What Nikola Tesla Taught Me About Entrepreneurship and Life
When I think about the people who’ve shaped my view of the world, Nikola Tesla is always at the top of that list. Tesla wasn’t just an inventor; he was a philosopher, a dreamer, a rebel. His life, full of struggle and brilliance, has taught me more about entrepreneurship, creativity, and life than most modern-day success stories ever could.
In many ways, I think of entrepreneurship as a parallel to photography. Both are about seeing what others don’t see, about pushing boundaries, and most of all, about having the guts to pursue something bigger than yourself. Tesla embodied that to the fullest, and there are a few key lessons from his life that I’ve come to live by.
Dare to Be Unconventional
Tesla was never afraid to be different. In fact, he thrived on it. He didn’t care that people thought his ideas were crazy or impossible; he was obsessed with the pursuit of something new. In entrepreneurship, there’s this constant pressure to play it safe—to follow the proven path, to optimize for quick wins. But what Tesla teaches us is that real innovation comes from daring to be unconventional.
As an entrepreneur, or even as a photographer, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing what everyone else is doing. But Tesla’s life shows us that the only way to create something truly revolutionary is to pursue the things that others dismiss. Tesla could’ve worked on refining Edison’s direct current, but instead, he pursued alternating current—a completely different approach that changed the world. In the same way, entrepreneurship is about chasing the ideas that seem out of reach, trusting your own intuition over conventional wisdom.
Persistence is Everything
If there’s one thing that defines Tesla’s life, it’s his relentless persistence. This is a guy who faced bankruptcy, had ideas stolen from him, was vilified in the press, and still, he never stopped. He wasn’t driven by money or fame; he was driven by the obsession to see his ideas come to life.
Entrepreneurship is hard. Really hard. People don’t talk enough about the long stretches of failure, the moments of doubt, and the constant pressure to succeed. Tesla’s story reminds me that the only thing that separates the people who make it from those who don’t is persistence. It’s about showing up every single day, no matter how tough it gets. Success doesn’t come to the smartest or the most talented; it comes to the ones who keep going, even when the odds are stacked against them.
Vision Beyond the Immediate
What makes Tesla so inspiring is that he didn’t just invent for the sake of it. He had a vision—he could see a future that didn’t exist yet, but he was confident would come. He imagined a world where energy was free, where we were all connected wirelessly, and where technology could elevate humanity. He wasn’t just focused on solving short-term problems; he was imagining the future.
In both photography and entrepreneurship, having that kind of vision is critical. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, chasing trends, or trying to create something that will go viral. But what Tesla teaches me is that if you don’t have a long-term vision for where you’re going, you’ll burn out quickly. Vision is what sustains you when the work gets hard, and it’s what keeps you on track when you’re tempted to settle for what’s easy.
Solitude as a Superpower
Tesla was a loner, and honestly, I relate to that. He worked best when he was by himself, diving deep into his thoughts and getting lost in his work. There’s something powerful about solitude, about disconnecting from the noise and focusing completely on what matters.
In today’s world, especially in entrepreneurship, we’re told to always be “onâ€â€”to network, to collaborate, to engage. And while those things have their place, I’ve found that my best ideas come when I’m alone, just like Tesla. Solitude gives you the space to think deeply, to get in touch with your intuition, and to create without the distractions of external validation. In photography, that moment of walking alone with my camera is when I feel most alive—just like Tesla in his lab, it’s in those quiet moments that the real breakthroughs happen.
Ethics and Integrity Matter
Tesla wasn’t about getting rich or becoming famous. He genuinely wanted to make the world better, and he stayed true to that mission, even when it meant personal hardship. In a world where entrepreneurship is often associated with making quick money or scaling as fast as possible, Tesla’s life is a reminder that ethics and integrity are just as important as innovation.
As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, to prioritize profits over purpose. But Tesla teaches us that if you’re not building something that aligns with your values, it’s not worth it. Sure, you might make some money, but at what cost? To me, success is about more than just financial gain—it’s about creating something that makes a real impact on the world and doing it in a way that you can be proud of.
Learn, Adapt, Repeat
Tesla was constantly learning, constantly adapting. His mind was always moving, always absorbing new information, and then applying it to his work. That’s another huge takeaway for me: entrepreneurship isn’t static. The world is constantly changing, and if you’re not learning and adapting, you’re going to get left behind.
Tesla wasn’t afraid to pivot, to move from one invention to another, or to rethink his approach when necessary. As an entrepreneur, you’ve got to have that same flexibility. It’s not about being stubbornly attached to one idea; it’s about constantly evolving, staying curious, and being willing to shift gears when the situation demands it.
Legacy Over Immediate Success
Finally, what I admire most about Tesla is that his work wasn’t about immediate success—it was about legacy. He didn’t care about being the richest or the most famous in his lifetime. He was focused on creating something that would outlast him, something that would change the world.
That’s the ultimate lesson for me as an entrepreneur and as a creator. It’s easy to get caught up in the here and now, in chasing quick wins or looking for immediate validation. But Tesla’s life reminds me that true success is about building something that endures, something that continues to inspire and impact others long after you’re gone.
In the end, Tesla’s life isn’t just a story about inventions—it’s a blueprint for how to live with purpose, how to stay true to your vision, and how to build something that matters. And that’s what entrepreneurship, and life, are really all about.
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Here are some actionable tips based on the lessons from Nikola Tesla’s life and entrepreneurial journey:
- Embrace Bold, Unconventional Ideas: Don’t shy away from thinking big. If your ideas seem impossible to others, you might be onto something revolutionary.
- Prioritize Deep Work: Dedicate focused time to your craft or project. Periods of obsession and immersion can lead to breakthroughs.
