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.

Ursula Oberholzer

When I was 21, I began my career in a molecular biology research lab. Young and inexperienced, I was expected to work long hours, often including weekends. Exhausted, I sometimes fell asleep at my desk—until one day, the lab technician warned me that if the “big boss” caught me napping, I’d be in trouble. I soon realized that everyone around me was working hard, likely motivated by both dedication and fear of the boss. Naturally, I fell into a similar routine once I began seeing my first results. A lab mate shared some wisdom: “It’s 90% sweat and negative results, and maybe 10% positive ones.” I realized then, as I do now in my art-making, that the end results are just a small part of the work; it’s the process and perseverance—constantly pushing and trying new approaches—that truly matter. Read more>>

Lorenzo Shelton

I get my work ethic from my grandparents, who raised me and instilled strong values in me from an early age. My grandmother, in particular, has been a huge inspiration. She owned her own boutique and set a solid foundation for me, showing me firsthand how to work hard and run a business. Watching her dedication and resilience taught me so much about perseverance, self-discipline, and passion—qualities I strive to bring into my own work every day. Read more>>

Rachel Hemphill

I draw my work ethic from my grandparents, who immigrated from China in the 40s with a dream of building a better life. They faced numerous challenges but were determined to succeed. My grandpa’s journey was particularly challenging; like many Chinese immigrants during that time, he was held at Angel Island, where he faced harsh interrogations and long waits to gain entry to the United States. However, through sheer hard work and perseverance, they managed to open and operate two grocery stores and a real estate brokerage while raising four children. Their dedication to their businesses and their unwavering commitment to providing for our family have instilled in me the importance of hard work, resilience, and the belief that with effort and determination, anything is possible.  Read more>>

Dr. Richard D. Myles Sr.

“We always dare to be different.” I was always one to feel that I am different than most people. It’s always been a feeling inside me. I always felt that I could “will” things to happen and that would eventually happen. Read more>>

Jill Carey

My parents. I’m the child of a blue collar veteran and an immigrant who came to the US, alone, at 17. I was lucky enough to grow up with my father running his auto repair business in our backyard. Growing up I would go out to the garage and “work” with my dad and his guys in the shop. My dad worked hard, was kind and loved what he did making it not even seem like work. When I got older I earned money by cleaning the cars and packaging packages. I couldn’t wait to be old enough to have a “real job” Read more>>

Karen Filos

My journey starts with the courageous journey of my parents who immigrated to this country in 1970 from Brazil and planted roots in New Jersey with nothing in their pockets but fifty dollars and a lot of hope. My mother a hairdresser since age 13 and my father a tailor since the age of 14, their relentless work ethic and unwavering perseverance (and style) became the blueprint for my own ambitions. My upbringing laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial spirit and creative drive.
Through their guidance, I learned to channel my creativity into avenues that not only fulfilled me but also uplifted those around me. Read more>>

Rebecca Flaum

I grew up in a family that was comfortable, though never lavish. My father was a Polish Jew whose parents were imprisoned in concentration camps during WWII but somehow survived and went on to start a family. The family emigrated to Canada in the 60s when my father was 13 and had to build up their lives from nothing. My dad learned English and worked incredibly hard to achieve a PhD in nuclear physics and then started his own family. My father always told me I could pursue whatever kind of career I wanted–even supporting me in pursuing a career in art–but also pushed me to be the best I could possibly be at everything I tried. Read more>>

Hiroyasu Kato

My approach to work and my work ethic comes from a core belief that it’s most important to offer something enjoyable for our customers. Rather than focusing on my own gain, I put customers’ satisfaction first. Read more>>

Cirah Wilkinson

I got my work ethic from my parents, I was raised in a lower middle class family so I saw first hand the rewards of working hard. I carried that into my business, I work the hardest for my clients and myself. Read more>>

Sasha Smardak

I most definitely inherited my work ethic from my dad. He is the hardest working person I have ever encountered. Growing up, he always told me that working hard and doing what you love is the key to success. His words of affirmation and support have always encouraged me to thrive and flourish in everything that I put my mind to. Read more>>

