Question:

Should I take over Family Business or leave to find my own calling?

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Ever since I've been born, i've been immersed in my parent's art business doing art festivals almost every weekend and working all day, every day. On top of that, I'm in charge of all the paperwork and customer orders because my parents have limited English speaking and writing skills. So when I graduated high school ('06), I put college off for more than a year and continued working for them to keep them happy, even though it held no interest to me at all.

Last year, I moved about 1.5 hrs away from my parents, started college, but still return home for weeks working. Even when I'm home working for a bit, it puts me in a horrible mood because it has been the same, mundane schedule for the past 5-6 years. I also mentioned to them that I'd like to move to another state around Spring/Summer 2009 to continue my education. Shortly after that, my dad gave me a talk, telling me that I am taking the harder route and that I should take over the family business with my boyfriend. I am a few months shy of 21, and just thinking about spending several more years doing this business will make me depressed and probably regret it in the future.

I told my parents that my heart wasn't in the business, and that I needed to go find myself. I know this isn't necessarily a bad thing to think that, but I feel really guilty when I think of leaving my parents. They say things like, "when you're not home, we're so lonely and unhappy" and all that stuff . When my older sister still lived in this city and state, it was a lot easier for the both of us to help my parents out.

Now that she moved 10 hrs away, It's a lot of weight on me to take care of my parent's life while trying to find my own. I know my parents want me to be happy, but I can't do it when they make me feel horrible about it.

So ..what should I do?

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  1. The  whole idea of having kids is to be the best parent you can be until they reach the age of being on their own. If that business does not make you happy, I would say you need to find your calling.Please keep in mind that very few people get to do something in life for work purposes that makes them happy. Your parents still have options for their business. They can hire someone to help with the business or even manage it if they are not able. When it comes to the time they cannot manage it by themselves, then it will be time to hire someone or sell it. First of all, congratulations to you for knowing that you need an education!!!! Finish that and then maybe you will be ready to go back there, or maybe you will find something that will make you happy.

    Good Luck!!!

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