The Coca-Cola Company was founded in 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. Initially, Coca-Cola was sold as a medicinal tonic, which was a common market strategy at the time. Pemberton's partner, Frank M. Robinson, is credited with naming the beverage and designing its iconic script logo. The early days were marked by innovation and adaptability, key traits every entrepreneur should emulate.