“My dad moved to America from India when he was around 30 years old, and it’s hard for immigrants to start all over in a brand new place, so obviously, he struggled at first as well. 

He had a degree in finance, and he asked himself, ‘What do I do with this?’ So he started his own business. It was a real estate company, and he started to sell property and help people buy and sell houses. Now he’s doing a lot better than when he started. 

I’ve been working at my family business since I was 10, but it feels like forever, or since I was old enough to process it. 

My dad’s self-employed at his real-estate business. Sometimes I do door to door knocking — I used to hand out flyers when I was little, and I’ll help my dad and talk to his clients. It’s fun because we get to ‘travel’ or drive to different properties sometimes, kind of like field trips. I learned a lot of things from him, like how finances work. My dad has to understand other people’s taxes because he works in real estate, so he teaches me a lot about finances when he does so as well. I’ve learned a lot from him by just working with him.

I just turned 18, so I’m about to take a notary exam to be able to help him with his business as well. Sometimes it’s a little difficult for me to help out. I put my schoolwork above work, but my family understands that and is flexible around that. I can’t always be there, but it doesn’t really clash that much. Because my dad is always working, this is the only way I get to spend time with him, and it’s great for our relationship.”