A Man Is Not a Plan: A Lesson From Mom

When I was growing up, my mother always stressed the importance of earning your own money; to never be beholden to anyone, especially a man.

A man is not a plan – Fani Willis

From a young age I expressed an interest in the theater and before long, I was determined to make it my career. My mother, who came from a very old-fashioned immigrant family, was clearly not in favor of this!

Since there are no guarantees on the path to fame and fortune, my mother feared how I would earn a living while I was waiting for my “big break.” She stressed to me the importance of having a skill that would always ensure my employment.

So at the age of 12, she bought me a portable Brother typewriter that came with typing lessons on record albums. Little did she know what a great investment she had made!

I learned to type and I was really good, over time working my way up to 90 words per minute. Suddenly, I was in business, typing term papers for friends and even my English teacher who needed his dissertation typed (Chaucer, so boring!).

We were not a family of means so when I wanted to start professional singing, dancing, and acting classes at the age of 14, I had to fund it all myself. And my typing business helped me do so.

During college, typing helped me get a part-time in public relations. The experience in PR taught me much about the business world, and when I eventually decided a life in the theater was no longer for me, helped me segue into my business career – which lasted 40 years.

I owe it all to my mother who taught me the value of developing a skill, working hard, and taking pride in whatever task was at hand.

I can still remember sitting in front of the typewriter at the kitchen table, following along with those records. Little did I know how much of an impact it would have on my life and my future.

Thank you, Mom! A day doesn’t go by where I don’t say those words.