Lauren Gaggioli is a Hera Hub member and owner of Higher Scores Test Prep. She wrote this post about what it is like working with her mother in honor of this week’s “Bring In Your Parents Day.” 

My parents are the reason I became an entrepreneur.

My dad – a company man – was an innovator. He thought outside the box and had such great ideas that he rose through the ranks over 30 years even without a college degree. While he saw tremendous success at work, he always cautioned me: “If you can find a way to work for yourself, do it. No company can ever pay you what you’re actually worth.”

My mom is a born saleswoman, not just because she knows how to get what she wants – though if you’ve eaten at a restaurant with her you know that she can order something that is not remotely on the menu and 15 minutes later it will be sitting in front of her. No, she’s a saleswoman because she is personable and genuinely interested in other people. The byproduct of that is that she can make any sale – such as getting the custom meals that chefs are happy to make – because she is just that nice.

Since my parents set me up to become an entrepreneur, both through their explicit advice and leading by example, there was really no question as to whom I would partner with when it came time to move my solo venture, an in-home ACT & SAT tutoring company, to the larger, digital platform at Higher Scores Test Prep. (HigherScoresTestPrep.com)

Mom and Dad were more than willing to invest in and work hard with me to get Higher Scores on track.

It’s been an interesting experience partnering with them. Dad’s great with the finances and Mom is the fastest shipping fulfillment gal I could imagine. They’ve been fun to work with, but it’s still the ultimate role reversal.

I mean how many employees can say that they changed their boss’s diapers?

Also, I’m wildly uncomfortable calling my parents my employees even though in any other company the roles that they fill would be labeled employee.

When you take your parents to work with you every day, it’s inevitably a revolving door of relationship dynamics. Sometimes we’re business partners, sometimes I’m a cranky kid who needs her mommy to tell her it’s going to be ok, sometimes they’re investors inquiring after their principle, and sometimes (uncomfortable though it may be) I’m a boss asking my employees to complete a task that will move us forward.

The most definitive proof that I have that this crazy dynamic works is that we just launched a new venture together – a 10-year fundraising campaign (TeamBobbyV.org) to fund Progressive MS research.

However, the nicest moment of all is when we settle back into the parent/daughter relationship. We share a good meal (custom orders welcome), enjoy a great bottle of wine, and dream about where these projects will lead us in the future.

No matter where they lead, though, it’s comforting to know that we are headed there together.

Lauren Gaggioli is a Number 2 Pencil Nerd. (At least, that’s what her dad nicknamed her in high school because she actually enjoyed taking tests.) After 8 years working as a private test prep tutor, Lauren founded Higher Scores Test Prep, an online SAT & ACT prep company. She is also the host of The College Checklist Podcast, a weekly podcast about all things college admissions. Lauren continues to take the SAT & ACT today and enjoys the experience just as much as she did in high school! Connect with Lauren on Twitter @LaurenGaggioli