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.

Tanner Friesen

My work ethic comes from my parents. My dad’s a North Dakota cowboy, and growing up on a ranch, I watched him work long, physical days in the heat—and then still find the energy to coach the local soccer team at night. My mom has the same drive. She was always the first one in and the last one to leave. They showed me that no matter what you’re doing, you give it everything you’ve got. Read More>>

Jake Neibauer

My father had always been very dedicated to his job. He also ran a paint and autobody shop, so I grew up learning from the best. Anybody who knew him always joked about whether or not Ken was ever not sporting his white paint suit. His shop lights were always on before the sun came up at any given time of the year. I am so proud to say that I inherited his work ethic! Read More>>

Jennifer Wilson

I get my work ethic from a deep passion for what I do and the fulfillment I find in helping others. Working as an injector in aesthetics is incredibly rewarding—there’s nothing like the feeling of making someone feel more confident and beautiful in their own skin. It’s a privilege to be part of that transformation. Additionally, working at The Aesthetics Lounge & Spa, a women-owned business, has always fueled my drive. The environment here encourages empowerment and dedication, which aligns perfectly with my own values. It’s a place where I feel inspired every day to give my best. Read More>>

Ariana Leider

Both of my parents are entrepreneurs; They have instilled drive and perseverance in my brother & I from young ages. From the minute I turned 13, I was figuring out how to get my working papers and start my first job. I felt like if I wasn’t doing anything to occupy my time and I could be making money, why wouldn’t I start as young as possible? Read More>>

Winnie Baker

Immigrating to the United States as a pre-teen alongside my family changes my perspective on a lot of things, working hard, being one of them! It’s wild to think that my parents left behind a comfortable middle class life from Hong Kong, to starting over in America with a significantly reduced salary in pursuit of a better education & outlook for my siblings & I. As a child, I’ve always wanted to do well in school as my way to thank for their sacrifices. Read More>>

Reggie Daigneault

The questions were all excellent and it was difficult to choose. I chose this question because I have incredible work ethics and resilience, I believe that they are paired together in me.
I lived and worked in my parents Italian bread and roll bakery in South Philadelphia, our family lived above the bakery in a 3 bedroom apartment. I have 5 siblings and we all worked every day before and after school. We worked a lot, we all did, but especially the first 4 of us. Fitting homework in was difficult, actually fitting anything but bakery work was difficult as a child. But it build resilience and strong ethics in me.  Read More>>

Olivier Lessard

I got my work ethic from the incredible women I had the privilege of working with early in my career in television. They were sharp, driven, and deeply respectful—not just of the work itself, but of the people doing it. I learned so much by watching them navigate the production world with both force and grace. They held high standards, but always made space for empathy, collaboration, and fairness. Read More>>

Christian Diaz

This is an easy one for me to answer: I get my work ethic from parents and grandparents.

My grandparents were farmers. Our mode of transportation then was a mule-drawn carriage.

I was born and raised in Mexico. As a baby, my mother left me in the care of my grandparents in order to seek a better life for us in the USA. Read More>>

Emeka Anusionwu

My work ethic comes from a combination of responsibility, vision, and drive.

I carry the weight of leadership in multiple arenas: supporting my city’s economic development, showing up for my daughter, and striving for generational wealth. That kind of responsibility tends to forge a strong internal drive. I value discipline above all else —whether it’s in the gym, in business, or in how I pursue knowledge across philosophy, science, and history. I think my ambition to become a multimillionaire isn’t just about money—it’s about freedom, legacy, and impact. Read More>>

Taylor Amstey

I got my work ethic from my dad. He always worked incredibly hard in various sales jobs, but no matter how busy he was, he always put family first. When I was in high school, he decided to follow his own path and opened a wakeboard park just outside of Dallas. He built the entire space himself, from the pro shop and deck to the ramps and everything in between. I spent my summers watching him run the whole operation while I helped lead the wakeboarding summer camp. Read More>>

Ousseynou Fall

Honestly, my work ethic comes from a mix of passion and pressure. I genuinely care about the content I put out—it’s not just for clicks, it’s because I love these debates, these conversations, and making people think differently. But I also hold myself to a high standard. If I’m gonna put something out, I want it to hit. I’m always thinking a few steps ahead, always looking at how to push things further. That drive turns into discipline. Even when I’m tired or things get overwhelming, I don’t like letting things slide, especially if people are waiting on me or expecting quality. Read More>>

Christopher L Smith

My Father. I was brought up by parents who had old-fashioned thoughts on life according to todays values.. My father was my biggest influence and hero even though I guess he didn’t know it! He instilled in me to the core values of:

Always give 100% to everything and every job you do. If you cannot give yourself 100% to the task, then don’t do it. Giving less than 100%, you are cheating yourself and anyone of your best.

