He thanked me
February 14, 2008 – 12:12 amI’ve been examining my post-graduation job opportunities. While I have had offers and spoken with companies (and am still very much in the process) a possible window of opportunity was opened for me recently. That possible opportunity for me was to start my own company. As such, I have been talking to a few select people about it, one of which is my mom. During the course of our conversation, which usually lasts entirely too long as we’re both talkers, she reminisced (in the way parents tend to) to her and my father’s relationship when he was sinking hour upon hour in a new startup (as is often the case when it comes to new companies).
“I remember when your dad received a plaque from the CEO. It was a little bigger than a plate, tinted gold, and had his name inscribed in it rewarding him for where his innovative thinking had lead the company to. I was so proud of him. But there is another reason I remembered that time. When your dad was given the plaque, the CEO gave me a bouquet of flowers. ‘Steve couldn’t have been able to do what he has if it weren’t for you,’ he thanked me.“
It was the way my mom said “He thanked me” that’s caused that story to stick in my mind. See, I am an entrepreneur. Whether it be by birth, upbringing, formal education, or a combination of all those- it’s a fact. Not only that, but at some point down the line, I am going to be running a company. I write this post as a reminder to myself, and a reminder to those of you who are currently running a startup or a company that is demanding more time than your regular 9-5 from some employees. If they are married or have significant others, take a day once a month to thank both your employee and their significant other. If they’re anything like my parents, they wouldn’t be able to do what it is they do without the support and love of the other.
I look forward to when I run a company and can do that for my employees. I want to be able to see the smile on both their faces and ensure that they can spread a similar story.
