Blue jeans: the classic clothing of the US Midwest and an internationally recognised fashion item. They are also a fantastic example of entrepreneurship and exactly how it can change the world.

Levi’s was first created when Jacob Davis, a tailor who purchased his bolts of hemp cloth from Levi Strauss & Co’s wholesale wearhouse, approached Strauss with the idea of using copper rivets to reinforce areas of high stress on men’s pants. The two purchased a patent for the idea and in 1890, the first pair of Levi’s 501 jeans was created. They would go on to become the world’s best selling item of clothing. Within 30 years, the company had grown exponentially. 15 salespeople had increased to over 22 000, two plants had become 50, and what had once existed only in California now had offices in 35 countries across the globe.

Levi’s is a picture perfect example of entrepreneurial success by any definition of the word. They introduced a new, innovative product, and expanded into new markets by making a pair of jeans a staple item for any closet – male, female, or child. It should come as no surprise that the amount of wealth created by the sale of blue jeans is incredibly substantial, and as discussed above, the company grew to a multibillion dollar company extremely rapidly. Finally, the Levi Strauss & Co. took a large risk in deciding to move from the wholesale wearhouse business to a jean making focus.

Although blue jeans may not be the attire of choice for the business world, they  certainly are an example of a true business success.