In some cases it has stopped me from taking jobs because of doubts that I could give 100% due to lack of confidence. So there is a flip side! Read More>>

 Jennifer BLACKWELL

My parents were both extremely hard workers. I picked up on that at an early age, and knew that I wanted to emulate that. I think there are several factors that come into play. One of the most important is being on time, or early in my case! My dad was always early – early to school, early to work, and early for appointments. As I grew up, attendance and timeliness were big factors. I was at school early everyday, and that rolled over into adulthood. I think it created good habits early on and I tried to instill those in my son as well.  Read More>>

Ashlyn Clemmer Kerns

As the ninth-generation of a farming family, work ethic is something that was engrained into my personal values from the beginning. Growing up on a beef cattle farm allowed me to learn responsibility and how to work from the moment I could walk. I have always been a woman with big aspirations and the hardheaded attitude to achieve my dreams. Ashlyn Clemmer Photography LLC started in the pasture fields, photographing cattle and day-today life on the family farm after discovering a camera sparked my interest in figuring out how to use it.  Read More>>

Andrew Garza

I inherit my work ethic from both the men and women in my family. My father has been an entrepreneur long before it became fashionable. As a teenager, he was pulled out of high school and forced to work in the fields picking onions. To this day, he won’t eat anything containing onions. When I asked him why a few years ago, his response staggered me. He explained how the onions would grow soft under the hot sun, and his fingers would dig into them, leaving a lingering scent that still makes him nauseated. Talk about lasting trauma. Read More>>

Sabrina Mccarthy

I think most of my family have taught me the only way to get to where you want is through hard work!
Head down tail up and keep your foot on the gas.
I’ve always watched my mum and other family members put in so much hard work to achieve the things they have Read More>>

Diamante Clarke

My work ethic comes from my parents. Not only have I always seen them working but they always required more than the minimum from me. I remember my mom not being satisfied with B’s and would tell me I could do better. As I got older, I realized that my work ethic also stems from my pride. I take pride knowing I am one of the best workers, or the most knowledgeable in the room. One of the last sets I acted on, I was one of the only actors who read every episode and knew about each character. I know that for me to reach my goal, my work ethic will be a huge part of why I will succeed. Read More>>

Sebastian Jose Gomeznolasco Mendoza

Since I was 15 years old my extracurricular activities started to look different than the traditional ones. Instead of only going to soccer practice on the evening my mom was taking 1hr car rides taking me to a Diploma in entrepreneurship. Spending my evenings studying and crafting an organization discovering the business life in a lot of aspects. First with an ONG, then painting phone cases that then was transformed into a clothing brand and then a vibrant curiosity and love to talk and ask questions that turned into the podcast I do and manage now. Read More>>

Jasmine Yun, MD, MBA

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the lessons I learned from my parents. They taught me that achieving your goals isn’t solely about intelligence—it’s about having the tenacity and drive to keep going, even when things get tough. My mom and dad were both young children during the Korean War, a time marked by extreme poverty and food insecurity. Their resilience and determination to create a better life for themselves and their future family have always been a source of inspiration for me. Read More>>

Deepak Mandy

Hello, my name’s Deepak Mandy, and I’m the founder and CEO of CBD Movers. I’d say my work ethic is something that’s been shaped by both experience and upbringing. Growing up, I watched my family work incredibly hard just to get by – there were no cutting corners. That stuck with me.

When I started CBD Movers, it wasn’t just about ambition; it was survival. I knew that if I didn’t push harder than everyone else, I wouldn’t make it. Over time, that hustle became a habit. I’m also a firm believer in leading by example. I wouldn’t ask my team to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. Read More>>

Lily Kate Goehring

I’ve been very fortunate to have my mom by my side throughout my dance career. When I think of a strong work ethic, she’s the first person who comes to mind. She has taught me that with determination, I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I wouldn’t be the dancer I am today without her. Read More>>

Tyler Goldstein

My work ethic comes from my desire for success. I have always been a competitive person and learned over time that working towards a goal, setting your mind, and not accepting failure as an option will bring you exactly where you want to be. It will test your patience, but results come to those who put in the time. Read More>>

Meredith Kasian

or as long as I can remember, I’ve been a task-focused person. In high school, I took more AP classes than I could count on one hand, all while holding down an after school job and competing on the school swim team. That’s when I first learned how to manage my time and focus on one priority at a time. But I think the truth of my work ethic goes back farther than that. It was modeled by my parents, who always managed to find time for my brother and I will working, volunteering with the PTA, and finding time for themselves, too.  Read More>>

Matt Sowa

That’s such a cool and thoughtful question.

