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.

Christie Verran

The old cliche´, “part nature and part nurture” strikes a chord with me when I think about the evolution of my work ethic. As a Gen Xer, I grew up in a small blue collar farming town where most jobs were agricultural. My parents both grew up on farms (apples & tomatoes) and later put themselves through school to become elementary school teachers. I followed their lead and at the age of 12, landed my first job as the strawberry patch girl. Throughout my high school years, I worked many hard and gritty jobs in greenhouses, vineyards and cornfields. Read more>>

DJ Bella Foxx

I undoubtedly inherited my strong work ethic from my incredible mother. She has always been the epitome of hard work and dedication. From a young age, she instilled in me the values of perseverance and determination. My mother was unwavering in her pursuit of her dreams, and to me, she was a true superhero. I witnessed her juggling school, full-time work, and providing a loving, stable home for my younger brother and me as a single mother. Her unwavering determination is truly awe-inspiring! Read more>>

Jacqueline Valenzuela

As a first-generation Mexican-American I believe I have a good work ethic due to the sacrifices of my parents. They both migrated to the US in their teens. Prior to their individual migration experiences my mom had been working to help her family since she was 8 years old. While my father began working around the family ranch around the age of 3; also to help support his siblings. As teenagers they both left the only world they knew to create a better life in the states. Their experiences have largely shaped the way in which I go about my life.  Read more>>

Jakobe Pierson

My work ethic comes directly from my mother. I’ve seen her work harder than anyone I know so when I face any adversity I just remember how hard I’ve seen her work to give me a lot of opportunities. Read more>>

Fernando Torres Idrovo

Having worked as an artist and then moved to production I keep my work ethic having in mind the team’s needs and workload. One of the things that I always keep in mind is how can we make things works for both sides in the least amount of time. This has created an ethic of being honest and straight to the people you work with. Propose fact based solutions or negotiate a fix that works for both parties. Read more>>

Amit Amram

My work ethic comes from a deep, deep passion for my craft, and my strive for success and perfection. I don’t think you can build a successful business without putting in the hard work, you have to find a field that you’re passionate about, that way you’ll always give 110% of yourself, not related to whether you’re making or not making money from that. Read more>>

Nina Patton

My work ethic comes from being raised by my mother, grandmother and four aunts. My grandmother was a strong, independent, intelligent woman. She raised my mom and four aunts alone. She was a very hard worker until the day she died. She instilled this in her daughters and they passed it on to their children. She told us not to be lazy and to always work hard for what you wanted. Read more>>

Darya Deena Moallempour

I got my strong work ethic from my grandfather. At the tender age of four, he experienced the loss of his father, and as the eldest sibling, he took on the responsibility of securing a prosperous future for his family. Despite not knowing the language, he immigrated to this country and exerted immense effort in his endeavors. He served as a role model, demonstrating the qualities of a true leader and imparting knowledge on how to successfully manage a business in the future. Furthermore, my grandfather instilled in me the importance of finding joy in one’s chosen path, emphasizing the significance of loving what I do. While my actions are driven by personal aspirations, they also hold a deeper meaning as a tribute to him. Reaad more>>

Dalton Tracee

Work ethic, in my opinion, is derived from a deep sense of desire and passion for what one does. When you are genuinely enthusiastic about your work, it becomes easier to maintain a strong work ethic. It’s the inner drive that compels you to put in the time and effort required to excel in your field. In my experience, if I lack motivation, it’s often because my heart isn’t fully invested in the task at hand. When I’m passionate about what I’m doing, my work ethic naturally shines through, as I’m driven to achieve my goals and contribute my best effort. Read more>>

Tommy Ayers

I developed my work ethic at a very young age, i grew up watching my mom work 3 jobs to provide for me and my sister. I started off asking people can i take their trash out at 8 years old. It grew from that to me cutting grass and shoveling snow. I got my 1st summer payroll job through a school program called earn and learn and continued gaining work experience from there. I’ve done everything from a sanitation worker to factory work but i had a different kind of passion for restaurant work I always knew i wanted to have my own restaurant business 1 day.  Read more>>

Dr. Leslie Pledger

I got my work ethic from my mother who passed away November 2022. Even though she is gone, the work ethic that she instilled in me as a little girl still operates today. My mother instilled a strong work ethic in me by having a strong work ethic herself. I watched her get up everyday to catch the bus to go to work. She made sure that school was a priority for us. Me and my siblings always got perfect attendance in addition to other awards. My mother made sure that we understood the importance of taking off our school clothes as soon as we got home, hang them up, and get started with homework prior to going outside or doing anything else. Read more>>

