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.
Derrick Moore
My father. I cannot associate my work ethic to anything or anyone else but my father. He started taking us on worksite with him from as young as I can remember. Seeing him work long hours in the sun made me want to do the same to provide for those who you love. Read more>>
Marquis Magwood
My work ethic is a testament to the values imparted by my parents. From a young age, they introduced me to football, knowing it would teach me more than just the game itself. Through the sport, I discovered the importance of discipline and structure. Football not only showed me how to work cohesively within a team but also nurtured the qualities necessary for leadership. These lessons have profoundly influenced my character and approach to life. Read more>>
Ladeidra Stokes-roberts, M.s.,m.a
I get my work ethic from my father Leroy Stokes. He was a huge influence in our lives. My dad was so dedicated and passionate about being a truck driver and he dedicated over 50 years to the trucking industry. My dad started us at a very young age to get out to work hard at any and everything that you want in life. He taught me, my siblings, and my cousins that you can be anything you want to be in this world but you have to go out there and work hard for it. I remember as a young girl my dad made me work for everything and he would pay me for it. Even as a young girl, my cousin and I would travel with him on his 18-wheeler and he would pay us for taking his per diem, his meals,etc. I was taught by my parents at a very early age how to deposit money into the bank, write out deposit slips,etc. Honestly, this taught me to be time management, consistency, and discipline when it relates to my career. Read more>>
Amanda Moreno
Definitely my parents! They are always working they both have their own businesses. One thing about growing up in a business family they’re going to put you to work! I learned my work ethic from seeing first hand how hard of a worker both were and still are til this day. Read more>>
Kristina Perillo
I got my work ethic from my parents. At a very young age I watched them work so hard for everything we had. Read more>>
Anberyel Gordon
I get my worth ethic from myself, I am a hard working person. I strive for excellence, sometimes perfection. Over the years, I have learned to just launch the product. It doesn’t have to be perfect all the time. I always saw my life as living in abundance. I get my work ethic from surrounding myself around positive people, that are further than me in my industry. I see how they work their online business full time or part time. That inspires me to keep going and to grind smarter. Read more>>
Amy Astaraee
I developed my work ethic from a combination of personal experiences, including being a mother of two daughters, which has taught me the value of perseverance and dedication. Growing up in a family that emphasized hard work, I learned the importance of setting a strong example for my children. My passion for what I do drives me to always strive for excellence, knowing that consistent effort and commitment are essential for success. Read more>>
Samantha Bentson-hammonds
My parents have always had the most admirable work ethics. I am grateful they started my habits young but my work ethic reached all new heights in 2017 after attending The Route 91 Music Festival, which tragically became the site of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. At the time, I was a makeup and wig technician for The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and had just graduated from cosmetology school. The experience of grief I went through after that event was unlike anything I had ever faced. October 1st marked a profound turning point in my life. To cope, I immersed myself in my work—hair and makeup became my world. I transitioned from show business to client-based work, taking on every trade job that came my way. I built my editorial portfolio from scratch, networked in Los Angeles and with modeling agencies in Vegas, and took classes. I did everything I could to avoid processing my emotions. Read more>>
Gabriel Lucido
I’m not sure, but I’ve always liked to learn new things I’ve always enjoyed take pictures and making videos since I was a kid. I think it’s very easy to work when you’re doing something you like to do. I think my work ethic wouldn’t be very strong at all if I was doing something I wasn’t passionate about. Read more>>
Sandra De La Rosa
As a woman in the arts, having a good work ethic is important because I am my own advocate. I have clear goals and I select for that fits into those goals and prioritize accordingly. Read more>>
Matty Chirichillo
My strong work ethic today has been strongly influenced by the positive character traits my parents instilled in me during my formative years. Their guidance and example have infused a sense of dedication, perseverance, and responsibility that continues to shape my approach to work and life. I am also very fortunate to work for many bands and artists who operate at the highest level in every aspect of life. The years on the road taught me how to be a professional in everything I do moving forward in life. Music-related or not. Glenn Frey used to say, “There’s only one way to do things…the right way!” I live by that day-to-day as I navigate the treacherous waters of the music industry. This database of knowledge also sets me apart from others as I can pretty much tackle most things that come my way. Read more>>
