How These 10 Household Brands Reached Their First Million Dollars in Sales

Reaching a million dollars in sales is a defining moment for any business. It’s more than revenue—it’s proof that an idea resonates, that customers are willing to buy, and that a company has found its place in the market.

The businesses featured below intelligently forged their own growth paths. First to one million dollars in sales. And then far beyond that. They come from industries as diverse as beverages, technology, real estate, hospitality, and activewear. Each one wrote its own story, combining bold strategies, innovative business plans, and persistence to turn a vision into a thriving business.

Looking at how they did it provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs navigating their own growth. These stories reveal strategies that helped companies break into competitive markets, connect with customers, and build momentum.

Breaking into Competitive Markets

Standing out in a crowded market requires strong branding, sharp positioning, and a clear message. These companies built loyal audiences by doing things differently.

Liquid Death

Liquid Death didn’t look or act like a water brand. And that was the point. When Mike Cessario launched Liquid Death as a corporation in 2019, he wasn’t trying to blend in with the wellness-focused bottled water industry. He took inspiration from energy drink branding and heavy metal aesthetics, creating a product that looked rebellious but was, at its core, just canned mountain water.

The marketing didn’t hold back. With the slogan "Murder Your Thirst," horror-themed ad campaigns, and a sarcastic, punk-rock attitude, Liquid Death built an audience before the product even hit shelves. A viral ad mocking traditional bottled water brands quickly racked up three million views (now over five million), proving that people weren’t just thirsty for hydration—they were thirsty for a brand with a point of view.

Direct-to-consumer sales fueled the brand’s early success, with placement in bars, tattoo parlors, and music venues in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. This strategy drew a loyal following of straight-edge fans, heavy metal enthusiasts, and sustainability-minded buyers. Investors took notice. Liquid Death secured $1.6 million in seed funding in 2019, followed by a $9 million Series A in 2020.

Retail partnerships took growth to the next level. In 2020, Liquid Death became the fastest-selling water brand in Whole Foods. That same year, it landed in 7-Eleven stores across Los Angeles and San Diego. A deal with Live Nation gave it exclusive distribution at major music festivals. By 2021, the brand expanded into Publix and Sprouts, reaching a wider audience while staying true to its alternative branding.

Investors kept pouring in. A $75 million Series C round in 2022 pushed Liquid Death’s valuation to $525 million. Revenue jumped from $45 million in 2021 to $130 million in 2022. By 2024, the company had raised another $67 million, reached a $1.4 billion valuation, and reported $263 million in retail sales.

Liquid Death built more than a beverage—it built a movement. Aluminum cans over plastic bottles reinforced its sustainability message. Collaborations with musicians, extreme sports athletes, and tattoo artists cemented its cultural presence.

Cessario wasn’t chasing a gimmick. He knew his audience, refined the brand until every detail clicked, and stayed relentlessly focused. “A lot of people think you just get these genius ideas when you’re in the shower one day,” he told Forbes. “I’m like, ‘No. It was this piece of wood that I chopped away at for a year or two until I finally figured out what it should be.’”

“A lot of people think you just get these genius ideas when you’re in the shower one day. I’m like, no. It was this piece of wood that I chopped away at for a year or two until I finally figured out what it should be.”

Liquid Death did more than sell water. It created a brand that people wanted to be a part of.

Betterment

Investing used to be complicated. High fees, opaque processes, and the perception that financial planning was only for the wealthy kept many people from actively managing their money. Jon Stein saw an opportunity to change that.

In 2008, as the financial crisis shook investor confidence, Stein, a former consultant with a background in economics and computer science, envisioned a simpler, technology-driven way to invest. He launched Betterment in 2010 with a radical promise—no stock-picking, no excessive fees, just smart, diversified investing tailored to a user’s goals.

Betterment became the market’s first financial robo-advisor.

