I was about seven or eight when my mother told me we were going to a warehouse to buy products to sell at Prospect Park with other vendors. At the time, I had never known of any such thing, and leading up to the date, I would constantly ask her how we would go about this, and her response was, “Don’t worry you’ll see.” My mother was the type of woman who always carried snacks for us or would give us random trivia questions on the train, testing our knowledge of our history. So, when my mother said, “Don’t worry, you’ll see,” I knew we were in for a treat.
My brother and I helped her the night before packaging their merchandise, and the next day, we were off to Prospect Park. I was thrilled when she pulled out a tent for my brother and I, in case we needed to lay down or be in our world, while she would engage with the people. Though hiding in the tent seemed like a great idea, I couldn’t help but watch her in action. I stood by her side and watched her interact with potential buyers.
Some people were friendly and bought an item, some just stopped for small talk to see what she was selling, and others avoided any interaction altogether. I watched her response to such a thing, and she handled it gracefully and continued to the next potential customer, I was in awe.
Not one “no” changed her energy, nor her poise from moving on to the next potential buyer.
It was my first experience watching my mother make money by not having to go to a job; it was my first glimpse of entrepreneurship.
A mother ... A teacher and a best friend.
