Читать книгу Raising Able - Susan Tordella - Страница 39

From the 1980s through my teenage years, my parents owned a bait and tackle store on Long Island. Selling fishing supplies, bait, poles and more, “The Shop” was my second home, from age 5 on. I had regular chores, such as folding up cardboard boxes for worms, putting swivels and fishing accessories into bags, making signs, counting out killies (fish bait), helping with inventory, and more.

This shaped my work ethic as a child in the following ways.

1.It clarified how responsibility was a part of everyone’s life, young and old, and made me more accountable and responsible;

2.It encouraged a feeling of teamwork within my family;

3.It instilled positive associations between work and personal reward;

4.It instilled a deep belief in chasing your dreams because owning a fishing shop had been my dad’s long-time dream; and

5.It showed me that women can defy gender stereotypes. My mom did dirty work beside my father and knew volumes about fishing.

I am 29, a native New Yorker, and am still helping my dad with his business by building him a new website in my spare time.

Victoria Witchey Lindenhurst, New York

Freelance writer--www.combsbaitntackle.com