I’m a sentimental soul and remember my dad not just on Father’s Day, but other days too. I can’t imagine my life without his entrepreneurial inspiration, guidance, acceptance of my crazy ideas and endless hours of listening to my questions – at the kitchen table as a kid and through the years, working on and off, from about 8 years-old to when I got my first full-time job after college.
As a mentor, he shaped my life until the day he died. This is for you, Dad.
Words of Wisdom from a Serial Entrepreneur
- Being an entrepreneur is the only way to go. You can set your price and your schedule. It’s not always easy, but it’s always yours.
- Make friends with your competition. This wasn’t such a welcome idea at 14 when he asked me to invite all the ‘pretty’ girls to a party. He told me I would assess the situation quickly. Ouch.
- If I die at the lake, throw me in the water with my briefcase, you and your brother will collect double.
- It’s not so much about the cost, it’s about the terms. If you want it, go for it. You can figure it out later. He said this with a pencil, always behind his ear.
- Pick a point on your drive home, then leave your business there. It will still be there on your way back.
- A happy wife is a happy life. My take on this age old advice: living in harmony is good for everyone.
- Don’t burn the candle on both ends. You need to rest.
- Pick the right partner that will support you thick and thin.
- Travel and see the world. Life is short. Have fun!
- Take care of your family. They’re why you work so hard.
My dad also told me I should study PR, even when I wasn’t quite sure what it was. “You’d be good at it,” he said. Years later, I figure he was right.
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