--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The guys like Straubel who had been at…" description: "\"“The guys like Straubel who had been at Tesla since the beginning are quick to remind people that the chance to build an awesome electric car had been ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/ashlee-vance-4672_business-opportunity_the-guys-like-straubel-who-had-been-at-t_2670309.jpg" --- # The guys like Straubel who had been at Tesla since the… ![“The guys like Straubel who had been at Tesla since the beginning are quick to remind people that the chance to build an awesome electric car had been there all along. “It’s not really like there was a rush to this idea, and we got there first,” Straubel said. “It is frequently forgotten in…” quote by Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/ashlee-vance-4672_business-opportunity_the-guys-like-straubel-who-had-been-at-t_2670309.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/ashlee-vance-4672_business-opportunity_the-guys-like-straubel-who-had-been-at-t_2670309.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/ashlee-vance-4672_business-opportunity_the-guys-like-straubel-who-had-been-at-t_2670309.jpg) > ““The guys like Straubel who had been at Tesla since the beginning are quick to remind people that the chance to build an awesome electric car had been there all along. “It’s not really like there was a rush to this idea, and we got there first,” Straubel said. “It is frequently forgotten in hindsight that people thought this was the shittiest business opportunity on the planet. The venture capitalists were all running for the hills.” What separated Tesla from the competition was the willingness to charge after its vision without compromise, a complete commitment to execute to Musk’s standards.”” [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Tesla succeeded by steadfastly pursuing its vision despite doubts, emphasizing uncompromising execution. **In simple terms:** Commitment to vision beats skepticism. Key Takeaway Stay true to your mission. Themes vision perseverance innovation Mood determined inspirational Type business leadership When to use this quote - startup growth - industry disruption - entrepreneurial mindset Key Concepts risk tolerance leadership Questions to Reflect On - What risks are worth taking for a vision? - How to balance optimism with realism? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can blind to market signals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-opportunity/) [Electric car](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electric-car/) ## Related quotes > [“What separated Tesla from the competition was the willingness to charge after its vision without compromise, a complete commitment to execute to Musk’s standards.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/what-separated-tesla-from-the-competition-was-the-willingness-to/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“As Musk put it, “Try to imagine explaining that you’re investing in an electric car company, and everything you read about the car company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/as-musk-put-it-try-to-imagine-explaining-that-you-re-investing-in-an/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [What drives me is the prospect of turning an obstacle into a business opportunity, and then growing that into something lasting and rewarding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holmes/what-drives-me-is-the-prospect-of-turning-an-obstacle-into-a-business/) [Ryan Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holmes/) > [I feel like after acting, the other half of why I love this business is the opportunity to work with and meet people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-yoo/i-feel-like-after-acting-the-other-half-of-why-i-love-this-business/) [Aaron Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-yoo/) > [Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you're not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rockefeller/success-in-business-requires-training-and-discipline-and-hard-work/) [David Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rockefeller/) > [We are racing toward a world of abundance, and we are going to be increasing the quality of life for everyone on this planet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-diamandis/we-are-racing-toward-a-world-of-abundance-and-we-are-going-to-be/) [Peter Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-diamandis/) > [When there's an opportunity, some people pass it by. I've been lucky enough to recognise opportunities and every day, in my business, there's an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-graff/when-there-s-an-opportunity-some-people-pass-it-by-i-ve-been-lucky/) [Laurence Graff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-graff/) > [To every trend there is a counter-trend. There are a number of pendulums operating and each creates new business opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/to-every-trend-there-is-a-counter-trend-there-are-a-number-of/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [A true business opportunity is the on that an entrepreneur invents to grow him or herself. Not to work in, but to work on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-true-business-opportunity-is-the-on-that-an-entrepreneur-invents-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think a lot of developments start with the desire of the developer to get what he really wants so that he can use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dolby/i-think-a-lot-of-developments-start-with-the-desire-of-the-developer/) Ray Dolby > [Then get busy and find out how to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/then-get-busy-and-find-out-how-to-do-it/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Most successful businesses in the country were started on a kitchen table. As long as people have needs unmet or problems unsolved, there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/most-successful-businesses-in-the-country-were-started-on-a-kitchen/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [I want to experience Dallas. It's a new city where I see new business opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kardashian/i-want-to-experience-dallas-it-s-a-new-city-where-i-see-new-business/) [Rob Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kardashian/) > [The formation of the News America Publishing Group will lead to greater editorial excitement, new business opportunities and greater efficiencies and coordination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-chernin/the-formation-of-the-news-america-publishing-group-will-lead-to/) [Peter Chernin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-chernin/) > [In this business, where the opportunity to think everything is about you is there every day, now I really know that it isn't all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-beckinsale/in-this-business-where-the-opportunity-to-think-everything-is-about/) [Kate Beckinsale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-beckinsale/) ## More by Ashlee Vance > [“Thought Leadership “Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future” Book by Ashlee Vance “Take risks now and do something bold.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/thought-leadership-elon-musk-tesla-spacex-and-the-quest-for-a/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“He points out that one of the really tough things is figuring out what questions to ask,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/he-points-out-that-one-of-the-really-tough-things-is-figuring-out/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“Musk sits somewhere on the autism spectrum and that he has trouble considering other people’s emotions and caring about their well-being.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/musk-sits-somewhere-on-the-autism-spectrum-and-that-he-has-trouble/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“He’s less a CEO chasing riches than a general marshaling troops to secure victory. Where Mark Zuckerberg wants to help you share baby photos,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/he-s-less-a-ceo-chasing-riches-than-a-general-marshaling-troops-to/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“sometimes at the Sheraton hotel in Palo Alto.