Soichiro Honda

Biography

Ran a piston-ring business that was rejected by Toyota at first and later damaged by bombing and an earthquake. After the war he fitted small engines to bicycles, founding Honda in 1948.

The lesson

Summary: rebuild after setbacks by solving the immediate need in front of you — cheap transport in post-war Japan.

How it helps you

Hard times create urgent needs. Simple solutions to them can start a company.

Practical steps

1. Write down a need people urgently have right now.
2. Combine things already available to meet it.
3. Sell a first small batch.
4. Improve quality with each batch.

Sources

• Britannica: Honda Soichiro