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.

Mae Riley

My work ethic comes from my parents, Bennie and Barbara Riley. They taught me the value of hard work. I am also self-motivated. I have always known what I wanted to achieve in life and what it took to get what I wanted. I did research and made plans to reach my goals. Read More>> 

ELLE Streetart

I think it’s in my DNA. Growing up, there was this unspoken energy in our house—no one ever just sat still. My dad’s always been a bit of a workhorse, but not in a grind-yourself-into-the-ground kind of way. He genuinely finds joy and purpose in his work. My mom was constantly doing—cooking, creating, always in motion. Watching them, I learned early that action and intention go hand in hand. Read More>>

Sophinie Kim

I get my work ethic from my mother. She survived the Cambodian genocide, came to this country with no money, and raised three kids while working tirelessly to provide for us — she did it all with grace and grit. Watching her hustle showed me that resilience and determination aren’t optional; it taught me that consistency and effort matter more than the circumstances you’re given. So with everything in my life, whether it’s work or being the best mom and wife for my family, I carry that same quiet strength and drive she lived out every day. Read More>>

Young Maestro

I get my work ethic from watching my mom have to take the bus and train to work for years and also from my dad who started a million dollar business. Read More>>

 Jody Mohoff

I was raised by a single mom whose struggles to provide for my brother and I encouraged me to help out. I knew that I wanted to do what I could to avoid her same struggles. Piles of bills on the kitchen table causing tears of frustration every month. My dad had custody of me for half of each summer and he taught me to wake up before sunrise to get a head start on the days project. Trying to beat the summer heat.  Read More>>

Blu Rarri

I mt came from growing up watching my moma struggle with out no help. I told myself one day I will take care of my moma and buy her a house. When I was 10 yrs old and my moma cried in my shoulders I knew than I had to power up. I knew it was all on me. I knew god created me to be my mom’s back bone. I told myself I will grind until the end. Ain’t no hurt worse than you seeing your moms break down. That turned me to a grinding monster! Read More>>

Ryan Ratino

I think my work ethic comes from a mix of curiosity, grit, and growing up in a place where nothing was handed to you. I was born in Medina, Ohio, and got hooked on cooking as a kid watching Emeril Lagasse on TV—I’d try to recreate his dishes in my parents’ kitchen. That early fascination turned into a real obsession with doing things the right way, even when no one’s watching. I’ve been fortunate to work in some incredible kitchens—from Bluezoo and wd~50 to Caviar Russe and Ripple—and what those experiences taught me is that the difference between good and great is the relentless pursuit of better.  Read More>>

Mark Rose

I have been working since the age of 9. My family was always self-employed and I was expected to contribute to the family business. Every weekend and most after school days I would get a ride or bike to the family pet store. Although it was frustrating to always be working as a kid when all my friends were involved in sports, over time it taught me the value of a strong work ethic and self-sufficiency. Read More>>

Briana Edmonds

My work ethic was shaped by years of hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of media. I’ve always believed in showing up prepared, staying curious, and doing the work others might overlook. Whether I’m chasing a story or managing a client’s public image, I bring the same level of dedication, integrity, and attention to detail. That mindset didn’t just develop overnight—it was built through resilience, learning from mentors, and a deep passion for both storytelling and strategic communication. Read More>>

Kate Meine

My work ethic is a product of the influence of many people on my life. The person who comes to the forefront of my mind is my mother. Ever since I was little, she has been an inspiration at home and at work. She is incredibly hard-working and dedicated. She contributed greatly to my schooling, spent a lot of time with my siblings and me, and put in 100% at work all at the same time. I can recall whenever I doubted my ability to achieve something, or my likelihood to succeed, she would tell me, “If any living human being can do it, so can you.”  Read More>>

Jazmine Bell

I, personally, take a lot of pride in my work ethic. I feel strongly that the drive, grit, and determination I have has driven a lot of the success I have had throughout my life.

As I reflect on what helped me develop my work ethic, I think back to my upbringing. I was fortunate to have loving parents, who sacrificed so much and supported me in whatever I wanted to do. However, I was also very aware of our struggles. In addition to being aware of our struggles, I observed my mom just get things done, make things happen, or figure it out, even when there didn’t seem to be a path forward. When she did that, we always found our way, and everything was okay. Read More>>

Samantha Positano

Most of my growing up years I spent my time in the ballet studio. Rubber Marley floor beneath my feet, air thick of sweat and hairspray, a bun so taught it put sailing knots to shame, and floor to ceiling mirrors begging for a misstep: this was my arena, my church.

