I was 21 years old, just after being discharged from military service (it was mandatory in my country). As a passionate computer geek since my school days, I was looking for a job related to computers. My “boss” made me an offer. I started, expecting to be trained to do the job. I also hoped to be told what to do.

Instead, he gave me a desktop and told me to “write some programs to make money”. That was it.

I was in an existential crisis and wondered what was wrong with me that I didn’t know what to do. I told a friend that I had worked with as a student. He said that his father’s company was looking for someone to develop warehouse software for them. He suggested that we work together and we started. It was really funny. His father was actually showing us how to prepare a proposal. He also showed us how to sign a contract. Then we did a second project with the same company. Not bad for 22 years old, huh.

And then suddenly our boss disappeared, along with the company’s money. At first, I was shocked. However, I already had a team of several people. There was no time to hesitate. I suggested to my team members that we start our own company. The rest is history.

This is how my first boss actually made me become an entrepreneur. As I always say, I am an entrepreneur by necessity. It was back in 1993.

Daily writing prompt

Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

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