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.
Liz Detrow
My work ethic honestly comes from just figuring things out as I go. I’ve always been super independent, and once I care about something, I’m all in. Starting Ace forced me to hustle in a way I never had before. Pop-ups, designing, packing orders, all the behind-the-scenes stuff. Read More>>
Juliana Rabban
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial drive, even as a kid in elementary school, I was creating and selling anything I could. Experiencing this entrepreneurial fire from a young age really allowed me to see possibilities everywhere. It planted a seed in me that I always knew I’d run my own business someday, I just didn’t know what form it would take. Read More>>
Genavese Harris
I get my work ethic from parents. Read More>>
Briana Honor
I’m a professional bridal hairstylist from Detroit, known for creating timeless, elevated bridal looks. The most meaningful part of my work is helping brides feel confident and beautiful on their wedding day. Read More>>
Kyng Ron
Besides seeing my parents work everyday , I’ve always looked up to Master P and the Hustle he had. Read More>>
Lars Gustafson
I think there are multiple things that affected me in developing my work ethic. Firstly, I would define work ethic as being determined to work hard at something, even if that something is not what you really want to do but you know it will lead to something. Watching my parents work nonstop unless they were seriously ill showed me what commitment looked like. Read More>>
Kaitlin Myers
My work ethic comes directly from my parents. Growing up, I watched my dad work incredibly hard, putting in long hours and making countless sacrifices so he could provide for our family. After spending 18 years with a large company, he was abruptly laid off while being the sole provider for our household. Read More>>
Kaylee Bergh
I’ve always been a hard worker. Within my job and my hobbies. I like to balance both in my life to feel fufilled Read More>>
Kelsi Johnson
Honestly, I get my work ethic from a mix of how I grew up, my personality, and wanting a good life. It’s kind of that blend of I want better for myself and knowing no one’s gonna do it for me. And of course a little sprinkle of if I’m gonna do something, it better look cute. Read More>>
Kathleen Krucoff
My parents. They worked hard and led by example. As a child, I was an observer. If actions didn’t match words, I noticed. With my parents, it was clear that giving everything you have was important. Both told me to always do my best. Read More>>
Marcel Hall
I get it from watching my family work hard my whole life. Now I’m just continuing that legacy. Read More>>
Anna Colbenson
My parents are both incredibly hardworking individuals who take pride in doing the right thing and doing it well. Growing up with them as role models has definitely helped shape me into the person I am today. Read More>>
Diana Jurand
I got my work ethic through my upbringing and exposure to the performing arts. Being persistent and driven helps, too. In a nutshell, I come from a high achieving family; for better or worse, I set the bar high for myself. In performing arts, “the show must go on,” so I’m used to executing the work regardless of the circumstances. Read More>>
Antonio Bond
My work ethic comes from years of genuinely enjoying what I do. When you love it, getting things done doesn’t feel like work — it just feels natural. Read More>>
Davina Holguin Ochoa
I learned about work ethic from my mom and dad. Growing up my dad had two jobs to support us. My mom was a stay at home mom. But she had told me how she used to work two jobs to support herself before marrying my dad. Read More>>
Richard Hart
As a kid liking sports I always searched for information that would help me perform better. Ultimately all roads led to dedication and commitment. If I wanted to be an athlete and enjoy whatever sport I was doing and be good at it, there had to be a plan in place. Read More>>
Claire Hazel B.
My father. He was an incredibly intelligent man with a set of values which focused on honesty and time. He valued people and did his best at building foundations for many, which in turn became part of the community he and we lived in for many years. I understood the value of knowing my peers and the power of collaboration and strength in community. Read More>>
Kristina Ogden
I get my work ethic from both of my parents. I grew up in a single-income home. My dad worked nights my whole life. Watching him come home exhausted, sleep for a few hours, and then still find ways to be present for us taught me a lot about dedication, consistency, and doing what needs to be done even when it is not easy. Read More>>
Bryce Owens (Bo3)
It’s a mindset thing for me. I learned at a young age , though I still get little reminders here and there, that you can’t depend on anyone. If you want something done, YOU have to get it done. Don’t get me wrong, It is okay to get help when you need it. Just don’t get too dependent. Read More>>
Brad Scott
I get my work ethic from my parents, who always worked hard and were great role models, but I also have a desire to improve and be better continually. I am highly competitive and always work hard to achieve my individual goals. Read More>>
Gabrielle Nelson
The person who taught me what hard works really means is my mother. She took on so many roles, did repairs in our home herself, and has always been so eager to learn anything & everything. She instilled those traits in me as a child and that continues to this day. Read More>>
cody james
My work ethic comes from a lot of different avenues, most importantly during the true years of molding and shaping I saw my father go back to school after dropping out of high school, and saw the fruit of labor that came from the long night’s, early day all while raising my little brother, when I look around and look in the mirror directing my choices I really have no choice but to work. I also went through a lot this year that flipped an internal switch, and that work ethic turned into discipline. Read More>>
Jacob Schlichter
My work ethic comes from recognizing how differently my life could have turned out and wanting to make the most of every opportunity I have. A major part of that motivation comes from losing my best friend. Read More>>
Joe Astle
I have a terrible work ethic. If I’m not barely working at some crappy job I’m usually playing Fortnite or cooking pork ribs for 4 hours. When I look at a guitar I feel kind of sick, it’s a reminder of my failures. I work really hard on Fortnite now. Read More>>
Bree Teeples
I get my work ethic from my parents and the way I was raised. My mother stayed home and managed our household, while my father worked as a drywaller. He left for work before the sun came up and rarely made it home before it went down. Read More>>
Isabella Hilditch
For my work ethic, I have to thank my previous career in professional track and field. Almost every day during that period I was training my body to its absolute physical limit. As a designer now, I pride myself on my great endurance to take on demanding projects and keep working until they reach completion. Read More>>
Athena Rodrigues
Everything I do is bigger than me. It’s for the generations before me, and the generations coming after. My parents immigrated from the Cape Verde Islands to the United States chasing a chance at something better, and I grew up hearing the story of everything my grandmother and mother sacrificed to make that possible. At one point, my family lived apart just to gain stability. Read More>>
Jordan Leon
My work ethic comes directly from athletics, specifically my background in cross-country and track & field. I started off playing basketball and was introduced to running earlier on, but it wasn’t until around eighth grade that I truly became good at it. That growth came from working on my craft, staying consistent, and committing to improvement every day. Read More>>
Arielle Brown
My work ethic comes from a deep respect for the craft of culinary. Cooking and baking are an honor — people trust you with their celebrations and most special moments. Remembering that responsibility keeps me motivated to give my very best with every single cake I make. Read More>>
NiSi
Honestly, my work ethic feels like something I was born with because I watched it lived out every single day. I grew up in a household where hard work wasn’t talked about—it was demonstrated. My dad spent over 30 years at A.O. Read More>>
Mary Wilson
My work ethic comes directly from my parents. Both of them worked incredibly hard and set the standard for what responsibility and integrity look like. My mom was a homemaker who also worked part-time outside the home until I was born, and my dad served in the Navy before becoming an officer with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Read More>>