Instead of competing directly with traditional financial advisors, Betterment positioned itself as an easy-to-use alternative: a platform that automated investing, optimized portfolios, and eliminated high-cost financial middlemen. Unlike traditional brokerage firms, which made investing feel intimidating and exclusive, Betterment removed the complexity and lowered the cost, making it accessible to anyone. The company’s “set it and forget it” model resonated with investors who wanted financial security without the stress or responsibility of trading portfolio positions themselves.

Growth came quickly. Early adopters included tech-savvy professionals and younger investors looking for a low-cost, hands-off approach to growing their money. Word-of-mouth and strong digital marketing fueled rapid expansion, and by 2012, Betterment had surpassed $50 million in assets under management (AUM).

Word-of-mouth and strong digital marketing fueled rapid expansion, and by 2012, Betterment had surpassed $50 million in assets under management (AUM).

The company’s real breakthrough came with its focus on behavioral finance—helping users make better financial decisions through automation and psychology-driven nudges. Features like tax-loss harvesting, automatic rebalancing, and goal-based investing made it easy for users to optimize their wealth without constant micromanagement.

By 2015, Betterment had crossed $3 billion in AUM, solidifying its place as the leading independent robo-advisor. Investors took notice, and rounds of funding helped scale operations and expand the company’s product offerings. Betterment for Business, a 401(k) solution, and Betterment for Advisors, a platform for financial professionals, expanded its market beyond retail investors. Meanwhile, a strong emphasis on customer trust—paired with easy onboarding and intuitive design—kept Betterment ahead of competitors.

As the fintech space exploded, traditional financial institutions scrambled to catch up. Major players like Vanguard and Schwab launched their own robo-advisors, but Betterment had the advantage of being a tech-first company, with agility and innovation baked into its DNA. While competitors relied on their brand recognition, Betterment continued refining its platform, adding features like high-yield cash management accounts, socially responsible investing options, and personalized financial planning services.

By 2021, Betterment managed over $29 billion in assets and had grown to serve hundreds of thousands of customers. Stein stepped down as CEO in 2020, passing the reins to Sarah Levy, but the company’s mission remained the same: making smart investing accessible to everyone.

Betterment isn’t just a robo-advisor—it’s a financial revolution. By using technology to eliminate barriers to investing, the company helps millions of people take control of their financial futures.

Where traditional firms rely on high fees and exclusivity, Betterment thrives by doing the opposite: lowering costs, simplifying choices, and putting financial growth on autopilot. The company proved that you don’t need Wall Street connections to build wealth—you just need the right tools.

Health and Wellness Boom

Consumers are making more intentional choices about the products they buy, prioritizing brands that align with their lifestyles and values. These companies built trust by addressing specific needs, rethinking their industries, and offering products that customers believed in.

Vuori

Joe Kudla didn’t set out to launch an activewear brand. He was an athlete recovering from back injuries who turned to yoga for relief. In every class, he noticed the same thing—men weren’t wearing traditional gym apparel. Instead, they opted for board shorts and surf-inspired clothing.

The big brands weren’t making workout gear that fit their style, so Kudla saw an opening. Vuori launched in 2015 as a corporation, focusing on versatile activewear designed to move seamlessly between fitness and everyday life.

Rather than compete directly with giants like Nike and Lululemon, Vuori leaned into a lifestyle approach. The brand’s first product—a premium men’s training short—reflected what Kudla saw in his own fitness community: guys who wanted performance without sacrificing aesthetics.

With $2 million in seed funding from friends and family, Vuori started as a direct-to-consumer brand, using digital marketing and community engagement to build momentum. But the real breakthrough came through wholesale partnerships. Retailers like REI and Nordstrom introduced Vuori to outdoor and activewear enthusiasts nationwide, giving the brand credibility in a competitive market.

But the real breakthrough came through wholesale partnerships. Retailers like REI and Nordstrom introduced Vuori to outdoor and activewear enthusiasts nationwide, giving the brand credibility in a competitive market.

