Do you ever wonder where an initial interest of yours started? When did that spark first initiate? Today I’m reflecting on when the kindle of entrepreneurship was first lit inside of me.

My dad was the first person I knew that started his own business. My family and I first came to America in the early 90’s and we eventually settled in Fresno where he pursued his MBA from Fresno State. He became an accountant at a large bank after he graduated but like many other immigrants, he got the entrepreneurial itch. After my dad got a few years of experience under his belt, he moved our family to Seattle, WA with the hope of starting a business.

As I examine that time period now, it was interesting seeing him transition from employee to self-employed. As a kid, his experience as an entrepreneur wasn’t something I thought deeply about, but now that I have my own business and have made a similar transition, I’ve come to appreciate his experiences. His bravery and grit is something that should be lauded – he went from a highly secure job at a company that has been around for decades to moving his entire family of 5 to an entirely new state to start a business in an area he had zero experience in.

Truly remarkable.

And a little insane – a characteristic all entrepreneurs share.

Although my relationship with my dad is strained, this reflection allowed me to open up and appreciate his sacrifice and fortitude to build a better life for his family despite the odds and the magnitude of risk. For some reason, knowing that we went through something similar makes me feel close to him.