How a $1000 Investment Became a Multi-Billion Company

Michael Dell is the founder the multi-billion dollar computer company Dell, Inc. With annual sales recorded at $50 billion, Dell, Inc. put Dell into the list of the richest men in the world at fourth place in 2005 with net worth estimated at $18 billion.

Dell was born on February 23, 1965 in Houston, Texas. He showed interest in computers early on and started pulling them at 15. He wanted to be a doctor when he joined the University of Texas but found himself leaving the University at 19 to start his own business.

In 1984, Dell started his business, PC’s Limited, with just one thousand dollars. He started selling personal computers directly to customers, which set him apart as a young entrepreneur.

At PC’s Limited, the customers can customize their computers according to their specifications. Customers place their orders through order forms and phone and internet orders. Since Dell did not have a store to maintain and did not pay third parties to sell his computers, he kept his competitors at bay with cheap but quality computers.

From PC’s Limited, Dell changed his business name to Dell Computer Corporation. The new corporation was valued at $80 million during its IPO. In just four years, Dell Computer Corporation was listed in Fortune’s 500 largest companies in the world, which made Michael Dell the youngest CEO to hit the Fortune 500 list.

Dell’s corporation kept growing and expanding in dramatic ways year after year. Dell Computer Corporations sold more PC units than any other computer suppliers in America.

As the company diversified to other areas of business like entertainment systems and personal gadgets, Dell Computer Corporation was renamed Dell, Inc.

To share how Dell turned his $1000 investment into a multi-billion company that it is now, he co-authored his autobiography entitled “Direct From Dell: Strategies That Revolutionized an Industry.”

Dell started the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation to sponsor his philanthropic activities and return the blessings he received. The foundation wanted to improve the lives of children in the US and the world.