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.
Michelle Larson
That’s a fun question. I would say my work ethic comes from family influence, personal experiences, training, and education. Growing up I was a National Team gymnast. My coaches taught me the only way to the top was to work hard. I was built to stay focused and stay consistent no matter how long the task takes. Read More>>
Kyle Barnett
Great question! I believe work ethic can can be influenced by a number of factors in our environment and upbringing. My work ethic has been most influenced by the people around me. My parents have always been instrumental in encouraging us to be great at what we do. Read More>>
Osa Atoe
My work ethic comes both the passion I feel toward my medium and the practical demands of life and having to pay bills. I am fortunate that I get to do what I love for a living. This means that even when I’m pushing toward a deadline, I find pleasure in my work. I get to experiment and chase ideas in the studio. Read More>>
Nate Duke Lopez
I love answering this question because I get to share about my family. My work ethic comes from my parents. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today, truly. My dad always taught me to work hard no matter what. He does not want me to go down the same path that he went down. Read More>>
Ingrid Keriotis
I believe that I got my work ethic from my parents. I think they passed it on to me because they led by example; it was not imparted to me by specific things they said. My dad worked very hard first as a minister and then as a nursing home activities director. He wanted to help others and that was always his driving force. Read More>>
Keisha Tower
If I’m being 100% honest, I don’t think my work ethic came from a good place in my early years. I wanted to be the best at everything. I wanted to be the first at everything. I wanted to be star that shined bright. While all of that may sound good…it was originating from a lot of childhood trauma. My biological father was an alcoholic. Read More>>
Jeanette Faria
I absolutely get my work ethic from my parents. Growing up, I watched both of them work incredibly hard in different ways. My dad often worked multiple jobs at a time, and my mom took on roles in several different fields throughout my childhood. Read More>>
Michele Evans
I’ve been an entrepreneur for almost 30 years, and if I had to sum up where my work ethic comes from, I’d say it’s simple — I just don’t want to fail. That’s really been my motivation from the start. I’ve always believed that if I’m going to put my name on something, it has to represent excellence, passion, and purpose. Read More>>
Peter Coleman
I get my work ethic from father. He has so many different jobs and constantly works to provide for his family. He owns a small business, owns rental property, and is a musician too who is in several bands! But growing up I was always surrounded by this and learned his ways of discipline and applied it to my everyday life. Such as music. Read More>>
Sarah Cucuzzella
I grew up in a single-parent home with my mum and two sisters after losing my dad when I was seven. My mum definitely instilled my work ethic – she taught me to have my own back and to always walk away from anything that doesn’t serve me. That turned into independence and drive… probably why I’m such a workaholic now, thanks Mum. Read More>>
Curtis Smith Jr
I get my work ethic from my parents and grand father, growing up i saw them work every day with out complaining just taking care of the family. My granddad used to work for the state and even though it was tough on him he still did it without complaining because he said he had to take care of the family. Read More>>
Michele Barnes
Growing up in a one parent household with my sister helped develop my work ethic. My Mother worked hard at a job she wasn’t thrilled with. She persisted because she had to support my sister and me. She never complained and gave us so much love. She also went back to college part time. Read More>>
James Norkawich
🎙️ Podcast Bio: James A. Norkawich – “America’s Composer” and “Mr. Christmas” James A. Norkawich is an American pianist, composer, arranger, and producer whose music bridges generations, genres, and emotions. Read More>>
Anniesha McDonald
My work ethic was shaped long before I ever owned a business. It comes from watching my parents work tirelessly, not just to provide, but to show up, for their family, their community, and their purpose. My father, in particular, taught me the value of discipline and consistency. Read More>>
Nanxi Jin
I think my dad has had a huge influence on my work ethic. To me, he’s a great artist, but he also wears many hats. He’s a doctoral advisor, professor, a curator, and runs his own art center. When my grandfather was sick, he always found time to stay by his side. Read More>>
Jiajia Sollers
My work ethic comes from my mom. She’s a physics professor, and my childhood memories are of her working late into the night, preparing lectures, doing research, and writing textbooks for universities. She poured her heart into both her students and her science. Read More>>
Galit Ventura-Rozen
I was raised by immigrant parents who came to America before I was born, chasing opportunity and a better life. As the firstborn, I had a front-row seat to what real dedication looks like. My father worked seven days a week when I was young, with no days off, no shortcuts, no excuses. Read More>>
Alejandro Catano
Hi I’m Alejandro Catano, but people call me Alex. I am a fellow local podcast host for Catanation Studios. While that is what identify myself as, I’ve done a lot growing up. I have written music, designed websites for movies and wrestling, worked in farms, take care of youth, and even worked as a barista for my first five years after High School. Read More>>
Needah Kavallierou
My parents came here as immigrants and worked incredibly hard to give our family a chance at a better life. I know my drive and work ethic come directly from them. Read More>>