As a wedding photographer, I think it come from a deep respect for storytelling and observation. Great photography is about being present, noticing the details others miss, and showing people something familiar in a new way. So the “work ethic” would probably be rooted in curiosity, patience, and a real drive to connect emotionally through visuals. Read More>>

Patricia Ortiz

I’ve always had a deep drive to excel — to show up fully and give my best in whatever I’m doing. From a young age, I understood that if I wanted something done well, I had to put in the time and effort. That meant practicing, being open to feedback, and staying consistent, because there’s always room to grow and more to learn. But that mindset didn’t come out of nowhere — it was shaped by the people I grew up around. Read More>>

Liliia Ivanova

I used to work in the Ministry of Education, as a financial specialist, and was building a career in the public sector. Everything was going according to plan. The job was stable, and it seemed like this was the path to a good life. But one day, while on maternity leave, I suddenly realized — my soul was calling for something different. I wanted to create something more than just follow established rules. My soul yearned for creation, beauty, and creativity. It wasn’t just a desire — it was a genuine need. That’s when I stepped into the unexplored world of the beauty industry. Read More>>

Amy Zhao

I developed my work ethic through my own life experiences. Lost my mom when I was seven years old and grew up with my grandparents. At twenty , I moved to the U.S. on my own, and by twenty-one , I became a mother. Right before Covid I started two restaurants with my ex-husband,I raised my two daughters by myself. Through all of these challenges, I learned the importance of being strong, staying positive, humble and bringing positive energy to my family, my team, friends, even my customers! Read More>>

Abdourahamane Barry

At just 10 years old, my father left our family—my mother, my two younger brothers, and me—and returned to Guinea, West Africa. I’ll never forget the day he walked my younger brother and me to school, tears streaming down his face. He knew what he was about to do and told me, “If I ever leave, you’ll have to step up and take care of your mother and your brothers.” At the time, I thought he was dying. But when he didn’t return home for two nights, we realized he had left for good. Read More>>

Vitalis Nwenyi

A good part of it stems from seeing my dad juggle various businesses and responsibilities even in the church, where i also started getting involved in from an early age – around 11yrs.

My dad’s one of the most disciplined and punctual people i know, a lot of my positive disciplinary mindset comes from watching and learning his way of doing things. Read More>>

Stephen Kaarbo

From an early age, being a hard worker has just come naturally for me. I can’t imagine a time when I didn’t have something to do or a list of things to accomplish. I believe this came from my parents and their example for me. Even as early as elementary school, I can remember having the drive to complete my homework and not leave things unfinished. Through my junior and senior high school years, and into college, I continued to have a focus on getting my work done. I was employed through college and paid my own way through with scholarships and savings. Read More>>

Antoinette (Noor) K

I definitely get my work ethic from both of my parents and my grandparents. My father is a first generation Palestinian American and I grew up seeing him start his own auto shop business along with his brother, mother, and father, and saw how you can build something from scratch if you put in the effort. My grandmother left Palestine in 1948 to escape the Nakba (meaning “catastrophe”, when Palestinians were expelled from their homes), learned Spanish in Argentina, and then English in America. Read More>>

Tatiana Matos

My parents. My mother has her own bookkeeping business and my father rose to a supervisory roles in the construction world. Both very hardworking people, so from a very young age the ingrained in my up bringing. If you want anything is this life, you have to work for it. Read More>>

Carla Garrison-Mattos

Since becoming a full time artist in 2018, I’ve been called a workaholic more than a few times. It started with my first job as a lifeguard at a city pool in Illinois when I was 15 years old. My parents told me that if I wanted to buy anything that wasn’t absolutely necessary for my survival, I had to pay for it. So I went to work. Through the years I worked as a receptionist, EMT-B, tanning salon attendant, teacher’s aid, leasing agent, waitress, bartender, and restaurant manager. Read More>>

 Angelique Bodine

I was raised as one of 10 children. If I had to pick one strength that my Mom and Dad have as parents, its teaching work ethic. My parents always encouraged independence. I was always given chores on Saturday mornings by my dad on a 3×5 notecard. Once I was done with that note card, the rest of the weekend was mine. My dad also worked construction and often had projects going around the house. Many of those chores on Saturdays involved building something. Read More>>

Kristen Taylor

I grew up in a single parent household and something my mother told me and I would never forget is “make sure you always take care of yourself”. I can say even without thinking about it I still carry that with me today. I was blessed to be able to have a hard-working mother that was able to provide for my siblings and I, while now being an adult, I understand just how much work she put in to give us a better life. Read More>>

Emily Moore

I credit my strong work ethic to my parents—they instilled it in me from a young age. I was always encouraged to strive for A’s, get involved in extracurriculars, and most importantly, to be a good person and do the right thing. Growing up, I was very active in sports and even helped start my college’s club volleyball team. Balancing athletics and academics definitely required a lot of discipline. I was lucky to have a strong support system of family and friends who motivated me to keep pushing myself. Read More>>

