Long before Elon Musk became the world’s most famous entrepreneur, there was a 14-year-old boy with a restless mind, a curious heart, and a knack for seeing opportunities where others saw nothing. While most teenagers his age were preoccupied with games or hanging out with friends, Elon spent his days reading voraciously, exploring the mysteries of programming, and thinking deeply about how the world worked.

One afternoon, Elon turned to his mother, Maye Musk, who was quietly sipping her tea after a long day. He looked at her with that familiar intensity that could make anyone pause.

“Mom,” he said, “I think you should buy stock in this company. I really believe in it.”

Maye, experienced and practical, raised an eyebrow. “Elon, the stockbroker advised against it… Are you sure about this?”

Elon nodded, his eyes gleaming with conviction. “I trust the product. If the company is making something real and valuable, it will succeed. Don’t panic over the market’s reactions.”

Though nervous, Maye decided to take a leap of faith. She invested $1,000—the largest amount she had ever dared to risk in the stock market—simply because her son believed it was the right thing to do.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Slowly, the investment began to grow. Elon’s intuition proved true: the stock surged, tripling in value. Maye felt a mix of exhilaration and panic. She decided to sell all her shares, worried about losing the money she had risked. Yet, the story did not end there—the stock continued to climb, leaving a lesson about timing, patience, and the unpredictable nature of markets.

This wasn’t just a story about money. It was a glimpse into Elon Musk’s mind, even as a teenager. He had a vision, a courage to trust his instincts, and a willingness to act on them. And it revealed something equally important about Maye Musk: her unwavering support and faith in her children’s potential. She always encouraged them to follow their passions, to explore their interests, and to take calculated risks, knowing that growth often comes from the boldest choices.

Years later, Elon Musk would share a similar message with the world. During a stage talk at TED and through social media, he reminded followers to invest in companies they truly believed in, and not to be swayed by fear or market hysteria. He spoke of the importance of trusting your own judgment, of doing your homework, and of acting on conviction rather than panic.

Looking back, Maye Musk often tells this story with a mixture of pride and amazement. A 14-year-old boy, obsessed with questions about life and the universe, had convinced her to take a financial leap of faith—and in doing so, had shown the first signs of the mind that would one day revolutionize the automobile industry, space exploration, and renewable energy.

It was a small act of courage, a lesson in trust, and a testament to the bond between mother and son: a bond built on love, belief, and the kind of support that allows extraordinary minds to reach extraordinary heights.