre faced numerous rejections and the impossibility of developing his business properly due to excessive taxation in France. He even considered abandoning his idea, fearing it was doomed to failure. The idea came to him to move to Belgium as a last resort to launch his parcel delivery business. There, success was immediate, and Kiala is now one of the leaders in the European market. An interesting anecdote that shows perseverance reigns supreme in the business world.
2. The Naming of “Atari” Well-known in the video game industry, the Japanese company “Atari” owes its name to a particular word: the Japanese word “ataru,” which means both “to hit the target” or “to receive something by chance.” The company’s founders, desiring to develop and sustain their project but aware of their need for luck to achieve this, decided to choose this name. The chosen name for a company can sometimes reveal things about the future to come.
3. James Dyson and Tenacity The story of the creation of Dyson is very chaotic. Indeed, its creator, James Dyson, faced numerous rejections when he tried to propose the products he had invented to industrialists. Nobody believed in his inventions; they all doubted their success. Eventually, James Dyson ended up creating his own company, using his own patents. The rest is history. Dyson is now one of the leading companies in the household appliance sector, thanks to innovative, reliable, and high-quality products.
4. Nintendo and its Original Business An anecdote that never fails to impress and surprise: the Japanese company Nintendo, well-known for its video games that have stood the test of time and generations, was initially a company that manufactured… playing cards. Founded in 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, the Japanese company initially built its reputation through this activity. Today, the company has evolved into a gaming giant, much to the chagrin of its competitors who have always specialized in this sector. It’s a sign that a company’s initial activity can quickly evolve for the better!
5. The Idea of Twitter It’s February 2006, 2:00 a.m., in a car bringing Noah Glass and Jack Dorsey back home. Somewhat tipsy, the two friends discuss a social media project that seems unfeasible to them. Then, the next day, after “recovering” from their night out, they reconnect and decide to put together the project they talked about the night before: Twitter is born. The perfect illustration that even if a business project seems unfeasible, you should never give up.