Risk
I got a call from my Dad last night, I don’t know if I could put a label on the type of relationship we have. He still lives in Alaska and I stay here in Atlanta, GA. We talk maybe twice a month and probably have a heart to heart once or twice a year, last night was one of those conversations.
He gives me his assessment of my situation, I’m 27 and still not married with a business that uses up 80% of my resources. My dad is a military man, hard working.. the epitome of the blue collar worker who is dedicated. I am a hybrid of the blue collar worker but with the entrepreneurial spirit and I believe this is where the problem lies between him and I.
He asks me whether or not I will get anything out of this business, he explains that out of all businesses that are started 90% fail and that while he may not be rich, he is comfortable. I can’t argue with that, the military has been good to my father and he wishes I would have followed in his footsteps. As a young boy I had every intent to, I wanted to be a fighter pilot but I allowed someone else’s opinion kill my spirit. It was explained that I needed to be a mathematical genius to become a pilot and with that I defeated myself before I even tried.
Now I have the opportunity to make the right decision in my heart without letting anyone stop me. I have given up a certain lifestyle and almost every resource I own to get my business going, at this point there is no turning back. Furthermore the feeling I get when a customer replies back that they really enjoyed the product and my service is just an amazing feeling, its like I’m gaining a new friend with each one and I cannot give that up.
The frustrating part is that, I know my dad means well but he doesn’t understand. With great risk comes great reward, and my intent is not to be wealthy but happy.. I’m not happy with where I’m at, I’m excited about where I’m going.. just wish he understood that.
