Building Blocks of Success: Work Ethic

The ability to work hard has always been underappreciated and devalued by various elements in society.  In our experience, it’s crystal clear that having a strong work ethic and positive attitude towards working hard is highly predictive of success.  Below, you’ll find highlights of our conversations around how one might go about developing or leveling up their work ethic.

Tany B

My work ethic is a combination of various influences and factors, including my upbringing and the values instilled by my parents, as well as my current work environment and the standards set by my employer. My parents likely played a significant role in shaping my work ethic from a young age. They taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and dedication through their own actions and words. Read more>>

Emily Anne Schneider

I think my work ethic definitely comes from my parents. They run our family business which turned 100 last year! When I was growing up, neither of them worked a traditional office job – they were able to be their own bosses and that inspired me. Read more>>

Yadira Mendez Leiva

It is my belief that work ethic is very important to succeed in life , Every day I teach my employees and my family that they should always have a strong work ethic if they want to succeed. Like my old boss used to say, “Do the right thing even if no-one is watching.” Read more>>

Anastasia Ovanessoff

I get my work ethic from my parents. They are excellent role models and always made a point to teach the importance of having a good work ethic. Through their own successes in life, I grew up watching and learning about how a strong work ethic and drive can take you leaps and bounds farther than anyone else. Read more>>

Paul Kreibich

Both my parents were immigrants and neither had a college degree. They worked hard in their fields to succeed and take care of their family. My father was a builder and my mother a journalist. This may have rubbed off on me and my work as a musician and music teacher. I see plenty of people who work harder and achieve more than myself. But I do believe that the work I’ve done has helped me to survive in the music business. Read more>>

Giovanna Jaspid

To me work ethic is a high level of motivation for the job I do. My “why” has been very clear and I know there are certain steps we must take in order to achieve our personal and professional goals. Having a strong Work ethic has been very valuable to my company, my customers and colleagues, as they all know they can count on me getting the project done and delivered. Read more>>

Helen Annette Njau

I like to believe that I “inherited” my work ethic from my father. He was a giant among men. He taught us so many things but one was “there is dignity in labor.” He worked for every single accolade he achieved in his 84 years of life. He not only worked hard at whatever he did or was tasked to do, he worked at it with excellence.  Read more>>

Sarah Mills-Bailey

Well, I’m from New Orleans, so you know there’s a creative aspect involved! It all started when I was three years old and the go-to family outing destination was the French Quarter, eating beignets, feeding pigeons, viewing the artists’ work produced at sidewalk easels and exhibited on the cast iron fence around Jackson Square. Read more>>

Aric Bianchi

Growing up poor and not having the things I wanted, I had a chance to work at an early age in restaurants. I learned that I could buy something I wanted with the money I earned. I could make more money when I got better, whether washing dishes, mopping the floor, or chopping onions. Read more>>

Nathaniel Bryan

From seeing my Momma, Granny, and Uncles work day in and day out to make things happen for the family. If it was putting food on the table, keeping the lights and water on, keeping clothes on my back, and keeping a roof over not only mine but my family’s head and not whining, crying, or complaining about any of it. I can’t or won’t complain because I know they had way more pressure than what I am going through. Read more>>

LaToya Greene

I get my work ethic from my parents. As a child I watched my mom get up every day and go to work to provide a comfortable life for herself, me, and my brother. My dad showed me by example how to go out and get it by any means necessary. In addition to working i also watched him run a catering business, sell products that customers needed, and always made sure he did whatever he had to do to support himself, his wife, and his kids. Read more>>

Clare Umberger

I know I get my work ethic from my mom. Growing up with a single mom and seeing all she did to provide for us and how she worked all the time and continued to learn and want to learn about how to become better in her field along the way, even as an adult, really inspired me. Nothing ever comes easy and it’s one thing to reach a place but it’s harder to stay there and continue to excel from there.  Read more>>

Genelyn Cook

Definitely my parents and my older siblings. We’re originally from the Philippines and immigrated to America in separate occasions. We were seperated for a little and reunited again many years later. My mom was a nail tech and my dad was a transportation driver. They worked for the wages they needed for that day and it was tough, especially since there seven children to feed. Read more>>