Demand grew quickly, pushing Vuori to scale its online presence. Digital advertising, influencer partnerships, and a focus on high-quality materials positioned the brand as a go-to for premium performance wear. In 2018, Vuori expanded into women’s apparel, broadening its audience while maintaining its focus on understated, everyday functionality.

Retail stores became the next step. Vuori opened locations in high-traffic areas that matched its brand ethos, allowing customers to experience the products firsthand. By 2023, the company had more than 30 stores, including flagships in SoHo, London, and key West Coast markets, with plans to double that number by 2025.

The rapid success caught investors’ attention. Strong direct-to-consumer sales and careful retail expansion positioned Vuori as a high-growth brand. In 2021, SoftBank invested $400 million, valuing the company at $4 billion—one of the largest funding rounds in apparel history.

Kudla remained focused on long-term sustainability, balancing profitability with growth and maintaining a strong brand identity. Vuori built more than an activewear line—it created a lifestyle inspired by movement, adventure, and balance. The brand name, meaning “mountain” in Finnish, reflects that mindset: pushing limits, embracing challenges, and striving for better.

Olipop

Ben Goodwin and David Lester didn’t want to create another health drink. They wanted to change soda.

Olipop launched in 2018 as a corporation with a simple goal: deliver the nostalgic flavors of classic sodas while supporting gut health with prebiotics and botanicals.

Goodwin, a self-taught beverage scientist, saw an opportunity to turn soda into something better. Instead of targeting niche health-conscious shoppers, Olipop focused on converting mainstream consumers. The brand leaned into familiar flavors and retro-inspired branding, removing the stigma of health drinks and making the switch feel effortless.

Goodwin explains that Olipop’s banana cream flavor, for instance, came to be “as I was laying in bed one night and asked myself, ‘What’s the weirdest, hardest flavor I could pull off?’”

Its first three flavors—Ginger Lemon, Strawberry Vanilla, and Cinnamon Cola—hit 40 grocery stores across Northern California. The approach worked. Olipop didn’t sit in the health-food aisle. It sat next to traditional sodas, making it easier for shoppers to choose a better option. Within a year, the company crossed $850,000 in revenue, proving that soda lovers were open to change.

Landing deals with Target and Walmart in 2020 put Olipop in front of millions. As interest in gut health grew—fueled by viral TikTok trends like #GutTok—Olipop saw demand explode. Sales skyrocketed, and the brand quickly became one of the fastest-growing beverages in the country.

Investors followed. A $39.7 million Series B round in 2022 brought in celebrity backers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Mindy Kaling, and the Jonas Brothers. By 2023, Olipop was generating $20 million per month and was stocked in over 23,000 stores, with plans to expand to 30,000 by year’s end. That same year, it did what seemed impossible—it overtook A&W as the best-selling root beer in the U.S., proving that even the most nostalgic soda drinkers were willing to make the switch.

Olipop scaled without burning through cash, balancing growth with profitability. The strategy was all about delivering a product that held up against the competition. Each can contained just 2-5 grams of sugar and 9 grams of fiber, reshaping the way consumers thought about soda.

Olipop scaled without burning cash, balancing growth with profitability. The strategy was all about delivering a product that held up against the competition.

Goodwin knew from the start that the challenge wasn’t convincing people to drink something healthier—it was giving them something that tasted so good they wouldn’t have to think about it. Olipop didn’t ask people to give up soda. It gave them a reason to choose better.

Casper

Casper didn’t reinvent mattresses. It reinvented how people bought them.

For decades, the mattress industry has been the same: showrooms, confusing pricing, and high-pressure sales tactics. Philip Krim, Neil Parikh, T. Luke Sherwin, Jeff Chapin, and Gabriel Flateman saw an opportunity to change that.

They launched Casper in 2014 as an LLC, selling a single, high-quality mattress online, shipped in a box, with a risk-free trial. They made mattress buying easy.

“We were all excited to go after something that was super unsexy,” states Casper’s Chief Strategy Officer Neil Parikh. “That’s what partially created such big growth in the beginning is that we picked something no one else our age wanted to go work on.”

