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.

Ging Chen Sow

Growing up in Malaysia, I attended one of the best high schools in my state academically speaking. During that time, I have had to compete with some of the smartest minds in my age range. While I might not be as academically gifted as the rest of my cohort, I found my passion in the creative space doing newsreels and photography for various events on campus. Read More>>

 Marc Jeannin

I got my work ethic from my father. He is a man that always has to be doing something. He is also someone who emigrated to the US, where I find that immigrants work hard as a personal achievement to be an “American”. My father was head chef and owner of a catering company where he had me working in a kitchen since I was six years old. By the time I was a teenager I was working catering events. Any time I wasn’t in school I had to work at the kitchen and I personally despised it, especially as a teenager. His options were work in the kitchen, or take a class/go to school. Read More>>

Susannah Endfield Kandinov

My family overall are hard working and have a good work ethic. My parents are very hardworking and have always been driven. My father particularly, is self made, and has been an entrepreneur since he was 16 years old. He sold his housewares company in 2021, and he had the business for over 50 years. He left school at 16 to pursue his dream, he always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and was very self driven. After watching the ebbs and flows of my father’s business since I was younger, I always admired the strength and self ability and confidence it takes to be an entrepreneur. Read More>>

Cesar Mendoza

“My work ethic comes from my parents. They always emphasized the importance of hard work, discipline, and taking pride in everything I do. Growing up, they set an example by showing dedication in their own work and encouraged me to always give my best effort, no matter the task. Their guidance taught me to stay focused, push through challenges, and never settle for less than my best.” Read More>>

 Candace Robinson

For me when I start something, I generally have the tendency to finish it. That could be a part of my anxiety or just wanting to see a completed project. I’ve never really been a procrastinator either because once something is off my plate I feel like a weight is lifted with each accomplishment. Read More>>

Matthew Chambers

Work ethic is one of the most talked about concepts in day-to-day business discussions with other entrepreneurs. Whether it relates to where you got it, complaining about employees not having it, or beleaguering younger generations saying they lack it. Read More>>

Dani Morales

It most definitely comes from my parents. My mom and dad have always worked. My dad has been a commercial painter for as long I have been alive. He went from the bottom to now basically running the company for the owner. My mom has been a house keeper. To this day still doing it. They are resilient people coming here with very little. But worked for what they have. I saw us move from a small studio, to a duplex, to a buying there first small home and then selling that home years later to buying a bigger house. Just showed me what hard work and determination looked like. Read More>>

Kristy Gronseth

I get my work ethic from my faith in God, the upbringing that I had, as well as the people that I have surrounded myself with. I grew up as an only child of a single mom. She always worked hard, typically 2 jobs, to provide for me, taught me to be an independent woman and taught me how to be gritty. She was a respected worker in a male dominated field of construction and was able to hold her own. My father was also a strong influence in my learing how to be hard working He never graduated high school and went on to be a successful business owner. Read More>>

Tristen Fultz

Growing up with type one diabetes, I was forced to hold a great responsibility at a very young age. I began taking care of my disease by myself within a few years of my diagnosis. That caused my mental state to become focused on the moment rather than what’s to come.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “leave nothing for tomorrow, which can be done today”. I carried this statement with me through school and into the work force. I’ve always had a passion for cooking, and as they say “if you love what you’re doing you’ll never work a day in your life”. So I’ve looked at work through the lens of both statements, which has pushed me towards my goals faster in my culinary career. Read More>>

Sheena Hansbrough

I’d like to believe I get my work ethic from watching the elders in my family. My Abuelito, Rafael Fonseca, was always working and fixing on something from vehicles
to household grievances. I used to be so amazed at how strong and knowledgeable he was. There was never a job or task he couldn’t do. Because of his determination and work ethic, he was able to bring his family from Barranquilla, Colombia to Miami, Florida to start a new life all while speaking very little English. His love and work inspires my motivation and resilience to keep going daily. Read More>>

 Marcus Rose

I’d say I’ve always had a work ethic instilled in me since I was young. Having six siblings and my parents working all the time, I had to be responsible for feeding them all their meals, getting them off to school and picking them up after, basically raising them since I was about 8 or 9 years old. Read More>>

Emily Wagner

My work ethic comes from an almost obsessive focus that started when I was six years old and set my sights on becoming an actress. I’ve always been intensely driven—it’s just how I’m wired. When I’m passionate about something, I go all in. That kind of focus has shaped everything I do, whether it’s DJing, making art, building brands, teaching fitness or coaching creatives. Read More>>

Debbie Sipowicz

My work ethic came from watching my dad build something from nothing. When I was ten, he left his secure retail management job to open his own men’s clothing store. Soon, my siblings and I were part of the business—cleaning, stocking shelves, and dusting display cases. One day, feeling lazy about cleaning high shelves, I complained, “Nobody will notice dust up there.” My dad looked at me seriously and replied, “I’ll notice. And someday, someone else might, too.” Read More>>

Adam Blaylock

Honestly, I’d say I get my work ethic from somewhere between Dave Grohl and Kevin Smith. Being a middle child from a middle-class family from an almost unknown town in Arizona, any dreams I had about being seen or enjoyed by the masses seems far from my reach. So my creative endeavors from an early age where always inspired by the greats of my time, but never genuinely expecting to find myself listed among them. Then came the 90’s.  Read More>>

Patrick Robinson

If I had to pinpoint where I get my work ethic from, the person that immediately comes to mind is my mother followed by my grandparents. My mother worked hard holding down multiple jobs to support the household, found time to help me with homework at night when I fell behind in school, and sold Mary Kay products as a side hustle. She made time to come to my orchestra concerts when she could, take me driving so I could get my hours in, and found a way to make sure I had everything I needed.  Read More>>

