Business By Hormozi #139: Pockets Are Great

Years ago, there was a young tailor named Tom who had a simple yet revolutionary idea. One warm summer afternoon, as he watched people stroll through town wearing their usual shorts, he realized something was missing: pockets. Shorts, with their light fabric and free-spirited style, lacked the practical feature of pockets, leaving people nowhere to put their hands or personal items.

Tom, always the problem-solver, decided to do something about it. He grabbed a pair of shorts, carefully cut a hole on the sides, and added a small, discreet bag on the inside—just large enough for keys, a wallet, or even a phone. It was genius in its simplicity. The pocket was born, and people quickly noticed.

The Short-Lived Glory

At first, Tom was the talk of the town. Everyone admired his creativity, and sales of his new design skyrocketed. People who had previously struggled with the inconvenience of no pockets in their shorts now had a solution. For a season, Tom was the bees knees, a term used to describe someone who was at the top of their game.

But as with most groundbreaking ideas, the novelty didn’t last long. It didn’t take long before every other tailor caught on to Tom’s innovation and began copying his design. What was once a unique and celebrated feature became standard across the industry. Tom, frustrated by the lack of credit for his creation, felt a little disheartened. The glory was fleeting, and soon his once-revolutionary shorts were just another pair of standard wear.

The Inevitable Copycat Culture

Tom’s reaction to being copied was not unusual. Many innovators face the harsh reality that once an idea gains traction, it becomes widely accepted and no longer holds the same “wow” factor. He probably felt a bit "butt hurt," as the saying goes, that others had taken his idea and run with it.

But what Tom didn’t realize at the time was that pockets became great because of his willingness to create something new. Even though others copied him, the pocket became a staple in every pair of shorts. Today, no one would think twice about wearing shorts without them. His simple idea has stood the test of time and is now a symbol of practical innovation.

The Lesson in Innovation

While Tom might have been disappointed by the copycats, there’s an important lesson to be learned here: innovation doesn’t always lead to long-term glory, but it always leads to progress. The world moves on, and new ideas quickly become the norm. Tom’s contribution to the world of fashion, though it wasn’t recognized as he hoped, has made life easier for millions of people. His small tweak to an everyday item had a lasting impact.

Conclusion

So, next time you put on a pair of shorts, remember the humble origin of that little pocket that holds your keys or phone. Pockets are great, and they exist because someone was brave enough to see a need and make a change. Even if your innovation doesn’t get the credit it deserves, you’re still contributing to progress—and that’s something worth celebrating.