Jose Ramos
I inherited my work ethic from both my parents. My mother has always been a model of dedication and effort, showing me from a young age the importance of discipline and perseverance. Her ability to handle multiple responsibilities with a positive attitude and unwavering determination has been a great inspiration to me. My father, too, has demonstrated the value of hard work and consistency, always striving to provide and set a strong example. From both of them, I learned that hard work and dedication are essential for achieving success. Read more>>
Dave Bruce
Ever since I was a boy, I have understood that hard work is a prerequisite to achieving one’s goals. My father, Charlie Bruce, who modeled this for me, served in the U.S. Army for 35 years, rising from Private to Chief Warrant Officer. His work ethic and intelligence enabled him to provide for his family and the betterment of others. I have fond memories of him remodeling and repairing cars and living spaces, conducting safety training during off-duty hours, volunteering on weekends to fill out tax forms, serving as a TSA agent in response to 9/11, and many other humanitarian deeds. His drive and determination to identify and solve problems have inspired me to be resolute when facing the many challenges of being an entrepreneur. Read more>>
Sandy Levine
I was very much into sports from a young age. When I was 7, I knew every statistic of every player on the Detroit Tigers, and was lucky enough to see them win the World Series in person (the last time they won it, in 1984). A few years later, I got to witness the “Bad Boys” and Michael Jordan duke it out season after season in the NBA, and I played baseball from early childhood and into college. I think sports were hugely impactful to my work ethic and tenacity throughout my career. I was particularly struck by the Tigers, who had the best start of any baseball team in history, winning 35 out of their first 40 games and stayed in first place for the entire season, ultimately winning throughout the playoffs as well. Similarly, the 1991 Chicago Bulls plowed through the regular season and playoffs and were seemingly unstoppable. Read more>>
Natalie Barbour
I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by two strong and dedicated parents. They profoundly shaped me. My mom started her own business in her early 30’s and had this relentless commitment and resilience to not only working hard, but working smart. She constantly was thinking of ways to better her business, family time and honor her “me-time.” I’m so grateful for her guidance. My father moved my very pregnant mom out to the sticks to build their dream home. They lived in a fifth wheel for almost a year! He worked tirelessly designing, building and executing what they envisioned for their future. His meticulous attention to detail and unwavering determination set this exemplary standard I couldn’t wait to be a part of. Their influence instilled in me a deep sense of drive, pride and ownership in my own tasks and dreams. Not only working hard, but balancing effort with efficiency all rooted in integrity. I’m so grateful for my upbringing. Read more>>
Reggie Osborne
When I was younger my parents made me do chores just like any other kid. Instead of sleeping in on Saturday mornings, my parents made me get up and clean the house. I had to wash walls, mop floors, clean the bathroom, clean my room, pull weeds and etc. If I wanted to eat, then I had to do some work. My chores increased as a I got older. Although it was unpleasant, my parents were teaching me some valuable life principles. My parents taught me to never be lazy and always do things right the first time. My parents would wake me up at 3am if I forgot to wash the dishes. This taught me about responsibility. If the kitchen wasn’t cleaned to my parents’ expectations, they would make me do it over until it was right. My dad would say things like “If you worked for someone, they would fire you for not doing the job correctly”. This motivated me to always go above and beyond others’ expectations. At a young age, I learned to take pride in my work. It felt good to receive compliments and rewards because of my work ethic. Read more>>
Blake Martin
