A native Washingtonian, I was raised in an untraditional household. My mom, a single mom, was the example of love and sacrifice. She exposed me to business very early, but I don't think she knew what she was doing. My sister's father owned a deli; I was about 5 years old at that time, and my mom would let me make the snowcones for the customers. You couldn't tell me anything, I pretty much thought I owned the place and I would mix all kinds of flavors. I was something like a snowcone mixologist.

On the other side of town, my paternal grandmother owned a laundromat. My father's family were immigrants, and no one was exempt from hard work. I would go visit Grandma Narain often; she would put an apron on me, give me coins and then give me cash so that I could make change for the customers. I was the modern day change machine. The customers loved it. She would point them to me when they approached her, and they would bend down to me to get their change, all while smiling and making sure that I didn't mess up their money. 

Without a doubt, business was in my blood.