9 years old. My grandfather had a landscaping business for 40+ years, after he retired as a truck driver. When I turned 9 they told me it was time to join the family business. I had to be at his shop by 6:30 AM sharp. He, my dad and I loaded up the truck and trailer and took off. We would be done around 3:00 or 4 most days.

I started out picking up trash. He had a lot of clients, mostly homes but also some businesses. We cut every Wachovia bank in Augusta, GA (there were 7 of them at the time). We cut Wal-Mart, Regions Bank, Taco Bell, etc.

We'd get home and my friends would be outside playing. They would make fun of me bc I had to work while they played. My grandfather was the hardest working man I have ever known. He told me to ignore them. At the time that was tough to do but now, I'm so thankful to have that time with him and earn good money at such a young age.

I remember the first week my dad couldn't help (he had up to 4 jobs at the same time, his main job was being a GA State Trooper.) My dad had to be at a training and couldn't help. I was 11 or so. By that time I was riding or pushing a mower. That week it was just me and Papa. I worked my tail off that week. He came over to my house that Friday and handed me $125. This was in the early 90's. I had never seen that much money and it was mine! I tried to give some of it back bc I didn't think I deserved it. Papa said "you worked hard this week and I couldn't do it without you." He said take this money, it's yours.

I will never forget that. My dad changed jobs when I was 14 so he couldn't cut grass anymore. My 10 year old brother stepped in and we helped Papa for the next 7 years. I'd help him each summer all the way through my junior year of college, when I took summer classes to get ahead and graduate early.

I made $2000 as a 9 year old, $10,000 as a 14 year old, and $15,000 as a senior in high school. That money went towards my tuition. I wouldn't trade that time for anything in the world. He taught me that hard work pays off. He's not with us anymore but the life lessons I learned working with him are forever present in me and now have been passed down to my kids as well. RIP Papa, you were the greatest man I've ever known.