Milton Hershey Failed Several Times Before He Created the Hershey Bar

By John L. Herman Jr.

Most Americans by the age of 10 have tasted a Hershey's milk chocolate bar. As a chocolate lover, I consider it absolute perfection. In pilot school years ago, we used to joke that a fighter pilot's breakfast was a Hershey bar and a Coke. Two American food icons.

But the Hershey bar wasn't the result of Milton Hershey's first try. He failed at his first confectionery in Philadelphia. He failed again in Chicago. And in New York. Family, friends, and investors were losing money and losing faith. Hershey never intended to fail and lose other people's money, but he did.

When Hershey returned to his home near Lancaster, PA, he vowed to pay back his creditors. When you lose, realizing that you let others down, not just yourself, makes it hurt that much more.

So Hershey kept trying. He made caramels, like so many other candy makers, but he had always been fascinated by chocolate. And the Hershey bar was finally born.

With his success, Hershey was able to become one of the most famous candy makers in the world. He also became one of the greatest entrepreneur-turned-philanthropists. Because in addition to stick-to-itiveness, Hershey possessed another trait common among entrepreneurs: When they finally hit the big time, they want to share their success with others.

To a real entrepreneur, it isn't about making money. It's about winning. Being right about your idea. Seeing the realization of your dream. The money is great, and is something you can share, but it doesn't offer nearly the same satisfaction as accomplishing your goals.

Don't quit on your goals because you didn't achieve them the first time around. Pick up a Hershey bar and give it another go.

[Ed. Note: Author and businessman John L. Herman Jr. ("Herman"), who has owned more than 20 companies, has become an expert on why businesses fail. The above article was excerpted with permission from Hermanisms: Axioms for Business and Life. For more information about Herman and his business writing, please visit Hermanisms.com.

It's Good to Know: About Gold

Nearly 85 percent of all the gold ever mined is still being used today. Because it has been highly valued throughout history, it has always been recycled.

(Source: Discover Magazine)

Word to the Wise: Polyglot

"Polyglot" (POL-ee-glot) - from the Greek - means writing, speaking, or versed in many languages.

Example (as used by Lawrence Weschler in A Wanderer in the Perfect City): "My parents are both polyglots - they speak five Indian languages each, I speak seven - and they would encourage my reading."

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2279, 02-15-08], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.