How My Grandfather's Watch Gave Me the Life I Always Wanted

An entrepreneur received a watch from his grandfather, which inspired him to open up an ecommerce store.

By Ben Clymer • Feb 12, 2018

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

My grandfather was an entrepreneur. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, and he made his own money -- starting, believe it or not, a cigarette lighter company in the '60s. He was a cool guy -- someone who lived a glamorous lifestyle (or at least what the Rochester, N.Y.-raised, 13-year-old version of me thought was glamorous). He was my hero.

Continue reading this article — and all of our other premium content with Entrepreneur+

For just $5, get access to a ton of exclusive content and resources that will help grow your entrepreneurial mindset. You’ll find:

Exclusive content from our network of today’s leading CEOs and business strategists
Receive our flagship Entrepreneur Magazine - free!
No more ads, and get access to the Entrepreneur+ homepage
Free E-books written by our staff and other industry thought leaders

Join Now Log In

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.

The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy

After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.

6 Questions to Ask Before You Begin Your Franchise Search

Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.

He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game

Most Popular

See all

Travel

6 Secret Tools for Flying First Class (Without Paying Full Price)

It's time to reimagine upgrading. Here's how to fly first class on every flight, business or personal.

By Mike Koenigs

Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Growing a Business

5 Tips That Can Help You Seize Every Opportunity Your Next Industry Conference Has to Offer

Discover five ways to make the most out of the marketing, networking and personal and professional development opportunities a professional conference affords you.

By Rich Perry

Business News

I Live on a Cruise Ship for Half of the Year. Look Inside My 336-Square-Foot Cabin with Wraparound Balcony.

I live on a cruise ship with my husband, who works on it, for six months out of the year. Life at "home" can be tight. Here's what it's really like living on a cruise ship.

By Christine Kesteloo

Thought Leaders

The Collapse of Credit Suisse: A Cautionary Tale of Resistance to Hybrid Work

This cautionary tale serves as a reminder for business leaders to adapt to the changing world of work and prioritize their workforce's needs and preferences.

By Gleb Tsipursky