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.

Grace Edwards

I grew up on a farm in a world where tradition and faith dictated nearly every aspect of life. As one of seven siblings, I was no stranger to hard work. My days revolved around milking the dairy cow, feeding baby calves, tending to the horses, and helping raise a seemingly endless supply of produce. From a young age, I understood the rhythm of responsibility—if something needed to be done, you didn’t question it. You simply did it. Read More>>

Ariel Barrionuevo

Looking back on my career, I’m grateful for the exceptional mentors who shaped my approach to work. Their guidance taught me the value of staying composed under pressure, paying attention to the smallest details, and thinking outside the box when solving problems. One leader, in particular, made a lasting impact. They showed me that real success—whether with clients, colleagues, or customers—comes from treating people with empathy and respect. It’s about being fully present, listening carefully, and offering meaningful support. That philosophy has stuck with me over the years. No matter the task, I believe that leading with compassion, mindfulness, and a dedication to quality is what drives lasting success. Read More>>

Eddie Pozos

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my family. I was lucky to grow up with remarkable role models in my parents and grandparents, who came from humble beginnings and built a life through sheer determination and resilience. No matter how tough things got, they always provided, showed up, and never let hardship define them. Watching their example instilled in me the values of consistency, accountability, and perseverance. They taught me that success isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about showing up daily, giving your best, and pushing forward despite obstacles. That’s the mindset I bring to everything I do. Read More>>

Sink Lindsay

I was definitely lucky to come from a long line of hard workers—my grandaddy was a traveling salesman for 50+ years, so I think a strong work ethic is simply in my genes. But the real, hands-on foundation for me was being a dancer growing up. The discipline it demands—physically, mentally, logistically—instills in you early on what it means to show up and put in the work. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe life should revolve solely around work, but that discipline definitely gave me the tenacity and patience to stick it out in the entertainment industry all these years. Read More>>

Denice Woller

Honestly, I don’t think about a strong work ethic until people mention that I have one. As the daughter of a South Dakota dairy farmer working hard is the only option I have ever known. I have never done well sitting and mindlessly staring at a screen because I feel lazy and think of all of the other things I need to be taking care of. I also can’t sit still very long, which serves me well in almost all aspects of my life, except photo editing. Read More>>

Babyjupe

I think i get my work ethic from a few places. It starts with watching my mom work multiple jobs my whole life. watching her be willing to do anything and put the work in to get what she wants inspired me. it originally inspired me to go hard with the sports i was playing which is another place i shaped my work ethic. i was an undersized football player who ended up playing division 1 ball. and i know how much work i put in to get there. to get what you want you must be willing to put in the hours so when your window of opportunity comes, you will be prepared for what youve been asking the universe for. Read More>>

Agnes Molander

Work ethic for me is not constant and the hardest part to keep putting in the work when there’s lack of motivation. At those times it might be hard to remember why I want to put in the work. What has really helped me is setting up goals, at the time I do it monthly. I am trying to set realistic goals so that I actually can complete them and feel good about that. So if there’s a month with lack of inspiration and motivation as long as I have completed my goals that is enough. And if there’s a month filled with inspiration and motivation I’ll probably accomplish even more than the goals i put up that month. This helps me see that I actually get things done and it keeps me going. Read More>>

Chef Grubb

I get my work ethics from my parents. This is why I will always consider myself an old school traditional girl. My father and mother both migrated from Jamaica and made a living and worked hard to provide for their children. We have a saying in Jamaica “if you want good your nose have to run” although I can’t say I come from a life of struggle, my parents definitely worked hard to show us we have to work hard for things we want out of life. I work very hard and put my all into my cooking Read More>>

Kevin Kopkowski

My work ethic comes from a deep love for music and the culture that surrounds it. Being a DJ isn’t just about playing tracks—it’s about digging deep, discovering sounds, and curating experiences that move people. That takes dedication, late nights, and constant learning. Coming up in Tucson’s scene, I saw firsthand that success doesn’t happen overnight; you have to put in the hours, build connections, and stay consistent. Read More>>

Sue Stark

I came across a quote many years ago that really stuck with me: “Integrity is what you do when no one is watching.” For some reason, that idea has stayed with me, not just as a principle of character, but as something that motivates me to keep going, even when no one’s looking. It reminds me that the effort behind the scenes—is most often what truly leads to greatness and success. Read More>>

Naomi Barnes

I would say I get my work ethic from my mother and my own life experiences. Growing up, I watched my mom hold a high status in her department at work due to her work ethic and good character. I would always watch and listen as much as I could so when I started working side by side with her I got to hone in and really showcase what I was learning and it made me feel accomplished to see her pleased. Once I became an adult and started working on my own, I was able to overcome just about every obstacle with ease in the workplace and eventually in my personal life as well. Read More>>

