Growing up, my parents rarely got truly angry with my siblings and me. But on the rare occasions they did, it always came down to the same root cause: when we acted spoiled, ungrateful, or selfish.

As a kid, I didn’t fully understand why those things triggered them so deeply. To me, we were just being kids. But as I got older and learned more about where they came from, it all began to make sense.

My dad didn’t grow up with much. He worked multiple jobs, bought his first car with his own money, paid his own rent, and caddied throughout his youth which eventually led to earning a scholarship that allowed him to attend college for free. My mom was a bit more fortunate growing up, but she still worked hard for everything she had. Nothing was handed to her, either.   Knowing this, I began to understand why any behavior that even hinted at entitlement struck a nerve. They knew firsthand what it meant to earn something, and they were determined to pass that lesson on to us.

When I reached eighth grade, it was finally time to get my first phone. Most of my friends already had theirs, given to them without question. I assumed it would be the same for me.

But my parents had other plans.

“If you want a phone,” my dad told me, “you’re going to earn it.”

The deal was laid out: spend the entire summer caddying at the golf course, and I’d earn the phone and be able to keep it.

To middle-school me, that sounded like the worst summer imaginable. I was small for my age, not exactly built to carry a heavy golf bag for 18 holes in the hot sun. But I said yes. Not because I wanted to, but because I was determined to keep the phone. And more than that, I wanted to prove I could do it.

That summer was long, exhausting, and at times, boring. But I made it through. I worked hard. I pushed past my limits. And at the end of the summer, I earned my phone.

What I walked away with was far more valuable than a piece of tech. I learned what it means to work for something. I learned that things feel more rewarding when you earn them. And I learned that when you pour 100% of yourself into something, no matter how big or small, it pays off.

Tips at the golf course weren’t guaranteed; they were based on performance. Things like: how well you carried the bag, how helpful and respectful you were, or how much effort you put in. I quickly realized that showing up as my best self made a difference. I learned how to interact with adults, take feedback, and hold myself to a standard. In fact, by the end of the summer, I was making more than most kids my age, and I had earned every dollar.

Looking back, it was tough watching other kids spend their summer relaxing while I worked. But that experience set me ahead in ways I didn’t expect. I learned many skills like responsibility, perseverance, and gratitude.

That summer gave me my first real taste of what it takes to succeed, not just in school or work, but in life. It taught me to step outside my comfort zone, to give my best effort, and to stay grounded in the process. These are the same values I bring into every internship, class, and professional opportunity.

I may have been frustrated with my parents all of summer 2019, but now I’m thankful. They weren’t just teaching me how to earn a phone, they were teaching me how to earn my future.

Today, I understand why they were so sensitive to entitlement. I understand their values. And more importantly, I carry those values with me. My parents’ values coincidentally align with the Awesome Inc values. #1: Be good. Stay grounded and never forget where you came from. #2: Be excellent. Give your full effort, when no one’s watching. #3: Be a friend. Treat everyone with kindness, no matter their role. #4: Be you. Own your journey. Stay true to who you are.

Being halfway through my marketing internship at Awesome Inc, I see those lessons in action every day. Whether it’s creating social media posts, crafting monthly newsletters, helping with big and important events, or collaborating with the other interns, I approach every task with the same mindset I learned that summer at the golf course: give your full effort, learn from feedback, and take pride in what you earn. I take every task as an opportunity to grow and get better. I’ve realized that even small contributions matter and that showing up consistently with dedication builds trust, credibility, and results. Just like my parents taught me, I’m learning that success isn’t handed to you, it’s earned through hard work, perseverance, and staying grounded. 

I’m still growing. Still earning. Still learning. But I know this for sure: I’ll never take what I have for granted, and I’ll never forget who helped me build the foundation.