When Fred DeLuca borrowed $1,000 from a family friend in 1965, he wasn’t dreaming of building a global fast-food empire. He just wanted to pay for medical school. That small loan became the seed money for a sandwich shop that would eventually morph into Subway, one of the largest fast-food chains in the world.

Here’s the punchline: Fred never went to medical school. He swapped scalpels for sandwich knives, and the rest is history.

As a founder myself—or someone who’s been this close to founding something—this story feels both inspiring and a little terrifying. It’s a reminder that the “plan” we cling to might just be a stepping stone to something bigger (and tastier).

Start Small, Think Big

Fred started with a single shop, then opened a second. By 1974, he had 16 stores. His secret? He was relentless about growth. Fred quickly realized he wasn’t just selling sandwiches; he was building a brand that could scale.

For entrepreneurs, the lesson here is clear: start with what you have and grow as you go. Too often, we get stuck waiting for perfect conditions—a bigger budget, a fancier website, a perfect business model. Fred? He started with $1,000 and a dream.

Test your idea with the resources you have. Think MVP—minimum viable product. If Fred could launch a sandwich empire with a single shop and $1,000, you can start your SaaS platform with a no-code prototype or launch your eCommerce store on Shopify.

The “Accidental Empire” and Why It’s Okay to Change Your Plan

Fred wanted to be a doctor. His sandwich shop was just supposed to fund that dream. But when the business took off, he didn’t fight it. He pivoted, realizing that his passion wasn’t in medicine but in entrepreneurship.

I can’t tell you how many founders I know who’ve been married to their first idea. They treat their startup like a baby that can never change. Here’s a truth bomb: your first idea is rarely your best idea.

Fred’s success came because he followed what worked. He leaned into sandwiches instead of forcing himself to stick to a med-school plan that no longer made sense.

Be open to pivots. If the market is telling you something, listen. What starts as a side hustle or a Plan B could be the thing that defines your career.

Hustle, But Don’t Hustle Alone

Fred’s story also highlights the power of partnerships. That $1,000 loan came from a family friend who believed in him. Subway’s early success was built on relationships, not just good sandwiches.

Entrepreneurship can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision—even if it’s just your mom, your best friend, or a mentor willing to write you a check (or at least listen to your crazy ideas).

Funny Truth: Every founder secretly dreams of finding a “family friend” like Fred’s. Mine mostly just tell me I need to eat better or get more sleep.

Build your network early. You never know who might lend you your “$1,000.” Whether it’s financial support, advice, or a partnership, relationships often make or break businesses.

Growth Comes from Systems, Not Chaos

By the time Subway exploded into hundreds of locations, Fred had learned that scaling wasn’t about just selling more sandwiches. It was about creating systems—standardized menus, processes, and even how sandwiches were built. This allowed Subway to franchise and grow fast without losing quality.

This is where many founders fall apart. Growth isn’t sexy; it’s about boring stuff like processes, efficiency, and scalability. It’s fun to build the first store. It’s tedious but crucial to figure out how you’ll build the next 100.

If you’re building a business, think beyond the hustle. How can your product or service scale without you being involved in every single decision? Invest in automations, processes, and templates early on.

The Sandwich Lesson: It’s About the People

Fred’s biggest insight? He wasn’t just in the sandwich business; he was in the people business. He understood that customers, franchisees, and employees were the backbone of his company.

Too many startups focus entirely on the product and forget the humans behind it. But the best SaaS tools, apps, and services succeed because they solve real problems for real people.

Stay close to your customers. Talk to them. Understand their pain points, and adapt. Whether you’re making sandwiches or software, it’s always about the people.

Start With $1,000, End With an Empire

Fred DeLuca’s story isn’t about sandwiches. It’s about grit, adaptability, and starting with what you have. Maybe your “sandwich shop” is a SaaS product, a consulting gig, or a new app idea. Whatever it is, start small, think big, and be ready to pivot.

And hey, if it doesn’t work out, you can always fall back on making sandwiches. After all, there’s a billion-dollar market for those too.