My admiration for my work ethic stems from the influential women in my life who taught me its value. From a young age, I witnessed my mother’s dedication to her academic pursuits. When I was around five years old, my mother started her academic journey. I can remember times in which my mom would be sitting on the couch, covered in books and papers, studying while I sat on the floor near her playing with my toys. I can see those moments vividly right now. Through the years, my mother got her bachelor’s degree, three masters degrees and eventually two doctorates. There were times, even as a young adult. I remember seeing her wake up, eat breakfast, go into her office and grind in front of that computer until it was time for dinner. She had goals and allowed nothing to stop her, no matter what diversities and adversity came her way. I didn’t know it, and probably neither did she, but she was teaching me what work ethic was. What dedication was. What unwavering hard work looked like. Read more>>
Aspen
My work ethic is rooted in a combination of passion, discipline, and the environment I grew up in. Being immersed in Miami’s dynamic and competitive music scene from a young age taught me the importance of dedication and resilience. I’ve always believed that success in music, like any other field, requires not just talent but a relentless commitment to honing your craft every day. I draw inspiration from the challenges I’ve faced and the goals I’ve set for myself, constantly pushing to raise the bar. It’s this blend of passion for music, the pursuit of growth, and a drive to innovate that fuels my work ethic. Read more>>
Stefan Kang
Ever since I embraced the creative path, work has naturally become a big part of my life. My passion stems from a constant eagerness to learn from top talent and collaborate with exceptional artists. The excitement of helping brands tell their stories and creating something special for an audience is what keeps me going. Practicing my craft and being part of such an inspiring creative community has played a huge role in shaping my work ethic. It’s a blast to work with my talented friends, and their creativity and energy make the whole process so much fun. Read more>>
Kyle Gravel
Growing up I was fortunate to have many great roll models, not only within my family but outside of it as well within our community, friend groups, etc… I was always around folks that worked long days, multiple jobs especially in blue collar jobs. My parents had two kids to raise, myself and my younger brother. They had to work hard to provide for us and to give us the quality of life they wanted us to have. Getting to experience the fruits of their labor and how they got it really instilled in me that hard work and spending your money smart are a few of the keys to having a successful life. I was always fascinated with making money even at a young age I always had some sort of hustle I was trying to create to make some money to buy stuff I wanted or to save it up towards a larger financial goal. My father told me I’ll provide the roof over your head and all the necessary stuff for school and life but anything else you want that’s up to you. And so began my obsession with doing anything to make a few bucks! Read more>>
Des December
My work ethic came from my paternal grandmother, who adopted me from foster care when I was 5. She is an immigrant from Dominican Republic and always made sure my brother and I had everything we needed and more. She never finished grade school, and instilled in me that school was the way to go and everything else comes after, like following my dreams of becoming a mainstream artist with a career. I was always an A and B student. When I got into high school I became rebellious and dropped out of 10th grade because I became pregnant with my son at 16. Once I had my son I realized my grandmother was right, in order for me to succeed and take care of my responsibilities I had to persevere in school and make something out of myself. I took on nursing , and graduated at 28. Even though , I am a nurse I am also following my dreams , I have done music videos, released music, had my very own first concert with Curator Vee Henny from The Artistry in NYC . I have traveled the country on tour with MOR Bookings,performing my music to crowds and have been focusing on my ep currently. I am also working on writing for my very first mainstream producer in the industry Mike Free. Read more>>
Ar$on
My dad always been a hard worker watching him defiantly gave me some inspiration Read more>>
Sara J. Winston
I wonder about this a lot. I can trace it back to a few places. In college I had a professor named Jennifer O’Neill who said something to her students about how often we ought to try to put our work out into the world. Her words have really stuck with me. I’ve tried to keep a work ethic that allows me to apply to a minimum of three opportunities each month, as she said. I am inspired by my husband, Topher Horn’s, and I try to mirror his focus to his work as often as possible. Finally, I think that my dedication must come from a general obsession and fascination with photography. I am a perfectionist and perfection takes a lot of time, attention, and practice. Read more>>
Caitlin Weaver
