It took me a long time to realize that my dad was a successful entrepreneur.

My dad started a modest vacuum and sewing machine repair shop late in his life, after retiring from a long and successful corporate job. The business kept him busy for years, and for most of that early time, I used to shudder at the thought of taking over the "family business," mostly because regardless of how hard he worked, it was clear the business would never make him rich.

Image: James Jordan | Flickr