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.
Joshua Walls
My work ethic comes from my family and my early experiences in the kitchen. Growing up, I was surrounded by the incredible aromas of my grandmother Mamoo’s cooking and my mother’s inventive vegan dishes. Watching them put so much care and creativity into their food taught me the importance of dedication and craftsmanship. When I started working in a professional kitchen at 15, first as a prep cook and dishwasher, I quickly realized that success in this industry comes from hard work, consistency, and a willingness to learn. Read More>>
Tynia Pratt-Davis
I get my work ethic from my mother. Growing up, I always saw her working hard, and I’ve seen the things she was able to accomplish and overcome because she stayed level-headed and dedicated. Watching her made me want to be the same way. I also have this feeling inside me.. like if I’m not working, I feel lazy, like I’m not doing enough. That drive keeps me pushing forward and always looking for something productive to do. Read More>>
Vusa (Vusala) Bentley
From my upbringing- I grew up in a small town in Khachmaz, 1.5 hours from the Capital City Baku, Azerbaijan. As a child, I was sent to my nana’s as soon house as the school was done. She lived in a very small village wherein the lifestyle was 180 degrees different than that of the small town where i lived. Everything was obtained via manual and physical labor-water had to be hand pumped from the well, bath time was a ritual that took almost half of the afternoon to prepare, yard and garden work was part of my daily chores. Read More>>
Paula DeSant
Growing up as an only child I learned early on that if I wanted something, I had to figure out how to get it myself. There was no older sibling to guide me, no younger siblings to blame or protect. It was just me, facing the world head on! That mentality shaped me into someone who embraces every challenge, whether I succeed or fail. Every struggle, every lesson, every moment of doubt became a stepping stone toward something greater. Read More>>
Nick Middaugh
I’m currently a blog writer for a brand called “REBELs RAIDERs,” juggling that with being a full-time college student in an online Human Services program (finally graduating this year, thank God). I’ve got three kids under seven, wrote and self-published a book all on my own, run my own Substack, and I’m always chasing down ways to grow, market, and sharpen my business—whether that’s mixing up my writing portfolio or hitting the public speaking circuit. Read More>>
Joy Hagen
My parents were my example when it comes to work ethic. The first five years of my life were spent living in a house built for us in the middle of the jungle on Basilan Island in the Philippines. There was no nearby town or grocery, only one neighbor, a dirt road and ever-present jungle. We attended the local church every Sunday, all dressed in our finest, and my mother even sang in the choir. We were provided with an amah (my second mom), a housekeeper, a cook and a gardener. Read More>>
Cynthia Viola
Definitely my dad. He instilled in me very young that you can do anything in life as long as you’re willing to work hard. He was a mechanic and ran a tow truck at night. I was babysitting and mowing lawns for neighbors at 12, then started working in the restaurant where my mom worked at 14. I kept that job for eight years (hosting, waiting tables, bartending and eventually GM). When I eventually found photography I poured everything into it while still maintaining a side hustle bartending until photography could support me full time. Read More>>
Sarah Martin
I’m the eldest daughter of immigrant parents, and my work ethic is deeply rooted in the example they set for me. My dad worked tirelessly to provide for our family, while my mom dedicated herself to raising six daughters and ensuring we were well-educated. As I grew older, I took on more responsibility—helping care for my grandparents, translating for them, and listening to their stories of growing up in communist Romania. Their resilience and resourcefulness shaped my perspective on hard work and perseverance. Read More>>
Carleen Renee
This is an interesting question because lately, I’ve been reshaping the way I think about work ethic. I come from a line of incredibly strong women, and a lot of that strength traces back to my grandma, who moved to the U.S. from Trinidad. She didnt know anyone or much about the country, yet she found a way to build a life for herself and eventually became an entrepreneur. That kind of mindset and resilience was passed down through my family and shaped the environment I grew up in. I watched the women around me work hard, build businesses from the ground up, and create opportunities for themselves and others. Read More>>
Krista Weisman
My work ethic comes from my parents, without a doubt. Both of them grew up working on their family farms, where the food they ate was grown—and often picked—by their own hands. Their contributions weren’t optional; they were essential to the well-being of the family. That mindset carried into how they raised us. From a young age, my siblings and I worked in our family’s restaurant—it was just what was expected. While my friends were heading to the beach or hanging out at the mall, I was taking customers’ orders or cleaning the dining room. Read More>>
DJ Teo
I’ve undoubtedly inherited my work ethic from my parents. Growing up, they were the epitome of dedication and perseverance, tirelessly working long hours to ensure my siblings and I had everything we dreamed of. Witnessing their unwavering commitment instilled in me a profound appreciation for the value of hard work and relentless determination. I’m eternally grateful for the nurturing environment they provided, which laid a strong foundation for our lives. Read More>>
Robert Cradle
My work ethic primarily came from my father. Riley R. Cradle, my dad, was raised on a farm in the swampland near the coast of North Carolina. He awoke daily to fulfill the duties necessary to maintain the family farmland, so there was always work to be done. When he moved to Baltimore City in his mid-twenties, he carried that same ethic, waking up each day and searching for the next duty that needed completion. Eventually, my dad became a chef, managing kitchens at a private club and several chain or privately owned restaurants. Again, he never called out for any reason. Read More>>
Alexandra Loaiza
Growing up has never been easy for me, from the time I was 12 or 13 years old I’ve had a job out of no choice. My mom was an accountant an my dad was a chief at a restaurant. Having 3 girls, I’m sure you can imagine the type of financial impact it would have on my parents. My mom later got sick with Breast Cancer and was later on unable to work and provide for the family. That’s where my journey began, from the beginning of my life I was put in survival mode at such a young age. On top of that I was also first generation in my family. Read More>>
Maria Hosgor
I think I get it from my family . My mom and Dad . Read More>>
M.R. Fitzgerald