Work ethic isn’t exactly the sexiest topic, but it’s a critical, often overlooked element in writing—or any creative pursuit. For me, it was ingrained in me as a kid, thanks to my parents, and especially my mom. At 40, she decided to return to school for her PhD. I can still picture her desk, covered in color-coded post-its, while she worked to turn them into her dissertation. Her dedication didn’t just get her a PhD; it eventually led her to become the chair of her university’s English department. I learned a lot from witnessing her commitment to pursuing her dreams. There’s this romanticized idea floating around that writing is all about inspiration—like one day you wake up with a brilliant idea, and the next thing you know, you’re typing away effortlessly as the words pour out. And maybe that’s true for some people, but it isn’t for me. For me, writing is a daily grind. It’s about sitting down at my desk, butt in the chair, no matter how I’m feeling. It’s about writing even when I’d rather be doing anything else, even when the well of ideas seems bone dry. But, by showing up day after day, those words start to add up. Slowly but surely, they turn into something real, something that matters. And that’s where the magic actually happens—not in the inspiration, but in the sheer act of doing the work. Read more>>
Mike Lombardo
I think my work ethic was borne out of equal parts passion and necessity. When I am working on a project I have a tendency to turn into a machine. I won’t sleep, I won’t eat, I just keep pushing forward on whatever it is I’m doing until its done. This can be a good thing and bad thing as history has taught me, haha. For me nothing is as intoxicating a feeling as seeing something come together. Watching the little pieces start to gel and form the bigger picture is so exciting that it keeps me going. Creating something, making things from nothing is such a cool thing. I could sit and watch people make stuff for hours, and I often do. Watching videos of people sculpting, making molds, even seeing how everyday products like plastic bins or candy is made is fascinating to me. I just love process, and that curiosity and excitement fuels my drive to create. Read more>>
Gabriel Paul
I would say that my work ethic comes from my mother. She always told me that if I am not going to do something 100% then don’t do it at all. She was my biggest fan and my biggest critic, always with love. Read more>>
Teresa Conroy-roth
Growing up in the 70’s there were so many changes happening and conversations taking place regarding women’s rights. I remember a conversation with my mother when I was about 10 that changed me forever. I walked into the room while she was having a panic attack. What if my father divorced her….how would she support 3 children without a high school degree. We would be homeless or have to move in with another family. She was devastated and said the magic words. “Never allow a man to support you…you are going to have to do it yourself.” My mothers family were World War II refugees and had lived in (DP) Displaced Persons camps throughout Europe for 11 years…much of her childhood. Many days they had no idea where their next meal was coming from or if they could find small jobs for income, Many stories of the hardship were passed down to me throughout my life. Read more>>
Colton Winger
I believe we all have the power to create internal and external worlds, over and over again. My love for shaping and shifting my landscapes within my personal life and my work life is what keeps me motivated and drives my work ethic. I admire being able to look back on the various experiences I’ve had in my career and celebrate my successes and learn from my failures. It’s a gift to be able to wake up everyday and say “This is what I want to do” and do it. I owe it to myself to work as hard as a can on the things I dedicate my time to. Read more>>
Olga Benoit
My work ethic is passed on from my mother. She single-handedly raised all of her children, never allowing life’s challenges to deter her. No matter how tough things got, she always found a way to provide for us. If it meant walking miles to buy produce to sell at the market, she did it without hesitation. If she had to catch a ride with strangers to make it home before dark, she made it happen. Tired and sore, she pushed through, driven by a singular goal: ensuring her children never went without. Her unwavering determination is the foundation of everything I do.” Read more>>
Abigail Caddy
My work ethic is a natural part of me. It’s part of my overall makeup. It effects my kindness, it effects my drive, it effects my tolerance, my love, it’s in all of me. Nothing worth having comes easy. Love is hard. Life is tough. These are all cliches that we hear. I love what I do as a chef but it takes hours of dedication, sweat and hard work. I love being a mother, I love being a partner. All of these things mean I need to have a drive and dedication to put my head down and attack my work and all tasks as efficiently as humanly possible. One of my co workers said I feel like you have 30 hrs when the rest of us have 24. I said only because I create the other 6. My parents had their own businesses but they didn’t balance it all and things managed to fall through the cracks. I want to lose as few things in the cushions as possible! Read more>>
Angineh Meserkhani