Masashi Yamamoto

My experience working on the stop-motion animation project “Shape Island,” which is showcased on Apple TV, instilled in me a valuable work ethic and a meaningful philosophy, all thanks to the mentorship of Jeff White, my former supervisor and art director. Jeff is undeniably an exceptional individual. Within the workplace, he consistently places a sincere focus on the well-being of each team member, fostering a comfortable and supportive work environment. He takes extensive measures to ensure that work assignments are distributed fairly, preventing anyone from shouldering an overwhelming workload. Read more>>

Alexandra Massetti

My Dad. He manages to run and own a scuba diving business, coffee shop and have a full time job in healthcare sales. He did all this while raising 3 daughters and eventually 3 step daughters. He makes it look easy but will drop anything for us at moments notice to be there. I always molded my career after his, to have a full time regular job while building my company and following my passions. He didn’t come from money but was able to own his scuba shop by the time he was 36. As millennials we have hustle anxiety, always having to go harder and tend to put our family balance to the side. My Dad has shown me both of these things can work if you are willing to learn how to work efficiently and learn to let go of control and trust your employees. Read more>>

Erica Williamson

The main person who I credit my work ethic is my mother. Raising me and my sister as a single parent was surely a struggle, but some how she always made is work. We never went with out, had all that we needed and wanted. The biggest thing that she taught me and always stuck with me it the importance of working so u can provide for yourself and your family., and also education. She always stressed that to me at a young age, and even helped me to get to get my first job at 15! She always stressed the importance of making your own money and not to depend on anyone.  Read more>>

Andrew Bonci Jr

My work ethic definitely comes from my parents, the classic super team. As I was growing up my dad was building his chiropractic practice from the ground up in Kansas City and I had the privilege of watching the business develop and learning things passively hanging out in the background. Mom took care of the house and my older brother and me, but she was very much involved in the success of the business day-to-day. I had amazing models for balancing work with home life, while still striving to learn more and be a better version of oneself. Read more>>

Dwight Thomas

I believe my work ethic comes from the need. The need for change, the need for education the need from the services I provide. That gives me the work ethic. That inspiration. Read more>>

Caroline White

I’m pretty hard on myself, so I always think my work ethic could be much better. I see many people around me who I admire and who inspire me to tap into being “divinely guided” which seems to be a real powerful driver, much more so than “being successful” Ambition in and of itself is not enough. I don’t think ego is enough – I have hit certain milestones that were probably largely ego-driven, when I was younger, and that “high” is extremely temporary, though it brought me certain successes (which have afforded me a certain lifestyle, and I have my amazing clients to thank hugely for that). Read more>>

Meg Castellanos Aguilar

I got my work ethic from my parents. My father emigrated from Cuba when he was 15 years old. He came to New York with his father and new step mother but soon left home to find work. He quickly learned English and trained in heavy machinery, and learned how to build hot rods while working at a gas station that he would eventually own. He joined the Marines where he met my mother who was in the Navy until she got pregnant with me. Read more>>

Ethan Lartey

Seeing my parents work hard day in and day out. From a young age and being blessed to grow up with both parents seeing how hard they worked to provide and make a way.. it is truly all the motivation I need to keep going anytime I may reach a hard time or a roadblock. I just remember times when things were not the best and they always strived and push through. I truly do respect anyone and everyone who is working everyday towards their goals. It is not worth it but it will worth it.. and that is for sure. Read more>>

Aria Song

In general, I believe there are two main sources that influence our values, which subsequently shape our lifestyles and impact the actions we take and the decisions we make- 1) external sources and 2) internal sources. Externally, my cultural and familial values were the biggest contributors towards instilling in me an indefatigable work ethic. Read more>>

Dre Day Johnson

I definitely get it from my mom. I grew up in a single-parent household. Having watched my mom work 3 jobs to provide for my older brother and me, I knew early on what it took to keep the electricity on and keep the furnace running. I started working with my mom around 13 years old, helping her clean offices in Philly. When I turned 16 I started working any job I could so I could help my mom with the bills. I worked retail at The Gap and at a mattress store, and then my brother got me into a restaurant washing dishes and bussing tables. When you gotta step up as a man as young as I did, you really start to shape your work ethic in a way that feeds that need to eat….. literally AND figuratively. Read more>>

Donna Garcia

I am, first and foremost, a lens-based artist. My work falls into the category of abstraction, which I do in various ways. I would say that my most recognized work uses self-portraiture with motion and it is through motion that I am able to create a liminal space in the work, that…with a heavy light & shadow influence, a type of inner reality to be exposed in the image when the appearance of certainty becomes eroded. You know… Read more>>