Julia Vandenoever

I was raised by a single mother who always worked hard. She balanced raising two kids while holding down a full-time job, doing whatever it took to support our family. My mom showed me firsthand that when you want something badly enough, you put your nose to the grindstone and make it happen. Parents who demonstrate a strong work ethic often instill the same values in their children, and my mother was no exception. Another significant influence on people’s work attitudes is the socialization that occurs in the workplace, but for me, the foundation was laid at home. Read More>>

Tom Perez

I would have to say I get my work ethic from my parents. They got divorced when I was quite young and I’ve seen them both work hard to provide for my sister and I. My dad started working for the Miami Herald in the printing room and worked his way up to a position for the company that owned the Miami Herald before he retired. He was never late to work and made sure we were never late to school on top of having home cooked meals for dinner every night. There were days where I could tell he was tired, but never made excuses and kept trucking along. He gave us both chores to complete every week so we knew what it meant to be responsible and to keep our word. Read More>>

Tim Geromini

I feel like most of us learn by example when we’re younger having a role model, some sort of adult figure in our life that teaches us. I was really lucky as a kid having both of my parents and grandparents be really present in my life. My parents worked hard to give my sister and I everything they could. I remember my dad getting a second job at one point, I didn’t understand at the time that it was because we needed the money but eventually I figured it out. He would be up at 4:30am and out the door for his first job, come home around 2 and shower so he could go to his second job and be home around 8 or 9pm. My mother started a side business too; seeing that growing up, it’s hard not to feel like that is just what you’re supposed to do for your family. Whatever it takes to make sure we have food and a roof over our heads. Read More>>

Shammi Al-Amin

My journey as a professional hairstylist began doing the pandemic, where everything was closed and my kids and my husband needs to get their haircut done, and I start cutting their hair at home, and I started to like to do hair . Read More>>

Dan Georgopoulos

I credit my work ethic to my upbringing as the youngest of five children in a Greek immigrant family. My parents arrived in America in the late 1940s, determined to build a better life. Through resilience and perseverance, they opened a small burger stand in Boyle Heights in the mid-1950s. Some of my earliest memories are of working alongside them. Read More>>

Nai Pandy

I get my work ethic from my great grandmother. She was always resilient even as a young girl watching her was like watching a superwoman in action. From what I remember she had a hand in almost anything. She was a mother, grandmother, a seamstress, and she also played a significant role in the church community. She took on the role of Deaconess and the church in house cook. This displayed such an impactful role for me not only did she take care of her own family but also made sure that those in the community was fed and taken care of no matter what. Being a first hand witness to her perseverance when she would be tired or over run she always stopped and prayed and continued on anyway.  Read More>>

Bonita Brooks

I get my work ethic from my parents, who both demonstrated dedication and resilience. My dad worked long and odd hours for METRO, to provide for our family. This dedication showed me the importance of hard work. On the other hand, my mom worked for the government while also attending college part-time. She managed to balance her career and education, showing me that determination could lead to personal and professional growth. Together, their examples instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and the drive to succeed. Read More>>

Kristen Lee

When I reflect on where my work ethic came from, I realize it’s a combination of influences—family values, mentorship, and my own personal experiences. It’s not a trait I was born with, but rather something that has been cultivated over time. My work ethic is a product of the people and experiences that have shaped me, and it’s a quality I continue to refine as I progress in my career. Read More>>

Trevor & Jen Byrne

Our work ethic comes from our backgrounds, our passion for what we do, and our commitment to building something meaningful together. We both grew up in hardworking families—Jen was raised in Puerto Rico by parents who worked tirelessly to provide for her and her brother, and Trevor also comes from a family that instilled a strong sense of responsibility. Those values have shaped how we approach life and our business. Read More>>

Michael Keith

When I was just graduating high school, my father was mentoring young adults. One of these adults was Sam. As I was being ushered further into adulthood, I shrugged fatherly advice and started seeking wisdom elsewhere. Ironically, I found friendship with Sam. He taught me, by the way he worked, what it meant to commit to a project. One day he was helping me, and my mom, dig out rose bushes. While working he cut his hand. It seemed like a project stopping event to me, but Sam shrugged off the wound, and pain, denying even a band aid saying, “that’s what the blood is for.” We finished the project to completion in a few hours. I learned that day that sometimes commitment goes beyond circumstances. I also learned the impact of mentorship. Read More>>

