Title: 40+ Years of Persistence Pay Off in One Moment of Validation
Yesterday marked the first session teaching Entrepreneurship at my child’s middle school. A bit of background: I’ve spent 31 years as a startup founder, building from the ground up with unwavering dedication.
I kicked off the class with a discussion of “agency” — defined as:
1) The belief that we can shape the world as we want it to be.
2) The tools that enable us to do it.
I delivered a brief, TED-style talk on my personal origin story, from earning my first dollar to support myself at age eight to launching my first company at nineteen.
What made the moment particularly meaningful was that my 13-year-old daughter was in the room. For the first time, she heard the full arc of her dad’s journey and the challenges endured to create the life we share.
On the drive home, just the two of us, she said, “Dad, I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished and grateful for what you’ve built for this family. I had no idea.”
There are a few life moments when every sacrifice feels worthwhile—this was one of them.