Without outside funding, the team maxed out their credit cards, racking up $50,000 to $100,000 in debt to get the business off the ground. The gamble paid off. On launch day in April 2014, they sold out—40 mattresses gone in 24 hours. They had projected $1.8 million in sales for the first year. Instead, they hit that number in two months.

Casper removed the friction from mattress shopping. No pushy salespeople. No hidden fees. No hassle. Instead, customers got an easy-to-navigate website, free shipping, and 100 nights to decide if they liked the mattress. The model resonated immediately.

Social media amplified the buzz. Influencers and YouTubers turned unboxing a mattress into a viral moment. While Kylie Jenner’s Instagram post brought attention, Casper’s rapid growth came from smart digital marketing and a clear message: buying a mattress didn’t have to be complicated.

Social media amplified the buzz. Influencers and YouTubers turned unboxing a mattress into a viral moment.

The industry noticed. Casper’s success forced traditional mattress brands to rethink their models. Customers had proved they were willing to buy mattresses online, paving the way for new competitors like Leesa, Purple, and even Walmart’s Allswell brand.

Investors lined up. By 2017, Casper had raised $240 million from names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, and Target. Target later invested another $75 million and started stocking Casper products in stores.

Casper didn’t stop at mattresses. It expanded into pillows, sheets, and bedside lights, positioning itself as a brand built around sleep. By 2019, revenue hit $400 million, and the company had reshaped a billion-dollar industry.

Casper proved that even something as ordinary as a mattress could become a cultural phenomenon with the right mix of product, branding, and marketing.

Disrupting Traditional Industries with Technology

Technology has reshaped industries in ways few could have predicted. These companies introduced new ways of doing business, changed consumer expectations, and expanded into markets that barely existed a decade ago.

Notion

Notion launched in 2016 as a corporation with a vision to change how people organize and manage information. Founder Ivan Zhao wanted to create a flexible digital workspace that let users structure content as freely as working on a blank sheet of paper.

In the early days, investors hesitated. The product was too abstract for mass adoption, and the company struggled to gain traction. By 2015, Notion was running out of money. To stay afloat, Zhao and co-founder Simon Last laid off their employees, sublet their San Francisco office, and relocated to Kyoto, Japan, to cut costs.

A $150,000 loan from Zhao’s mother provided enough funding to rebuild.

This gamble led to Notion 1.0, a streamlined tool that combined note-taking, wikis, and task management. When it launched on Product Hunt in 2016, it became the platform’s most popular product of the month. Within weeks, Notion was turning a profit.

Word-of-mouth drove its rapid adoption. Students used it for class notes, startups structured their workflows around it, and “How I use Notion” YouTube tutorials fueled its viral growth.

By 2019, Notion had a million users and a deeply loyal community. Unlike other productivity tools, it didn’t force users into rigid templates. People could mold it to fit their needs, whether for personal organization, creative projects, or business collaboration.

Word-of-mouth drove its rapid adoption. Students used it for class notes, startups structured their workflows around it, and YouTube tutorials fueled its viral growth. By 2019, Notion had a million users and a deeply loyal community.

The company’s profitability gave Zhao control over its future. He remained cautious about taking outside funding, waiting until 2020 to raise $50 million at a $2 billion valuation—without giving up a single board seat. In 2021, Notion secured a $275 million investment from Sequoia and Coatue, pushing its valuation to $10 billion and cementing its place among the most influential startups in productivity software.

In 2023, Notion integrated AI-powered tools that allowed users to retrieve information, automate workflows, and summarize key insights. The move strengthened its position as more than a note-taking app—it became a dynamic workspace that adapts to how people think and work.

With over 100 million users, Notion continues to expand its AI features and enterprise offerings, keeping its competitive edge in the productivity space.

Uber

Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick weren’t looking to start a business. They were in Paris in 2008, struggling to find a cab after a tech conference. Frustration led to a question: What if you could summon a ride with a tap?

