I Grew Up in a Household With 2 Small Businesses. Here's What I Learned

I've got entrepreneurs in my family.

If you've ever dreamed of starting your own small business and getting to be your own boss, you may not have any real boots-on-the-ground experience with small businesses. You can read books, you can listen to small business advice from financial gurus, but I'd argue that having a childhood like mine is excellent frontline training to take a business idea from concept to reality.

My father was discharged from the military when I was pretty young, and he then went on to work for his brother and sister-in-law's construction company for several years. After getting a wide variety of construction experience (especially in painting), he decided to strike out on his own a few years later. Dad got his license through my home state's home improvement commission, which is tasked with regulating home improvement contractors and salespeople. It investigates homeowner complaints, awards monetary damages to those wronged by dishonest contractors, and prosecutes violators of home improvement laws and regulations.

My stepmother has been caring for children her whole life, starting when she was a kid herself, helping to raise her younger siblings and then moving in with an older sister to help raise her niece. She immigrated to the United States at 18 years old, and kept on doing childcare, working as a nanny and a babysitter. When I was a young teenager, she decided to start her own home daycare center, and took the required classes (and paid the required fees) to get a childcare license through my home state's department of education. This agency monitors license holders, investigates complaints, and helps childcare providers meet state regulations.

I grew up in a household with two small businesses under its roof. And although I left home for college and adulthood two decades ago, my dad and stepmother are still finding success with their respective small businesses. While I haven't yet made the leap to becoming a business owner myself, I may yet someday. And if I do, I'll be thinking about these small business lessons I learned growing up.

Keep up your learning and licenses

As you may have gathered, the state I hail from is serious about regulating certain types of businesses. State laws vary, but if you're considering starting a business, do your research to see what kind of licenses and permits you might need to avoid getting in trouble with the law. You may also need to complete education courses to stay current on your certifications. You don't want to leave yourself open to legal and financial liability. I have always admired the seriousness with which my dad and stepmom approached this responsibility.

Taxes are paramount

If you're a small business owner, keeping up with your taxes is extremely important. No one likes doing their taxes, but if you're someone else's employee, chances are, your taxes aren't nearly as complicated as they would be as a business owner. Hire a good accountant and do your best to keep copious records and every receipt of your business expenditures.

Be mindful of seasonality

Some businesses are seasonal. My father's home improvement business is located in a state that experiences all four seasons a year, and consequently, it's difficult to impossible to take on outdoor jobs in the winter. It isn't always possible to find enough indoor work when the weather is bad. On the flip side, Dad is often extremely busy during the spring and summer, and I would sometimes be called on to help out in very minor ways with some jobs when I still lived at home. If you're planning to start a business that is seasonally based, keep in mind you'll need to work especially hard during your busy season if you want to survive the lean times of year. But on the upside, you may find yourself with more free time during your offseason.

While my childhood was different from many people's because of the two small businesses I lived with, I certainly learned a lot. I have a great deal of respect for those who strike out on their own to follow a dream and use their talents, and I think my dad and stepmom are both excellent businesspeople. If you're ready to make the leap, there's a ton of resources out there to help you.