When I think of a crocodile, these are some of the things that pops up:
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Crocodile Dentist
Image by courtesy of http://www.lelong.com.my |
Crocodile Dentist is a fun toy where players take turn to press down one tooth in turn till someone's finger get snapped by the menacing jaws of the crocodile.
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| Image by courtesy of BQ.sg |
Crocodile International has as its vision and goal "To be the leading Asian Fashion Lifestyle Brand."
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| Images by courtesy of www.lacoste.com |
According to Wikipedia, "Lacoste is a French clothing company, founded in 1933 by tennis player René Lacoste and André Gillier. It sells high-end clothing, footwear, perfume, leather goods, watches, eyewear, and most famously polo shirts."
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| Image by courtesy of www.crocs.com |
And, in more recent times, we have Crocs. Three friends-- Scott Seamans, Lyndon "Duke" Hanson and George Boedecker, Jr., went on a sailing trip. Scott had brought along some clogs which he had invented for his Canadian employer with cut-out holes on the sides and top, but had little success in selling them.
Despite its lack of appeal in the looks department, these clogs were useful in a wet environment -- anti-slippery, can float on water, could be worn like a shoe with an added strap, would not hold water unlike rubber boots and well aerated. One might say that these clogs took to water like ducks and were way better than existing boating shoes as the three friends found out.
Convinced that these shoes would be useful, they set up their own company to manufacture a foam clog design which was acquired from a Quebec company called Foam Creations. At a boat show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2002, they met with overwhelming success and it has rolled on ever since, challenges notwithstanding.
While the shape of the cutouts at the front of Crocs may look like the nostrils of a crocodile and those at the sides like the teeth of the reptile, the company's website explains that Crocs got its name from "Just like the crocodile, Crocs can be worn on land or in water."
What do you see in a crocodile? What do you see around you? The following two inspiring stories of entrepreneurs were covered by Entrepreneur Magazine, December 2016 edition:
Alyssa Ravasio saw a lack of campsites and solved the problem she had by starting Hipcamp.
Bric Simpson had a popcorn problem at the movies and came up with Kernel King.
Running a company takes more than inspiration and requires a lot of hard work and resources, and there is no guarantee of success unless you can keep solving the problems and challenges unfolding.
Nevertheless, inspiration gives the impetus to start. So, if you are considering a profitable venture, this is a takeaway from Alyssa on what Reddit and Hipmunk co-founder Steve Huffman had asked her to this effect:
1. Does your company solve a problem which you are facing?
2. Is this a problem that other people have?
3. Will people pay you to solve this problem for them?
Truly, inspiration is everywhere and anywhere. Also, verily, a common problem presents an opportunity for you to capitalise on.
