We asked some of the hardest working artists, creatives and entrepreneurs we know to open up to us about where they think they got their work ethic from. Below, you’ll find some of those responses, stories, and advice.
Sheree J Wilson
I got my work ethic from my parents and my grandparents. Both my mother and my father grew up on farms. My dad’s was a dairy farm in Iowa and my mother’s was a beef cattle Farm in Minnesota. My entire childhood I spent so much time riding on the tractor with my grandfather, when they were bailing hay, feeding all the animals. I was very good at milking the cows and giving bottles to the baby goats and sheep. There was always something to be done from set up to sundown. I just assumed that everybody worked as hard as my parents did and my grandparents. I love to be in action and always doing something working on some project. It really did prepare me for the 12 hour days on sets and memorizing 10 pages of dialogue every night before tomorrow’s call time. I once asked my dad if I could get an allowance because I was cutting the grass, doing the dishes, helping my mom with laundry, tending the garden, mopping out the stalls in the barn where we kept our horses… my dad just looked at me with total confusion and then started to laugh! He said let me get this straight, you would like me to pay you to be a member of this family is that what I’m hearing? I said never mind! HA! Read more>>
Tara Rook
Ever since I can remember, I have always been a dedicated and hard worker. This trait was instilled in me by watching my parents commit their time and energy to creating a supportive home environment for my sisters and me. They were not only diligent in their work but also actively engaged in our community and family life. Read more>>
Jackeline Gonzalez
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the principles instilled in me by my parents. From a young age, I learned the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance through their example. They taught me that success is not just about talent or intelligence, but about the willingness to roll up your sleeves and put in the effort required to achieve your goals. Read more>>
AJ Keyser
I get my work ethic from my parents. My parents are the hardest working people I have ever met. When you are a full-time musician, you have to hustle hard. You have to constantly network. Constantly send booking emails. Constantly update and promote on social media. You have to work on songwriting and manage a band. Sometimes it’s hard to force yourself to be creative when writing. A lot of the time you get writer’s block. That’s why I write with a team of people (other musicians and authors of books) to overcome challenges while sparking inspiration for songs. I also work hard with a publishing rights organization called BMI where I earn royalties for my music. I have to document every performance that I play at and update the setlist from each night. I am also my own audio engineer. I learned how to do audio in 2021 and took classes from my producer and my audio tech. I am happy to say I am fully self-sufficient and independent which are essential skills that you need in the music industry. I work every day of the week, but I am content doing so because music is my passion and my dream. Read more>>
Amabel Theophila
I have always prided myself on my work ethic. If you ask any of my friends and peers about the one quality that makes me shine, I hope they all say my work ethic.
Perhaps it started with my parents always encouraging me to put my best effort into academics. I was a straight-A student all throughout high school, but I quickly realized that my grades were not a product of my natural intelligence. I was simply not a naturally smart kid – I learned that my success in academics was rather a product of my work ethic. I’ve always tried my best. I had the determination and initiative to make use of the resources available around me to help myself improve at whatever it was I was struggling with. As I grew older, I actually realized that there wasn’t anything that I’m *naturally* good at. Read more>>
Kenny Ingram
I received my work ethic from my father. I saw him get up every morning at dawn and work hard for his family. Either as a garbage collector, a janitor, cleaning up chain stores, mopping bar saloons or shining shoes. He held down three or four different jobs a day. I witnessed it. So, I knew there was no other way but to work. I figured if I put my all into myself with working hard. I could live my passion, My true dream. Read more>>
Bev Shaffer
I grew up in a large family environment and was always told that if you want something you have to work hard toward that goal. That always stuck with me. I know that my parents both gave 100% to their jobs (my dad was a chemical engineer and my mom was an assembler worker), jobs that were not easy. I have just continued that model, even when I’m tired or don’t think I can complete a task, I somehow pull the strength from inside me and get the job done well. Read more>>
Tiffany DaSilva
My entire work ethic comes from my Brazilian family’s background. Specifically my mom. She immigrated here from Brazil and within a few years became a top manager at one of the biggest companies at the time. Without speaking any English… Read more>>
Thomas Rafus Jr
I personally believe my work ethic comes from the place I call home. Throughout my life, growing up in Baltimore had allowed me to develop two perspectives of simply being from here. Read more>>
Juan Delgado
