Not sure that I agree. I'd say he's just doing something sooner than we expected. Exciting and bold, but I don't see people reacting as, "wait, what is this space travel that you speak of!?"
Investors would take that risk?
They currently are, by investing in Musk's companies. Am I wrong? (Lebowski)
I don't know exactly. Surely Paypal helped.
Aren't there two other very recognizable and very rich people trying to reduce space costs? I'm not sure if the other 2 want to go to Mars first (before other profitable space ventures), of course.