Lessons Learned: How Parents Influence Your Work

I recently interviewed two successful entrepreneurs who have been influenced deeply by their parents in two very distinct ways. The first embraced almost everything his parents had taught him to enjoy success, and the other rejected the lessons to find his soul work. Their stories may help you to reflect on what your parents have taught you, embrace those things that still resonate, and develop new lessons that are aligned with your own values and goals.

Sean Rosensteel, the founder of SavvyPRO SEO, a company that provides efficient and affordable search optimization to small and medium-sized businesses, is a serial entrepreneur who is in the midst of launching his fourth venture.  Sean is the ripe old age of 27 and has three older siblings who are also successful entrepreneurs. His oldest brother Tom founded business called BeTheCEO.com that helps people launch companies and is a real estate developer; Amy is raising three children while selling real-estate part-time; and Tracy is now in the process of hosting and producing a PBS documentary called In Pursuit of Passion which will begin airing in April of 2010.

As Sean tells it, growing up with their father -- who has been a real estate lawyer and entrepreneur for over forty years -- was like getting an MBA.  He modeled how to go after dreams successfully and taught all his children practical things like be prepared, look at the worse case scenario when analyzing risk and opportunities, be responsible, work hard, and “honesty is the best policy.” He also taught Sean that he should take advantage of his youth and work long hours while he’s young. It is better to make the sacrifice now rather than having to do it when you have more financial obligations and a family to feed. Sean’s Mom taught him to put family first even when business issues might get in the way. The lessons from his parents have served him and his siblings well, giving them both business savvy and a focus on family.

Alastair Ong is a maverick who was born into tradition. His parents grew up in the Philippines but were both from Chinese families that embraced a time-honored belief that the primary purpose of work is to get the best education you can, so you can provide well for your children, and they can get the best education possible. Passions or purpose did not play into this formula. Eventually they emigrated to the States where Alastair and his brother Aaron grew up. In addition, Alastair learned from his family that a career is how you are defined, you should make as much money as possible, and the best you can do is to be a doctor, lawyer, or get a traditional MBA. Alastair appeased his parents by going to Fordham Law School and then he landed a job at a big firm. He soon became restless.

He went on to start his own law partnership and became a serial entrepreneur whose ventures have included a winery and several technology companies.  Alastair loved the adventure and freedom of doing his own thing, but became my client in the Fall of 2008 to see how he could best focus his talents. In the process he decided to reject the old work attitudes of his family and embrace a new motto which is: “I work because I love what I do so much I would continue even if I had a $100,000,000 in the bank!”

Out of this realization and some more soul searching, Alastair sprung into action as he was completing his program and launched GreenSoul Shoes, a company dedicated to putting shoes on the feet of children in need. He loves his new life as a socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneur  who has the opportunity to inspire his staff and clients in new ways everyday. His favorite part of his job is handing out shoes to appreciative kids in countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines with his partners Iris Chau, who is also his wife, and Stephen Chen. Stephen has been a client of mine in the past but they met through Iris, not me, which is a very strange and wonderful coincidence. In addition, Alastair continues to practice law for love, not money, by helping friends who need legal advice.

GreenSoul Shoes has recently been selected by Forbes business as a top-20 company and they need votes to get them to the top 5.  Watch their video and vote here: http://www.bit.ly/Forbes_GSS

Whether you are clear about what is next and need support going after it, or you have no clue about what type of work you would really enjoy The New World Institute can help you. The first step is to take our comprehensive and free Career Change Assessment and set up a complimentary consultation with one of our qualified coaches. 

If you would like to learn more about how The New World Institute can transform your career and help you discover your true calling then join my business partner Paul Lanzarotti and me on this free Webinar exclusively available to Examiner readers. Spaces are limited so please RSVP to reserve your spot.

Thursday, September 24^th

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Are you one of the many people out of work right now? If you need support to clarify what is next in your transition, you may qualify for one of our full scholarship programs. To apply: 

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