Chapter 1: The Legacy of a Family Business

Have you ever considered launching your own business? What ideas did you have, and what held you back? If you're an entrepreneur, we'd love to hear your success story.

My grandfather started a store that my father eventually took over. Although this wasn't my father's true calling—having studied Psychology in college—he stepped in when my grandfather was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Luckily, my grandfather recovered and worked alongside my father for some time. My uncle, who was also involved, was a pharmacist, and the store operated as a full-service pharmacy similar to a CVS. It offered everything from seasonal goods to school supplies, household items, kitchenware, decorative objects, cigarettes, lottery tickets, candy, pet supplies, and toys—essentially, it was an all-in-one store with a pharmacy.

When my grandparents retired and relocated to Florida, my father realized he was now responsible for upholding my grandfather's legacy. He disliked working with my uncle but managed to open two smaller stores that didn't include a pharmacy. This gave him an alternate place to work.

As a child, I believed we were affluent. I could enter the store and take items without a second thought (not realizing my father had already paid for everything), and my brother and I lacked for nothing. We lived in a spacious house, and my mother didn't work. My brother had a grand piano before he could even spell "piano," but he could certainly play it. I was dressed in ballet attire and costumes, all while attending a performing arts school that eventually led to room, board, and tuition at the School of American Ballet in Manhattan.

Why wouldn't I think we were well-off? I felt like royalty.

In hindsight, I lived much like a Disney princess—talking to animals, having few friends outside of them, dealing with a cruel mother who wished me harm, and being sent away. Yet, we had financial resources.

To my surprise, I later learned we were categorized as upper middle class. It took a while to sink in because money always seemed plentiful. In reality, I had a father determined to compensate for my mother’s shortcomings.

When Walmart opened just a few miles from my father's store, it severely impacted business. He was forced to close the two additional locations and downsize the original store, eliminating the pharmacy and freeing himself from the burden of working with my uncle. Yet, this loss was significant.

This was a harsh reality check. My father was a well-known figure in our town; everyone recognized him, and many knew me as well. I would often see familiar faces at my dance recitals even before I moved to Manhattan for school. However, the allure of lower prices and convenience led many to abandon us, and my grandparents’ health was declining.

My father felt a strong obligation to keep the store running for their sake. The stress took a toll on both him and me. Part of him may have wished for the store's failure, allowing him to chase his own dreams for the first time—a sentiment I understood. But he couldn’t bear to let his parents down.

He revamped the store, shifting to novelty items, and managed to keep it afloat. I’m proud of what he accomplished. The store still stands today, and I still feel like royalty when I visit and take items from the shelves. I always offer to pay now, but he insists I don’t have to.

I refuse to consider a life without my father, so I avoid thinking about the future of the store after he passes or retires. Being a family business means either my brother or I would inherit it. However, my father wanted more for us; he urged us to pursue our passions and find happiness—rather than feel obligated to take over the store.

In his will, we hold silent ownership of 75% of the store while his trusted manager has the remaining 25% and decision-making authority. The business remains in the family, but we’re not required to work there.

Witnessing my father's struggles solidified my desire to avoid a similar life. However, I do aspire to create something of my own—just not a conventional business.

Instead, I plan to establish a non-profit animal sanctuary and rescue. This is something I am determined to achieve.

My father's experiences have taught me a lot about management. I have a clear vision for the sanctuary and rescue, and I possess the tenacity and passion to make it a reality. But financial gain isn't my goal.

For a long time, I believed I was wealthy, only to be surprised to find that wasn't the case. Since then, I've come to terms with the fact that I likely never will be—and I’ve realized I don’t mind.

My true desire is to help animals. I want to advocate for those without a voice, rescue the abandoned, and put an end to the needless suffering of innocent creatures. I aim to provide them a safe haven.

The rescue will utilize my training skills to prepare animals for adoption, while my husband will manage operations. I will primarily oversee the sanctuary, which will house larger wildlife in need of refuge, and will remain closed to the public. Only those personally invited by me will be allowed entry. There will be no firearms on the premises; if someone fails to follow the rules and enters an enclosure, nature will take its course.

Thus, I won’t allow anyone in without proper invitation.

For most of my life, I felt I lacked choices, much like my father, who felt trapped. He wanted better for my brother and me, which is why he never pressured us into taking over the store. He encouraged us to follow our own hearts. If we had chosen that path, he would have gladly handed it over, but he never made us feel guilty for pursuing different dreams.

I have no interest in running a business; it’s not as glamorous as it seems, and I’ve witnessed the reality firsthand. It’s simply not the life for me. Thanks to my father’s love, I don’t have to conform to that path.

However, I will own something one day. I will grow and expand it beyond my current imagination, as I constantly generate new ideas. My father instilled the value of dreaming big in me.

And I will continue to do just that.

Chapter 2: Embracing a New Path

In the first video, "How I Grew a Successful Business (WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA)," the speaker shares unique strategies and insights on achieving success without relying on social media platforms. The video emphasizes the importance of authentic connections and innovative thinking in business.

The second video, "How to Start a Business (The Right Way)," provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. It covers essential steps and considerations for launching a successful business while maintaining personal integrity and passion.