My worth ethic comes from being surrounded by hard working people all my life. It all started seeing my father always working ever since I can remember and still does to this day and I can honestly say he’s someone I look up to as well are both of my grandmas. One of them is no longer with us due to loosing her battle with cancer a few years ago but when I tell you her work ethic was unmatched, you’d always see her doing something every time you saw her. My other grandma is still around and the stories my mother would tell me growing up and to this day I can assure you she is a definition of a hustler especially having to raise 5 children on her own. Read more>>
Chamar Kinney
I get my work ethics from my parents. Growing up both my parents worked so hard.and sometime multiple jobs at some point. It was very inspiring to watch them and to still make time for family. Read more>>
cally logan
From an early age my parents instilled in me the value of hard work and a strong work ethic. Although I grew up in Virginia, my family finds its roots in the upper Mid-West, and woven throughout my upbringing was the strong, resilient, and honest work ethic found in those Mid-Western fibers. As a child it seemed an annoyance and a hindrance to free time to play, but I cannot even begin to thank my parents enough now for the skills they taught me through the value of knowing how to fix just about anything, how to mend and sew my own clothes, how to cook and clean, and how to put in a good day’s work. These are beneficial in life, but also in how they proved to shift my mindset in all that I do. It can be easy to take shortcuts and half-bake tasks, but putting your heart and soul into something, no matter how small, builds integrity in the craft of whatever you put your mind and hands to, big or small. I will forever be indebted to my parents for that work ethic that was truly taught by their fine example. Read more>>
Kendall Covitz
My parents and grandparents have been incredible role models throughout my life. Both of my parents owned their own businesses, and my grandfather was a serial entrepreneur. Witnessing their dedication to both parenting and business growth has inspired me to carve my own path rather than conform to a standard 9-5 job. Now, as a parent to three young children, my drive has only intensified. I am constantly motivated to balance my time between nurturing my family and expanding my business. Read more>>
UYG Flizop
I get my work ethic from my father, growing up on the small island of St. Croix where there isn’t much opportunities or jobs to make money my father still found ways to make things happen for our family everyday. Read more>>
Kristin House
I received my work ethic from my family. I’m second generation, Portuguese-American from my mom’s side. My mom’s story of continuously pushing for a better life her whole life; was intimidating and inspiring all at once. She single-handedly worked to pay for me, my brother, and my dad to go to college all at the same time. She has never let that fire inside her die. When I was around 12, my Dad went back to school to get his degree in Kinesiology. When he finished, he wanted a job with his favorite soccer team (the San Jose Earthquakes) and one day we went to a soccer game together. As the team practiced we waited beside the field until they finished and were heading to the locker rooms. My dad took that chance to speak to the head Athletic Trainer as they walked. He introduced himself and reminded him that he was the one who had been trying to reach out via email and phone calls. Long story short, my Dad ended up getting that position, and from then on I kept that belief that if you really wanted something, you exhaust all options to get there. Read more>>
Quentavius (Q) Ogletree
I get my work ethic from my parents. They’re both hard workers & a hustlers nonetheless. Despite all the tribulations & adversity they went through me and my sister never once went without. They never let us see them giving up & growing up I was very / still am a quiet person. I observe way more than I speak & seeing that put a battery in my back to understand how I personally had to be in this world. They always tell me to be the best at whatever I do. I’m not afraid of hard work I’m motivated by it. They want me to be better than them. I’m more grateful for them than they are for me. Read more>>
Suzanne Baginskie
I definitely credit my father, who always told us we could do anything we put our mind too. I grew up in household of four children, three girls and one boy. As the eldest, I assumed the responsibility of taking care of my younger siblings. My father worked hard in those days, but he had an artistic knack and love for drawing and painting. Every house we lived in had a desk in the living room until he passed away. He’d rise around five a.m. and worked on his craft, before going to his employment. I watched him steal off-time moments to consistently meet deadlines and pursue his passion. He never let the rejections get him down. Eventually, he became a well-known cartoonist and sold cartoons to many markets, such as Woman’s World, and the New York Times. He gave me the greatest example of applying yourself and I still followed his work ethic example and prioritize my writing time. Read more>>
Randi Andrade
