We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic come from? Is it something we learn from our parents, or are we born with it? Do our friends, work environment or the city we reside in impact it? We asked some of the hardest working folks we know to share where they think they get their work ethic from.
Bev Moser
Growing up in a small farming community, work ethic is deeply ingrained in the fabric of daily life. The values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance are not just principles but practical necessities for survival and success in the agricultural lifestyle. Individuals in such communities often rise early to tend to crops and livestock, facing the unpredictable challenges of weather and seasons. Read more>>
Anatoliy Aponchuk
My father, he started working when he was 14 years old at a brick factory back in Ukraine and has been working ever since, watching him work hard all the time is something me and my brothered inherited. Read more>>
Heidi Shabarek
Every since I was in my early teens, my work ethic has been very strong. As soon as I turned 16, I applied to my first job and worked full time/12 hour shifts in the summer, and part time 5 days a week during school months. To state I’m very much work driven is really an understatement! I thrive under pressure and I believe that this trait has strongly encouraged my work ethic to be the best that it could be! Read more>>
Tiago Sampaio de Oliveira
My work ethic it is pretty much related with personal experiences . I tried as much as possible to work with our patients and collaborators the way that I would like to be treated .
I also have a group of professionals that I admire and appreciate their conduct. Read more>>
Sheree Hartwell
I believe that I get my strong work ethic from my parents. Both had a very different influence on me throughout my childhood and early twenties but I see their traits in me more and more each day. My parents divorced when I was 5 years old and my mom and I moved from South Dakota to Arizona to start a new life. Read more>>
Kyleigh Rumpca
I come from a long line of entrepreneurs and of entrepreneurial mindsets. But more specifically my mom and dad have had the biggest influence on me. They owned their excavating business before I was born and grew up witnessing the challenges, hardships but also the successes and benefits of owning and operating their business. Read more>>
Messiah Butler
I would say I got my work ethic from training for 10+ years for nearly 8 hours a day. Every day since I was in elementary I was training after school at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in all styles for about 4-6 hours. Which also ties into my work ethic for my business and keeping that same mentality when something needs to be done or accomplished. Read more>>
Heather Carlucci
I think I can truly say that there are two big aspects of my life that attribute to my work ethic. First, I come from a family of immigrants and business owners. Entrepreneurship runs in my veins from my great grandfather opening multiple hair salons and barbershops after coming here at 17 as a barber’s apprentice from Sicily
to my parents who have always been the builder of businesses as a studio photographer and floral designer. Read more>>
Katie Dooley
Growing up in Edmonton, Canada I found a passion for Irish dancing. Dance was more than bouncing around with my childhood friends. It was a lesson in the value of hard work and perseverance. Irish dancing taught me that passion alone isn’t enough to succeed. Every step, every rhythm required practice. It also taught me that there are people who are working just as hard, if not harder than you to acheive the same thing. Read more>>
Jenni Dale Lord
I was raised by a single mother who was a hard worker and set an amazing example of resilience and determination. Not only was she a full-time teacher, but she managed to get her Masters degree in the middle of raising two young children, made sure we had pretty much everything we wanted, for sure everything we needed, and found a way to be present in all of our extra-curricular activities and then some. Read more>>
Andrea Karow
I have always been a self-starter. I was raised in a home where being punctual, reliable and dedicated were basic tenants to live by. A positive work ethic for me has always been my organizational skills, which of course has proved very helpful in my design business when I’m balancing multiple projects at a time. I am open and honest with my clients which creates a positive work environment. Read more>>
Deweese White
I get my work ethic from my family. I get my work ethic from my dad who showed me when he had gotten sick that he had a fever and still went to work. That’s how he inspired me to always work for what you want. Never settle. My dad knew how to hustle and put in the hard work, that’s where I get my drive from. My father is no longer with us, but he drives me to keep putting in the work. Read more>>
