It is not necessary to have a massive bank balance or a wealthy family to start a business. And Soichiro Honda is living proof of that. With nothing but a dream and determination he built a billion-dollar global empire that continues to thrive even today. Soichiro Honda came from humble beginnings with no wealth or influential connections. With these alone he went on to build a USD 4.43 billion empire. At present Hondas cars are driven and admired across the globe including in India — a true testament to where vision and determination can take you. Born in Hamamatsu in the Shizuoka prefecture of Japan in 1906 Soichiro Honda’s father owned a blacksmiths shop and repaired bicycles as a side-line. In April 1922 Soichiro Honda left elementary school at the age of fifteen and joined Art Shokai as an apprentice in Tokyo. One day in September 1946 Soichiro Honda came across a generator engine designed for a wireless radio from the former Imperial Army. When Mr. Honda saw it he was immediately inspired with an idea. It was a moment of destiny. Moving forward with grit and relentless determination Soichiro Honda established Honda Motor Co. Ltd on September 24 1948 in Itaya-cho Hamamatsu reads the official website of Honda Car India. According to media reports Soichiro Honda left home at the young age of 16 after spotting a job advertisement for a mechanic in a newspaper. Although he was deemed too young for the mechanic position his determination paid off — he managed to secure a job at the garage starting with tasks like sweeping and mopping the floors. According to media reports Soichiro Honda left home at the young age of 16 after spotting a job advertisement for a mechanic in a newspaper. Although he was deemed too young for the mechanic position his determination paid off — he managed to secure a job at the garage starting with tasks like sweeping and mopping the floors. After working as a cleaner at the garage Soichiro Honda eagerly learned the skills of a mechanic. When a major earthquake hit Japan most of the mechanics at the garage left for their hometowns. This sudden shortage gave Soichiro the golden opportunity to take charge and start repairing cars on his own. After his piston ring factory in Hamamatsu was destroyed during a World War II air raid Soichiro Honda didn’t give up. In 1946 he went on to establish the Honda Technical Research Institute laying the foundation for what would become one of the world’s leading automobile companies.