Ballet requires nothing but work ethic. Almost one that is blind. The products you yield come from pure labor hours and steel-like mental stamina. If you peek into a dance studio, you may think you’re gazing at nonplussed teenagers with a studied look of nonchalance but you’re really looking at Marines in leotards. Read More>>

Fred Fleisher

I would say my work ethic comes from a number of sources. First would be prior experiences in life. I am a veteran and my military experience continues to play a role in how I go about completing my goals. Certainly my experiences while being a student were important. Professors played key roles in inculcating how to prioritize completing work. Finally, without question, would be the voices of those who share key insight into following a professional path. Author Steven Pressfield always comes to mind.  Read More>>

Faiza Yousuf

I get my work ethic from my parents. Growing up, they instilled in all three of us the importance of kindness, discipline, reliability, and a no-nonsense approach to life. As a neurodiverse individual, I’ve had to work hard to create systems that suit how I function, and the structured environment my parents created, along with their emphasis on honesty and always doing your best, gave me a solid foundation. Read More>>

Joe Cariati

I grew up with my mother, father and sister in Malibu California in the 1970’s. A time where being resourceful inside and outside of the house was essential. We had gardens, land, weeds, patios, decks, driveways, avocado and fig trees, cactus, lawns, and wild anise all around us. It was a lot of upkeep, so you could find Mom and Dad out amongst the our property guaranteed on the weekends at minimum. The work was a physical, and never-ending, but I loved it! My father was an engineer, my mother a teacher and fine artist.  Read More>>

Jörg Hüttner

I got my work ethic in large part from my upbringing in Germany and the way I was raised by my parents. Not only was homework for school to be done and finished thoroughly, but also other stuff, like when I started something as a hobby (airplane models as an example). In short, if something was started, it was expected that I would go through with it, and also at best possible ability and quality. Read More>>

 Myesha Chaney

I get my work ethic from my dad, without a doubt. He was one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known—someone who would work six jobs if that’s what it took to provide for his family and create opportunities for those he loved. Growing up, I watched him do whatever was necessary, never cutting corners, always showing up, and finishing what he started with integrity and grit. That kind of example imprinted on me deeply. Read More>>

Justin

I developed my work ethic by witnessing my family’s financial struggles firsthand. My parents went from being upper-middle class to lower class, and that experience taught me a critical lesson: comfort is not guaranteed. One event—like the crash in 2008—can upend everything a family has worked for.

From a young age, I saw how essential it was to work hard, regardless of how stable things might seem. My mom, especially, modeled this for me. No matter what challenges we faced, she made sure there was always food on the table and the bills were paid. She was a “tiger mom” who instilled in me the importance of discipline, education, and perseverance.  Read More>>

 Stormy Tripp

My work ethic comes from watching my parents when I was growing up! Both of my parents were entrepreneurs and they each owned their own business. At first I didn’t really understand the want to have your own business since everything essentially falls on you in regards to responsibility. However as I grew older and as I watched their own businesses grow, I realized it was all about saying I built this, I built this business from nothing to a success. Read More>>

Last Generation

“I’ve been really fortunate to have musicians around me my whole life,” Shoes says. “My dad is a percussionist—he didn’t pursue music as a career, but he always stayed involved in making music.” Watching her father practice regularly, not for a paycheck but purely out of passion, left a lasting impression. “He was the first person to show me that music could be a labor of love, and he’s definitely my role model when it comes to collaboration.” Shoes is also quick to recognize the role of music educators. Read More>>

Mia Mudd

Growing up I saw my parents hard work eventually pay off. My childhood was great I had everything I needed, but my family definitely had struggles. I knew from a young age that wanting more means hard work. Working 7 days a week is very hard and exhausting, but I’m setting my future up for greatness. Most of the time when hearing inspiring stories it’s about people going all in on something and not giving up until the job is done. I’m putting my all into my business to create a future I’m happy with, and that doesn’t come easy. Read More>>

Abbie Lewis

I credit my work ethic to my parents, who have set a lifelong example of dedication and resilience. My mom has been a nurse since she was in her twenties, and her compassion and commitment to caring for others has always inspired me. My dad recently retired after a full career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, where he showed me the value of consistency, loyalty, and showing up every day with integrity. Read More>>

Arie Weissmann

I think my work ethic comes mainly from the time I was self-employed many years ago. That period really shaped how I approach work. When you’re on your own, you learn quickly that your success depends entirely on your discipline and drive. It taught me to be consistent, take initiative, and stay accountable — lessons that have stuck with me ever since. Read More>>

Kimberly Portuondo

My work ethic comes from my family—starting with my parents, and going back generations. My mom was a teacher for over 20 years, and growing up, I saw how much care and effort she put into her students. When my dad was running his own business, she even stepped away from teaching to help him. That experience taught me a valuable lesson—not just about hard work, but about the difference between doing something out of obligation versus doing something you’re passionate about. Despite not loving the work as much as teaching, she stuck with it until my dad closed the business. Read More>>

