The Unglamorous First Jobs of Successful People Such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos (Infographic) Even the top entrepreneurs of today had humble beginnings earning a minimum wage.

By Emily Conklin

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Elon Musk

While it would be convenient to inherit a family fortune, many successful entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos started from humble roots, working unglamorous day jobs to make their dreams a reality. From flipping hamburgers at McDonald's to sweeping sweltering factory boiler rooms, even these billionaires know what it's like to grind.

Related: 5 Ways to Keep Grinding Even When You Aren't Motivated

Whatever your day job may be, it's important to use these experiences to learn the value of hard work and perseverance along the way. The ability to work through difficult situations while maintaining a sharp focus on your goals is a skill to be gleaned from even the dirtiest jobs.

Check out this infographic by Fundera and get inspired by these rags-to-riches stories.

Emily Conklin

Reporting Intern

Emily Conklin is a reporting intern at Entrepreneur.com. She is currently a sophomore at New York University pursuing a double major in journalism and urban design & architecture studies. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Productivity

6 Habits That Help Successful People Maximize Their Time

There aren't enough hours in the day, but these tips will make them feel slightly more productive.

Business News

'Feels Like a Slap in the Face': Some JPMorgan Employees Reportedly Aren't Happy With Their Bonuses

JPMorgan reported a record-high net income for 2024 of $58.5 billion.

Business News

People Are Selling Old Phones With TikTok Installed for Thousands of Dollars — Here's Why

There are listings on resale sites for iPhones and Androids with TikTok downloaded for up to $10,000.

Starting a Business

He Immigrated to the U.S. and Started a Business. It's 'Not the Sexiest' But Sells Over 6,000 Units Daily — Up to $25,000 Apiece — Anyway.

When 16-year-old Amir Loloi emigrated from Iran, he didn't intend to stay in the U.S. forever. Then those plans changed.

Franchise

This Franchise Lets You Tap Into the $1.7 Trillion Insurance Industry — And Doesn't Require Any Specialized Experience

Estrella Insurance has built a strong reputation for offering a wide range of insurance products, from auto and home to business and health insurance.