T’Asha Overton
My mom and my grandmother. Those two have always spoke to me about work ethic, the dos and the don’ts. I remember when I first started working at my first job, my mom was a little annoyed because it was far from our house but one thing she and my grandmother did do was make sure I was there on time and if I wanted to call off my mom would ask “why are you calling off?” and I would come up with a reason why I did not want to go, but my mom was not going for it! Any time I made a commitment to do something, those two made sure that I saw it through and supported me through the process. Read more>>
Bobby Cnare
All of the parental figures in my life have told me my whole life to do something you love and to work hard at it. Even when I was playing basketball as a kid and hating it, my parents made sure I would see it through to the end. SLOTHH is a similar solution. We work very hard to do what we do; the biggest perk to all of of it is that we love doing it. We’re shooting for the moon. Read more>>
Jocelyn + Shanon Thomas
Jocelyn – My work ethic comes from my military pedigree. There has been so much adversity that I’ve faced during my years of service, and in life in general, I truly believe I can push through anything. Additionally, dedication and the pure will to win drives me to always be the hardest worker in any room. Read more>>
Tracey Baker-Simmons
I get my work ethics from my mother – she was divorced for a period of time during my childhood and worked 3 jobs to keep us in our home and fed. She always would say “there is no such thing as a free lunch” Some would say we had become latch key kids and that was true but that woman rose at 3AM to prepare breakfast for us before her 6 AM bus shift. She came home around 5 PM and changed to go to her manager’s position at McDonalds and at night when she returned home she ironed her uniforms, threw in a load of laundry and made sure we were set for the following day. Read more>>
Samantha Sao
Work ethic was instilled in me at a young age. My parents worked in a garment factory when they came to the U.S. and remained there for about 30 years. We had 2 sewing machines at home and they always brought their work home with them. They were getting paid per piece — 10 cents per piece to be exact. Read more>>
Luis M. Barbosa
I think my work ethic comes from the way I was raised. Back in Bogotá, Colombia I grew up learning to adapt to different situations and adversities. Under harsh or comfortable situations I tried to always “read the room” and plan accordingly. There’s always a time to say things and also a time to keep quiet. Regardless of the situation what matters is your positive attitude and to listen to what people say to you, always pay attention and be in the moment. This will always bring a good vibe around you. Read more>>
Jasmine Isom
My work ethic is deeply rooted in a combination of personal values, life experiences, and a genuine passion for what I do. Growing up, I was instilled with the belief that hard work and dedication are fundamental virtues. Witnessing my parents’ unwavering commitment to their professions served as a powerful example. Read more>>
DANA LEWIS
My approach to work is characterized by unwavering dedication, loyalty, and a strong commitment to achieving goals. I come from a lineage of accomplished entrepreneurs, and I’ve inherited a deep sense of professionalism directly from my revered parents. My father exemplified dependability by faithfully serving the same employer for four decades. Read more>>
Tami Wong
I got my work ethic from my grandparents on both sides. My Grandpa Bailey was Vice President of Academic Affairs at South Dakota State University when he retired. He would frequently go to his office after he washed the dinner dishes and work. I found out as an adult that his work that affected the entire system statewide. Read more>>
Paige Ellsworth
I come from a line of female entrepreneurs. My grandma started a company selling books that taught people how to type on the computer. My mom started her own company selling materials for speech-language pathologists to use with children. I worked for both businesses growing up and got to see the ins and outs of the small business world. Read more>>
Dee Williams
My mother and grandmother taught me to work hard to achieve my goals in life. I was born in Oakland, Ca and raised in the bay area in the 80’s- early 2000’s. During that time the bay area was very fast paced and most of my peers and I had to grow up pretty fast due to the circumstances of our environment. By the time I was in High School, I already experienced certain situations that most young adults haven’t even gone through yet. Read more>>
Brandon Hudspeth
I get my work ethic from inspiration. I think it’s very important to constantly seek inspiration and to stay inspired. One of the ways that I do this is I have a lot of heroes. I look up to a lot of people who have put in the work, have stayed the course and have become successful. I believe that when you are inspired you naturally enjoy the process of “the work”. That’s when the magic happens! Read more>>
