What if I told you the world’s richest man started out in a cramped office, barely able to pay rent? In 1975, 20-year-old Bill Gates and Paul Allen launched Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. No fame, no fortune—just a dream and a passion for software.

At first, Microsoft was a scrappy startup, battling money problems, tight deadlines, and even legal battles. But in the early ‘80s, they made a game-changing move—licensing their operating system to IBM for its first personal computer. It was a huge breakthrough, but it sparked a major conflict: IBM discovered Microsoft was selling the same software to other companies, leading to a fierce legal fight. Gates held his ground—and it paid off.

By 1986, Microsoft went public, generating $50 million in revenue. Fast forward to 1995: Microsoft was pulling in $12 billion, with Windows running 90% of the world’s computers. From near-bankruptcy to market domination, Gates’ story proves that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about resilience, risk-taking, and vision.