Levi Strauss, originally named Loeb, was born in Buttenheim, Bavaria in Germany on February 26, 1829. He had three older brothers and three older sisters. He spent his younger years in Germany, and when his father died in 1845 he, his mom and two of his sisters moved to New York to join Levi’s brothers. There his brothers Jonas and Louis had a business named J. Strauss Brother & Co., in which they sold dry goods. Loeb started learning the trade himself and adopted the name Levi. When he was 24 years old he left for San Francisco during the Gold Rush to strike it big. By the end of 1853 he became an American citizen and started his own business under his own name while serving as the west coast counterpart to his brothers business in New York. He sold clothing, underwear, and other goods to local stores sprouting up in California. By his mid-thirties he was already a very successful businessman and actively supported the Jewish community.
In 1872 Levi received a letter from Jacob Davis, a tailor from Nevada, one of Levi’s regular customers. Davis had an idea to improve pants for his customers but he needed a business partner to help make his idea a reality. He suggested they take out the patent together and share the idea and on March 20, 1873 that patent was granted to them. Blue jeans or “waist overalls” were created. By 1880 Levi had leased factory space, brought Jacob to California to oversee the manufacturing committee, and undertaken other business ventures as well. Levi’s famous 501 Jean rapidly became a best seller, like most products Levi Strauss & Co. sold.
During his career he was a member of the San Francisco Board of Trade in 1877 and director of the Nevada Bank. He even bought the Mission and Pacific Woolen Mills, and used the company’s fabric to line his pants and coats. A big contribution Levi made was contributor to the Pacific Hebrew Orphan Asylum and Home, the Eureka Benevolent Society and the Hebrew Board Relief. Also in 1897 Levi provided funds for 28 scholarships at Berkeley.
As the century approached he remained involved in the company but left it more so to his nephews. During the week of September 22 1902 he started to complain if illness and died in his sleep in the 26th.
I was inspired when I learned that Levi moved across the country to start a business himself and follow his dreams. With no family he left at a young age and successfully made it on his own. His success proves that you have to take a chance to truly get what you want. Hopefully if I take those kinds of risks, the payout will be amazing for me as well.

1. H: As a teenager Levi worked with his older brothers and learned the trade of running a dry goods business.
2. U: He moved out west to start a dry goods business and served as west coast representative of family’s New York firm.
3. N: Started importing/selling goods to local businesses; worked on other business ventures as well:
a. Bought a mission and pacific Woolen mills with 2 associates from William Ralston
4. T: Patented blue jeans with Jacob Davis on March 20, 1873.