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.

Christopher Bright

My work ethic is fueled by raw, unfiltered passion. For a long time, I thought I was just going through the motions of adulthood, doing what I was supposed to do. Yet, my longstanding love for anime and video games was merely a reflection of pursuing happiness. It wasn’t until I experienced a pivotal moment in my journey with cannabis that everything changed. While working on a research project at community college (CCBC), I found myself immersed in reading, discovering a newfound enthusiasm that felt effortless. Though I didn’t recognize it as passion back then, everything shifted when I began working for Starbuds Baltimore. I realized my love for learning about cannabis – the compounds, the smells, the effects, the science – filled me with excitement! This led me to start the Enlightened Voice. Since then, it hasn’t felt like work; instead, it has become a joyful pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and challenging misconceptions. Do something you love, and it won’t feel like work. Read more>>

Carly Vilardi

I’ve always been a work-a-holic, but after having my daughter I became even more focused. I had always wanted to be an artist in the “bookish” space and it was like having her lit a fire under my butt. I want her to be able to look back and see that anything is possible if she works hard and follows her dreams. She is my main motivation for everything I do and working so hard at my dreams has allowed me to stay home with her while still working! Read more>>

Dii Pooler

My work ethic is rooted in the values instilled in me by my father at a young age. Growing up, I watched my dad navigate challenges with resilience. He showed me the importance of consistency and emphasized the value of showing up even when things weren’t easy. I learned that success isn’t just about talent, it’s about persistence, adaptability, and the willingness to keep growing. He would always say, “If you’re going to struggle, struggle forward”. Read more>>

Lauren Caggiano

I am a proud fourth-generation entrepreneur. My paternal great-grandparents, Martha and James Caggiano, were immigrants from Italy and entrepreneurs in Niagara Falls, N.Y. They owned and operated rental properties catering to tourists. Read more>>

Kelly Battaglino

I hands down get my work ethic from my mom. I wouldn’t be anywhere near as hard of a worker if it weren’t for her example. No matter what she does, she gives it her absolute all, hustles her hardest, and that’s a trait I admire and hope to replicate. Read more>>

Raina Mirchandani & Randy Sillart

My work ethic comes from a combination of personal discipline, strong values, and past experiences.

I’ve always believed in putting in consistent effort and doing my best, whether it’s in professional or personal tasks. Read more>>

 Jason Murillo

My work ethic is deeply influenced by my upbringing and personal experiences. Growing up with limited financial resources, being homeless after leaving home at a young age with my mother, escaping from my abusive father who almost killed both of us, living in the streets, shelter & foster care system, and then public housing, I developed a strong drive to work hard, motivated by a fear of poverty in adulthood. Read more>>

Brandon Taylor

My work ethic was shaped by a strong foundation of discipline and self-motivation from an early age. Through at-home workouts, I learned the value of consistency and pushing myself without external validation. My drive to be the best version of yourself fueled my commitment to personal growth, making self-improvement a daily priority. Additionally, my leadership roles on numerous teams during my teenage and adult years reinforced my dedication, responsibility, and ability to inspire others. These experiences combined to create a relentless work ethic that continues to define my approach to success. Read more>>

Joe Rotondo

My family.

My great grandfather came over from Italy and worked on the Red Hook docks in Brooklyn (where I currently live)
My grandfather owned Burger Kings and liquor stores
My dad owned delis and italian restaurants
being a business owner is in my blood. Read more>>

Devki Rajguru

Simply put, my parents. We immigrated to the US when I was just three years old, and I watched, first hand, my parents work hard in the typical fashion of immigrants – do any and everything so that their children will have more opportunities. They truly believed in the American Dream, where your hard word will be rewarded. They survived, and thrived. Read more>>

Zach Santos

There are a multitude of factors that have contributed to my work ethic. It began with my parents, and each of their upbringings. My mom was born in Texas and didn’t have much growing up. My dad was also born in Texas to immigrants from Mexico. Both of my parents had to work extremely hard for everything that they had, and in turn, taught me about the value of hard work. My dad always talked about being the best at whatever you choose to pursue in life. My mom consistently urged me to go to college. My dad also believed in the power of an education, but put more emphasis in the desire to be great at what you do. My first opportunity to work towards something came when I was nine years old when I wanted to purchase an iPod Nano. I asked my parents to buy me this device and my dad pointed to the lawnmower in the garage and said, “get to work”. I remember, with his help, pushing the equipment through the neighborhood, mowing yards, and saving to earn that iPod. Another chapter in my work ethic development was from my time working at Bush’s Chicken. I worked at Bush’s all four years of high school and learned quite a bit about the power of hard work during that time. I was so proud of my first paycheck and still have the pay stub to this day. Another contributing factor was my participation in high school band, which instilled countless positive qualities, including hard work. The same can be said of my involvement in Drum Corps International. By this time, I was beginning to enter the work force and began to apply all the things I had learned to the job I had dreamed of. Today, I use the work ethic I developed to constantly improve my services and be the best I can be for those around me. Read more>>

Amber Delouis (dee-lewis)

I most definitely get my work ethic from my father, Tom DeLouis.
He worked a regular 40 hour week in the plumbing and HVAC industry on top of being a firefighter and EMT. He also had time to sit on the Borough Council while my mom was raising me.
When my dad wasn’t serving his community you could find him being the first on on the gold course Saturday mornings. Read more>>

Landon Fischer

I’d say the way I was raised by my parents and through the sport of gymnastics. Parents always pushed me to do a lot, to excel in everything I did, and to be involved and busy all the time. Very little down time growing up between gymnastics practice 4 hours a day 5/6 days a week and whatever else I had going on. I always had tough old school coaches that would push me, make me cry, and toughened me up. I loved it and still run a probably too busy life but it’s sure a lot better than sitting around waiting for things to come to me. Read more>>

Natasha Charles

I inherited my work ethic from my mother Arlene Maria Cruickshank, the ultimate corporate woman, whose dedication, resilience, and professionalism have shaped my approach to success. Watching her navigate the corporate world with grace and determination taught me the value of discipline, perseverance, and integrity. She never cut corners, always led by example, and balanced ambition with compassion—proving that true leadership isn’t just about climbing the ladder but about lifting others along the way. Her ability to handle challenges with confidence and turn obstacles into opportunities has inspired me to approach my own career with the same level of commitment and excellence. Read more>>

Emory Eagles

I’ve picked up my strong work ethic from two special people: my mom and grandpa. My mom taught me all about independence when I was just a kid, showing me the ropes. Then there’s my grandpa, a former military man who doesn’t mess around regarding hard work. Watching him as a landscaper, rising early and diving into the day head first, taught me the importance of getting things done. Their impact has molded me into someone who values responsibility and determination, making it all feel like second nature. Read more>>