Danielle Spangler

I am lucky to have been raised by two very hard working parents. My father was in the air force when I was young and then he opened his own private practice and my mother helped him. I saw them overcome many obstacles and sacrifice so much to make the business a success! The hard work ethic was burned in my brain. As long as I can remember I wanted to work. I started my first job while in high school babysitting for several families. I then moved to retail and working at a kiosk at the mall.  Read more>>

Amanda Ealla

My work ethic comes from my parents. At a young age, I watched them navigate a completely new country, culture and workforce with limited to no support. In my eyes, they made the ultimate sacrifice for their children and my gratitude for their selflessness has fueled my drive for success. My parents are determined and resilient people who have created opportunities for themselves through incredibly difficult circumstances. Watching them achieve such high levels of success and still remaining the most humble of folks will always serve as motivation for me, Read more>>

Bart Mastronardi

My mother and father. Both of them worked hard their whole lives to give my brother and I a great life. We grew up in a great home in Ozone Park, Queens – NYC with other working class people around us. . We were raised on the idea – You worked hard for what you wanted. My whole family were immigrants who came from Italy to America for a better life for their family, their children, and themselves. They believed in the ethics of working hard. Nothing was beneath them. Read more>>

Kibwe Trim

The most concise answer to this question is that my work ethic came firstly from my parents and secondly from playing sports. As you may or may not know I am from the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago. My father is from the smaller of the two islands, Tobago. As a boy growing up my father woke up in the wee hours of the morning to take care of the cows, pigs, sheep, chicken and other farm animals before walking miles to school bare footed. This is just an example of the type of man that raised my siblings and I. Read more>>

Troy Scott

Well I am someone who consistently demonstrates dedication, reliability, and a strong sense of responsibility in my work. I’m punctual, committed to meeting deadlines, and take initiative to go above and beyond what is expected of me I maintain a positive attitude, show resilience in the face of challenges, and continuously strive for improvement. Additionally, I’m honest, ethical, and maintain a high level of professionalism in my interactions with colleagues and clients. Read more>>

Rebecca Jane

I get my work ethic from my parents. Both of my parents had a strong work ethic instilled in them by their parents. My father started from scratch, studied hard and eventually worked his way up to starting his own business. He has courage, discipline, perseverance and was able to get past many obstacles. My mother is very strong and never gives up. When she has a goal, she reaches it and keeps going. She has grace, understands the world and cares deeply for others. They have both taught me to always stay strong in the face of adversity, don’t let outside forces get me down, don’t doubt myself, and that “comparison is the thief of joy.” I am grateful to have them as my parents and I always take their advice. Read more>>

Elisabeth Carpenter

I was raised as 1 of 10 kids when I was young, and then after an ugly divorce, as the middle of my Mom’s 5. I had a single mother and we had very limited financial resources, but she had a clear idea of where she wanted to live and what quality of life she wanted, and above all, taught us that you can choose to have a positive attitude no matter the situation. We worked on local farms which she loved, and which meant we had healthy food to eat, and a good work ethic. We also worked at the local food Coop, and doing childcare within the community, as well as chores at home. Read more>>

Don Moors

I recognized early on that I was going to have to create my own opportunities as an unknown musician. I’ve been a working musician, my entire adult life and I’m proud of the fact that I’ve lived in normal lifestyle doing nothing but playing and teaching music. I live by the motto I learned from the seven dwarfs call Lynn “ I owe, I owe, so off to work I go” Read more>>

Amy Gray

I come from a family of very hard workers! I remember my grandmother going to work at 4am as a school custodian; my grandfather was a firefighter after moving to California from Texas, where he farmed. My dad worked for the telephone company and put in hours and hours of overtime when I was a child—and even now he is 75 and still getting to work in the wee-hours of the morning to do extremely physical work as the electrician at our church. My mom worked as the Christian school secretary all through my growing-up years to make sure we got to attend there, and she still managed to do all the traditional “mom things.” Read more>>

Sanjeevani

My optimism comes from my team and my customers. My team is committed to providing a great experience for our customers and servicing their unique needs. Seeing how we improve the lives of our customers each day – whether it’s helping them to purchase a life-long dream luxury item or helping them get the short-term cash they need – motivates us to continue our work. Read more>>

Kayla Tucker Adams

I definitely got my work ethic from my mom, grandmother, aunts, and other strong women in my life. They never made excuses, they just made it happen. That’s a philosophy I live by in my life and I’ve carried that over into my business and my team. Just like those amazingly strong women in my life, at KTA Media Group, we don’t make excuses. We deliver results. Read more>>