Jacquelyn Kazas

My work ethic was instilled in me at a young age from both of my parents. My mom and dad both always worked while I was growing up and set an example for me that hard work pays off. They always taught my sister and I that you have to work hard for the things you want in life, you aren’t just given them. Read more>>

Ellen Dieter

I want to say that my work ethic comes from my dad. He was a man of principles, which when young I don’t think I understood very well. But as I grew and became a person in the working world, having a good work ethic became crucial. Being accountable was important to him and became very important to me. Today, committing to myself and my career means showing up and doing the work. Read more>>

Meka Diamond

Where do I get my work ethic from. I would say my upbringing. I’ve been birthed with a bloodline of survivors. Some of my family grew up on a plantation in Louisiana whom fault hard through adversity, and learned the importance of sticking together as a family, making something out of nothing, and pushing towards the best in everything. Growing up I’ve been able to witness my parents do whatever was necessary to make sure we were fed, had a roof over our heads, confident, secure, and lead and knew how to follow when necessary. I would say because of these reasons I learned how to work as I do. Read more>>

Jennyb Williams

My work ethics came from my background of cosmetology, I”ve been a Stylist for 29 yrs ! So greeting and catering to my clients over the years definitely paid off. Switching over to the dog business was a true joy because I truly love helping people bring joy to their pets lives. Read more>>

Karina Arrezola Reyes

My work ethic comes from my parents. I was born in Mexico in 1990. My dad was the first to go to the USA, followed by my mom in 96. My parents had left my brother & me back with my grandparents. They wanted to make something out of themselves. The initial goal was to “make money & go back,” but that did not happen. Three years later, I now lived in Los Angeles. I remember my parents waking up every morning at 5 am to prepare for work. My dad would leave first as my mom would prepare us for school. Read more>>

Stephanie Pitts

My work ethic comes directly from the way in which my family raised me and finding gratitude in everything that I am able to do. My parents owned a film production company in NYC and they always made my brother and I a part of their process. We saw and understood what it took to run a business, work hard for something in which you’re passionate and lead with unwavering confidence all while respecting people and their ideas. Read more>>

Dr Munish Batra

Work ethic is some thing that becomes inherent in first generation immigrants from India. We are taught discipline, delayed self gratification, and to excel educationally. These characteristics do lead to the ability to succeed academically, to pursue a career in medicine or engineering, (as most first generation Indian immigrants have been pushed to do by their parents), but it does not allow the ability to choose your own career or pursue your own academic interests. I think this was the plight of the first generation Indian immigrants that came to this country like I did in the 1970s. Read more>>

Amique James, MBA

My work ethic came from my mother…man, she is a hard worker. She has done many things right to impact my journey. She migrated to the USA from Jamaica and it was a difficult journey for her. She was a single mother and had no other choice than to work hard to take care of her small kids. Her resilience, faith in God, and work ethics has truly impacted my life and helped me become the women that I am today. Read more>>

Thomas Regular Jr.

I would have to accredit my work ethic to my parents. They gave a great example of how to put the best foot forward and work hard at whatever it is I am doing. I am currently a barber instructor at Gwinnett Technical College. I have been in my position for five years. I have been a licensed barber for over 10 years. Barbering for me started back when i was on campus at FAMU. Read more>>

Patrishia Anderson

I think my work ethic comes from not being able to just sit, like i constantly have to be doing something weather that’s brainstorming ideas for my next project or creating content for social media because you know things are always moving fast in the content creation social media world so I’m always trying to keep up and i think that gives me a strong drive to keep working. Read more>>

Taylor Olson

I believe I get my work ethic from my dad. He did whatever he needed to do to be successful and take care of his family. And watching him as an entrepreneur growing up, I think that really molded me into who I am today. I started my career in Denver as a makeup artist in 2019, and quickly expanded my brand to a full team of hair and makeup artists at Olson Bridal Co. Read more>>

