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.

Daniel Kunkel

My story is that of an exhibiting artist who balances the time and energy necessary to chase an artistic vision as well as commitments to other things that I also wanted to get out of this life: a family, steady income, and my pursuit of outdoor adventures.
Where does my work ethic come from? Originally, I suppose it came from when I was young, watching the adults around me go to work five or six days a week, and when they came home from their jobs, they worked some more. Seeing these habits of effort and taking care of what needed to be done made work seem very noble to me. Read More>>

Peyton Moss

My parents 100%! Both my mom and dad owned their own businesses when I was growing up, and they instilled the value of a dollar and hard work into all of their kids. When I was in middle school I wanted to go do all the fun stuff my friends were doing, but I knew I had to spend my money to go do whatever it was. At the time the only way I ever got money was my birthday or Christmas, so I started mowing my neighbors yard once a week. I know without these two amazing people in my life, I would not be where I am today if it was not for them. Read More>>

Lacey Garner

Honestly? Fear of failure.

I’ve always had a drive that comes from not wanting to let people down—including myself. That fear doesn’t paralyze me—it pushes me. It’s what keeps me triple-checking the details, showing up early, staying a step ahead, and constantly raising the bar for myself and others. Read More>>

Jimena Bustamante

My work ethic comes from a hunger to grow and prove that my passion and talent can take me as far as I want to go. Ever since I started dancing, I did it with devotion—even when my parents and the people around me told me that pursuing a dance career as a Mexican wasn’t realistic. I believe that in this industry, work ethic is just as important as talent and other factors. It’s not enough to have the right look or a lot of talent—if you’re not willing to show up early to rehearsals and call times, contribute to a healthy work environment, and be responsible for delivering the highest quality work, people won’t want to work with you, and doors will gradually start to close. Read More>>

Vanessa Cohn

I get it from my mom. We lived in the Philippines in her hometown when I was born, for a few years, and when we moved to the states she had to work, and she worked so hard. 12 hour days. Day in and day out.
She did that and I watched her as I grew up. Read More>>

 Glenai Gilbert

I get my work ethic from my late mother, who was the most driven and compassionate person I’ve ever known. As a single mother raising two children, she faced more challenges than most, yet never let her circumstances define her. She built a life for us with sheer determination, working tirelessly to create opportunities where none existed.

She led multiple businesses, earning ownership stakes through her relentless commitment and talent. Companies often tried to recruit her because of the incredible results she delivered. But beyond her professional accomplishments, she had an unwavering dedication to her community. Read More>>

Ryan

my mom and pop
when we were kids my dad had 3 jobs keeping food on our table and making sure we had what he didn’t.
when my mom was around she always preached have patience and the fruits will come when its due Read More>>

Aayush Yadav

I attribute my work ethic to my father. Growing up, I watched him approach every task no matter how big or small with unwavering commitment, discipline, and integrity. He always emphasised the importance of showing up, being consistent, and taking pride in the quality of your work. Those values stayed with me and became especially meaningful in my acting career. Acting demands more than just talent; it requires persistence, emotional resilience, and a constant drive to improve. Read More>>

Thomas Finn

I guess I get it from my dad he’s an animator who has worked on a lot of movies. Growing up I always seen him on his computer working on drawings or storyboards everyday. He told me stories of how he left home to pursue his dream going to school and working at the same time to pay for the classes then moving to la and couch surfing until he got hired at Disney. His stories have always been a big inspiration for me to keep going and work every day until I hopefully make it myself. Read More>>

 Stacey Greer

The obvious answer to my work ethic is my upbringing, but that’s only part of the story. I want to teach my children the importance of hard work, but my personality type also plays a significant role. As a type-A individual, I tend to be driven by anxiety and hold high expectations for myself and others. I’ve learned that having high expectations can lead to great disappointments. However, those disappointments can also be valuable learning moments for future success, whether it’s about working hard in my job or striving to be a good communicator. Ultimately, my work ethic is strengthened by my love for what I do. Read More>>

Kyoungho Kim

I grew up watching my immigrant parents locked in their desks for hours working on academic projects. Since they were both professors, their work ethic was present in the house. I am realizing how much that plays a role in my life. Unlike them, I lock-in in my art studio. As a painter, it is essential that I spend a good amount of time in my week finessing the brush to create paintings. I am known as a dedicated painter among my peers. I spend many, many hours in the studio. Read More>>