My immediate response to the question of where my work ethic originates from is: Family. I come from a family that places great importance on ethics and values and one of the most important was your work ethic. In our family we believed nothing is given to you it must be earned. Even if someone gifted something to you it was likely due to the work you put into yourself on being a kind and caring person deserving of that gift. Having a strong work ethic was important not just in the work place but also in the work you do to develop who you are as a person. In our home working to become a kind, compassionate, loving and giving person was just as important as the effort you put into your career each day. It was clear that the person you are carries over into the work you do. Read more>>
Megan Bautista
I think I have always had a pretty good worth ethic naturally. Growing up I understood that if I wanted something that I would need to put in the work and pay my dues in order to achieve whatever that is. I danced and competed til 13 years old, so I was used to a lot of long practices, structure and discipline when it came to my craft. Fast forward to present, since becoming a professional aerialist, this was no different. I thoroughly enjoy dance arts and it always made me feel alive. Dedicating each week to training and all the other prep that goes into gig work, feels worth it to know that I am doing something I love. I genuinely feel like I am a better person because of aerial arts. Read more>>
Parish Mandhan
My biggest inspiration for my work ethic is my mother. Since childhood, I have seen her work tirelessly every single day without taking any days off to provide for our family. Her dedication and unwavering commitment have set a high standard that I strive to meet in my own life. While I know I may never fully reach her bar, I aim to emulate her consistency and determination in everything I do. Every day, I put in the effort to figure out what I want and how to achieve my goals. Even on days when I don’t feel like working, I push myself to keep going. I remind myself that there is always someone out there who might want it as badly as I do, if not more. This thought drives me to maintain a strong work ethic and stay consistent in my efforts. Ultimately, my goal is to honor the example my mother has set and continually improve in my pursuit of success. Read more>>
Micheal Stewart
personally i feel that you either got work ethic or you don’t. But i can say i got mine from my mom i always see her work hard in her work clothes never missing a day and even if we didn’t have it she made sure we got it Read more>>
Kadin McElwain
I get my work ethic from my parents. They taught me a lot about life and that hard work always pays off. If something is worth having, you should always work for it. Read more>>
Gianna Gomez
Growing up as a professional actress and dancer since age 5, I’ve learned to perfect my craft and put in 110%. My strong work ethic comes from my parents, teachers, and mentors, who instilled in me a focused, determined, and positive mindset. My parents always taught me to surround myself with individuals who are better and stronger than me to challenge myself. This method has taught me how to be adaptable, work hard, and better myself. Also, I skipped 3 grades and graduated college May 2024 at 20 years old and will be pursuing my MBA Fall 2024. I am a creative problem solver with professional communication skills, thrive under pressure, and am persistent in achieving my goals. Read more>>
Jonathan Scott
I have always been a hard worker since I was a kid. I first had a job at the age of 12 and continued to work from that age to this day, and only took one year off when I was focused on my education. When I was 15 I was enrolled at a regional occupational program in high school, when I signed up for audio technology and learned how to record and mix bands and musicians. That is what got me into recording programs in college that led to becoming a recording engineer, practicing sound design, and mixing sound for films, and then now I practice as a field sound mixer and recordist. Now I constantly have my cell phone or email inbox filled with customers hitting me up to work sound on their projects or films. Read more>>
Antonio Guadagni
I get my work ethic from my upbringing as the son of Italian immigrants. Being the first generation of my family here in the United States gave me a unique blend of the European and American ways of life. My parents felt an obligation to succeed because they were allowed to come to the greatest country where opportunities are abundant. They worked multiple jobs to maintain an income until the opportunity to be business owners presented itself. From that point, they owned several businesses, ranging from a dry-cleaning business to multi-million dollar restaurants. Each venture was family-run, meaning my parents’ four sons were all involved in the family business. While other children enjoyed their summer or holiday breaks from school, we were working at our family businesses. Read more>>
Ricardo & Desiree Jaimes
As a small business owner, I’ve gained my worth ethic from my father in whom was always a hard worker to provide for his family, that passed down to me. I strive for the best for my family and my clients. Read more>>
Diana Chastain
I grew up with hard working woman. For a while though, I did believe the Disney lie that a man would come and save me, but the reality is, you have to save yourself. When I am around good people, I naturally want to help and contribute anyway I can. Read more>>
Natasha Nguyen