My work ethic is influenced by my mother, who has always been my source of inspiration. She is determined and whenever she sets her mind on something, she achieves it. Success doesn’t come easily to anyone, but with hard work and a genuine willingness to put in the effort, one can achieve their goals. These are valuable lessons my mother has imparted to me and continues to reinforce. Read more>>
Daniel Gorman
My work ethic comes from my working class Blue Collar parents. My Dad worked in the steel Industry my entire life and my Mom was a Cosmetologist. I grew up watching them work very hard and that concept of work was instilled in me at a young age. My Grandparents were the same way. I spent a lot of time with my Grandparents because my Parents did work a lot so I was surrounded by working class people who taught me that nothing worth while comes easy. You just have to work for it. Read more>>
Gregangelo Herrera
Good question, often ignored in contemporary industries and requires sharing the arc of a history to answer. I was very lucky to be born into a family and a culture that organically fostered a great work ethic on many levels. I grew up in the heart of San Francisco during the 60s and 70s, a tumultuous time of change where queer liberation, the civil rights movement, the feminist movement, the Summer of Love, and many other occurrences exploded simultaneously on the streets, quickly changing the city’s culture to one of acceptance. Businesses and people had to adapt to this radically changing community by practicing acceptance. Though it wasn’t always a conscious strategy, it became the culture I was lucky to grow up in. My father, of Mexican heritage, was an auto mechanic and always had a service station with an automotive shop and took care of customers face-to-face, one person at a time, earning trust and building relationships. In fact, some of my “cousins” to this day are the children of my dad’s service station customers. Read more>>
Elvin Atwine
Growing up in Uganda, I had the privilege of watching my dad build his businesses in the entertainment and real estate sectors. He was a successful entrepreneur, and I often accompanied him to construction sites or when he was buying equipment for his nightclub and recording studios. Observing his work ethic firsthand, I developed a meticulous attention to detail, whether it was in small, seemingly insignificant tasks or larger, more complex ones. This ability to focus on both the big picture and the finer points has heavily influenced the way I approach building software today. On the other hand, my mom’s focus on nutrition and healthy habits taught me the importance of balance in life. She always emphasized that success isn’t just about working hard but also about taking care of yourself so that you can perform at your best. This combination of influences from both my parents has shaped my work ethic—grounded in a detailed-oriented approach to my projects and a commitment to maintaining habits that keep me at my best, both mentally and physically. Read more>>
M-16
I have to give a lot of credit to both my grandfathers J.R. on my father’s side and John on my mothers. I learned punctuality and taking extreme pride in your work from John. He told me that you should be on time for anything you’ve been asked to do because other things they can teach you and coach you on but if you aren’t there and reliable it defeats the purpose. From J.R. I learned how to treat people with respect at all times, to look someone in the eye when you talk to them and to never compromise your character no matter the situation. These two strong men had huge influence on how I approach things in life. Read more>>
Minessa Konecky
I was raised by people who valued hard work, long hours, and a commitment to their jobs, workaholics really. As a result I spent much of my younger years working long hours and allowing burnout to take a huge toll on my psyche and my body. After a few rounds in the hospital for high blood pressure and a few other chronic issues, I realized I needed to make a change, and I began developing a new work ethic – one that was based on sustainability and well being. I had to get really clear on my why – what am I on this earth for, and what do I want to spend my days doing, how do I want to contribute to the world with my own special gifts. I realized I was saying yes to EVERYTHING because I had a need to prove myself, that I had value in my production and in the help I could give others. As a result I had very little time for work that mattered to me – what I call my mission work – helping to dismantle systems of injustice and inequity in Research Administration, for chronically ill employees, Black women, disabled employees, and others who are marginalized and often suffer silently in the workplace. Read more>>
Trina Runner Palosaari
