Sheds have been used for centuries as a place to store tools, food and equipment, but they have also been a breeding ground for some of the world’s most successful businesses. From Walt Disney to Dyson, many entrepreneurs have started their ventures in the humble shed. These businesses serve as a testament to the power of determination, creativity, and resourcefulness. Let’s explore some of the most successful businesses that began in sheds.
Walt Disney
The Walt Disney Company is a household name, but it all began in a small shed behind the family’s home in Missouri. In this shed, Walt Disney created his first animated cartoons and characters, such as Mickey Mouse. The shed may have been small, but it was the birthplace of an empire that has had a profound impact on popular culture worldwide.
Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson, the iconic motorcycle brand, started in a 10 x 15-foot shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. William Harley and Arthur Davidson built their first motorcycle prototype in this shed in 1903. From these humble beginnings, the company has grown to become a global leader in the motorcycle industry.
Apple
Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world, but it started in a shed in Steve Jobs’ parents’ backyard. Jobs and Steve Wozniak created the first Apple computer in this shed in 1976. Their innovation and vision for technology have transformed the way we live and work today.
Hewlett-Packard
Another tech giant that began in a shed is Hewlett-Packard (HP). William Hewlett and Dave Packard started their company in a shed in Palo Alto, California, in 1939. From this shed, they developed their first product, an audio oscillator. HP went on to become one of the largest technology companies in the world.
Mattel
Mattel, the toy company that brought us Barbie and Hot Wheels, began in a California garage that doubled as a workshop. Ruth and Elliot Handler started making picture frames in their garage, but they eventually transitioned to making dollhouse furniture and then toys. This small workshop was the starting point for a global brand that has brought joy to children for generations.
IKEA
The famous Swedish furniture company, IKEA, began in a shed on the late Ingvar Kamprad’s family farm in Sweden. Kamprad started the company in the 1940s, selling pens, wallets, and other small items. He eventually expanded to selling furniture and opened his first store in 1958. Today, IKEA is a global brand with stores in over 50 countries.
Dyson
Dyson is a leading brand in vacuum cleaners and other household appliances, but it all started in James Dyson’s garden shed in the UK. Dyson was frustrated with the performance of his vacuum cleaner and set out to create a better one. He spent years developing his first product, the Dual Cyclone, which revolutionised the vacuum cleaner industry.
Sheds have been a breeding ground for some of the world’s most successful businesses. From Walt Disney to Dyson, these entrepreneurs started with humble beginnings and went on to change the world. We like to think that these businesses owe their success to the shed – a place of peace and quiet, where creativity can be unleashed, and innovation and determination can thrive.
Have you had a seed of an idea trying to break its way out of your sub-conscious and into reality? You can’t do it with noise and interruptions – where did the Disneys, Harleys and Dysons of the world lock themselves away when they needed to concentrate? Their sheds. If you want to bring your dreams into the real world, come and talk to us about your first project – a shed. It could be the start of something much, much bigger.