The Farmer Boy Who Invented Hershey's

Summary

Milton Hershey's journey from poverty to becoming a chocolate mogul is a story of resilience and innovation. Despite multiple business failures, financial hardships, and family rejection, Hershey persevered and revolutionized the chocolate industry. He pioneered the mass production of milk chocolate, making it affordable for the masses. His legacy extends beyond chocolate; he created a thriving town for his workers and established the Hershey Industrial School. Today, the Hershey Company is a global leader, and Hershey’s story remains an inspiring tale of vision, determination, and philanthropy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Milton Hershey faced significant early life challenges, including his family's poverty and multiple failed business attempts.
• 😀 Despite two failed candy store attempts, Hershey's persistence led him to approach his uncles for help, although he was turned down.
• 😀 After several personal and financial struggles, including his father's abandonment, Hershey found his passion for candy-making while working at a local confectionary.
• 😀 Hershey learned the candy business by working under a confectionary owner, later realizing the potential of caramels and becoming an expert in the trade.
• 😀 At 19, Hershey opened his first candy shop in Philadelphia during the 1876 World's Fair, but the business faced financial hardships due to the economic depression and high sugar costs.
• 😀 Milton's persistence continued after his business filed for bankruptcy in 1881, leading him to work at a Denver candy store, where he learned about making caramels with fresh milk.
• 😀 After a failed attempt in New York, Hershey finally found success selling caramels in Lancaster with a new approach and fresh ingredients.
• 😀 Hershey's breakthrough came when a British importer discovered his caramel recipe and placed a large order, allowing him to pay off his debts and expand his business.
• 😀 Hershey's visit to the 1893 Chicago Exposition sparked his interest in mass-producing chocolate, a luxury commodity, and he eventually shifted his focus to chocolate production.
• 😀 Hershey revolutionized chocolate by creating affordable milk chocolate bars, which led to the launch of iconic products like Hershey’s Kisses and Hershey’s Chocolate Bars with Almonds, making his company a global success.

Q & A

What was Milton Hershey's initial experience with business before he became successful in the candy industry?

Milton Hershey faced early failures in business, including two failed candy store ventures that left him broke. Despite being rejected by his uncles for a loan and being insulted, he continued to pursue his passion for candy-making, eventually becoming successful.

How did Milton Hershey's childhood experiences influence his later entrepreneurial journey?

Milton's childhood was marked by poverty, a broken family, and the loss of his sister to scarlet fever. These hardships motivated him to create a better life for himself and his mother, leading him to pursue a career in business at a young age.

What role did Milton Hershey's mother play in his early career?

Milton's mother was a crucial supporter of his career. She encouraged him to learn the candy-making trade, even offering to pay for his training, and later supported his entrepreneurial endeavors, including helping him secure loans to open his own business.

Why did Milton Hershey struggle with his first candy business venture in Philadelphia?

Milton's first candy business in Philadelphia struggled due to the economic depression after the World's Fair, rising sugar prices, and a lack of consistent profitability. Despite his best efforts, his candy sales plummeted, and he eventually went bankrupt.

What was significant about Milton Hershey's time in Colorado?

In Colorado, Milton worked at a candy store that used fresh milk in its caramels instead of paraffin, which impressed him. This experience led him to refine his candy-making skills and eventually produce a unique caramel product that would later help him achieve success.

What strategy did Hershey use to improve his chances of success after his bankruptcy?

After his bankruptcy, Hershey focused on perfecting his caramel recipe and sought financial support from his former accountant, who loaned him money to restart his business. He also made key sales to European markets, which helped establish a solid foundation for growth.

How did Milton Hershey revolutionize chocolate production?

Milton Hershey revolutionized chocolate production by using fresh milk, a method he perfected with caramels, to create a smooth and affordable chocolate product. He later bought equipment from a German company that allowed him to mass-produce chocolate, making it more affordable for the general public.

Why did Milton Hershey decide to focus exclusively on chocolate over caramel?

Hershey saw a growing market for chocolate and believed caramel had reached its peak. He made the bold decision to sell his caramel business for $1 million and dedicated himself entirely to chocolate, eventually creating Hershey's iconic chocolate bars and Kisses.

What was Milton Hershey's vision for the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania?

Hershey envisioned a model town where his workers could live comfortably, so he built modern homes, schools, hospitals, and recreational facilities. He also established the Hershey Industrial School to support orphaned boys, further demonstrating his commitment to his community.

How did World War I impact Hershey's business?

During World War I, sugar became scarce, and many companies struggled. However, Hershey's self-sufficiency through his sugar mill in Cuba allowed him to maintain production. He also secured a contract with the U.S. Army to supply chocolate bars, expanding his brand globally.