Grace Galloway

I would have to say my work ethic comes from the women in my family who came before me. Some of the influential women in my life have been my sister, mother and grandmother. All of these women were very hard-working, very dedicated and very passionate about anything that they set their mind to my grandmother was a seamstress my entire life. She only has a sixth grade education, and she literally can create anything from scratch. I remember as a young girl watching women from her church and the community come over and give her fabric and she would turn it into a complete outfit, including accessories. Read More>>

Harrison Bard

My work ethic stems from my family’s roots in entrepreneurship. Both of my grandparents were small business owners and entrepreneurs, as are both of my parents. From an early age, I witnessed the dedication, perseverance, and grit required to build and maintain a business. Those values were instilled in me from a young age and have shaped how I approach work today.

I also draw inspiration from my business partner, Frederik Rading. His relentless drive and commitment to our company pushes me to give my best. We motivate, support, and challenge each other, which has been instrumental in our growth and success. Read More>>

Dorina Rigo

If you ask me where my work ethic comes from, buckle up—because it’s a mix of strict parenting, wild weekends, and waking up at sunrise to hustle.

Growing up, my parents had a motto: “Discipline is love in action.” At the time, it felt more like house arrest with a side of math homework. They were strict. Think: military-level structure but without the uniform. Chores had to be done a certain way, bed made like I was expecting a hotel inspector, and don’t even think about skipping homework. It wasn’t about punishment—it was about pride, integrity, and showing up fully, even for the smallest tasks. Read More>>

Kai-Hsiang (Kevin) Yang

My work ethic comes from a deep love for film and a strong sense of responsibility.

Music has the power to shape the audience’s emotional experience and even shift their perception of the characters.

That is why I am very cautious during the creative process. As a film composer, my role is not just scoring for film; I am helping the director tell a story. Read More>>

 Scott Jones

My parents and family are hard working people that built a great life. I have always wanted to make them proud…even when they wouldn’t see the results.
There’s something deeply powerful about showing up every day, giving your all, and doing great work—even when no one’s around to notice. That’s character. It’s easy to give 100% when there’s applause, recognition, or a pat on the back. But real integrity shows when you keep grinding, staying focused, and giving your best, even when no one’s watching—or even seems to care. Read More>>

Felicia Adderley

My work ethic comes from my mother’s side of the family. The family name is associated with business owners and hard work in the community here in The Bahamas. My mother and her siblings held professions such as a contractor, restaurant owner, an electrician, a lawyer, chef, home economics teacher… many of them were entrepreneurs too. My uncle that’s an electrician, maintains his license and still works at 85 years old. These people just don’t stop! Read More>>

Cameron Jenks

Growing up, I was exposed to some of the worst this world has to offer. I witnessed substance abuse, physical abuse, and countless examples of how not to live or act as an adult. Despite all this, I had one constant: my mother. She was one of the few people in my early life who provided stability and she continues to do so. Through her actions, she consistently has set an example of empathy, perseverance, and strength. Read More>>

Ben Wenk

I’m the seventh generation in my family to farm in the South Mountain region of South Central PA. While each generation has required hard work to leave the farm, my inspiration is my father and grandfather. Donald G. Wenk transitioned our farm from majority livestock and grain to majority apples. He did it by investing in the trees in 1964 and worked the graveyard shift at the box factory for ten years, farming during the day, until the apple trees came into bearing. His example was passed down to his son, my father Dave, who imparted this family work ethic to me Read More>>

Melissa & Lauren Socorro & Tevere

In a world where you spend more time at work than home with your family, we believe it is important to have that “family” in your everyday tasks. Having a family where you spend 90% of your life makes the day so much happier and go faster. Read More>>

 Kevin

My work ethic was just average through my school years but when I started my company (Stampscapes inc.) I wanted to give it the best chance to survive so I’ve always worked tirelessly in that effort. I’ve always loved what I do and it’s due to the support of the customer(s) and I’ve done my best to fulfill the orders and provide strong product support. Read More>>

Jamie Jackson

I get my work ethic and resilience from my family.

Growing up, from my grandparents, to my aunts and uncles, to my parents, I had great examples. My grandfather worked tirelessly as a mailman when they still had to walk from home to home to provide for my grandmother and put my mom and her four sisters through college. This meant leaving out at dawn and not getting home until dark sometimes whether it was extreme heat or extreme cold. When he retired from that, he cleaned hospitals at night to make sure the family was still taken care of. I remember as a little girl, he’d come home, in his 70s, at 10pm at night after finishing his hospital shift and still have time to play with me or help me with homework. Read More>>