Listen "#5 Milton Hershey - Father of Chocolate"
Episode Synopsis
Discover the remarkable story of Milton Hershey, the man who built America’s chocolate empire. Born in 1857 in rural Pennsylvania, Hershey faced a tough childhood and repeated business failures. At 19, he started his first candy venture, but setbacks, partly due to his father’s impractical schemes, tested his resolve. His perseverance paid off when a banker, impressed by his honesty, supported him in completing a crucial caramel order, laying the foundation for his success.Hershey’s big breakthrough came with milk chocolate. In 1900, after selling his caramel business for $1 million, he developed a distinctive recipe that won over American palates. He then founded Hershey, Pennsylvania, a model town with a massive factory, modern facilities, and a tight-knit community. His milk chocolate’s durability transformed candy distribution, bringing sweets to households across the nation.His achievements weren’t just about chocolate. Hershey’s passion for innovation drove him to experiment constantly, while his smart hiring—bringing in experts like William Murrie, who managed operations for 50 years—freed him to invent new treats. Hershey’s generosity shone brightest in his philanthropy. In 1909, he and his wife Kitty established a school for orphan boys, and in 1918, he donated his entire $60 million fortune to it. Today, the Milton Hershey School flourishes with a $17 billion endowment, educating thousands.Explore how Hershey’s dedication to quality, service, and community offers timeless lessons for entrepreneurs. Join us as we unpack his journey of grit, creativity, and compassion, based on Joel Glenn Brenner’s The Emperors of Chocolate. Tune in to see why Hershey’s legacy still sweetens lives today.Books ReferencedThe Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Marshttps://a.co/d/bpActLLBecoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guyshttps://a.co/d/2iqlL5hMy Life & Work – Henry Fordhttps://a.co/d/iFc4jUTLearn more about the Milton Hershey SchoolMilton Hershey School------> SocialsDeeply Driven NewsletterWelcome!Deeply Driven WebsitesDeeply DrivenXDeeply Driven (@DeeplyDrivenOne) / X
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. It would greatly help the show and we thank you in advance for all your tremendous support. Deeply Driven NewsletterWelcome! Deeply Driven WebsiteDeeply Driven XDeeply Driven (@DeeplyDrivenOne) / X Substackhttps://larryslearning.substack.com/ Thanks for listening friends!
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. It would greatly help the show and we thank you in advance for all your tremendous support. Deeply Driven NewsletterWelcome! Deeply Driven WebsiteDeeply Driven XDeeply Driven (@DeeplyDrivenOne) / X Substackhttps://larryslearning.substack.com/ Thanks for listening friends!
More episodes of the podcast Deeply Driven: Business History Insights from Entrepreneurs
Kent Taylor and his Texas Roadhouse Dream
15/09/2025
#6 Mars Family (Domination of Chocolate)
28/07/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.