When people think of Elon Musk, they picture the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, a visionary entrepreneur reshaping the future with electric cars, reusable rockets, and ambitious ventures like Neuralink and Starlink. But Musk’s journey to the pinnacle of global innovation and influence began in far humbler circumstances—selling candy at school and coding a homemade video game as a preteen. These early hustles, seemingly trivial at the time, laid the groundwork for what would become a multi-billion-dollar empire and a legacy of relentless innovation.

A Childhood Spark: The Birth of an Entrepreneur

Musk’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t emerge in the boardrooms of Silicon Valley, nor did it start with the founding of Tesla or the launch of SpaceX rockets. Instead, it began in his bedroom in Pretoria, South Africa, where a curious and driven twelve-year-old taught himself to code. Musk’s first significant business venture was the creation of a simple video game called Blastar—a space-themed shooter reminiscent of classic arcade games.

Without any formal training in programming, Musk relied on books and his natural curiosity, learning through trial and error. The result was more than just a childhood project; it was his first taste of transforming an idea into a product with real-world value. Musk sold Blastar to a computer magazine for $500—a small fortune for a twelve-year-old and a major confidence boost that validated his belief in the power of technology.

From Candy Sales to Business Lessons

But Musk’s early forays into business didn’t stop at video games. Like many enterprising kids, he looked for ways to make extra money at school. Musk began buying candy in bulk and reselling it to classmates at a markup. While this might sound like a typical childhood hustle, it was, in fact, Musk’s first experience with the mechanics of business: sourcing products, setting prices, and dealing with customers.

This candy-selling operation was Musk’s first taste of business on a larger scale. It taught him about supply and demand, pricing strategies, and the basics of entrepreneurship—skills that would prove invaluable in his later ventures. The profits from his candy sales even helped fund his next big idea, Zip2, marking the start of a journey that would take him from school corridors to the forefront of the tech world.

Critical Early Lessons

These early ventures were more than just fleeting hobbies. They were the foundation for the multi-billion-dollar empire Musk would eventually build. The experience of selling Blastar taught him the value of creating something from scratch, marketing it, and earning money from his own creativity. The candy business, meanwhile, gave him practical insights into the realities of running a small enterprise.

Although these endeavors were modest compared to Musk’s later achievements, they taught him fundamental lessons about risk, persistence, and the rewards of hard work. They also instilled in him a mindset that anything was possible with enough determination and ingenuity—a belief that would become a hallmark of his career.

The First Major Breakthrough: Zip2

By the mid-1990s, Musk was ready for his first significant business opportunity. Alongside his brother Kimbal, he co-founded Zip2, an online city guide software company. Zip2 was designed to help newspapers create an online presence by providing maps and business directories to enhance their websites. At a time when the internet was just beginning to gain widespread use, Musk saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional businesses and the digital world.

Unlike his earlier ventures, Zip2 required significant investment, teamwork, and the ability to secure funding. Musk’s determination and vision paid off. In 1999, Compaq acquired Zip2 for $307 million, earning Musk $22 million from the sale. This windfall marked his first major financial success and provided the capital to fund his next venture: X.com, which would eventually become PayPal.

Scaling Up: From Modest Hustles to Global Impact

Musk’s journey from selling candy and coding video games to building Zip2 was marked by a willingness to think big. He was never content with small-scale projects or local success. Even as a child, Musk focused on ideas that could have a lasting impact. Blastar was just a small step, but it represented the kind of bold thinking that would later lead to the creation of Tesla, SpaceX, and other groundbreaking companies.

His early business experiences taught him to spot opportunities, persist in the face of challenges, and take calculated risks. These traits have been central to Musk’s success in building companies that disrupt entire industries. The lessons learned from selling candy and creating Blastar—creativity, persistence, and a willingness to take risks—remain at the core of Musk’s approach to entrepreneurship today.

Lessons That Last a Lifetime

Most importantly, Musk’s early ventures instilled in him the belief that with hard work, creativity, and determination, anything was possible. This mindset would serve him well as he took on some of the world’s most ambitious projects, from launching reusable rockets to developing self-driving cars.

As his career progressed, Musk faced greater challenges and bigger risks. However, the lessons from his early entrepreneurial endeavors provided him with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of the business world. He understood the importance of scaling ideas, adapting to new technologies, and relentlessly pursuing innovation.

A Legacy of Innovation

Today, Elon Musk stands as one of the most influential figures in technology, leading companies that are reshaping industries and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. But his story is a powerful reminder that even the most extraordinary journeys can begin with the simplest of steps—a homemade video game, a handful of candy, and a relentless drive to create.

From coding Blastar to selling candy to funding Zip2, Musk’s early hustles provided him with invaluable lessons that would help him tackle larger challenges in the future. As he continues to innovate with Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and beyond, it is clear that his entrepreneurial journey began long before he became a household name.

The skills Musk honed in those early years—creativity, persistence, and a willingness to take risks—remain at the heart of his success today. His story is not just one of wealth and achievement, but of the power of curiosity, grit, and the belief that anything is possible.