Ebonee Hammonds- Copeland

My work ethic comes from what I saw growing up as a child. I have always been surrounded by self employed individuals/entrepreneurs and I would say it was engrained in me at an early age. I was raised by a grandmother who owned and operated a hair salon and a grandfather who owned several different businesses. I always saw the work they put in to their businesses and the since of pride that gave them, as well as myself. At the early age of 15, I secured my first part time job. Read more>>

Daniel Gray

I got my work ethic from my father. He served 20 years in the United States Army and another 17 years working in the Pentagon with the POW/MIA’s. He also has his Masters Degree which he obtained while holding down a full time job. Seeing him get up every morning at 4:30, drive over 50 miles one way to get to work by 6:30 and then do it again in the evenings, five days a week was quite the eye opener and instilled discipline in me. Read more>>

Grace Johnson-Wright

I get my work ethic from my parents. Both of my parents taught me about working hard and creating work that you are proud of. They taught me the value of entreprenuership and working a traditional 9-5, how to raise a family, chase after your dreams, and excel in the workforce. They taught me about sacrifice and time-management. I was blessed to see both of my parents in my household hustle hard and work together to provide the lifestyle that I was able to live. Read more>>

Marina Josiff

I cannot remember a time when I did not value hard work and dedication. From a very young age, I have always had an impressive work ethic. I am very proud of that because my work ethic, amongst other things, is what got me where I am today. My parents are immigrants and came to this country to provide my siblings and I with endless opportunities and a better life. I remember thinking to myself, “how can you not use every ounce of this blessing and opportunity to have the best life possible?” I knew doing it, whatever it was, came with hard work. Read more>>

Caprisha Daniels

I fell in love with the artistry of hair at the young age of 13! My plan was to become a Traveling Nurse. I worked as a Phlebotomist for almost 3 years. I would always do different styles on myself, gained alot of compliments and clientele at the hospitals and clinics I was working at. I realized I was my own model. My passion for hair grew even more. I started doing hair on the side in my home for many years. Read more>>

Lady Kimberly Jackson

I inherited my work ethic from my Father. He was and still is a hard working man who took care of his family I use to watch him come home tired after working 12 hour days in a hot environment and never complained, he knew that he had 3 children and a wife that was depending on him, often times his co workers would tell me every time we see your dad no matter what he may be dealing with he always has a smile on his face everyday. Read more>>

Amber Miller

I believe my strong work ethic stems from a variety of past/present experiences as well as the desire to achieve future goals. First and foremost, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work and perseverance from a young age. Growing up, I saw my mom and dad work extremely long hours, and give every last inch of themselves to my brother and I to give us the BEST childhood experience that every kid dreams of — one that they wish they had received. Read more>>

Kirsten Owen

I get my outstanding work ethic from my parents. I have learned so many amazing traits from both of my parents ever since I was a child. Here are a few important traits: If you are on time, you are late. Dress for the part you want. Be your own boss. Say please. Say thank you. Say yes ma’am and yes sir. My Mom has strong southern values. My parents are the smartest, most loving, giving people I know. I owe so much to my parents. Read more>>

Paige Borowski

Ever since I can remember, I have always had a very strong work ethic. I simply love setting goals for myself and working tirelessly until they are accomplished. No matter the goal, big or small, the act of working towards something has always brought a great amount of pleasure, joy, and purpose to my life. Read more>>

Soren Odom

For me, I’ve always been curious, and I think curiosity fuels the work-ethic center of my brain. I’m constantly trying to know more or do better, especially in my craft or art; so staying open to learning more always drives my ambition to keep pushing. It can certainly be difficult at times, but hearing a new song you like, or seeing a film you find compelling is, often times, enough stimulation to make someone want to know WHY that song or film is so compelling. Read more>>

Jermaine Jackson

I definitely get my work ethic from my parents but my dad especially. I saw my father work so hard and then come home and do odd jobs, mostly car mechanic work each and every day. I started working at 15 years old for a local restaurant and haven’t stopped since. I even had to work in college just to pay rent and have things. Read more>>