Entrepreneurs rise to the occasion in tough times.

There are so many inspiring stories out there, but today I’d like to share one you probably haven’t connected to the current crisis.

It’s the tale of a scrappy pandemic startup that literally “zoomed” to success.

And if you think it involves teleconferencing and virtual meetings – not this time!

Instead, it’s a much older company – and a much earlier pandemic. Specifically, the Spanish Flu of 1918.

It, too, was a worldwide disaster, causing millions of deaths.

But to save the day, there appeared an innovation no one had ever considered before as a way to reduce, even prevent, infection due to casual contact.

Paper Cups.

Here’s a story from Fast Company: In 1907, an attorney in Boston created a paper cup. It was revolutionary for the time, because back then we didn’t have the throw-away, disposable culture that dominates today. Lawrence Luellen had the noble goal of reducing the spread of disease – and he saw his paper cup as part of the solution.

Marketed initially as the “Health Kup,” the product didn’t exactly fly off shelves. So he created a free-standing dispenser for the cups, which he sold to businesses. It produced recurring revenue as they had to restock the cups.

But when the Spanish Flu hit, awareness of the dangers of infectious disease exploded. The public finally saw the value in being able to drink from a reliably safe, hygienic cup. In 1919, the name changed to the “Dixie Cup.” Sales exploded, and a venerable brand we now take for granted was born.

It just shows how even a simple idea can take off to become a massive success.

Here at Money & Clarity, we focus on the simple, tried-and-true methods to deliver a predictable, reliable retirement. Give us a call at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or book online, and we’ll set up a time to figure out ways to set you up for a safe, bright future.

Call today.

Regards,

Nikki Earley, CFP®