Jessi Kent

My work ethic is rooted in me. I’m a 90’s kid. Some may say we were the “last generation” to truly experience childhood. At 14 I was begging my parents to allow me to work and make my own money. By 17 I felt like I had it all, the job (waitress), friends (a lot of them) and the relationship I always wanted. By 19, all of that disappeared as my friends and I went our separate ways off to college. I chose to stay close to home in community college to avoid college loans and suffer from alcohol poisoning every weekend. I worked hard, almost a little too hard and landed myself in nursing school. Thinking it would be easy (spoiler alert, it wasn’t) I ventured on with “mostly” A’s and got my licensure for nursing. I’ve always felt like with work ethic, comes drive. I had the drive. The drive to be self sufficient in life and not dependent on others. Read More>>

Dahrio Wonder

My work ethic definitely comes from my parents and my closest elders. As a kid, I watched my mother work everyday with her hands. She was hair dresser/stylist by day and danced in a professional dance company by night. The amount of work that it took for her to take care of her clients during the day, rehearse for hours at night, and make sure that me and my cousins were taking care of was monumental for me. My father is an extremely hard worker. A real renaissance man. My step-father a small business owner, worked 7 days a week!! He never took a day off. My aunties and my uncles, who also helped raise me, worked hard for a living…. and I was never that kid that didn’t pay attention. I always recognized why they worked so hard and what that looked like. They instilled in me and my siblings and cousins work ethic and never allowed us to be or feel entitled to anything. Read More>>

Kaitlyn Landaverde

From Setbacks to Success: The Journey of a Young Entrepreneur
The first time I ever negotiated a business deal, I was 14 years old, sitting at my father’s desk, helping with bookkeeping and marketing. I didn’t realize it then, but those early experiences—watching my father run his company, learning the ropes of business, and taking on responsibilities beyond my years—were shaping me into the entrepreneur I am today. Read More>>

Alysse Davis

My parents always emphasized the importance of hard work and taking pride in everything I do, so that really shaped my work ethic from a young age. Read More>>

Dr. Arianna Beetz

Growing up as an immigrant in the U.S., I watched my mom work tirelessly as a nanny to provide for us. She had no safety net, no backup plan—just sheer grit and the unwavering belief that hard work could carve out a better future. That lesson stuck with me. Read More>>

Lydia Millard

Started working at 15 and I’ve held several roles including McDonald’s, UPS target and my current role Stevens Square community organization.
My work ethic also comes from my mother who was a single parent, worked for the City of Minneapolis and also managed to write a book, learn DIY projects…etc. Read More>>

Sheva Absher

My work ethic comes from my mother, an Iranian immigrant who built a life for herself in America through sheer determination and resilience. She arrived in the U.S. in her early 20s, put herself through nursing school, and bought a home on her own—all while being a single mother to my brother and me. To provide us with a stable and fulfilling life, she worked countless double and night shifts. Read More>>

Anthony Riley

As a kid I was always doing homework in school because I didn’t believe in doing school work at home. My book bag stayed empty because I did all my school work at school. I always liked to get things done the right way but fast as possible. This is has stuck with me till this day. Get it done right Get it done fast. Read More>>

Kate Drury

It all started with a little sibling rivalry. Growing up with two older brothers and a handful of older cousins, the game was simple: keep up or get left behind. Whether it was racing down the hill on snowboards or getting our homework done, the competition was constant and at times relentless. Keeping pace required hustle, grit, and a stubborn refusal to let anyone else win by default. Read More>>

Lauren Barley

I’d say my work ethic comes from a mix of passion, resilience, and a little bit of stubbornness! Growing up, I watched the women in my life hustle—whether it was running a household, building a career, or chasing a dream, they did it with grit and grace. That energy stuck with me. When I started Light My Candle Co., I knew that success wouldn’t just be about making beautiful candles—it would be about showing up every day, putting in the work, and believing in myself even when things got tough. For me, hard work isn’t just about long hours; it’s about heart, consistency, and the belief that anything is possible when you refuse to quit. Read More>>

ManiSol Wedding

ManiSol Wedding is a destination wedding photography and videography collective; we (Selene and Alba) are the founders, but there are now nine of us between photographers and videographers. We are all women; the biggest difference we have from other studios similar to ours is that we aim to be as horizontal and fair as possible.  Read More>>

Samuel Soliman

I think my work ethic comes from wanting to be the person my younger self needed. I feel as though a lot of young people don’t get access to mentors whether it be because of the lack of access or the lack of knowledge on how to get one. My dad passed away when I was in high school at a really pivotal point in my life. I was in my senior year of high school and had more questions than answers and I needed someone to answer them. After graduating, I felt as though I was really lost and had no direction and was just making decisions and moving towards nothing. I was really falling into a depression and it wasn’t until I found a mentor that really believed in me and pulled me out of it. It’s wasn’t until recently after reflecting back on everything that the person I am now is exactly who my younger self needed. A hard working, empathetic, creative who creates for himself first. Read More>>