That idea became UberCab, a black car service that launched in San Francisco in 2010 as an LLC. A year later, the company rebranded as Uber and shifted toward a much bigger vision—an on-demand ride network that anyone with a car could join.

“Limos, from the beginning of time,” states Kalanick, “they know who they're picking up, they usually have a credit card on file, they know where the pickup location is, and so there's essentially a pre-arrangement of sorts, and, of course, the limo customer knows the driver, knows the company, knows the rates. All we've done is make it more accessible.”

The taxi industry ran on medallions, fixed fares, and phone dispatchers. Uber built something entirely different. It used real-time GPS, automated pricing, and an army of freelance drivers, bypassing the cost structures and bureaucracy that had kept the industry stagnant.

Growth came fast. Uber expanded from San Francisco to New York, London, Paris, Beijing, Mexico City, and Sydney. By 2015, it was the most valuable startup in the world, with a $51 billion valuation.

Growth came fast. Uber expanded from San Francisco to New York, London, Paris, Beijing, Mexico City, and Sydney. By 2015, it was the most valuable startup in the world, with a $51 billion valuation.

The company’s rise wasn’t without resistance. Taxi drivers protested. Governments pushed back. Lawsuits piled up. Uber operated in legal gray areas, often launching first and fighting regulations later. The internal culture had its own challenges—allegations of harassment, worker exploitation, and toxic leadership led to Kalanick’s ousting as CEO in 2017. Dara Khosrowshahi stepped in to stabilize the company, while Uber expanded into new markets, adding Uber Eats, Uber Freight, and autonomous vehicle research.

In 2019, Uber went public with an $82.4 billion IPO, one of the largest in tech history. As of 2024, it operates in over 10,000 cities, completed 9.4 billion trips in 2023, and pulled in $37 billion in revenue.

A decade earlier, the idea of strangers paying to ride in each other’s cars seemed ridiculous. Today, Uber has reshaped urban mobility and redefined how people think about transportation.

Braintree

Bryan Johnson wasn’t looking to launch a fintech company. He was a top-selling credit card processor, knocking on doors and breaking sales records. But the industry felt outdated—clunky systems, high fees, and slow adoption of digital payments. Businesses needed a better option.

In 2007, Johnson started Braintree as an LLC, aiming to build a payment gateway that would simplify and scale business transactions. He pitched the idea to former clients in Utah. Nine out of ten signed on, giving him enough revenue to hire part-time staff and start building the infrastructure.

A breakthrough deal came in 2009 when OpenTable signed on, generating $1.2 million in revenue. That contract gave Braintree credibility, and soon, high-growth startups looking for seamless payment solutions came knocking. Hotel Tonight, Shopify, Airbnb, and Uber all integrated Braintree, fueling a 4,156% growth spike in a single year.

Investors took notice. In 2011, Accel Partners led a $34 million investment round. That backing allowed Braintree to acquire Venmo for $26.2 million, adding peer-to-peer payments to its platform. By 2013, Braintree was processing $12 billion in payments annually, with $4 billion coming from mobile transactions alone.

In 2011, Accel Partners led a $34 million investment round. That backing allowed Braintree to acquire Venmo for $26.2 million, adding peer-to-peer payments to its platform.

Two weeks after announcing that milestone, PayPal acquired Braintree for $800 million. The deal expanded PayPal’s mobile presence while giving Braintree the scale to power transactions for some of the biggest brands in the world.

Today, Braintree operates in 45+ countries, supports 130 currencies, and processes billions in transactions each year. Johnson started with a frustration. That frustration turned into a company that helped redefine how businesses handle payments.

Leveraging the Sharing and Crowdfunding Economies

Technology has made it easier than ever for people to share resources and invest in opportunities. These companies turned accessibility into a competitive edge, reshaping industries along the way.

Airbnb

Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia couldn’t afford rent. That was the entire business model.

