First Generation Entrepreneur

The hidden gems of being the first in your family

My parents worked for the same companies for 20+ years, gradually moving up the ranks to more and more responsibility. Their work ethic was my model of what an effective career could be — get a job at a (mostly interesting) company, start at an entry level position, and work your way up to management.

But then I moved to Silicon Valley after college.

At first, I resisted “the bug”. I’d started working at a mostly interesting company, making great money for a recent grad, and enjoying setting up my new adult life.

But then I got bored.

Bored with not having a voice in the projects I was working on. Bored with the minimal challenge in my tasks day to day. Bored with the lack of social impact of my work.

So I started volunteering as a tutor at a local high school, which led to leaving the tech industry to join the school’s faculty and starting their four year computer science program. This leap, though I didn’t realize it at the time, was my first venture into entrepreneurship — building something from scratch according to what was mostly my own vision.

I loved crafting new courses from scratch, recruiting students from across the campus to try something new, and connecting with donors and partners in support of our program. We grew the program from a semester of computer science to 4 years of courses (including AP Computer Science) and several competition teams.

Then I met someone who was starting an edtech company to make the college application process more approachable and enjoyable for all families. The founder wanted me to help them connect with families and schools. I found their approach compelling and I was pumped to possibly be a part of something really huge.

I remember showing the contract to my parents. They were so excited that I would get to be a part of something like that, though none of us really knew what to expect.

I dove head first into this new venture. Probably deeper than any of the Olympics athletes this year will want to dive into the water near Rio. I got “the bug”, the Zika virus of entrepreneurship. While that first venture didn’t quite work out, I was sick with aspiration to change the world and there was no turning back.

I was an edu-preneur fa sho.

Now, as I start a progressive private high school in Atlanta, I’m reminded again how exhilarating and scary this ride can be. There are certainly moments when I have no clue what I’m doing, but this time around, I’m realizing more and more how much my family, though none of them would consider themselves entrepreneurs, has to offer in pursuit of the dream.

— My dad is great with people, especially managing them, and gives feedback on effectively coordinating all of the various projects and tasks spread across our team.

— My grandmother is a realtor and talks me through different facilities that we’re considering for the school.

— My mom is a financial whiz and helps with setting up bank accounts, managing expenses, and planning for the future.

— My brother is a master at social media and has lots of creative friends to help with our Facebook page, logo, letterhead, etc.

— My uncles are carpenters who (though we haven’t called on them yet) can give feedback on pricing and even come lay the carpet, paint the walls, etc themselves.

— And there are the friends and family who are excited to give “small” donations… those $10 contributions can add up to a great crowdfunding campaign for any venture!

Your Family

While my family may not look quite like yours, I wonder, if you look closely, what you’ll find.

What skills do your friends and family have that you could tap into? Even if not professional skills, there are other skills or insights that you might not have noticed yet.

— Do you have an auntie who can do your hair/makeup before presentations?

— A cousin who knows which neighborhoods to avoid (ie. maybe the places where he hangs out…)?

— An uncle who’s a police officer who might have inside info on local politics to know where new construction projects might be happening?

— A friend who loves to shop and can help you decorate your school’s space or plan your “professional outfits”?

— Does your mom teach Sunday School and have a connection with lots of local parents who might want your school?

While being the first entrepreneur in the family can be, at times, like walking through the desert without a map, it’s an exciting adventure and there are more resources and support around us than we can imagine.

Who can you tap to support your venture? They’re just waiting for you to ask, so ask them! They want to help.