- Learn From Failure: When you experience setbacks, treat them as learning opportunities. Analyze what went wrong and adjust your approach without losing momentum.
- Protect Your Intellectual Property: If you have innovative ideas, make sure you understand how to protect them through patents, trademarks, or other legal measures.
- Collaborate With Strategic Partners: Don’t try to do everything alone. Find partners or collaborators who can help you scale your ideas and navigate areas where you may lack expertise.
- Stay Resilient: Persistence is key. Even when your ideas face resistance or don’t yield immediate results, keep pushing forward.
- Balance Creativity With Practicality: While visionary thinking is essential, make sure you also focus on the practical aspects—like finances, marketing, and execution—to turn your vision into reality.
- Focus on Long-Term Impact: Rather than chasing short-term success, aim to create something that will have lasting significance and influence.
What Nikola Tesla Has Taught Me About Entrepreneurship and Life
By Eric Kim
I’ve always been drawn to visionaries—people who see the world not as it is, but as it could be. Among these, Nikola Tesla stands out as someone whose legacy transcends his own time. He’s more than just the inventor of alternating current or the man behind the Tesla coil; he’s an emblem of pure creativity, tireless work ethic, and unrelenting vision. As I reflect on Tesla’s life and his philosophy, I realize that his journey offers invaluable lessons for anyone who seeks to carve their own path in life and entrepreneurship.
Vision Beyond the Present
The first thing that stands out about Tesla is his ability to think far beyond his present circumstances. He wasn’t limited by what society thought was possible. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Tesla imagined wireless communication, clean energy through hydroelectric power, and even world-wide electrification. Most people couldn’t even comprehend these ideas. For entrepreneurs, the lesson here is clear: don’t let the present reality box you in.
In my own journey as a creator and photographer, I’ve often encountered doubt from others, and, let’s be honest, from within myself. When you’re doing something that doesn’t have a precedent, it’s natural to face resistance. Tesla taught me that this resistance is a sign that you’re onto something big. The trick is to hold onto your vision—refine it, nurture it, and pursue it with unwavering focus. It’s not about creating something small and achievable; it’s about dreaming so big that others can’t help but take notice.
Work Ethic and the Power of Obsession
Tesla was, by all accounts, obsessive. He would work for days on end, sometimes without sleep, driven by the compulsion to perfect his ideas. In an era where people talk a lot about work-life balance, Tesla reminds me that mastery often comes from periods of deep obsession. When you’re pursuing your passion or starting your business, there will be times where you have to dive deep—completely immerse yourself in the task at hand. Whether it’s developing a new photography project or building a brand, the real breakthroughs come when you push beyond what feels comfortable or reasonable.
This doesn’t mean burn yourself out indefinitely. But in those key moments—those times when inspiration strikes—you have to be ready to go all in. Tesla never waited for permission or validation. He followed his instincts, and in doing so, redefined entire industries.
Failure as a Stepping Stone
One of the most human aspects of Tesla’s story is how often he failed. Many of his ventures went bankrupt. He died penniless, and many of his ideas never saw the light of day in his lifetime. But here’s the thing: failure didn’t diminish Tesla’s contributions to humanity. In fact, failure was part of the process.
In the world of entrepreneurship, we often see failure as the enemy, something to be avoided at all costs. But Tesla reframes this for me. Failure is inevitable, but it’s also instructive. Each setback refines your approach, teaches you resilience, and prepares you for the next leap. When I first started out, I had so many ideas that didn’t pan out, from failed workshops to photography techniques that didn’t catch on. But looking back, those failures were necessary. They were the crucible in which my skills were forged. If you’re not failing, you’re probably not trying hard enough.
The Dark Side of Idealism
That said, Tesla’s life also serves as a cautionary tale. His idealism was both his greatest strength and his biggest weakness. He had a deep desire to improve humanity, to gift the world with free energy and better technology, but his lack of practical business acumen meant that others often profited from his inventions. Edison, Westinghouse, and others capitalized on his work, while Tesla struggled financially.
For me, this highlights the importance of coupling idealism with pragmatism. It’s one thing to have a grand vision, but without the right strategy, partnerships, and understanding of the marketplace, you risk losing control over your own ideas. As an entrepreneur, it’s not enough to be the smartest person in the room—you need to know how to protect your ideas, how to market them, and how to scale them. Tesla reminds me that it’s crucial to find the balance between vision and practicality.
Legacy and Long-Term Thinking
What’s remarkable about Tesla is how, despite the struggles during his lifetime, his legacy has only grown. He didn’t just invent technologies; he shifted paradigms. That’s the type of impact we should all strive for—not short-term success, but long-term influence. Tesla’s ideas were so far ahead of his time that many of them didn’t become fully appreciated until decades after his death.
In entrepreneurship, this is a crucial reminder to play the long game. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of immediate results—whether it’s profits, followers, or recognition. But true innovation, true legacy, comes from planting seeds that will bear fruit for generations. Tesla didn’t chase after the quick win, and in a world that glorifies the hustle, it’s worth remembering that building something enduring takes time.
Conclusion
Nikola Tesla’s life is a complex tapestry of brilliance, innovation, obsession, and, yes, failure. But through it all, he teaches us that entrepreneurship and life are about much more than just success or failure in the traditional sense. They’re about vision, persistence, and the courage to push beyond the known boundaries of what’s possible. Tesla’s story serves as both an inspiration and a cautionary tale for anyone trying to build something new in the world.
What I take from Tesla is the importance of staying true to your vision, no matter the cost. But at the same time, it’s a reminder to balance idealism with pragmatism, and to never let failure deter you from moving forward. After all, the greatest innovations—the ones that change the world—are often the ones that seem impossible, right until the moment they’re not.
