Who Was...? biography series for middle grade brings an inspiring man – Milton Hershey - who created the first American chocolate company, and also turned out to be one of the greatest philanthropists.
Milton Hershey’s (1857-1945) father was a dreamer trying different ventures that left the family in dire conditions. His mother couldn’t take it anymore and left her husband taking Milton with her. Milton wasn’t a good student and his mother needed his help. So his education ended at twelve. He could barely read and write.
He didn’t like his first job working for a printer, but his second job working at ice-cream parlor was a different story. He observed how different kinds of ingredients were mixed to create new candies. He began experimenting on his own.
At nineteen, he opened his own shop in Philadelphia. It was a hit from the start, but he didn’t know how to manage a business and it failed. He, then, joined his father in Colorado where the gold rush was drying out. Instead, Milton got a job at a candy store where he learned how to make caramel. Then, he moved back to the East Coast and in New York opened his candy shop which did well. But due to his father’s insistence, Milton tried to make cough-drops which were expensive and ruined his business. He went back to Pennsylvania where he didn’t give up on his passion.
During his failed ventures, he learned that he could make more money by selling in large quantities. Instead of opening another shop, he borrowed money from the bank and opened a small caramel factory. A man from England visiting Lancaster loved Milton’s caramel and placed a big order which allowed Milton to pay off a bank loan and invest in more equipment.
Lancaster turned out to be a very good location for his business. The cows from the nearby farms provided all the milk. Lancaster itself was near one of the new electric plants, so he had all the power he needed. The railroad brought all the ingredients he needed and transported his candies to other cities.
He continued to experiment with new ways to make caramel. He did so well that by the early 1890s, he was one of the richest men in Lancaster.
He took a trip to Europe where he learned about chocolate being a new big thing. Milton became so obsessed with making chocolate that he sold his caramel business in order to focus on chocolate.
Before making one chocolate bar, he invested in building a huge chocolate factory and a town for all its workers. He also tried a new way of making chocolate on an assembly line, and he continued to experiment with chocolate.
By 1905, the factory was making a hundred thousand pounds of chocolate a day.
Milton was generous. He continued to improve the town he built for workers, adding post office, library, bank, and zoo.
In 1907, he opened a park for all residents. He was one of a kind, believing that giving back to community was as important as making money. He shared his success with his workers, giving them a bonus each year from company’s profits.
Milton and his wife couldn’t have children. Instead, he started a school for orphan boys. After the passing of his wife, he spent a lot of time with the boys and treated them like his own sons. He became beloved by those boys.
In memory of his wife, he gave all his stock in Hershey to the school. Till today, the school is richer than most universities in America.
This biography illuminates an incredible man who from his father’s experiences knew that finding what he was looking for could take many trials and errors before succeeding. His mother instilled the principles of hard work in him which carried him through his search for the success. When achieving his goal, his natural instinct, was to share his success with those who worked for him and support community he lived in. His generosity continues to make legacy for him. A man who barely knew how to read and write turned to be a great success story and above all one of the most generous people ever.
This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 7-10, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.
Published in 2013 by Penguin Workshop
TRENDING
INSPIRATION: The More You Give the More You Receive
Traits:
·
He could barely read or write but that didn’t
stop his curiosity
·
His father was a dreamer, investing in
different ventures. Despite all of them failing, he gave Milton a good example
of trying new things even if they failed. It’s better to try new things even if
you fail, rather than stand still to be safe.
·
When he found what he liked to do, he started
experimenting in that field.
·
He succeeded in creating a good product but
failed at managing business as he lacked education and experience but that
didn’t stop him from continuing his passion.
·
Along his failures, he learned that selling in
large quantities was the key to success, thus, instead of opening another shop,
he opened a small factory and used assembly line.
·
After creating a good product (caramel), he
didn’t stop there. When he learned about chocolate, he believed that it was the
future. And continued to pursue what he believed in.
·
While he was building his chocolate business,
at the same time, he built a town for his workers. He believed in investing in
people.
·
He shared his profits as he instinctively knew
that his success had to be shared with his workers.
· He couldn’t have children, so he built a school for orphan boys and gave all his stock in Hershey to the school, which till today is richer than most universities in America. (That’s the power of generosity).
·
One of the traits that stands out for the
successful people is that they never stop learning and improving a good
product.
“One is only happy in proportion as he makes others feel happy and only useful as he contributes his influences for the finer callings in life.” – Milton Hershey
“Give them quality. That’s the best kind of advertising.” – Milton Hershey
“The value of our good is not measured by what it does, but by the amount of good it does to the one concerned.” – Milton Hershey
“Business is a matter of human service.” – Milton Hershey
“Be
honest; train yourself for useful work.” – Milton Hershey
SEEK
DAILY INSPIRATION AND THINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR:
· Giving back to community doesn't necessarily mean money. It could be giving a smile or an encouraging word, sharing your talent for example singing or playing an instrument or using your strong muscles to give a helping hand.
Further inspiration/reading:
Many
podcasters have interviews with Ken Honda about his latest book. One of them is
Lewis Howes, host of The School of Greatness.
https://kenhonda.com/join-arigato-living-community/
“Community is one of the primary pillars of Happy money.”
No comments:
Post a Comment