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.
Nancy Barillas
My work ethic comes from my family and my own journey as a mom and business owner. I’ve learned that success doesn’t happen overnight , it’s about showing up every day, staying consistent, and doing the work even when it’s hard. Running Kooky Cookie Confections has taught me discipline and resilience, values that I carry into every order and every opportunity. Read more>>
Emily Willet
I get my work ethic from my mom – she’s truly one of the strongest, hardest-working people I know. Growing up, I watched her juggle everything with so much grace and grit, and it gave me the foundation to always strive for my fullest potential. Read more>>
Yakira Muhammad
My work ethic comes from my family. My parents have worked my whole life and I grew up in a family that had to work for the things they want in life. Being the second to the youngest of six children, I always seen my older siblings working towards their goals and dreams. Read more>>
Nehemiah Brooks
My work ethic comes from many important influences in my life. First and foremost, my parents shaped how I view hard work and perseverance. My mom was a single mother raising three kids on her own, and when I was young, I didn’t fully understand how difficult that must have been. Read more>>
Mallory Bouchard
My work ethic comes directly from my mom and the example both my parents set throughout my childhood. Growing up, work wasn’t something we talked about—it was simply woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Read more>>
Charlotte Ann
I grew up with a Mom who worked multiple jobs and ALWAYS did the right thing. She was loyal to the companies she worked for and would often talk to her employees about doing what was best for the business as a whole. She knew that if she called out of work, others would suffer and so she never played hooky. Read more>>
Nolan Pugh
Honestly, hard work is the only thing I ever thought I had any talent in, but the habit started as early as elementary school. I didn’t have the strictest parents growing up, but one thing they did expect of me was good grades. Read more>>
Meagan Janis
I get my work ethic from my dad. He’s been a small business owner for over 30 years, and that didn’t come without sacrifice. He started at the bottom as a windshield installer, making maybe $10 an hour. He kept his head down, learned the trade, and eventually gained the confidence (and maybe a little cockiness) to go out on his own. Read more>>
Kylee Bissette
I get my work ethic from a blend of family influence, lived experience, and my own internal drive. Growing up, both of my parents modeled what it looked like to work hard, stay committed, and keep going even when things got difficult. Read more>>
Destini Brown
I get my work ethic from my deep passion for storytelling and my desire to create something meaningful that lasts. Growing up in Los Angeles, I was always surrounded by so much beauty, diversity, people, culture, and moments that deserved to be seen and remembered. That inspired me to approach my craft with dedication and respect. Read more>>
Lee Ankrum
My family, without a doubt. I guess you could say I come from good stock—if hard work is something you value. Both sides of my family come from large farming families, as many do here in the Midwest. Growing up, I always thought my grandpa, dad, and uncles ran circles around me. Now that I’m “grown up,” they’re still running circles around me—it’s crazy. Read more>>
Megan Love
Hands down my parents, which some may say is also my downfall. But, I grew up watching both of them work hard at everything they touched. Whether career/job related or even just the daily grind. So much of my baseline comes from that. We can’t get from point A to point B without a strong work ethic. So that is my foundation. Read more>>
Kate Feldmann
My grandmothers. My internalized feminism. My overwhelming sense of justice. These all play into each other. I’ve been told that my expectations are too high, that my standards are not achievable. This feedback simply serves to lower my expectations and prevent disappointment. However, I do not agree with the sentiment that my standards are inherently flawed or too demanding. My motivation is intrinsic. Read more>>
Jerry Tsagamilis
Honestly, I got my work ethic from skateboarding. Skateboarding teaches you everything about persistence you fall seven times, you get back up eight. There’s no shortcut, no one to blame just you, your board, and the effort you’re willing to put in. It trains you to stay committed, creative, and resilient. If you want to land something, you’ve got to keep trying until you do. Read more>>
Daniel Ramos
I think work ethic is passed down trait. You have to see it in action before you really understand it. My work ethic came from my parents. I got something from each of them. My father worked for the post office right out of the military. He grinded his way up the ladder making a great career to retirement. Read more>>
Jean McMullen
My work ethic is from my parents, especially my Dad. In my family there were 4 kids plus my grandma lived with us. Mom stayed at home, while Dad worked 2 jobs. When I was 12 Dad drove my sister and I at 6 am to the local farm where we picked strawberries until noon and then walked home with our meager wages. Read more>>
Eduardo Siervo
To talk about my work ethic, I have to go back in time—to the very beginning, when I first started working alongside my father. I owe most of it to him. My dad is an incredibly ethical and principled man when it comes to his work. He was, and still is, my mirror. Read more>>
Allan Hudson
Growing up in a blue collar family with my father self-employed, I witnessed what it was like to be successful. When I say successful, I mean putting food on the table, paying your bills, heating your home, taking care of a family. Both my father and older brother were models for me as the youngest of our clan. Read more>>
Chloe Kelley
I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My grandma owned a daycare for over 40 years. My mom owned a cookie making company. My dad owns 2 construction/home improvement businesses. I have grown up around good work ethic where nothing was handed to them. They had to work extremely hard for what they had. I think that played a big role in my life. Read more>>
Jake Anthony
I have always had a drive to work and provide for myself, and one day to provide more for my family. I got my first job when I was a sophomore in high school, working at McDonald’s and dealing with all the challenges that come with that job. Read more>>
Jennifer Vigil
I would say my work ethic comes from my upbringing and life experiences. Growing up, I watched my parents work hard to provide for our family, and that taught me early on the importance of dedication, responsibility, and perseverance. Their example showed me that success is not about luck but about consistency, faith, and showing up even when no one is watching. Read more>>
Meredith Jones
The most important thing I’ve come to learn when talking about work ethic or discipline is realizing it’s a choice. You can give something your best, or you can do it halfway. For me, “good enough” has never been enough. I’d say my parents set a strong example for me, but I’ve always been a little hard-headed. Read more>>
Zé
Definitely from my dad. He always taught me to hustle and strive to be the best I can be. I also learned from people like Jay-Z and Nipsey. They came from the bottom and made it to the top. That’s motivational Read more>>
Ray Carsillo
My work ethic comes from my family. My grandparents were hard workers; my parents were hard workers. It was buying into the American Dream that hard work will pay off, so why not work hard? I just think the thing that took me the longest to realize was my dreams were different from theirs and that was okay. Read more>>
Amy Jenner
get my work ethic from the example set by my family. Growing up, I watched the people around me stay committed, dependable, and consistent no matter what challenges came up. That taught me that showing up fully even on the hard days — is what builds real results. I carry that mindset into everything I do.” Read more>>
