Passion, drive and determination are the three words that come to mind when I think of my dad. Those are the three words he has instilled in me since before I was able to walk.

Building a puzzle at the age of four, I remember becoming so frustrated and wanting to throw down the pieces and give up; however, my dad wouldn’t let me.

Accomplishments come from one's own want to succeed and he has taught me that that isn’t handed to you. That day, I sat there for hours and completed that puzzle.

My dad is Jordan Zimmerman, he started Zimmerman Advertising with a 10,000 loan, sleeping on his parents’ couch. He had absolutely nothing and was turned down from every single firm he interviewed at in New York City. So he said what the heck, I’ll start my own agency and make it different from the rest. Now, being one of the top ten largest advertising agencies in the world, I definitely have some big shoes to fill.

Walking the halls of the agency, from the age of two to the age of twenty, has always given me a deep urge to succeed. It’s like a rush of adrenaline seeing that my father has become nicknamed “Advertising’s Bad Boy” grabbing clients from Dunkin Donuts to Nissan. The man literally doesn’t sleep answering calls 24 hours of the day and constantly working out in the spare time he gets (usually 3 in the morning). Most don’t understand and think he is out of his mind. On the contrary, I know that it's just his constant drive to be the best at everything he does.

Do what you love. That has been the biggest thing my dad has taught me to live by since childhood. I love painting, writing, fashion. My interests don’t really have anything to do with my father's besides our similar creative minds. Most assumed I would major in advertising when that has never been my plan at all. I do not want to take the easy route (he would never make it easy). Working for my dad is not something I am opposed to, but I want to make something of myself that embodies me. I want my job to characterize everything that I am.

I want to make my own name for myself.

Our relationship has definitely been one of tough love. I had a hard time accepting having a dad that is usually not around and working. With age, I have come to appreciate the sacrifices he makes. I also have come to cherish the rare time I get to spend with him. He sacrifices to contribute to not only his love of what he does in the office, but also his work ethic for his family.

Hey, dad I promise to fill your shoes. Heck, I hope to break right through them. As you say, you sleep when you die and I plan to live by that.