Tesla's Elon Musk Poetically Explains What It Means To Start a Company

Starting a company is a journey filled with uncertainty, risk, and challenges. It's a path that only the bravest of entrepreneurs dare to embark on, and those who do must be prepared for the ride of their lives. As Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, once famously said, "Starting a company is like staring into the abyss and eating glass." This quote perfectly captures the essence of what it takes to build a successful company from scratch. In fact, if you remember Musk recently told the employees that Tesla will be the most valuable company on earth.

The "staring into the abyss" part of the quote refers to the constant fear of failure that entrepreneurs face. Starting a company is a high-stakes game, and there are many factors that can lead to its extermination. It takes an immense amount of courage to stare into the unknown and face the possibility of failure head-on. This fear can be overwhelming, especially for first-time entrepreneurs, but it is an essential part of the process. The ability to overcome this fear and persevere is what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the rest.

The "eating glass" part of the quote refers to the sacrifices that entrepreneurs must make in order to succeed. Starting a company is a 24/7 job, and entrepreneurs must be willing to put in the hard work and make the sacrifices necessary to turn their vision into a reality. This often means working long hours, making tough decisions, and facing challenges head-on. It's a grueling journey, but those who are able to push through are rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing they built something from nothing.

“Starting a company is like staring into the abyss and eating glass. The staring into the abyss part is you’re gonna be constantly facing the extermination of the company.”-@elonmusk pic.twitter.com/FQcIYxH3ir— Ray (@ray4tesla) February 7, 2023

Note how poetically Elon Musk explains what it means to start a company. "The abyss can be a transcendental experience. To stare into but I'll pass on the eating glass," I saw one person commenting under this tweet.

I have never heard it explained exactly the way Elon did about starting a company, but Musk seems to be spot on with the premise. I think it is precisely in the abyss that human beings find themselves, or are lost forever. Great challenges need the presence of great men to guide humanity towards a better future, or at least sustainable. I am not saying Elon is one of the greatest men, but I am saying this in general.

So, why do entrepreneurs continue to start companies despite the challenges and obstacles they face? The answer is simple: the potential reward is worth the risk. Starting a company is an opportunity to build something that can change the world, and the potential rewards are immense. Successful entrepreneurs become legends, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and pursue their own dreams.

Starting a company is not for the faint of heart. It's a journey filled with uncertainty, risk, and sacrifice. But for those who are brave enough to take on the challenge, the rewards can be life-changing. As Elon Musk said, "Starting a company is like staring into the abyss and eating glass," but for those who are able to push through, the journey is worth it.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.