Milton Hershey may not be someone you know about, but you probably find his last name quite familiar. That’s because in 1894, Milton S. Hershey founded The Hershey Chocolate Company whose main goal was the mass production of milk chocolate for the American public. Before Hershey, the once scarce luxury was only ever able to be purchased and consumed by those with extravagant wealth and by those in important positions of power. Hershey was able to engineer his own recipe and factory that would go on to mass produce the chocolate and severely drop the price of the once expensive luxury. In doing so, he made millions in profit by expanding the potential customer base with his affordable chocolate. However he wasn’t always such a great success, Milton Hershey started with little and experienced numerous hardships throughout his professional life that would challenge him to persevere and innovate his way to success.
In 1871, when Milton was just fourteen years old, he was fired from his first job working for a local printing press. Then when offered a chance back he declined, and instead took an apprenticeship to learn how to make candy under a confectioner living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After four years of training, Hershey moved to Philadelphia and, with money from his relatives, started his first candy making shop that ended in utter failure after five years of hard work. Hershey’s failure did not discourage him, but rather it pushed him harder to then move to Denver and pursue the perfection of his craft even more by taking a job for a candy company where he learned to improve his quality of chocolate. He then moved to Chicago to start yet another candy business that yet again ended in failure. With two failed businesses behind him, Milton persevered and continued to improve and perfect his craft. By 1883, he had moved to New York City and started working for Huyler and Company. Where Hershey was able to manufacture his own brand of confectioneries called Hershey’s Fine Candies. Within two years sugar prices skyrocketed and Hershey ended up losing his candy making machinery. He returned home bearing the weight of his now three failed enterprises.
Like any sane investor, his relatives refused to give him any more money after so many failed attempts, and yet Hershey didn’t let that stop him for a second. Hershey found an old employee of his from his days when he ran his little candy shop in Philadelphia and together they came up with the money to start another candy making business, The Lancaster Caramel Company. Utilizing his past experiences, Hershey knew what had and had not worked over the years and settled on a company that specialized in various types of caramels. Finally it worked. After years of trial by fire, Hershey finally found what worked and it worked well, really well. By 1893, the Lancaster Caramel Company had expanded to various locations with multiple factories that employed well over a thousand workers. This was his first big break. Hershey had managed to overcome years of failure and disappointment by focusing on his goal and understanding that his previous businesses were a painful necessity that would be the stepping stone to something much greater.
In 1894 the Hershey Chocolate Company was founded and started producing cocoa powder, baking chocolate and chocolate for his caramels. The Lancaster Caramel Company was doing very well, but Hershey wanted more and in 1900 he sold his caramel company for one million dollars in order to focus solely on his chocolate company. In that same year, Milton Hershey introduced to the world the now iconic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar. It was mass produced and sold for pennies making it the most affordable chocolate on the market. Within 20 years of releasing the chocolate bar, The Hershey Chocolate Company raked in over 20 million dollars in sales and alongside the growth of the company came the growth of the town. Now the company is worth nearly ten billion dollars today making it one of the most successful american chocolate companies ever.
Despite Hershey’s previous failures he never gave up and tried to pursue anything different than what he had set his mind on. He never settled for any ordinary job because it was convenient to do so after his early business attempts. He persevered and did what he was passionate about and didn’t stop. He could have retired after becoming a successful caramel businessman, but Hershey’s passion was set on chocolate and he was willing to give up and sell his already successful business for a shot at what he wanted. Even after the success of the chocolate factory the Hershey Company continued to expand and involve themselves with so much more. Leading to the cultivation of a ten billion dollar company with over 16,000 full time employees. Hershey’s failures and the failures of many other people are similar setbacks that have the potential to put an end to passion and perseverance, however it is up to you to decide that. You haven’t really failed if you get back up after falling down, and that’s exactly what Milton Hershey did.
As a kid, I loved going on day trips with my friends to Hershey’s Chocolate World, but never really knew the history behind the company. I really like the idea you’re writing about here with the rags to riches aspect because it shows would hard work can ultimately do for someone. It’s incredible to see how Hershey was able to power through the hardships he faced and eventually build a chocolate empire that is also pretty local to us. Great post!
This post really hit home for me. Hershey was an average person, who used his work ethic to make a luxury good more affordable for his people. Despite the fact that he started in the printing industry, he re-geared his life toward something meaningful to him. He chased the dream, not the money. Not only do I find his story inspirational and educational, but I also feel like it is realistic to anyone. I have changed my major and career plans hundreds of times, but I always come back to a core set of values that I am passionate about. In this evolving time of my life, this story gives me hope that my efforts to find my calling will succeed as long as I never settle. This message resonates perfectly with college students, and I hope that others find as much value and connection to this story as I was able to!
It is honestly amazing and crazy to think about how Hershey failed three times to establish a successful business and yet today when you think of a brand of chocolate or just a candy brand in general Hershey is one of the first names to pop up. I have never heard his story before and I think that it should be told more to inspire others because to fail three times and be able to keep going someone has to have some serious dedication. I also like how you mentioned that chocolate was once a luxury not many people could afford, but Hershey made it affordable, and that was what allowed his business to be as successful as it was.
I love the fact that your first post relates back to Pennslyvania. One of the most iconic pieces of PA history at that. I had no idea that Hershey failed that many times and, look at where the company is at today. Hershey chocolate is one of my favorite candies and to think that there were possibilities where the company wouldn’t have succeeded amazes me. It goes to show that with perseverance and hope you can really accomplish your dreams.