Jerome Smith

My work ethic comes from a few core values instilled in me early on and refined through my journey in the entertainment industry. Growing up in the DMV area, I saw firsthand the resilience and hustle it takes to make something of yourself. I carry that spirit into everything I do. Read more>>

Arielle Diaz

I’ve always been acutely aware of the fact that this career requires an intense discipline and work ethic; it’s something I understood from a really young age. My commitment comes from a deep, deep part of myself that wants this more than anything. I believe your success depends on your work ethic even more than your talent and my work ethic has always been something I’m really proud of myself for. Hard work pays off; the rest is timing. For me, it also stems from wanting to make my family, and the people who believe in me really, really proud. I want them to know it wasn’t for nothing. Read more>>

Julie Kelley

My parents, plain and simple. My dad always encouraged my brothers and I to lead by example. When he set out to do something, he stuck with it until it was complete. For example, when I was 16, he and I decided to climb Quandary Peak in Colorado. I was all gung-ho to go and was thinking, “cool, I’m getting to spend just me time with my Dad on a great adventure”. At 16 I was also a little sassy and strong willed. We were nearing the summit and I was spent; Quandary Peak stands at 14,261 feet and I was feeling the altitude.  Read more>>

Chase Lin

I get my work ethic from my parents, who taught me the importance of dedication and working with integrity. From a young age, they showed me how to put in effort consistently, no matter how tough things got, and they always balanced their work and family responsibilities with care. Watching them handle challenges with determination inspired me to work hard, not just for my own success, but to make a difference in the lives of others. Read more>>

Savage The Dapper Barber

My work ethic comes from life’s lessons and a few pivotal experiences that taught me the importance of perseverance. Growing up, I faced the challenges of living in a three-bedroom house shared with thirteen people. It was tough, and while I was surrounded by family, I often felt like an outsider, rarely feeling comfortable or truly supported. Read more>>

Don Vagabond

Growing up in a multicultural household, I learned early on that a strong work ethic was non-negotiable. It was just in the air I breathed—everyone around me was always striving to be the best at whatever they did. That drive to push boundaries stuck with me, and I eventually realized that anything I wanted was achievable if I was willing to put in the work. It’s all about showing up, putting in the effort, and knowing that with the right mindset, you can get where you want to go. Read more>>

Katie Hux

My upbringing on a dairy farm has taught me numerous valuable life lessons and has significantly influenced my work ethic. My father delegated specific daily and evening tasks to me, primarily focusing on caring for young calves through bottle feeding and nurturing their development. Observing my father’s diligent care of our cattle herd, milking them twice daily, was a humbling experience that showcased his perseverance as a solo operator. Despite fluctuating market returns on milk and grain prices, he remained committed to his agricultural endeavors. His determination has inspired me to similarly drive my business forward, notwithstanding current economic conditions. As a sole proprietor, I derive great satisfaction in reaping the fruits of my labor and the knowledge it takes to achieve this goal. Read more>>

Douglas Kampner

My work ethic has been shaped by my father and by my journey through Hollywood and the art world. Watching my father excel as an orthopedic surgeon, I learned from a young age the value of commitment and excellence. This foundation was solidified by my experiences on set, working on projects like Newsies and Baywatch, where I saw firsthand how discipline and dedication could open doors. As an artist, my love for vivid colors and commitment to perfecting my craft have kept me continually learning and growing. In both acting and painting, I am driven by a desire to hone my skills and bring something meaningful to each project. Read more>>

Irene Wu

Growing up in an Asian household it’s pretty typical to hear that no grade is ever good enough unless it’s an A+. This was pretty true for me. If I ever got an “A-” my parents would always ask me why there’s a minus “-“, what did I miss, and how could I do better next time. My parents always wanted me to be “studying” or “do my homework.” I just wanted to relax. I hated having to go home and do more homework. I remember during classes, we would get a syllabus for the week and our teacher would give us homework we’d have to complete for the week. I wanted free time to just relax and do nothing so I would finish all of my homework for the week on Monday.  Read more>>

