Jared Yellin, Founder of Project 10K, Launching 10,000 Tech Companies.
The iconic saying that many great businesses started on a napkin doesn’t come from out of thin air—it’s a real-life phenomenon that has its basis in truth. The success stories of those once ink-stained napkins range from restaurants to tech startups. A note, hastily scribbled in a cafe or restaurant by excited founders, serves as a lifeline for ambitious entrepreneurs in the making.
From the invention of Ethernet to companies like Southwest Airlines and product ideas from employees at Cisco and IBM, Facebook and more—some of the most successful businesses, products and technologies we know today started with ideas written on cocktail or dinner napkins.
As the founder of a company that helps launch tech companies, I’ve noticed napkins are even a powerful trend in the startup world. Today, many tech startups begin with entrepreneurs scribbling their business plans and funding pitches on a single napkin. Countless products, services and businesses have been born this way over the years.
Discovering The Genius Of The “Napkin Plan”
Every great business began with a spark, and sometimes that spark came in the form of a napkin. A napkin is small, personal and accessible. It serves as a low-cost concept board—a way to jot down notes and change ideas as needed. It is also a tangible reminder of the entrepreneurial spirit and ambition of the founder—something to take pride in.
Startup culture has enabled entrepreneurs to launch a business from the comfort of their own homes, armed with little more than a laptop and a napkin concept. Nevertheless, for those looking to take their business model to the next level, a napkin concept can be important as well. But why is it important?
Lessons For The Creative Process
No doubt, napkin scribbles have launched many great businesses and products into the world. Yet, with all the success that has come from such a simple act, many still overlook this powerful tool in the creative process. Here are some lessons we can take from the success of the napkin concept.
1. Capture your ideas in real time, and be creative. Starting on a napkin forces you to be creative in a simple and cost-effective way. I think it’s the perfect starting point for any would-be entrepreneur.
2. Writing your idea down is an essential first step in creating a blueprint for success. The act of writing your ideas on something that’s disposable gives you the freedom to explore ideas without feeling like you have to stick to them in the long run, which can make ideation more freeing.
3. Starting small is one of the best ways to stay organized and bring order to chaos. Starting on a napkin is a great way to develop your idea without going too deep. It’s an easy and stress-free way to explore your thoughts without having to commit financially or build infrastructure.
4. A tangible representation of a plan can help to motivate and easily imagine a greater reality. In working with entrepreneurs, I’ve found that having a graphical representation of the idea is often enough to spark self-belief and build up the determination to bring the vision to life.
5. Jotting down the key details of a business in a small space helps to establish the objectives. Looking back on the napkin offers entrepreneurs a refreshing reminder of just what they set out to achieve and how best to go about accomplishing it.
Sure, a napkin isn’t a great vessel for carrying out complex business plans. But beyond the facts and figures, it keeps more primal aspects of business alive—the passion, the hunger, the ambition. It’s a reminder that any big dream, no matter how absurd, starts from somewhere.
Going Beyond The Idea To The Next Big Venture
While napkin ideas may be the beginnings of great companies, they’re only the first step in a much longer journey.
It takes a lot more than just a sketch to build a successful enterprise. It takes hard work, passion, team and investment to turn an idea into a viable venture. I’ve noticed the most successful businesses are the ones that can take their initial idea and keep evolving to fit the changing times.
The key to making the most out of napkin ideas is to act on them. The sketch may be a great starting point, but it won’t do much good if it gathers dust in the back of a drawer.
Not every napkin business is going to turn into the next Facebook, and there’s no guarantee that whatever comes out of that initial sketch is going to be a success. But as long as the business owner is willing to put in the necessary work to turn an idea into something real, there’s no telling the heights they might reach.
We’ve all heard the saying, “From humble beginnings come great things,” and nothing quite says humble beginnings like a well-worn napkin. It transcends its utilitarian purpose and speaks to the romantic spirit of startups—that creative minds can think big, no matter how small the vessel.
Napkin sketches are proof that some of the world’s most successful companies began in the simplest of ways—all it takes is ambition, a little bit of courage—and a whole lot of execution. This should serve as a reminder to entrepreneurs everywhere to dream big, take risks, jot down their ideas and execute on their aspiration.
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