My mother told me the same thing. I didn’t run a multi million dollar company but I amounted to something. I moved 3000 miles away and never looked back. I love her with all my heart I don’t know if it was tough love but words stick. A teacher told you that and you probably surpassed her. Sometimes I wonder if the negative words stick to make us stronger. My mother and your teacher may have planted a mustard seed that guided who we became. Just a thought.