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.

Sarah Sutter

My work ethic is something I credit to my family and the environment I grew up in. I was raised in a small town in Colorado, where opportunities felt limited, and it was clear from a young age that the only way to make it out was to work hard, whether that meant earning a spot as a college athlete or pursuing a career as a dancer. My parents and stepfather instilled in me the values of discipline, commitment, and perseverance.  Read More>>

Devashree Bhau

I get my work ethic from a deep-rooted passion for the science of space and a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference. From a young age, I felt a strong intuitive connection to the energies, which naturally led me to study Vastu, Feng Shui, and other complementary disciplines like numerology and Vedic principles. Read More>> 

Anthony Lee

That’s easy. My mother instilled a valuable work ethic in me.

I don’t recall the exact age she taught me to work hard and never give up, but it had to have been a very young age. I remember being a smart boy in elementary school who took learning and schoolwork seriously. Even around that time, I never forgot about my mother emphasizing the importance of looking toward the future, especially with my awareness of our financial constraints. Read More>> 

Chloe Renee Gillott

My work ethic comes from the many people who have helped shape me into the person I am today. First, I would have to say my parents. They are some of the hardest working people I know. My dad has been working from an early age and both of my parents are first generation college graduates. They both have taught me that having a strong work ethic is essential to reaching and achieving your goals. Secondly, I would have to say my middle school basketball and high school cheerleading coaches had an impact on my work ethic.  Read More>> 

Amélie Saint-Jacques

As a child, I always wanted to do well in school, so I very quickly developed the internal motivation to succeed. This serves me very well now as an entrepreneur and service provider because I care about doing a good job. I am responsible, honest, disciplined, and strive to provide quality services – customer satisfaction is the top priority! Plus, on personality tests, I always score high on conscientiousness, a trait that serves me very well as an organizer.  Read More>> 

 Libby Goetz

I believe my work ethic comes from my parents. My dad was always busy—whether it was work or being involved in different activities, he never sat still for long. My mom stayed home after having kids, but eventually started her own small business and ran it from home. I had a front-row seat to her dedication and hustle from a young age. She often let me help out, which gave me an early appreciation for what it takes to build something of your own. Read More>> 

Anna Colbenson

I have always been an intrinsically motivated person, as an individual with hearing loss I grew up having to advocate for myself and work hard in order to function, so not putting in effort is a bit foreign to me (ha ha). I’m also a person that always needs to be doing something which is one of the reasons why I love crocheting! Beyond my small business, being a musician requires an extreme amount of dedication that has stuck with me since I started learning piano in 4th grade to preparing for my senior solo recital at university.  Read More>> 

Freddrick Scott

I’d say I got my work ethic from a mix of family influence and personal experience. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who didn’t just talk about hard work—they lived it. Whether it was seeing my parents juggle multiple responsibilities without complaining or watching someone close to me build something from nothing, I learned early on that consistency, taking pride in your work, and showing up even when it’s tough make all the difference. Read More>> 

Tee Seabrone

Oh definitely my mom. I grew up watching her handle everything life threw at her and never quitting. No matter how tired she was she always showed up and made sure things got handled. That stuck with me. I think a lot of how I approach writing and deadlines and even just life in general comes from watching her lead. She raised 7 of us. My sisters and 2 of my cousins and stayed dedicated. She’s literally the blueprint. Read More>> 

Dianna St. Hilaire

As a child, I was a bit of a procrastinator. I always waited till the last minute, I lost stuff all the time. I never did my homework. I was not a good student. On the weekends, I was in bed till 12 PM and up all night long with my friends. Nothing mattered much, life was just hanging out with boys, parties, concerts, and the occasional learning of a new curiosity, such as skateboarding or dancing. I was always letting people down. Losing my house keys for the 3rd time got a little annoying for my parents, to the point where they took my keys away. Read More>> 

Lauren Ernst

Definitely from my parents. My whole childhood I watched my parents work extremely hard so my brother, sister and I could do all the things we wanted to do growing up. Especially my mum. Going through law school at 40 while raising 3 kids and also working a full time job on top of that was inspirational. Read More>> 

Faith Ray Dinschel

My mother and step Dad. I watched both of them at a very young age prioritize work. I had my first job at 14 years old and instantly dove head first into working as much as I could. Read More>> 

 Taylor Duncan

So growing up and still to this day I get my work ethic from my grandfather who is 87 years old and is a Tow boat captain here in Virginia. This man pushes himself to the limit every single day and it is spectacular to watch. Growing up and seeing him work so hard it made me want to always work hard and push myself for my future family.
Cheers to Bob James at Tow Boat U.S. Read More>> 

 Alana Morrone

My work ethic comes from an internal desire to be able to say “I earned this” and “I worked for this”. No one can take credit for what I have built or created – be it my business, my family, my home, my education -because I did it myself. I also believe in commitment. If I say yes to something, I do it full force with all I got. Read More>> 

Julie Peley

I was raised in a family of hard workers and surrounded by a passion for doing what you love. Both of my parents work with people with mental disabilities, so I’ve seen them care for others—often before themselves—for as long as I can remember. And, of course, they’ve always cared for me, too. I feel incredibly lucky to come from such a caring and loving environment. It really shaped my personality and taught me to prioritize the well-being of others. Read More>> 

Ashley Kidder

It has to be from my granddad, Paul. Born in 1922, he had a front-row seat to the Great Depression. During this time, his family lost nearly everything. His father became depressed and couldn’t will himself out into the world to find a way to support his family financially. Instead, my granddad, merely a kid at the time, stepped up in his place and put himself in the workforce to put food on the table for his siblings and parents. Read More>> 

McKenzie O’Malley

My work ethic comes from my family. I am a first generation college student and I graduated from The University of Tampa in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing with a minor in Spanish. My dad is a custom home builder and owner of our family company O’Malley Builders. My mom is a real estate broker for Century 21 Pride and my Grandma Sue was President of Coldwell Banker. I have followed in their foot steps and am so grateful for where I am today.  Read More>> 

Daisy Cleary

Honestly since I was a young girl I have always been hardworking and striven for the absolute best. I knew from the start the goals that I wanted and would accomplish as I got older. I feel like the way I was raised and where I grew up played a major role in that. Growing up on the west side of Detroit Mi, we didn’t live in the best place but I always seen my mom do whatever she needed to do, whether that was going to school, working two jobs, or being present in the house.  Read More>> 

Brittant Reynolds

I get my work ethic from watching my mom and dad. Growing up, I saw them go to work every single day—no sick days, no excuses. They showed up even when it wasn’t easy, and they often picked up extra shifts to make sure our family had what we needed. Their commitment, consistency, and sense of responsibility taught me the value of hard work and dedication. That example stuck with me, and it’s something I carry into everything I do. Read More>>