Amy Keats

My work ethic stems from both parents. Children of the depression, they endured great sacrifice, got very little given to them both monetarily and in the form of opportunities. My Mom excelled in school graduating at the top of her high-school and college classes and went on to have a successful career in Nursing.  My Dad hitch-hiked to college to earn both his undergraduate graduate and graduate degrees, have a great career in education. They had hardships, moved many times for careers(my Dad’s mainly), before finally settling in Northern New Jersey where I grew up. Read More>>

Leda Beaty

As the only girl in a family of four brothers, I credit my father with helping to instill a strong work ethic in me from an early age. I often accompanied him to work, where I was introduced to the foundational principles of leadership and business. Those early experiences had a lasting impact and helped shape me into the executive and entrepreneur I am today.

I remember attending the Indy 500 each year with my dad, surrounded by racecar drivers. We’d have dinner with them before the race, and I was always the one quietly observing—listening, watching, and absorbing the intensity of what it meant to drive to win. I was fascinated by the discipline, focus, and fierce competition behind the scenes. Read More>>

Ilana Whiting

I get my work ethic from my mother, without question. Growing up with a young single mother, I had a front-row seat to what strength and resilience truly look like. She didn’t have it easy, but she never let that stop her. I remember watching her wake up early, sometimes before the sun, and push through long days just to make sure my brother and I had everything we needed. She carried the weight of the world on her shoulders with grace, never complaining, just doing what had to be done. Read More>>

Shayna Wadlington

I developed my strong work ethic by watching my mom work tirelessly to provide for our family. She always put in the effort, no matter how challenging things got, and that determination inspired me. Over time, I picked up her habits, pushing through obstacles, and taking pride in doing things well. Her example taught me the value of hard work and shaped how I approach everything I do. Read More>>

Kahli Schroeder

My work ethic didn’t just appear out of nowhere — it was deeply rooted in the everyday example I had growing up. I was lucky enough to witness what real dedication looks like in the quiet, consistent actions of my parents. They showed up — for their jobs, for our family, for their responsibilities — day in and day out. Not because it was easy or glamorous, but because it mattered. Read More>>

Marcel Buechi

A strong work ethic is built on persistence and commitment. It’s not about short bursts of effort; it’s about showing up consistently, even when things get tough. Part of having a good work ethic is setting goals that challenge you, but are still realistic and achievable. Goals that stretch you push growth, but if they’re too far out of reach, they can quickly become discouraging. Read More>>

Kyle Santacruz

My strong work ethic was shaped early on by my mom and the remarkable women who surrounded me growing up. Their example instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility and dedication qualities I bring to every client I work with. Especially on their special day, I show up with intention, passion, and care, because they deserve nothing less than excellence. Read More>>

Enrique Mendez

My work ethic comes from where I come from — both geographically and culturally. In the city of Chicago, where hustle isn’t just a mindset, it’s a necessity. I started cutting hair at 15, not because it was trendy, but because I knew I wanted to create something of my own. I didn’t wait for permission — I just got to work. Read More>>

Ryan Doyle

For me, work ethic comes from the mental visualization comparison of a life I want to live compared to a life I don’t want to live. I always had a drive in me because I was raised to reach for it all. But there is nothing quite like looking at the reality of life when you begin your professional path and asking yourself, “what do I desire?” Read More>>

AJ Beckles

I think my Work Ethic comes from my love for what i’m doing. I’ve always been the type that gets obsessed with new interests, and voiceover is my biggest one. Hours and hours of study doesn’t feel like work, it’s always fun.

I also think my family is a big motivator. I’ve always wanted to pay it forward for all the sacrifice and work they put into making me feel like i could do anything as a child, even when funds were low. The least i can do is try to get really good at what I do and pay them back!
Even though i know they’ll be proud of me no matter how successful i am haha Read More>>

Bri Aspen

I developed my work ethic through sports, specifically golf, which I played at the collegiate level. Golf taught me discipline, patience, and the importance of consistent practice—skills that directly translate to how I approach everything I do. As a musician now, I apply that same mindset to rehearsing, collaborating, and continually improving. The drive to push myself and stay focused, even when it doesn’t feel like it is paying off, really comes from those early athletic experiences. Read More>>