Eternal enterprises: Timeless wisdom from the world’s oldest businesses

In a world where businesses often come and go, a select few have stood the test of centuries. Bloomberg Businessweek explores the enduring lessons from these timeless enterprises. From Kongo Gumi, the Japanese construction company founded in 578 A.D., to St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, a Salzburg restaurant in operation since c. 803, and Brooks Brothers, supplying attire for 200 years. Discover the secrets of longevity, from niche expertise and diversification to unwavering service, signature products, customer focus, and strategic location, as exemplified by Santa Maria Novella and Consolidated Edison.

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The Oldest Businesses in the World Share Their Secrets

By Angela Serratore

The average American business closes shop after about 21 years. (Spare a thought for those enterprises in the back half of the bell curve, which never reach the legal drinking age.) Some businesses, though, last longer—a lot longer. Take Kongo Gumi, a Japanese construction company founded in 578 A.D., or Santa Maria Novella, an Italian pharmacy that's been perfuming the elite since Michelangelo was decorating ceilings. Here are some longevity lessons from businesses with more than ample experience.

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