The founder of Hyundai stole a cow and ended up with a $13 billion empire.
Here's an epic story👇
Here's an epic story👇
Chung ju-yung was born in a small North Korean village in 1915.
His parents were poor farmers.
His dad grew rice while his mom ran the household and raised silkworms for extra money.
(the original side hustler!)
His parents were poor farmers.
His dad grew rice while his mom ran the household and raised silkworms for extra money.
(the original side hustler!)
So Chung grows up poor but manages to graduate from 5th grade.
You may be thinking... yea man that isn't hard.
But this was an impressive accomplishment for his town!
You may be thinking... yea man that isn't hard.
But this was an impressive accomplishment for his town!
Chung wanted to be a teacher.
the problem was his family couldn't pay for more school.
So, he had a choice:
be a lifelong farmer...
or run away from home
the problem was his family couldn't pay for more school.
So, he had a choice:
be a lifelong farmer...
or run away from home
Chung tried leaving home 4 separate times.
At 16, he escaped for 2 months to do construction work... His father dragged him back.
At 18, he escaped to South Korea but his dad found him hiding at grandpa's house.
At 16, he escaped for 2 months to do construction work... His father dragged him back.
At 18, he escaped to South Korea but his dad found him hiding at grandpa's house.
The 3rd time he steals and sells the family cow for 70 South Korean won
worth about $50 today.
He was a rich man!
He hopped on a train, escaped and enrolled in accounting school.
Not so fast... once again his father found and brought him back home.
worth about $50 today.
He was a rich man!
He hopped on a train, escaped and enrolled in accounting school.
Not so fast... once again his father found and brought him back home.
The 4th time Chung runs away... he does it for good.
In 1934, he escapes to South Korea and works as a bike boy delivering rice.
In 1934, he escapes to South Korea and works as a bike boy delivering rice.
He does so well that his boss gives him the store.
This is the big break!
Not so fast.
The rice store prospers until 1939 when Japanese overloads shut down his shop.
This is the big break!
Not so fast.
The rice store prospers until 1939 when Japanese overloads shut down his shop.
Frustrated at the loss of his livelihood, Chung decides to open up an auto repair shop.
without knowing anything about cars...
Baller move.
Within 3 years, Chung grew it from 20 to 70 employees.
without knowing anything about cars...
Baller move.
Within 3 years, Chung grew it from 20 to 70 employees.
But in 1943, Chung is again shut down by the government.
He takes his 50k in savings and plots his next move.
4 years later, he finally does it.
Hyundai Civil Industries is born.
He takes his 50k in savings and plots his next move.
4 years later, he finally does it.
Hyundai Civil Industries is born.
Hyundai starts as a construction company.
They earn big government contracts to build bridges and shipyards.
But they eventually turn into a business conglomerate.
Building damns, highways and even nuclear power plants.
They earn big government contracts to build bridges and shipyards.
But they eventually turn into a business conglomerate.
Building damns, highways and even nuclear power plants.
20 years into the business, the South Korean government searches for a leader to take on the car industry.
Chung seizes the opportunity and launches the Hyundai Motor Company
Chung seizes the opportunity and launches the Hyundai Motor Company
8 years later Hyundai exports its first car to the world: the Hyundai Pony
The Hyundai Pony becomes a point of national pride for South Korea.
By 1985, Hyundai had manufactured their millionth car.
The Hyundai Pony becomes a point of national pride for South Korea.
By 1985, Hyundai had manufactured their millionth car.
Chung ju-yung died in 2001 but Hyundai lives on as a $13 billion automotive empire.
if you liked this, retweet below to share the epic story of a guy who didn't give up:
https://twitter.com/chrishlad/status/1394824553419976707?s=20
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