I am the 1%

in response to http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

I am 29 years old.

I have worked since I was legally able to hold a work permit. I sold books, fixed watches, anything I could that would keep me in lunch money, since my parents really couldn’t afford it.

The same year, I was diagnosed with a rare and painful kidney disorder that will plague me my whole life.

I grew up with a father who had to work 800 miles away from me and my sister while still being married to his wife, my mother because he couldn’t hold a job anywhere close.

I graduated high school after being accused of being a member of the trench coat mafia and being harassed by fellow students and school administration

I went to college, but not to my first choice, because even with a full ride i could not afford it.

I created a research program in my chosen field, where none existed before.

I graduated with honors and 15k in student debt, I paid for the rest by doing work on campus and summer work teaching in my chosen field.

I was offered a job across the country and with next to no money in my pocket, moved to seattle from the east coast

I was fired 9 months later.

I was unemployed for 45 days and considered running back home, but I didn’t. I stuck it out.

I was picked up by what I thought was a growing company. My boss resigned the day I started. They closed shop 8 months after I was hired.

I took a risk and went to work for a small company with a big idea. we sold it for 60 million dollars to another company which then sold to another company for 1.2 billion. I quit.

I went to work an even smaller company with another big idea. Three years later, I left when it was almost 200 people.

I am now number employee 5 at a company started by my friends. The success or failure of myself and 10 other people rests in my hands.

I do not complain, I do not regret.

I take risks, I reap the rewards.

I don’t look for someone to give me something, I create opportunity where there is none.

I work.

I am the 1%

Oct 07, 2011