I had my daughter at 19 and needed to go on welfare. Now, we run a million-dollar business together.

Traci Szemkus had her daughter Lyrik when she was 19.

Courtesy of Traci Szemkus

• Traci Szemkus, 47, got pregnant with her daughter, Lyrik, when she was 19.
• She went on welfare, including food stamps and childcare.
• She vowed to become a doctor by 25, and did. Now, she and Lyrik run a company.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Traci Szemkus, cofounder of WorkPlay Branding. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I grew up in a very small, tight-knit farming community in Iowa.