Lessons from My Father in International Business

From my childhood until now, I have always remembered how busy my father is and how much he loves his job. He wanted me to learn more about the business, so I pursued a degree in International Business Management. I believed that business ran in my family, and I was passionate about understanding international markets, interacting with people from different countries, and learning about exports and imports especially in the global seafood industry.

I started working at my father’s company, which specializes in seafood trading exporting shrimp and importing tuna fish. Throughout my journey, I have observed three key characteristics in my father that have been invaluable in international business.

1. He Is Always Looking for New Ideas

When I traveled with my father to seafood trade shows, he always encouraged me to analyze the event carefully. Afterward, he asked me to write a report on what I found important whether it was booth designs, new products related to aquaculture and the fish industry, or promotional materials like brochures and booklets.

He also encouraged me to come up with new ideas when sourcing products from other countries. For example, three years ago, I identified a reliable company in Indonesia. Before placing a trial order, I suggested that we meet with them in person. My father approved, and we traveled to Indonesia to inspect the quality of their skipjack tuna and establish a relationship. As a result, we not only placed our initial order of three containers but ended up purchasing seven containers so it was great price and very good quality.

2. He Stays Calm in Difficult Situations

One of the most stressful experiences I faced in business was when my email was hacked. A hacker altered the bank details on a proforma invoice, and I unknowingly transferred the payment to the wrong account. When I informed the seller via WhatsApp that the transfer had been made, he immediately responded No, Mary! This is not my account number.

I was in shock. I checked the invoice again and had a video call with the seller, who showed me the correct bank details. At that moment, I realized my email had been compromised. I went to my father office in tears while he was on a call. The moment he saw me, he hung up and asked what had happened. After I explained, he remained completely calm and simply told me to take a deep breath. He then contacted the bank immediately and requested them to halt the transaction.

Luckily, since the bank was still processing the transfer, my father quick action prevented the funds from reaching the hacker’s account. The bank informed us that such scams were becoming increasingly common, and many companies had lost money to professional hackers. That day, I learned the importance of staying composed during difficult times something my father has mastered. Instead of panicking, he focused on finding a solution, and his calmness helped save our money.

3. He Works Hard and Never Complains

My father wakes up early, works tirelessly from morning until night, and even dedicates his weekends to the business. From him, I have learned that loving what you do means being willing to put in the time and effort.

Since my role involves constant communication, calling, texting, and responding to emails I sometimes felt frustrated when my father asked me to handle work matters on weekends. In Iran, Friday is our weekend, but since I worked with companies in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, I often had to be available on Saturdays and Sundays as well. At times, I would complain that I needed a break. However, I always saw my father working every day, completely immersed in his job, never showing signs of exhaustion.

Time zone differences meant that I sometimes had to wake up early just to check and respond to emails. My father always reminded me that business requires dedication. By accompanying him to international trade shows and observing his work ethic, I have learned invaluable lessons about commitment and perseverance.