I own a multimillion-dollar business and believe teaching my kids about money is as important as literacy. Here's how I'm doing it.

Jhalesa Seymour is teaching her son financial literacy.

Courtesy of Jhalesa Seymour

• Jhalesa Seymour founded a feminine hygiene company in college.
• She hit $1 million in sales her second year, and has now had more than $16 million in sales.
• She wants her sons to understand budgeting and working for money.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jhalesa Seymour, founder of Salt.XO. It has been edited for length and clarity.

My mom raised five kids on a $30,000 salary.