Dorothy Horton

My work ethic came from my roots, beginning with my grandfather who was a factory worker and operated his own business for years. Once we got of age, he would wake me and my other 3 siblings very early in the morning to help with the farm, we would work almost half a day and play the rest during the summers, school had ended, and we had nothing but time on our hands.
My father owned a game room business that folks would swing-by and play pool, pack man and all the popular machine games of the 80’s while also selling many snacks.  Read More>>

GoldStar747

I get my wkrk ethic from my father, Don P. . He taught me to continue on, great communication tactics and pace myself with doing at least one thing each day to make tomorrow better. He taught me how to manage and delegate tasks, and to be humble and find the right person if i didnt have all the answers. Eventually it leads to having a team and a great team work attitude and long cherished goals being accomplished. Thanks Don P. Read More>>

Megan Libe

I’ve had a strong work ethic from a young age. I started working when I was 16 as a dietary aide and waitress in my hometown of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Earning my own money early on taught me responsibility and independence—whether it was for gas, shopping, or just having the freedom to support myself. I also became a mom at 18, which pushed me even harder to succeed and build a stable life for my daughter. Read More>>

Candice Weiser

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”
Colossians 3:23 NIV

I try and live my life with this scripture in mind. As a follower of Christ, I want to please the Lord; not because it will earn my way to heaven, but because I want to please my Heavenly Father.

My foundation comes from my parents raising me in a Christian home, and they both instilled in me the values of hard work and perseverance. Read More>>

CC

My work ethic came from observing my own parents work so hard to provide for my brother and I growing up. I don’t think I thought much of their work ethic growing up and we would ask for material things that were probably beyond our means, but my parents worked and found ways to make us happy. My mom worked as a cashier in a retail chain and then came home to teach piano to 2-3 kids a day, well into the evening. Read More>>

Sarah Patterson

Growing up I knew we didn’t have a lot of money. My mom worked, my dad worked. There were times my dad would work all night, clean furnaces during the day and coach basketball. My mom would work overnights and come home and have all us kids to deal with. But they were always there for us. Every game, every birthday, church every Sunday, every life event, without fail my parents were there. Read More>>

Laurel Smith

I think I was born with a passion to, well, have a passion. I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t chasing some sort of purpose to fill my day. I had a pretend desk set up on the side of my Mom’s office by the time I was 6, where I used graph paper to write my “work.” I filled my evenings documenting what I did each day in my childhood journals (fun sidenote: I used a planner as a journal, even as a child!).  I still remember handing my Dad very detailed notes for my very own Bridge to Terebithia that I was going to build in my pretend Secret Garden. Focus — at least on the things I was interested in —  Read More>>

 Sammi Sicinski

I have been an actor for over 30 years, and I can honestly say my work ethic comes from lessons I was taught by the amazing teachers and collegues in my life. My high school theatre teacher at HSPVA, Bob Singleton, taught me that every actor builds a reputation in the community, and this community is smaller than you think it is! From Mr. Singleton, I learned to arrive to call time early, to arrive prepared, to listen, and to work hard. Read More>>

Jose Rodriguez

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing. I was raised in a single-parent household and watched my mother work tirelessly to provide for us. We didn’t have much, but she made sure we had what we needed and seeing her determination and resilience instilled a drive in me from a young age. That foundation shaped how I approach everything in life, including my career. Read More>>

DJ Teddy

My work ethic comes from my Grandfather. He was a long distance truck driver for over 30 years. I used to watch him leave for work on Sunday at 4:30 am, and he would be gone until Wednesday. He would come home for 1 night, then leave the next day which was Thursday, and come back home Saturday morning. He would stay for 1 night and then repeat the cycle all over again. I watched him do this for years. His dedication and consistency really inspired me and showed me that you can have whatever you want in this life as long as you are willing to work hard for it. Read More>>

I learned from assisting for other photographers, how hard they worked and how committed they were to their projects. I was initially surprised that so many other photographers, would seemingly go to any length the insure the success of their photo shoots. Whether it be super early starts, long days, and fighting through difficult weather, these photographers were ready to stick through it all, until they got the results they wanted. After a time, I really began to pick up that attitude and approach to jobs that I got. So my work ethic about photography was largely learned from other photographers. Read More>>

Kaylee Haire

People ask me all the time, “Where do you get your work ethic from?”

Honestly it’s just something that’s always been a part of me. But if I had to trace it back to one thing, it would be this: I genuinely love people. I love their stories, their energy, their quirks, even the awkward small talk. I love creating things that make someone’s day better. And I think that love is what drives me to work hard. Read More>>

John Beyer

I grew up with very little in a small Midwest town. We didn’t have much, so I had to get creative, not just with money, but with imagination. That taught me early on how to stretch what I had and look at the world through a lens of possibility. By sixth grade, I was buying things from the dollar store and selling them out of my locker. That was my first real taste of entrepreneurship. Read More>>