From 0 to $187B: the 3-step Coca-Cola growth

Today you have a huge startup community, a ton of books, you can test 50 channels in a day and get data automatically.
But back in 1886, there was nothing.

Nevertheless, the Coca-Cola company managed to grow into a $187B giant starting from 0.

Here are the 3 key elements that made this happen:

1. Gathering a community.
In spring 1886 a pharmacist, John Pemberton, opened the doors to his small place called “The soda fountain”.
It was like a bar: you could come and talk with your friends, but instead of alcohol (that was forbidden) you were drinking soda.

2. Product/Market Fit, Testing.
Every night John was experimenting with new flavors of soda.
And in the morning he offered a new taste to his visitors asking for their feedback.
These experiments continued until one day the Coca-Cola flavor was offered.
After this, visitors started to come to “The soda fountain” with one intention – to drink Coca-Cola.

3. Growth Hacking.
Asa Griggs Candler, who bought out the formula of Coca-Cola, started to give away the first glass of Coca-Cola for free.
The concept was simple: You try it once for free, you’ll like it, and next time you’ll be willing to pay for it.
In 1895 alone they gave away 154,000 free glasses of Coca-Cola and their sales skyrocketed.