Are you a risk-taker? Creative thinker? Efficient multi-tasker? Are you able to step outside of your niche, face failure and persevere? Elon Musk, entrepreneur of multiple startups and currently CEO of Tesla certainly is.

Elon Musk co-founded an online payment service, X.com which later led to Paypal. Elon then innovated SpaceX, a corporation which gained insight from NASA. Thereafter, Elon Musk ventured into Tesla Motors, the electric car system market, SolarCity, as well as many other startups.

According to the blog post from my COMM 101 classmate Fin Boothroyd, “ Entrepreneurs are a unique breed who battle through adversity to achieve their goals.” At face value, Elon Musk’s story only includes innovative success. However, in reality he faced many obstacles. Elon Musk once stated “If something’s important enough, you should try. Even if you – the probable outcome is failure”.

Elon Musk continues to encounter failure and complication while working with one of the most innovative companies in the world, Tesla. Specifically, Tesla is facing challenges with the low production on the Model 3 and Model x. The company uncovered a problem which stemmed from the production of batteries. Tesla’s director of battery engineering, Kon Wagner left the company, leading consumers to question the Model 3 product. Elon Musk announced, “the success or failure of the Model 3 could make or break the company.”

Tesla is facing other issues related to the safety precautions of their products. The “Insurance Institute for Highway Safety downgraded Tesla’s Model S from the top spot on its safety list”. The IIHS simulated a 40 mph collision which resulted in an ”acceptable” rating for the Model S. The seatbelt in the S model did not prevent the drivers head from smashing against the steering wheel. Tesla promotes the Model S car to be the safest car, however Tesla did not receive an optimal safety rating. Tesla’s complications are up to the company and the CEO to fix; Elon Musk must resolve the companies issues and rebound back to success. As evidenced by his previous ability to overcome obstacles, I am sure Elon Musk is up for the challenge.

As Fin Boothroyd states “the ones who create and make disruptive waves that shake the industry are often the ones who have battled through hardship in their own life” result in the most successful entrepreneurs. I believe hardship does not specifically have to be related to one’s own personal life, but can be intertwined through his/her struggles by innovating in specific fields driving towards success.

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