I grew up in a family of eight children, seven girls and one boy in a small town in Minnesota. I was acclimated to an environment of controlled chaos. I had to work for everything I had and nothing was handed to me. We never ate out as a family at restaurants. All meals were cooked at home and we camped for family vacations. If I missed the school bus, then I had to walk to school. My dad had his own business, custom made cabinets with two other business partners. I remember there was a time when his custom made cabinet business burned to the ground, after the building was struck by lightning. It seemed like to me that my siblings and I ate rice and beans for a few weeks. My dad found another shop and his business continued until he retired and he was able to sell it to prior clients. My parents had their only son much later in life so I helped my Dad when he added onto our house. I especially remember helping nail shingles to the roof and there was no tolerance for complaining about anything or for excuses. My parents couldn’t pay for college and yet expected me and my siblings to go. So I worked my way through each college experience and received my first bachelor’s degree in Nebraska, a master’s degree in Chicago and eventually another bachelor’s degree in Seattle to become a teacher. Chicago had a profound impact on me when I worked as an office assistant for a community development guru named Ray Bakke who was also an author. His career happened organically he was one of a kind, passionate, created a positive work environment, empowering as a visionary and an excellent communicator with a small office team for his non-for-profit. Read more>>
Omosigho/ Kim Omorotionmwan/ Joseph
Kim Joseph:
My work ethic was born out of a deep sense of responsibility that I learned early on in life. Growing up in a Nigerian household, hard work wasn’t just encouraged—it was expected. My parents instilled in me the value of perseverance, resilience, and dedication. As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how hard work and compassion can make a difference in people’s lives. The long hours, the emotional toll, and the commitment to my patients have shaped my approach to everything I do, including TheK.O.Experience. Every detail, every piece of decor we create is infused with the same care and attention I give to my patients. It’s about going the extra mile, knowing that excellence isn’t an option but a necessity. That’s the standard I’ve always held myself to, and it’s the same standard we bring to our work at TheK.O.Experience.
Omosigho Omorotionmwan:
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing and my journey through the healthcare field. From a young age, I watched my parents work tirelessly to provide for our family, never once compromising on quality or integrity. That mindset stayed with me through my education, earning my master’s in health administration, and now as I pursue nursing. The healthcare field demands a level of discipline, patience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. It’s not just about getting the job done—it’s about doing it right, with precision and care. At TheK.O.Experience, that same work ethic drives everything we do. We approach each project with the mindset that it’s not just decor—it’s an experience, a reflection of who we are and what we stand for. That’s why we pour our hearts into every detail, ensuring that our clients feel the love, dedication, and professionalism that define our work. Read more>>
Hope Collie
Where did my work ethic from? Well, it started by watching and learning from my mother. My mom had me when she was really young and she instilled in me the value of creating a stable environment for me. Having adversity and different challenges in your life can not and should not define who a person can become. At times, my mother worked two jobs in order to provide for her family. So, seeing this left a positive influence on me. I believe in stability. I am a firm believer in being a responsible and reliable whether if I’m working for a company or being a business owner. I have to be dependable and put the time into whatever I’m doing in order to see the best results. These traits tie into being an effective communicator. Communication is key and a smile goes a long way when dealing people. Read more>>
Ashima Giri
I owe my work ethic to my family, especially my parents. When I was three, we moved to India so they could embark on their entrepreneurial journey, launching a company specializing in Project Management. Growing up in that environment, I was constantly surrounded by their entrepreneurial spirit. I witnessed firsthand the relentless hustle and determination it takes to pursue something you truly believe in. Whenever I encounter challenges, I often reflect on their journey, which never fails to inspire me to keep pushing forward. My father always encouraged me to pursue a more traditional and secure career path—like becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer (yes, the classic stereotype). However, no matter how much I tried to follow those routes, I always found myself drawn back to the brand I’m passionate about. Learning to have unwavering belief in something, even when the odds are against you, has been one of the most important lessons in my life. Honestly, my dad shouldn’t be surprised by my choices—I’ve clearly inherited my entrepreneurial drive from him. Read more>>
Richard Greene
