Working hard in 2024: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that everyone is just ghosting their lives away, we’ve seen countless examples of how strong the work ethic is on every street and in every neighborhood in America. Hard work is alive and well and we asked some of the hardest working folks we know how they developed their work ethic.

Wendy Garfinkel

My work ethic was always strong and when I went to college for a second degree, I studied graphic design. My hardworking soul was ready to commit to whatever it took to create wonderful communications and I was fortunate to have teachers whose background included a strong sense of design understanding at a school in Switzerland called the Schule für Gestaltung Basel (Basel School of Design). Read more>>

Dr. Chardonnae Baity

Honestly, I believe that work ethic is a trait /attribute that is born within you, that can be loss as well as acquired through stages in someone’s life. My fathers work ethic was wicked, can’t stop won’t stop! Someone who would always find a way and never looked to quit. As they say, “some apples don’t fall too far from the tree.”  Read more>>

Trisha Owen

My family escaped from Vietnam after we lost the Vietnam War. My father was the mastermind in planning our escape and getting us safe refuge in America. It was a tough life growing up as poor immigrants. My parents both had prestigious careers in Vietnam, but now had to start their lives all over again in America learning a new culture and language.  Read more>>

Kendall Scruggs

My work ethic comes from a long line of hard workers. It trickled down to me from my father. He is always the hardest worker in the room and built his business from the ground up. I’ve followed in his foot steps by building my own business from the ground up. Read more>>

Darlene Niara Arrington

From the age of 11, I was introduced to dance by way of tap, jazz, african, hip hop, modern and ballet. From my knowledge at that time, if one was serious about training professionally then you began these dance styles somewhere between the ages of 3 and 5. Since this was not the case for me, I consciously believed that I was “behind” and needed to catch up to all the dancers I was surrounded by.  Read more>>

Anne Caroline Silva

My work ethic stems largely from the values instilled in me by my family, particularly my mother, who has always been my biggest inspiration. Growing up, I saw her dedication to helping others and her relentless pursuit of her goals, which taught me the importance of hard work, resilience, and integrity. These values have been the cornerstone of my professional life and have guided me through every step of my career. Read more>>

Garrett Hayes

Short answer: I get my work ethic from my parents. They taught me from a young age to never be afraid of any kind of work, always be willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, and be willing to do the jobs that no one else wants to do. Read more>>

Micaela Dartson

My father worked two jobs. He had a small moving company and was a nurses aid at the VA Hospital in Dallas. He wold work so hard, the salt from his sweat would stain his clothes. He would rush in, shower and eat and work 3pm-midnight and start over the next day.  Read more>>

Jaquita Ta’le

I inherited my work ethic from my family. I come from a long line of hard workers who love to do the best and most thorough job possible, regardless of what they’re doing. My grandmother became a professional hairstylist for television and film “late” in life after raising two boys, and absolutely loved her job.  Read more>>

Hannah Burgess

My father’s dedication to beekeeping had a profound impact on my work ethic. Growing up, I watched him tirelessly tend to the beehives, often working long hours in all kinds of weather conditions to ensure the health and productivity of our colonies.  Read more>>

Jenny Liu

From a young age, I was expected to have a strong work ethic. My parents immigrated to the US from China when I was 2 years old with a few hundred dollars in their pockets. They had to take whatever jobs were available at the time, washing dishes and working at the factory. Read more>>

Nicole Stevens

Well i come from a strong line of independent women from both mother and father side. Growing up watching my mother bringing in several streams of incomes From her catering business, as well as being her own BOSS by earning commission by being a Avon sales representative selling skincare/makeup, accessories and etc. Read more>>

Melinda Martin

I grew up playing competitive sports and feel it greatly impacted my drive, performance mindset and work ethic while growing our platform Momme. Sports teaches you so much: teamwork, hustle, how to win and how to take losses which are key elements of running a brand. Read more>>

Anjeanette Guinn

My mom and dad, they have worked.very hard all their lives. I appreciate their work ethic and dedication. Read more>>

David Coleman

I grew up with hard working parents who were wonderful role models. We also were a part of a family owned business in the vacation and resort industry in which everyone pitched in and did what was necessary to run a successful enterprise.  Read more>>

Nirupama Desai

I am a Certified Homeopath, and a Health and Wellness Coach practicing for the last 25 years. Health care and patient care run in my family. It’s my third generation in Alternative practice my grandfather being an Ayurvedacharya and my uncles in the medicine fraternity.  Read more>>

Katrina Winston

Every since I could remember, I never seen my mom or dad take days off from work. I remember my dad working two jobs and my mom worked full-time and went to school. In this generation you have people that call in so much they lose their jobs. I can’t even recall a day my parents missed work, and that’s where I get my work ethic from. Read more>>

Amanda Watkins

Hands down, my work ethic comes from my Father. What a role model. This man understood and took to heart the phrase “if you work hard and are kind, amazing things will happen.” He was in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and put himself through college. He then began working as a lineman for Georgia Power and worked himself up to District Manager in Gainesville, Ga. Read more>>

Connor Shiffert

I get my resilience from my daughters. Becoming a mother really became my motivation to push through and navigate any goal or conflict I’ve had. When I was just starting in my tattooing career I learned I was pregnant and I needed to be able to provide for my baby.  Read more>>

