Rodney Hollingshead

In 2008, Elon Musk faced a decision that would have broken most people Two companies he had poured his heart, soul, and everything he had into were on the brink of collapse. He had just $30 to $40 million left, and saving one meant risking the life of the other He was forced to confront an almost impossible question: Which of the two dreams he had sacrificed so much to build was he willing to let die? His answer was neither Even if it meant risking everything he had left Tesla and SpaceX were both fighting for survival, and he had to make one of the hardest choices of his life "I had two choices. I could put it all into one company, and then the other company would definitely die. Or split it between the two companies. But if I split it between the two companies, then both might die" Then Elon said something that tells you everything about how much these companies meant to him: "When you put your blood, sweat, and tears into creating something or building something, it's like a child. And so it's like which one am I gonna let starve to death? I couldn't bring myself to do it" He split the money between both companies, knowing he was risking losing everything "Fortunately, thank goodness, they both came through" Nearly two decades later, Tesla has transformed the electric vehicle industry, and SpaceX has revolutionized spaceflight Two companies that were on the brink of collapse went on to change the world All because Elon Musk couldn't bring himself to let either one starve