Brandon Bizzy Hollemon
I’d say my work ethic comes from my family and my early experiences with music. Losing my father young really taught me how short life can be, and picking up the guitar at 11 gave me something to focus that energy into. From Berklee to touring and producing in the studio, I’ve learned that showing up and staying consistent is everything. Read More>>
Marz Jones
Growing up watching my mom and dad putting in long hours at the job, then come home and still make time to prepare dinner and make sure I had the necessary things to succeed. I’d say I get my work ethic directly from those two important people in my life. Seeing it firsthand allowed me to grow into the man I am today. Read more>>
A.c. Moon Cameron
Deep in the offgrid mountains of the Sierra Nevadas of Northern California it tends to be a bit more like survivor. Growing up we used sled dogs thru the snow to procure supplies to the homesteading cabin, with my mothers mission of living off the land. Read More>>
Nichole England
My work ethic was shaped long before I picked up a makeup brush. I grew up around strong women who never made excuses—they just made things happen. In my 18 years as a makeup artist, including 13 at MAC, I learned early that talent alone isn’t enough. Whether it was 5 a.m. Read More>>
Shiri Feldman
When people ask where my work ethic comes from, I never have a neat, one-line answer. Yes, part of it is just who I am — I’ve always been that girl who goes after what she wants, figures it out, makes it happen. Hustle has always felt natural to me. But if I’m being honest, a lot of it came from my childhood. Read More>>
Deshawn Davis
My Work ethic comes from not only GOD, but also my Parents. They have always taught me that hard work always pays off and I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Even though my Dad has left, My mom has never given up on anything along with raising kids alone. Read More>>
Lynn Slaughter
I believe that I owe my work ethic to my father. He was a tremendously hard working business executive who genuinely loved his work. I admired him tremendously, and although I didn’t pursue his line of work, I definitely modeled my work ethic after him. Read More>>
Desiree Kitsmiller
I get my work ethic from my grandparents, who always provided for me and worked as much as they could to make sure I never went without. Watching their dedication and perseverance taught me the value of hard work, gratitude, and doing your best no matter the circumstances. Read More>>
Jessica Becerra
I owe my work ethic to God and my dad. My dad was a workaholic and a busy body — always moving, always doing something. When he wasn’t working, he was playing soccer or running. Even though I didn’t enjoy soccer or running as a child, he always took me with him. Read More>>
Jessica Teich
I truly believe my work ethic is something I inherited from my parents. Growing up, I watched both of them work incredibly hard, but what stood out was how they did it — they didn’t just work a lot, they worked with purpose, and they always made space for our family. We were very close. Read More>>
Jillian Morris
I grew up with parents who balanced a lot, and I saw them working hard. My mom was home with me until I was 7, but she was also doing a side crafting business. I saw her painting things in the basement in the early morning or evening. Read More>>
Jillian Sanders
I’ve always felt like my work ethic is a mix of nature and nurture. I come from a family where showing up and doing your best wasn’t optional; it was just what you did. My grandparents especially modeled consistency and strength. Read More>>
Elisabeth Caraballo
I got my work ethic from my mom. Growing up, I watched her juggle multiple jobs, as a single mother raising two kids while always maintaining a positive attitude. She taught me the importance of dedication and perseverance, no matter the challenges I faced. Her ability to remain focused and work hard, even during tough times, instilled in me the value of determination and resilience. Read More>>
Yvetka
My work ethic comes from a mix of dedication, integrity, professionalism, and self-discipline. I put in consistent effort and keep going even on days when ideas feel quiet, when energy is low, or when other important aspects of life require attention. I approach my work with professionalism, and I understand the importance of being organized, striving to improve in that area over time. Read More>>
Jeanie Janas Ritter
I grew up on a small farm in Indiana, and work was a constant part of my life. My father was an engineer, but he also ran his family’s farm, so evenings after his day job and weekends were spent tending to the land. Some of my earliest memories are picking rocks, mowing the grass, and caring for our animals. Read More>>
Maurice Clark-Wilkinson
Well, first I’d like to say thank you for taking the time to sit down with me. It is truly a pleasure to do this interview. But great question. You might find it crazy, but my work ethic comes from the mindset I’ve developed after reading my bible, can’t read the bible and not abide by the Kingdom Principles that God put in place. Read More>>
Stacey Harley
I come from a long line of Black farmers who taught me the true meaning of hard, honest, and purposeful work. My great-grandparents and their cousins purchased farmland here in Southern Maryland over a century ago — a time when owning land was no easy task for Black families. That land became more than soil; it became a legacy of resilience, pride, and family unity. Read More>>
Tim Birkey
I received my strong work ethic from my mother. She worked tirelessly to support my brother and me, often from the moment she woke up until she went to bed. We lived on a farm where we raised livestock, and she was always helping with the baby lambs and pigs. Watching her dedication taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. Read More>>