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/sometimes-at-the-sheraton-hotel-in-palo-alto/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“Throughout these early years, the engineers credited Eberhard with making quick, crisp decisions. Rarely did Tesla get hung up overanalyzing a situation. The company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/throughout-these-early-years-the-engineers-credited-eberhard-with/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“When Musk is present, the chats tend toward the absurd and fantastic”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/when-musk-is-present-the-chats-tend-toward-the-absurd-and-fantastic/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“Whereas if they change a rule and something good happens, they don’t even get a reward. So, it’s very asymmetric. It’s then very easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/whereas-if-they-change-a-rule-and-something-good-happens-they-don-t/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“I might have fixed that thing but now I’ve made the person unproductive. It just wasn’t a good way to go about things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/i-might-have-fixed-that-thing-but-now-i-ve-made-the-person/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“Like Steve Jobs before him, Musk is able to think up things that consumers did not even know they wanted—the door handles, the giant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/like-steve-jobs-before-him-musk-is-able-to-think-up-things-that/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“Musk pulled Justine close while they danced, and informed her, “I am the alpha in this relationship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/musk-pulled-justine-close-while-they-danced-and-informed-her-i-am-the/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“for Musk, the distinction between stumbling into something and having intent is important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/for-musk-the-distinction-between-stumbling-into-something-and-having/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“Well, we will decide we’re going into production and then a miracle is going to happen,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/well-we-will-decide-we-re-going-into-production-and-then-a-miracle-is/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“You don’t tell Elon you can’t do something. That will get you kicked out of the room”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/you-don-t-tell-elon-you-can-t-do-something-that-will-get-you-kicked/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [“Founded in June 2002, Space Exploration Technologies came to life in humble settings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/founded-in-june-2002-space-exploration-technologies-came-to-life-in/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) [Explore all 91 Ashlee Vance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) ## More Business opportunity quotes > [In this business, where the opportunity to think everything is about you is there every day, now I really know that it isn't all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-beckinsale/in-this-business-where-the-opportunity-to-think-everything-is-about/) [Kate Beckinsale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-beckinsale/) > [The formation of the News America Publishing Group will lead to greater editorial excitement, new business opportunities and greater efficiencies and coordination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-chernin/the-formation-of-the-news-america-publishing-group-will-lead-to/) [Peter Chernin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-chernin/) > [I want to experience Dallas. It's a new city where I see new business opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kardashian/i-want-to-experience-dallas-it-s-a-new-city-where-i-see-new-business/) [Rob Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kardashian/) > [Most successful businesses in the country were started on a kitchen table. As long as people have needs unmet or problems unsolved, there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/most-successful-businesses-in-the-country-were-started-on-a-kitchen/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Then get busy and find out how to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/then-get-busy-and-find-out-how-to-do-it/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I think a lot of developments start with the desire of the developer to get what he really wants so that he can use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dolby/i-think-a-lot-of-developments-start-with-the-desire-of-the-developer/) Ray Dolby > [A true business opportunity is the on that an entrepreneur invents to grow him or herself. Not to work in, but to work on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-true-business-opportunity-is-the-on-that-an-entrepreneur-invents-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To every trend there is a counter-trend. There are a number of pendulums operating and each creates new business opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/to-every-trend-there-is-a-counter-trend-there-are-a-number-of/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [When there's an opportunity, some people pass it by. I've been lucky enough to recognise opportunities and every day, in my business, there's an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-graff/when-there-s-an-opportunity-some-people-pass-it-by-i-ve-been-lucky/) [Laurence Graff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-graff/) > [We are racing toward a world of abundance, and we are going to be increasing the quality of life for everyone on this planet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-diamandis/we-are-racing-toward-a-world-of-abundance-and-we-are-going-to-be/) [Peter Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-diamandis/) > [Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you're not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rockefeller/success-in-business-requires-training-and-discipline-and-hard-work/) [David Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rockefeller/) > [I feel like after acting, the other half of why I love this business is the opportunity to work with and meet people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-yoo/i-feel-like-after-acting-the-other-half-of-why-i-love-this-business/) [Aaron Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-yoo/) > [What drives me is the prospect of turning an obstacle into a business opportunity, and then growing that into something lasting and rewarding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holmes/what-drives-me-is-the-prospect-of-turning-an-obstacle-into-a-business/) [Ryan Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holmes/) > [The #1 business opportunity for those who want to create new wealth is educating consumers about products and services that will improve their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-zane-pilzer/the-1-business-opportunity-for-those-who-want-to-create-new-wealth-is/) [Paul Zane Pilzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-zane-pilzer/) > [Every single social and global issue of our day is a business opportunity in disguise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/every-single-social-and-global-issue-of-our-day-is-a-business/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) [Browse all 54 Business opportunity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-opportunity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The guys like Straubel who had been at Tesla since the beginning are quick to remind people that the chance to build an awesome electric car had been there all along. “It’s not really like there was a rush to this idea, and we got there first,” Straubel said. “It is frequently forgotten in hindsight that people thought this was the shittiest business opportunity on the planet. 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