In 2008, the two roommates needed to cover the costs of their San Francisco apartment, so they rented their space to conference attendees. The setup was simple: three air mattresses and breakfast. Demand took off, and along with former roommate Nathan Blecharczyk, they built a platform that made it easy for others to do the same.

The team struggled in the early days. To keep the business alive, they pulled off an unusual stunt—selling limited-edition election-themed cereal (“Obama O’s” and “Cap’n McCain’s”) at $40 a box, raising $30,000 to stay afloat. Their side hustle idea worked, and soon after, Airbnb joined Y Combinator’s 2009 winter class, securing $20,000 in funding. The company rebranded from Airbed & Breakfast to Airbnb and raised $600,000 in seed funding from Sequoia Capital.

Growth came through smart strategies. In 2010, Airbnb leveraged Craigslist’s massive user base, allowing hosts to cross-post listings and attract more guests. The move supercharged supply-side growth and helped Airbnb scale rapidly.

A turning point came in 2012 when Airbnb introduced professional photography for hosts. Listings with high-quality images saw 2.5x more bookings. The program started as a low-tech experiment—founders rented a $5,000 camera and took photos themselves—but soon expanded globally with over 2,000 professional photographers.

A turning point came in 2012 when Airbnb introduced professional photography for hosts. Listings with high-quality images saw 2.5x more bookings.

By 2014, Airbnb had 10 million guests and 550,000 listings, surpassing Hilton Hotels in total nights booked. Investors flooded in, and a $500 million Series D round pushed the company’s valuation past $10 billion.

The company’s expansion wasn’t without hurdles. Many cities introduced short-term rental regulations, forcing Airbnb to adjust. New policies included host verification, tax agreements, and compliance measures to work with local governments. These challenges shaped Airbnb’s policies and influenced its global strategy.

By 2020, Airbnb had gone public with a $100 billion IPO, one of the largest in travel history.

Today, Airbnb is more than a booking platform. It’s a global hospitality network. From boutique rentals to luxury villas and curated travel experiences, the company has changed how people think about accommodations.

Fundrise

Fundrise launched in 2010 as an LLC with a mission to break down the barriers of real estate investing. Brothers Ben and Dan Miller saw a market dominated by institutional players, leaving everyday investors locked out. Their solution? A tech-driven platform that allowed individuals to invest in high-quality real estate with as little as a few hundred dollars—something unheard of at the time.

The company’s first big move came in 2012 with a bold experiment: the first-ever online real estate investment offering under Regulation A of the Securities Act. The project, a retail space at 1351 H Street NE in Washington, D.C., later transformed into the now-popular Maketto. This was so much more than a milestone for Fundrise—it was the birth of online real estate investing. The concept caught on quickly, proving that people wanted a way to invest in real estate without the usual complexity and high capital requirements.

This was so much more than a milestone for Fundrise—it was the birth of online real estate investing. The concept caught on quickly, proving that people wanted a way to invest in real estate without the usual complexity and high capital requirements.

By 2015, Fundrise was ready to scale beyond single-property investments. The launch of the first-ever eREIT (electronic Real Estate Investment Trust) gave investors an easy way to buy into a diversified portfolio of properties in one transaction. Unlike traditional REITs, Fundrise’s eREITs weren’t tied to stock market volatility, making them an appealing alternative for long-term wealth building. The low-cost, tech-driven approach attracted a flood of new investors, accelerating the company’s growth and helping it surpass its first million in revenue.

Innovation didn’t stop there. In 2019, Fundrise launched a mobile app, making real estate investing as simple as checking a stock portfolio. The move reinforced Fundrise’s goal of bringing private market investing into the modern era—allowing users to track investments, reinvest dividends, and monitor performance, all from their phones. By 2021, the company had further expanded its offerings with the launch of the Flagship Fund, providing broader diversification and more liquidity. That same year, Fundrise lowered its minimum investment to just $10, opening real estate investing to an even larger audience.