My work ethic was instilled in me during my school years. My teachers emphasized the importance of organization and meeting deadlines, a habit that I diligently maintained by communicating proactively if any issues arose. This discipline carried over into my professional life, both in my roles within companies and in managing my own brand. I rely on detailed to-do lists to ensure I accomplish my tasks and consistently strive for improvement. I value loyalty and believe in the power of teamwork; when my managers and coworkers share this mindset, we can all succeed and shine together. Read more>>
Kaydren Nuno
I do believe I have a very strong work ethic. I love to work and get the job done and do it well. I started working at the young age of 15 due to my father pushing me into getting a job. He taught me that if you want anything in life you have to work for it and you have to work well. I remember I had just gotten my first car, but to drive it I needed a job to pay for insurance and gas. So, that’s what I did. I got a job making $6.75 an hour at my local grocery store. To be honest, it was a job way outside my comfort zone. I had lots of anxiety as a teen but I made sure to put my best effort and work as hard as possible and it did pay off. I was appreciated and well-liked and I did enjoy helping customers and my coworkers. With strong work ethic, I feel comes great opportunity. Read more>>
Ernest Ramirez
I love talking about work ethic. I feel like it has lost it’s shine as of late. Work ethic is so important as a small business owner. I attribute my understanding and appreciation for work ethic to my father. He worked for Phillips 66 for over 27 years and retired early. I watched him get up every morning and go to work, methodically. He never took extra time off. He worked on days when he wasn’t 100%. He worked when he was sick. He always made sure to provide for us at all times. As a young boy, Dad spent time teaching me the importance of working hard, staying focused, and challenging myself to learn new skills. He taught me how to use tools, how to build, and how to investigate and problem solve. He taught me that those skills could be applied to just about anything, and the structure and discipline that come with those skills would help me in whatever career path that I chose. Read more>>
Joana Cruz
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I come from a Filipino immigrant background, so I learned very early on that you, and only you, are responsible for building your life. I feel this sentiment a lot more in recent years as I’ve pursued a non-traditional career path compared to my family. This leads me to add that not only are we responsible for making things happen for ourselves, but we’re also responsible for defining what’s most important, regardless of what that looks like to others. I spent a lot of time growing up doing what I thought people wanted me to do, only to realize that I’d abandoned myself so much in the process. A lot of my drive now comes from knowing that I’m able to build a beautiful, comfortable, and meaningful life without ever having to compromise myself again. Read more>>
Wayneroy Randal
That’s a good question. In all honesty, my work ethic comes from the lack of professionalism I find in some of the people I work with. It’s what drives me to do better. There have been times when there is no sense of urgency, and the time you spend waiting on someone else to do their job so you can do yours is irritating. I vowed never to be like that. There is a saying that says “Time is Money”, and in my industry it’s definitely the truth. I’m usually the first one there and the last one to leave. Read more>>
Jovana Vukanic
My work ethic comes from my family. Both of my parents are first-generation Serbian Americans. All four of my grandparents immigrated from Yugoslavia to the United States between 1957 and 1965. Each was born and raised in rural villages we call “selos,” and the highest level of education they completed ranged from middle school to high school. None of my grandparents spoke English upon immigrating. On my maternal side, my grandfather Miodrag learned English and business at an uncle’s convenience store in Indianapolis, Indiana. After safely returning from the Vietnam War, he married Dusanka and became the first business owner in the family by opening a semi-truck mechanic shop in Brookfield, Illinois. My grandmother Dusanka had a life-long career with United Airlines as a member of the cabin cleaning crew. On my paternal side, my grandmother Sonja learned English while working in car and locomotive factories for General Motors. She also had several odd jobs, including overnight janitorial work and nannying. My grandfather Petar was an electrician. Read more>>
Crystal Ishihara
My work ethic likely stems from being the oldest of four (4) and striving to be an overachiever which resulted in an anxious brain. As the oldest child, I often had to be the first one to do things, without someone else to follow. Fortunately for me, I didn’t know that I should expect to follow someone else’s example, so I tended to just try to figure out my own way. The overachiever mentality probably started when I was in school. I had a second grade teacher tell me that my brain was like a “sponge” because it just soaked up information. It was the first time that I remember someone telling me that I was smart, and I just decided to run with it. And the rest is kind of just brain chemistry; you set the goal, you reach the goal, you get the dopamine hit, and then you want to do it all over again. I have been fortunate that this has allowed me to accomplish a weird amalgamation of achievements. Read more>>
