Experience Anonymous

My next target is the mailman.

I wait patiently as he draws near—I am prepared. A few minutes later, he hands me a dollar in exchange for a cup of lemonade.

Mission accomplished.

I have always been fascinated by the business world. To me, nothing could be simpler: a company sells, a consumer buys, and money is exchanged. Hence, when my mom offered me work at her company, I was eager to take the job.

But once my first day ended, I realized how mistaken I had been. Shipping a single product, let alone the thousands that come in an order, requires a complex six-step process—a task that certainly opened my eyes.

As the shock receded, I gradually adapted to the life of a businesswoman. My responsibilities include, among others, computer work, contract negotiations, and factory runs on another continent. From marketing company products to finalizing my fourth patent, I’ve learned that business is more than just buying, selling, and crunching numbers—it’s also the art of inventing, persuading, and marketing yourself and your company to potential buyers. While traveling for business, I’ve encountered odd clients, picky terms, and countless people.

This work has allowed me to hold in high regard the value of first-hand experience. I began...