Carlos Ramirez

I think a majority of my work ethic and how I approach tasks before me I can honestly attribute to my parents and most of my family , growing up in the eastern coachella valley and the son of migrant farm workers I quickly learned although not always by choice the importance of hard work . At times Waking up before the sunrise to do agricultural work ,be it picking grapes ,chili’s, onions etc. At only 12 years old , Read more>>

Dr. Karla Arriarán

I think my work ethic is a combination of learned behavior, expectation and intrinsic motivation. As an immigrant, and the oldest of three, we were raised with hard working, dedicated parents. There was no other option. My parents came to the US with the hope of providing their children a better life.  Read more>>

Sharon Berebichez

This is something I learned from my father… he was an honorable man. People at his workplace loved him, he was a hard worker, always on time, very responsible and caring, treated everyone equally and with respect. His work ethic was admirable. Even when there were difficult times (and there were a few) he never gave up, making sure me and my sisters had everything. Read more>>

Alexis Noriega

Before I begin, let me just say that the open ended questions here are… self aggrandizing. For anyone who does, in fact, still have imposter syndrome (one question asked how I got over it- answer; I haven’t) literally all of them are like writing a cover letter. Read more>>

Emily Skye

I have been fortunate to have a father that has taught me from a young age what it meant to work hard for the things you want. He worked hard, built a window and door company (Royal Palm Aluminum) from nothing. He didn’t rely on anyone to do the job, so he did it. Read more>>

Kasey Norton

My parents split up when I was 9, so I was aware enough of what was going on. I watched my mom provide the very best childhood for me and looking back she did that by working hard. I was the last kid at after school care almost daily, I spent holidays like Easter and Halloween at shopping centers (her clients at the time). That was my normal! Read more>>

Cano Cardenas

To be candid, my upbringing was profoundly influenced by the unwavering dedication of both my parents and my grandmother. From my earliest memories, my father exemplified diligence by rising at 5 a.m. daily, immersing himself in the morning newspaper over coffee, and diligently fulfilling his responsibilities, whether delivering papers every Saturday or maintaining his fitness regimen. Read more>>

Nicole Grasty

Growing up as an only child I would constantly be around my parents. They are the ones that really set the example and shaped my work ethic today. We didn’t grow up with money, so my parents worked extremely hard to make a better life for themselves and create more opportunities for me. Read more>>

Aryana Hamzehloo

I get my work ethic from my parents. My mother is an immigrant from the Philippines and my father is an immigrant from Iran, and their struggles, perseverance and determination coming to America has taught me a lot about work ethic and why it is important.  Read more>>

Mika Boorem

Work ethic is a developed muscle. Over the years I’ve worked hard to strengthen and build this muscle. It takes resilience to always maintain a strong work ethic. You must mentally and physically practice being disciplined. I take great joy in having a strong work ethic. My mother was an extremely hard worker.  Read more>>

Isaiah Daniels

My work ethic comes from my parents, who were both incredibly hardworking individuals. My father, an entrepreneur throughout my childhood, taught me invaluable lessons in business and the importance of striving for excellence. He showed me that there’s always room to improve if you push yourself. Read more>>

Emma Burnside

Growing up I was an athlete, so I’d say that definitely helped. During my career as a competitive gymnast and an acrobat and the years of training prior, I had discipline instilled in me from an early age.  Read more>>

Jacqueline Ramirez

My work ethic is firmly grounded in my pursuit of a brighter future for both my family and myself. Each day, I’m fueled by the vision of a life where we all flourish without constraints or anxieties. This drive compels me to exert my utmost in every endeavor, recognizing that each stride forward propels us nearer to our aspirations.  Read more>>

Judith Turner-Yamamoto

Near the end of his life, my father told a story about my first bicycle, with the training wheels. How he removed them and threatened to return the bicycle to the store if I didn’t learn to ride. And that night, my mother reporting I spent the entire day falling off the bike, skinning my knees, and before dark, learning to ride on my own. Read more>>

Leighanne Herr

Definitely my dad. He is a successful entrepreneur and I started working for him in his office when I was a teenager. I got to observe the way he ran his company and I didn’t think a whole lot of it at the time but looking back I can see how that greatly shaped the person I am today pertaining to how I work and view business. Read more>>

Dr Nomathemba Ndlovu

I inherited my work ethic from the lessons instilled by my parents from a young age. While they worked full-time as high school educators, they were also entrepreneurs running several small businesses to supplement their income.  Read more>>

Jamal Thorne

I mainly get my work ethic from my parents, but my family has always emphasized the importance of hard work in anything. My mother always worked two jobs and my father is still working at 80 years old. He never really had a whole lot to say, but one time he said “you can have anything in the world as long as you work for it.” Read more>>

Katrina, Madelysse Johnson, Dam

We’re incredibly lucky to have been raised by resilient, hardworking parents. We’ve seen them not only raise us but also continue to pursue their careers seamlessly. As a woman-owned and operated business, witnessing our mothers juggle motherhood and career demands has been truly inspiring. Read more>>

Brenda Whiteside

My father was the proverbial workaholic. He came from a family of seven children, whose father abandoned the brood early on. At fifteen, my father quit school and worked in the Sears warehouse in Phoenix to help his mom feed the family. When he married at twenty, his focus switched to his young wife and building their nest. Read more>>