My strong work ethic was forged in my childhood on our farm in West Central Minnesota, where my parents worked tirelessly on my grandparents’ conventional chemical farmstead. My grandparents, who used religion to maintain control over the family, threw us off the farm when I was eight years old, and this event fractured the family irreparably. The unexpected event caused my parents to leave their previous way of life and start their own organic farming business. Read More>>
Jessica M. Garcia
My work ethic was forged in the heart of my family’s story. I was brought to the U.S. from Ecuador at just six months old by my parents, who were only 20 and 22 at the time. They left behind lives of relative comfort, driven by a desire to build a more secure future for me. Though they didn’t speak the language, they taught me the power of education, kindness, and community—not just through words, but by example. Read More>>
Ken Ochiai
I got my work ethic from my grandfather. He was a doctor for over 60 years. During the war, he served as a military doctor and was captured as a POW in Russia, where he spent three years in the coldest and hardest conditions. When he returned, he opened his own clinic at the age of 30 and never stopped working until he was 93. Read More>>
Rence Baumgart
I’ve had a job since I was able too at the age of 16. I had my own bills to pay, and sometimes had to help with family bills as well. I started as a hostess at Chili’s and that began my start in customer service and the restaurant/service industry. I learned quickly that if you had a good attitude, showed up, did your work, and did the best you could, there was more than likely to be a good pay off. I’ve worked several service industry and customer service jobs since then and the one that brought me the most joy was a small local flower shop. I started here as an “every job” kind of girl. Read More>>
Travis Jasper
My family, my parents come from the South; Alabama to be exact. They really raised me with the mindset to always push for my goals, and to always put my best foot forward. My pops always said 100% is all you got, there is no such thing as 110%; do your best the first time. That is a mindset that I still hold true to do this day, and a quote that I will one day give my children. Read More>>
Eniola Fowora
I credit my work ethic to both of my parents. Growing up, I was fortunate to watch them lead by example—my father as an entrepreneur and my mother as a consistent, hardworking force in every area of life. They both instilled in me the importance of resilience, ambition, and staying true to myself. From an early age, they encouraged me and my siblings to go after what we want, even if the answer is no. One of the most valuable lessons they taught us was not to let mistakes hold us back, but to use them as fuel for growth. Read More>>
Cashmira S
As a mother and food enthusiast, importance was placed on creating wholesome, nourishing, easy and delicious food that was made at home. My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing and the values instilled in me by my family. I was surrounded by hardworking individuals who demonstrated the importance of dedication, perseverance, and integrity. These principles have guided me throughout my career and continue to drive me in everything I do. Read More>>
Jennifer Tobias-Struski
I get my work ethic from my grandfather and my parents.
The path could have been never different for our family considering my mom and dad got married when they were 16 and started having kids at 16. My sister came first, then me and then my brother.
Both of my parents dropped out of high school, but they always worked hard to support us. I knew early on that work was done to provide for us. Read More>>
AYA KRIM
My work ethic comes from within myself and the belief that once I put my mind to something, I am determined to see it through. I’ve always been a naturally creative person, and I find immense fulfillment in channeling that creativity into my work.
While I haven’t yet had the opportunity to work with high-end brands like Vogue, Versace, or Valentino, these collaborations are my dreams, and I am wholeheartedly committed to pursuing them. I thrive on the challenges that come my way, using them as motivation to push harder and strive for excellence. Read More>>
Mirella Lopez
I got my work ething from my parents. They immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico more than 45 years ago. Both of my parents came to this country knowing that they would have to work hard to overcome the language barrier as they only spoke spanish, their education level as they did not get a higher education as well as not being born in the United States. Working hard was the only way they would advance and the only way they would stand out and be acknowledged. Read More>>
Christal George
My work ethic was shaped by the unwavering determination of my mother, a woman whose strength and resilience taught me the true meaning of hard work. Born in the late 1940s as one of nine siblings, my mother faced challenges that would have broken many. When my grandfather passed away at an early age, the responsibility of helping to support the family fell heavily on her young shoulders. She dropped out of school after the eighth grade, not by choice but by necessity, to help put food on the table. Read More>>
Amanda Chavez
My work ethic comes from the example set by my father, who came from Mexico at just 14 years old with nothing and worked tirelessly to build a life for himself. I watched him wake up every day at 4 a.m. and come home at 6 p.m., and it was through his dedication and perseverance that I learned the value of hard work. Now, I wake up at 5 a.m. every day for my full-time job, and often my workdays don’t end until 11 p.m. when I do tans on the side. Read More>>
Adrienne Barker, MAS
One of the greatest gifts I received from my parents, Gloria and Herb Barker, was a relentless work ethic. I grew up in our family businesses—Barker Specialty Company and Barker Animation—where hard work wasn’t just encouraged, it was lived, every single day. Read More>>
Joe Rivera
My work ethic comes out of necessity, survival, my parents, my clients, and my self-care.
Growing up, my father was an extremely hard worker. He held his regular job, yet he was also working on projects around the house, doing side work for people he knew, or helping family members with their projects. I helped him from time to time and watched this first hand. Read More>>
Marie Mangouta
I would say my work ethic comes from a combination of both my upbringing and my personality. Growing up, my parents set an incredible example for me. My father from Congo holds a master’s degree in economics and my Russian mother has a master’s in both accounting and chemistry—education and hard work were core values in our household. Read More>>
Dylan Richmond
My parents had a challenging upbringing, facing financial struggles throughout their early years. They dedicated themselves to creating a better future, and I observed them as they established a business from scratch. Their determination inspired me to realize that the power to transform my life lies within me. It’s essential to put in the effort, surround myself with positive influences, and seek knowledge by asking questions. Read More>>
