“This is my youngest daughter, she’s 14, and this is her second summer job. From the start, she showed determination. She picked where she wanted to work, printed her résumé, and handed it in herself. When no one called, she followed up—not once, but twice.
Still no response? She went in person to ask if they’d reviewed applications. They hadn’t, but impressed by her initiative, they asked if she could interview right then. She said yes. She got the job.
Now, she takes every shift offered. She even pinned a note on the staff board offering to cover for anyone who needs a day off.
Her responsibilities are tough for a 14-year-old. She scrubs dishes and toilets, takes out the trash, mops floors, serves customers, handles cash, and makes fancy coffees and smoothies. It’s far from glamorous, but it’s shaping her work ethic.
She’s also saving 70% of her pay to become a doctor, using the rest for a computer and spending time with friends. She’s showing up, learning the value of effort, and making every day count.
Every time I watch her take on life this way, I’m reminded: hard work, initiative, and responsibility start young, and they create a foundation no one can take away.”