Charles Wallace

When you love what you do, its never work. I love creating, letting my imagination run free & see where my visions take me. doing it for any amount of time is relative. Time really flies when having fun, minutes feel like hours & hours feel like minutes. You really get your work ethic from the indescribable feeling of finishing a project you started, seeing how you turned nothing to something. I know every person who’s ever started a project, in the beginning feeling lost & uncertain all the way to being finished, more knowledgeable, proud of self & overall satisfied. Im sure they can relate to that moment & feeling Read More>>

Jermaine Gibbs

“I believe my strong work ethic comes from a combination of my upbringing and personal experiences. Growing up, my family emphasized the importance of dedication, perseverance, and accountability in everything we do. They instilled in me the value of hard work and the idea that success is often a result of consistent effort and commitment. Read More>>

Justin Moore

My parents are a big part of that. They really pushed me at a young age to realize that I had to work hard for what I wanted. They were vital in helping me develop this in all sorts of ways: school, sports, extracurricular activities like Boy Scouts, you name it. I wanted to work harder than the person next to me, no matter what it was throughout life. Read More>>

Cristoforo Brachini

My work ethic definitely stems from my Mother and father. My mom is the most magical human I know and has taught me all I know. My ideologies, practices and rituals to attain the life I desire. Manifestation. My father is the most hard working human I have ever met. He has taught me strength and perseverance as well as the importance of dark times. My parents are which owe everything to. They are the reason I continue everyday. Read More>>

Charlotte Robinson

I belive that hard work, dedication and drive create a great work ethic. Watching my father work day in & day out no matter the circumstances or season taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. He always showed me how to work hard for your family & yourself. Success is not overnight, but created from consistent choices to remain dedicated to a strong work ethic. Read More>>

Miles Thomas

I get my work ethic from multiple sources. God first he’s instilled it in me. Then my family, I come from a lineage of hard workers on both my mom and dads side, they’ve had to work for everything they have. And then experiences that I’ve had throughout my life that have caused me to develop that work ethic, such as being a business owner and starting with nothing. Read More>>

Carolina Brito

My early beginnings:
When I was 10 years old, I would often visit a renowned cake lady in our neighborhood. She was famous for her delectable treats, but one particular dessert caught my attention: the sweet Italian meringue. I was enchanted by its smooth texture and the way it melted in my mouth, releasing a sweet vanilla flavor. Read More>>

Lit’l Poett

I believe I get my work ethic from growing up in a big family that struggled. I am fortunate enough to be shown what hard work looks like, coming from a family that moved from the south to Missouri and was on section 8, I am fortunate enough to have struggled early in life , because seeing my folks work hard, long hours, and multiple jobs just to make ends meet puts a hunger inside you that will never cease to exist. Read More>>

 Caleb Geronimo

I get my work ethic from my father mainly. He was in the army, and growing up, I saw firsthand how hard he worked—late nights, long hours, always making the effort to provide for our family. That sense of dedication and sacrifice was something that really stuck with me. I also saw this in my grandfather, who was a luchador. He and my family moved from Mexico to build a better life, and that drive, that willingness to push forward no matter the obstacles, has always been a part of our story. Read More>>

Shekierra Jones

I grew up watching my father rise before the sun, his hands rough from years of hard work, his determination unwavering. Every late night and early morning was a lesson—hard work wasn’t just a necessity, it was a way of life. He never complained, never wavered, and through him, I learned that perseverance wasn’t just about making ends meet; it was about building something better. Now, with that same fire in my heart, I carry his work ethic forward, knowing that success isn’t just given—it’s earned, one determined step at a time. Read More>>

 Andrea Pernia

I inherit my work ethic from my parents. My mother has been a commerce her entire life, owned a clothing store and a small restaurant back in Venezuela, and she built both businesses by herself. My dad has a 20+ year career in the corporate world and is one of the most dedicated and professional person i know. Read More>>

Carlos Martinez

It all started with my dad—he was the one who first taught me what a strong work ethic meant at an early age. He used to say, “No matter if you’re cleaning toilets or wiping tables, make sure you become the best at it that you can.” He was resilient and always found motivation in everything he did. That the kind of man I aspired to become and I’m happy he was able to leave that behind for me Read More>>

 Jáe Pesante

I think everyone’s formula to success is different because everyones upbringing, lifestyle, and experiences are different. My father grew up immeasurably poor in another country and was born 12 years before my mother who was from a working middle class African American family. Growing up I saw both my parents work hard (most especially my father) and as a child I was always interested in expressing myself or trying new things. My parents indulged my interests, which allowed me to think very independently in regard to what I saw for myself professionally as opposed to what my parents expected of me. Read More>>

Andrew Wegman

As a kid my parents worked 2 and 3 jobs to give me and my sister a good life. They taught me if I want something I have to work for it because we are not the type of people blessed with good luck and fortune. I started working at 12 years old mowing lawns, dog walking, babysitting, house sitting, etc for neighbors. By 14 years old I got my first corporate job at the local Burger King franchise. From there I kept going. Read More>>

 Jean Rim

My work ethic is deeply rooted in both my heritage and my personal journey as an artist. Growing up in a Korean household, I was surrounded by the values of perseverance, discipline, and craftsmanship. That mindset has stayed with me. Read More>>

 Kaitlyn Jones

Growing up my parents taught me the importance of working hard and having a good work ethic. They frequently used the phrase “work hard now and it will pay off later in life”. In addition to having a good work ethic they taught so many valuable aspects of life I am very grateful for. Read More>>