DJ iSizzle
Well, it’s deeply rooted in the lessons my mom taught me from a young age. She instilled the importance of diligence and perseverance in everything I do. I remember a particular story from my childhood that always reminds me of the value of hard work. Read more>>
Katherine Klimitas
I grew up with two parents who each owned a thriving veterinary practice, so I quickly learned how hard someone has to work if they own their own business. My parents did what they had to to create successful businesses, and I watched them each make a name for themselves in the city of New Orleans. Read more>>
Cy White
The simple answer? My father. My daddy’s been an educator my entire life, and his style of education was always about putting everything you have into the thing you love the most. For him, that was teaching (even when he moved into administration). For me, it’s writing, and more broadly the arts. Read more>>
THOMAS MEYERS
I believe I got my work ethic from my time in the military. I served 22 years in the United States Air Force which taught me discipline, time management and so many other important qualities. I required to always stay ready to serve 24 hours a day and 365 days a year until it was time for me to take the uniform off for the last time. Read more>>
Hannah Williams
My work ethic has been shaped by a combination of influential individuals and pivotal experiences. Much of it stems from the unwavering determination and hard work of my parents, who instilled in me a sense of punctuality that has become a defining trait. Reflecting on our habit of constantly arriving 15 minutes early to events, I realize how this disciplined approach has become ingrained in my own work ethic. Read more>>
Monica Morones
I come from a line of women who owned restaurants. My grandmother, my aunts, my mother. I went to work at the young age of 11 and learned the importance of work and have worked every day since. My mother showed me the importance of managing my money at a young age and the sacrifices you have to make to own your own business and what that cost is. Read more>>
Darcy Bly
As a child I was raised on a Rainbow Trout Farm outside of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho surrounded by nearly 60,000 acres of natural pine forest. I watched my parents build a homestead, generate hydroelectricity, raise a family, and become entirely sufficient using their hands, blood, sweat and tears. I am sure this is where my work ethic comes from. Read more>>
Savannah Broeren
I get my work ethic from my mom. Growing up, she told us that if we want something, we have to work for it, and that there are no short cuts. That’s something I continue to remind myself! Read more>>
Ksenia Zaytseva
Where there is a will, there is a way. I believe work ethics come from doing something you love and desire to do well. Read more>>
Mike Faricy
I’m a baby boomer and the oldest in a family of five children. With five children in the 1950s and 60s we were one of the smaller families in the neighborhood. Both my parents worked and the general rule in the house was ‘If you’re closest to the broom, sweep the floor.’ Read more>>
Matthew Pellowski
This is a simple yet complicated question to answer. The best way I can answer this is to say, I get it from me, myself and no one or no where else. You have to want to do things in life, you have to have goals and dreams and ambitions and most importantly you have to have the drive and perseverance to go after them. Read more>>
Sunday Avanti
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the incredible example set by my mother, who is my ultimate hero. Witnessing her unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in her daily pursuits has been a constant source of inspiration for me. She possesses a unique blend of creativity, passion, humor, and a touch of playfulness that makes her not just a hard worker but a well-rounded individual. Read more>>
Nadia Alshomali
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my belief that we should strive to leave a positive impact on every person we encounter in life, regardless of whether they are aware of my actions. What truly matters to me is the sense of doing good and making the world a better place. In my professional life, I consistently endeavor to be fair and provide opportunities to those who demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow. Read more>>
Kira Lynn
I grew up with very ambitious parents. My mom is a visual artist and just recently opened up her own art gallery, and then my dad has owned his own law firm for many years. They have taught me to always go after what I want and to not give up. Read more>>
Nina Brothers
