On September 16, 1908 William C. “Billy” Durant founded General Motors, incorporating it in New Jersey and laying the foundation for what would become America’s largest automotive company. At the time Durant was already leading Buick and had turned the Durant-Dort Carriage Company into one of the country’s top carriage makers. His bold vision was to unite multiple automakers under one umbrella so each could innovate while sharing resources and strength. Within just two years GM had added Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Oakland (later Pontiac) to its portfolio, proving that Durant’s daring expansion strategy worked.

Durant’s story is also one of relentless drive. Even after losing and regaining control of GM more than once, he refused to quit and continued to invest in new ventures, always looking for the next opportunity to innovate. His willingness to take calculated risks and keep moving forward despite setbacks offers a timeless lesson in perseverance and creative thinking. More than a century later, Durant’s can’t-quit attitude remains a model for anyone seeking to build something lasting and transformative.