I come from an Iranian family that never had any faith in me. They all had this poor man’s mentality and I knew as early as I could, that there was a different way, a better way. Nobody needs to settle for what they are born into, there’s always a possibility to grow. I don’t want to put my family down but the truth is in the facts. I grew up very poor. Everything was hands on. If I needed a sweater, my mother would knit me one, there was no word as ‘shopping’. I looked like a poor match selling girl up until a few years ago because I was always wearing my brother’s hand me downs.
Both my parents never strived for anything more than what they could see in front of their faces. My father, he’s a factory worker and my mother does hairdressing work on the side, when it’s available. It was always go to school and get a job. It was never build your own business and follow what you want to do, especially if you are good at it. Even though I no longer live on my own and have found success, I’m not one bit happy. Yeah, I could get my mother’s broken sink fixed or surprise my dad with a new set of tools, but I always get the feeling that I’m looked down upon, you know? Like my dad isn’t happy for me and it hurts. For once I’d like to get told I’m doing a good job, like I’m somewhat appreciated…