From Local to Global
From Local to Global: Stories of Building International Success
Introduction
The world is becoming more connected and interdependent, creating new opportunities and challenges for businesses that want to expand beyond their local markets. To succeed in the global arena, businesses need to adapt to different cultures, languages, and regulations, as well as leverage their unique strengths and values. In this blog post, we will share some of the inspiring stories of businesses that have gone from local to global, and achieved international success.
Lush of Cosmetics and Activism
Lush is a British cosmetics company that started as a small mail-order business in 1995, selling handmade, natural, and ethical products. The company grew rapidly, opening its first store in London in 1997, and expanding to other countries, such as Canada, Japan, and Australia. Today, Lush has over 900 stores in 49 countries, and employs over 20,000 people¹. Lush has maintained its core values of freshness, quality, and sustainability, as well as its commitment to social and environmental causes. The company supports various campaigns, such as animal rights, human rights, and environmental protection, and donates part of its profits to grassroots organizations². Lush has also been innovative in its marketing and customer engagement, using social media, online platforms, and interactive events to showcase its products and values.
Shopify of E-commerce and Entrepreneurship
Shopify is a Canadian e-commerce company that started as an online store for snowboarding equipment in 2004. The founders realized that there was a need for a simple and affordable platform for small businesses to sell their products online, and decided to create their own software. They launched Shopify in 2006, offering a user-friendly and customizable solution for online retail. Shopify grew steadily, attracting customers from various industries and regions. Today, Shopify powers over one million businesses in 175 countries, and has generated over $200 billion in sales³. Shopify has also diversified its offerings, providing tools and services for marketing, payments, shipping, analytics, and more. Shopify has also fostered a culture of entrepreneurship, supporting and empowering its merchants to succeed in the digital economy.
Nando’s of Chicken and Culture
Nando’s is a South African restaurant chain that started as a small eatery in Johannesburg in 1987, serving flame-grilled chicken with peri-peri sauce, a spicy condiment from Mozambique. The restaurant soon became popular, and expanded to other cities in South Africa. In 1992, Nando’s opened its first international outlet in Australia, and since then, it has spread to over 35 countries, including the UK, Canada, India, and Malaysia⁴. Nando’s has adapted to different markets, offering a variety of menu options, such as vegetarian, vegan, and halal dishes, as well as local specialties. Nando’s has also embraced its diverse and multicultural identity, celebrating its African roots, Portuguese influences, and global presence. The company has also been known for its humorous and provocative advertising, as well as its support for art, music, and social causes.
These are just some of the examples of the amazing and inspiring stories of businesses that have gone from local to global, and achieved international success. These businesses show us that with a clear vision, a strong brand, and a customer-centric approach, any business can thrive in the global market. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something new. If you want to read more about these and other business stories, you can check out the sources below.
Source:
(1) From Local To Global: Multicultural Businesses Bridging International
(2) The success stories of 2019 from across the world.