I have always been a hard worker. This developed into a strong work ethic as I learned and grew up. I was raised in a house of devout Christians. We were not allowed to watch most TV shows or movies unless they were religious based. We didn’t read many books other than the bible and only listened to Christian music. I ended up rebelling against pretty much everything except the work ethic. I was taught to do everything for the glory of God and do it gladly. Do your best, don’t give up and believe that a higher power is doing their part to help you as long as you do your part and keep the faith. Believing that things happen for a reason. I think this works for people of religion and people of science as well. Always trying to do your best leads to efficiency, accomplishment, and satisfaction. Doing things for other people, God or just to better society can improve life for all of us. Mostly doing it for you though. Because it is something you want to see happen and are willing to put in the hard work. I learned these traits while I was in Karate. Karate was where I was able to apply my work ethic and see results for the first time. I learned how to fall inline, put my head down, and go to work. It wasn’t anyone but me and doing the things I need to do. Some of it was impossible but with time and dedication I learned and eventually became a b I have always been a hard worker. This developed into a strong work ethic as I learned and grew up. I was raised in a house of devout Christians. We were not allowed to watch most TV shows or movies unless they were religious based. We didn’t read many books other than the bible and only listened to Christian music. I ended up rebelling against pretty much everything except the work ethic. I was taught to do everything for the glory of God and do it gladly. Do your best, don’t give up and believe that a higher power is doing their part to help you as long as you do your part and keep the faith. Believing that things happen for a reason. I think this works for people of religion and people of science as well. Always trying to do your best leads to efficiency, accomplishment, and satisfaction. Doing things for other people, God or just to better society can improve life for all of us. Mostly doing it for you though. Because it is something you want to see happen and are willing to put in the hard work. I learned these traits while I was in Karate. Karate was where I was able to apply my work ethic and see results for the first time. I learned how to fall inline, put my head down, and go to work. It wasn’t anyone but me and doing the things I need to do. Some of it was impossible but with time and dedication I learned and eventually became a black belt. Karate taught me everything from self control and discipline to self defense and control. Read more>>
Liz Barbosa Sanchez
I like to believe that I get my work ethic from my mom and my family. The fact that she was able to leave her home country and everything she knew to migrate to the United States, and work in construction—a field dominated by men—in the extreme hot Arizona summers, where the pay was minimal and the working conditions for a woman were far from ideal, is something I deeply admire and respect. My mom would leave early in the morning and come home late in the afternoon, yet she still had the energy to be a mother to my brother and me. Witnessing her perseverance instilled in me a strong work ethic. Read more>>
Channe White
My work ethic comes from the fuel I get from wanting to achieve my dreams of being a professional singer. There are times where I may take breaks because I deal with burn out sometimes but what keeps me going is my need to succeed and pursue my vision. Read more>>
George Sefer
I think I can probably trace my work ethic back to a couple a things, starting with my parents. They were both working class and have been steadily working since I can remember, and not necessarily in positions that were always enjoyable. They definitely instilled a certain mindset in me, just through leading by example. Secondarily, since I started taking filmmaking seriously as a career prospect I’ve gone through a couple of formal film programs, including my Bachelor’s. It’s difficult to keep these things from planting a certain work flow within you, for better or worse. Finally, I think my biggest source of inspiration was watching my peers and mentors work. To be more precise, Petros Maliaras (who was my theater coach since 6th grade) has been a constant influence on the way I build my work ethic. Petros was dealing with a lot of teenage and children’s theater groups for the better part of a decade, trying to balance out his time between approximately 12 teams and north of 400 students. To witness his calmness and silent authority as a student was a genuine privilege. He clearly demonstrated to me at a young age that a director, or any person in a position of power, can guide a group of people through a project while retaining a sense of dignity, joy, playfulness and at times, a heartfelt sense of compassion for the team. I think when it comes to my directing work, he’s probably the first person I look up to. Read more>>