Elizabeth Munro Farrugia

My father was probably the hardest working person I have ever met. He always instilled in my sister and I that you can achieve anything so long as you work hard for it. He gave us every opportunity to reach whatever goals we had for ourselves. I’ll always be grateful for that. Read more>>

Sheng Wan

I love this question, I got my work ethic from a lot of people, people I worked with, and people I followed on social media, they sometimes shared their insights on certain things. My principle is to open my eyes wide open and accept any advice or suggestions, watch and learn. Read more>>

Adam Williams

That’s a good question I get my work ethic from my parents watching them as a kid work they asses off to feed me and my Sisters gave me that drive and motivation to do the same for my family. Read more>>

Sara Gaston

I think I’ve always been wired a bit with a strong work ethic. I remember staying in the classroom in elementary after other kids had gone to recess because I was working on my handwriting and I wanted it to be perfect! My parents were both hard workers and I think they instilled that value in their kids. If we were interested in something, my parents would try to make it happen, even when money was tight. However, if we participated, we were expected to work hard. So as kid, I loved gymnastics. Sure I went to class, but I also rode my bike to the gym every day to practice. Same with piano – I was really consistent with practice because I loved making beautiful sounds. As I’ve evolved as an actor and, now, writer and filmmaker, I see the results I can get if I really put in the work. Read more>>

Heading North

I think, as a band, we all really want Heading North to become something bigger. We want to go on tours, meet new people, and make music that connects with people. We try to work hard because a career in music is something we all really want. Read more>>

Durb Morrison

My work ethic comes from being a very young child and having my first job as a paperboy, since then I have had a life of work as well as the discipline to continue working. Until I was about 17 years old I held regular jobs outside of tattooing and then when I turned 18 I started tattooing full-time in a tattoo studio in Columbus Ohio. Realizing how fortunate I was with my career and position at a professional tattoo studio, this only helped strengthen my work ethic and continues until this day. Read more>>

Craig Emmerich

Growing up in the Midwest work ethic was built in. I started a cleaning job when I was 14. I would work after school all through high school cleaning and on the weekends too. In college, I would work 20 hours a week starting in our dorms cafeteria. Later on working an internship. Read more>>

Tom Maher

I think I come from a family of hard workers–my dad and my brother in particular. My dad kept at a job for 17 years and always used to say that he liked the work he did but not the company he worked for–still he continued to work at that place year after year till he finally retired in the late 90’s. For better or worse, I learned from him to do a job even if I didn’t like it. And to do a good job while I’m at it. My brother kept a job beginning in gradeschool. Read more>>

Kris Chang

Growing up in a family of passionate entrepreneurs, I learned the value of working with purpose and dedication. My parents built their business from the ground up, and my father often sacrificed family time for work. I remember how my sisters and I would get so excited when my father returned from his trips with European chocolates and gifts—tokens of his hard work for our family. Their motto was, “If you’ve given your all and tried your best, there’s no regret—just acceptance of whatever comes.” That mindset has greatly influenced how I approach my own work. Read more>>

Jamie Coakley

Honestly, at 51 years old I am discovering my work ethic is a mechanism of control passed down from generation to generation and total BS. The constant beating of the drum from the time you are born, “You must earn love with hard work. If you want to feel like a good person, like a good daughter, a good student, a good wife, a good mother, a good citizen, a good friend, a good artist, you MUST work hard.” Read more>>

Adam Rudman

I get my work ethic from my mom. Growing up, it was just me, my brother, and her in the projects, and she worked incredibly hard to make ends meet. I remember going to work with her on the weekends when I was a kid, and she always told me, “There’s no shame in working any job; the only shame is if you’re capable and don’t work.” Those words stuck with me. As I grew older, she made sure I understood that a real man works hard to take care of his family. Watching her dedication and resilience taught me that hard work isn’t just about making a living—it’s about taking pride in what you do and the people you do it for. Read more>>