As its investor base grew, so did its ambitions. In 2022, Fundrise launched the Innovation Fund, expanding beyond real estate to offer access to high-growth tech investments, another asset class traditionally restricted to elite investors. The move positioned Fundrise as a real estate platform and a next-generation financial institution reshaping private market investing.

Over a decade after its launch, Fundrise has facilitated over $7 billion in real estate transactions, built a loyal investor base of nearly 2 million users, and consistently outperformed public markets. Its success was all about breaking barriers, democratizing investment opportunities, and rethinking how wealth is built. Entrepreneurs looking to disrupt their own industries can take a lesson from Fundrise’s playbook: challenge outdated models, make high-value markets more accessible, and build trust through transparency.

Lessons from the First Million: Tips for Entrepreneurs

Each of these businesses reached their first million in revenue (and then drove growth far beyond this) through clear strategies and deliberate execution. These key practices contributed to their success and will help guide your own growth journey.

1. Understand Your Audience

Olipop appealed to soda drinkers looking for a healthier alternative. Notion attracted productivity seekers who wanted a flexible workspace. Vuori built a community of active individuals who valued both performance and style. Knowing your audience’s habits, needs, and preferences helps shape a product that resonates and builds loyalty. The deeper you understand your audience, the easier everything else about your business will become.

2. Create a Brand That Stands Out

Liquid Death did more than sell water—it built a rebellious brand that challenged industry norms. People at first laughed at the idea of Airbnb, but the brand went against the grain anyway and trailblazed a new sector of the travel services industry. In the process, Airbnb turned short-term rentals into a global movement with its focus on community-driven travel. A unique, strong brand identity helps you to cut through all the noise and differentiate your business in crowded markets.

3. Adapt to Changing Markets

Uber reshaped urban transportation by introducing an entirely new model for ride-sharing. Fundrise made real estate investing accessible to everyday investors. Braintree simplified online transactions for businesses of all sizes. Casper made online mattress buying easy and reliable. Adapting to market demands and finding ways to democratize services that fulfill unmet needs can fuel long-term success.

4. Leverage Strategic Partnerships

Vuori expanded beyond direct-to-consumer sales through partnerships with REI and Nordstrom. Airbnb grew its listings by tapping into Craigslist’s audience. Braintree accelerated its adoption by integrating with major platforms like Shopify and Uber. The right partnerships increase visibility, add credibility, and help businesses scale faster.

5. Engage and Learn From Customers

Airbnb built trust through host and guest reviews. Notion relied on its user community to spread the word. Olipop grew by listening to customer feedback and launching flavors that resonated. Engaging with your customers, responding to their needs, and refining your offerings based on real-world usage can strengthen loyalty and drive organic growth.

6. Secure the Right Funding at the Right Time

Airbnb and Fundrise started without any money. Vuori bootstrapped for as long as possible. Casper’s founding team maxed out their credit cards—later, their early success led to investment from celebrities and major retailers, fueling its rapid expansion. Uber used venture capital to scale globally. Thoughtful financial planning—whether through bootstrapping or LLC funding—can provide the resources needed for sustainable growth.

Charting Your Path to Success

Reaching the first million in revenue is a milestone that marks real traction. These companies went from zero to seven and eight figures and beyond because they focused on innovation, strong branding, and customer relationships. Each one took calculated risks, adapted to market needs, and built a foundation for sustainable growth.

Success starts with the right foundation. The business structure you choose—whether an LLC, corporation, or another entity—impacts everything from taxes to liability protection. The right setup gives you the flexibility to scale and attract investors while safeguarding your personal assets.

In addition, be sure to document your business plan so that you have a clear vision of the market, your audience, and the keys to making sales. To that end, use our step-by-step business plan template to chart your roadmap for success.

LLC Attorney is here to help you build your business foundation. From business formation to ongoing compliance,we provide the tools and support to set your company up for long-term success. If you have questions, ask our Business Success Advisors. If you are seeking legal advice, book time with an attorney.

Start your dream business today and take the first step toward your first million—and beyond.