My strong work ethic comes from watching my parents work hard to achieve their goals every year, even when it meant taking risks. Their determination inspired me. When I started my own business, I wanted to follow their example and work just as hard. More than just a business to me, it’s a mission. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Haupert
I got my work ethic from starting my career in New York City. Moving to Manhattan in my early 20s, finding roommates and an apartment on Craigs List, working for MTV in Times Square and learning to navigate a new city – THE city – was thrilling and impossible if I didn’t give it my all. I learned early on to be confident in what I was doing – be it getting on the subway or completing new tasks as work. Read more>>
Lynn Lessell
Work ethic is an interesting term. Does it pertain to work as a profession or work that’s applied to caring for your family? For me, it applies to both. The effort it takes to manage a home and the people that live in it is work. Sometimes it may be more difficult than the work you do on a job. Read more>>
Mike Stang
I got my work ethic from my parents. Both were very hard working, driven, and organized. It was always in-forced in me to not half ass anything I had committed to. Even if it was something I did care much for, but had given a commitment to I was taught to do the task to the best of my abilities. Read more>>
Esther Kim
I owe every ounce of work ethic that I have to my mother. My mom is a first generation Korean American who immigrated to the US over 40 years ago with $20 to her name and the dream of providing a better world to her future children. She raised me and my two sisters as a single mother after my father passed away suddenly when I was only 8 months old. Read more>>
Taylor Gallegos
I’ve always loved my time making art, and the activity of it. I’ve always been able to lose myself in time with a painting or a drawing, but my work ethic that has taken me into being a professional came from my last side job that I had before going all in with murals, and that was in construction. Read more>>
Kaden Lymon
From a young age, I’ve been surrounded by men and women that hustle and complete their tasks. My parents and siblings are really good examples of what applied dedication. Growing up with their consistent impact on my life, working hard became like second nature for me. From sports to community engagement and of course to photography/videography, hard work has come very naturally to me. Read more>>
Sarika Diaz
Simply put, my strong work ethic is in my blood. I believe I inherited it from my grandparents on my mother’s side. My grandfather, Kwok Young Dong, immigrated to the US in 1950 to join my great grandfather who was living in NYC. Read more>>
Lawrence Gober
I definitely inherited my strong work ethic from my parents. Growing up, I watched them work hard for everything they had, and that instilled the same drive in me. It reminds me that sometimes, I am my own obstacle, so getting up and doing the work can help me get where I need to be. Read more>>
Lori Schoer
I was raised near New London, MN, growing up with my back yard adjacent to a State Park. I come from a family where hard work and dedication were very important and continue to be important. I started working at the age of 12 years old in my grandparents’ restaurant. Read more>>
Tiffany Rose
My work ethic comes from being in corporate for many years. I have worked many positions that required me to wear multiple hats while multi-tasking and prioritizing my work, life balance. Each position allowed me to build notable skills for growth, several promotions and learn value lessons that benefit me as an entrepreneur. Read more>>
Alfredo Mele
I define myself as someone sensitive and with deeply rooted values, which are oriented to give the best and make the people I care about feel proud, the name of Alfredo Mele is a legacy of immense value and I try to make it so recognized. Read more>>
LaFarris L. Risby, CFLE
I inherited my strong work ethic from my family, where I was taught the importance of giving my best effort in everything I do. The values instilled in me include maintaining high standards and staying true to my morals. Setting clear goals and expectations for myself has been a crucial aspect of my journey. Along the way, I’ve come to realize that everyone has their own unique interpretation of work ethic, as individual perspectives vary. Read more>>
Tiffany Cohen Jorge Gutierrez Valera
Our work ethic is influenced by a combination of factors, including cultural background, family values, and personal experiences. In Jorge’s case, his family’s three generations of olive oil production instilled a strong work ethic tied to their agricultural heritage. On the other hand, Tiffany’s family, being immigrants from Jamaica, informed a work ethic shaped by determination, resilience, and the pursuit of opportunities in a new country. Both backgrounds contribute to our unique perspectives on work and dedication in the context of FLOR DE LA JARA. Read more>>
