We asked some of the hardest working artists, creatives and entrepreneurs we know to open up to us about where they think they got their work ethic from. Below, you’ll find some of those responses, stories, and advice.
Bernadette Mitchell
I got my work ethic from my parents. They worked hard and let us know that if we wanted certain things, we had to work for it. Trust me, nothing was handed to me. Sometimes I thought it was not fair what they were teaching. As I got older, I understood. Doing well in school, succeeding in work to obtain raises. Read more >>
ZILLIONAIRE GANG
My Work Hunger comes from the realest lady i ever met in life my grandmother Read more >>
Kourage
My name is Kourage, and I am the owner and creative director of Favor Films. My work ethic is inspired by the unwavering determination of my parents, who migrated to the United States from Trinidad and Tobago. Read more >>
Eddie Grigorian
From my parents, who never complained and provided everything we needed growing up. Their strong work ethic, taught me the importance of never giving up and discipline. Working several jobs in order to provide has left a tremendous impression on what it takes to succeed. Read more >>
Your Friend Juniper
This is a subject I take a lot of pride in. I work extremely hard for my artist project and for my own enjoyment of life. It’s crazy that most creatives have to choose between the two. Most artists really struggle with how much money they have to spend on recording, promotional content, publishing and artist development. Read more>>
Bobby Nash
My work ethic definitely came from my parents. They were both hard workers who did their jobs well and made a living that allowed them to take care of their family. Seeing their dedication to that work ethic definitely rubbed off on me. I put that same devotion into my writing career. Now that I write full time, it helps me maintain my schedule, meet deadlines, and remain productive. Read more >>
Annie Smith
A good, solid work ethic is a mix of bravery and consistency, and I get both of these attributes from my parents. My dad has been an entrepreneur for his entire career. His ability to show up daily and run his business was inspiring growing up. Then, the bravery side kicked in from my mom; she did a total career change later in life. Read more >>
Ivan Temelkov
I would have to say my father. He is a resilient Bulgarian-American entrepreneur who has worked tirelessly to build his own version of the American dream for over 30 years. I get the work ethic from him. Read more>>
Jen Phillips-Kiernan
Introduction Read more>>
Aleni Barkley
My work ethic is genetic. I watched my father hold multiple jobs at a time the majority of my life. I watched my mom attain an education while working full time. Both of my grandfathers passed away very early in my parents’ life, so my grandmothers had to be providers. My maternal grandmother did a lot of physical work that was considered unusual for women during that time period. Read more>>
Camille Getz
I’m a super competitive person, and that mindset often creates competition within myself–a desire to be constantly improving upon my work, one-upping my previous projects, and plotting a trajectory that might get me even further ahead in the future. I find that I’m most productive and inspired when I’m able to channel that competitive spirit into work ethic. Read more>>
Dee Jones
I got my work ethic from just struggling and having a vision for life i growing up on SSI social security income i didn’t have alot and wished to have better not living in poverty it isn’t fun. you can learn valuable things while growing up struggling, but you have to work to to achieve things at any level I want to achieve things at a very high level and it also have to have a high level work ethic to achieve these goals. One day ill be “Billionaire” I have to have a Billionaire work ethic to truly achieve the goal of being a billionaire one day. Read more>>
Tyler Kinch
I pride myself on work ethic and grinding in everything I do. I cannot say there was one specific event or person that developed this for me.. All four of my grandparents lived no more than five minutes from my house. My first grandparent to pass away occurred when I was 22, which meant I had 6 loving, supportive “parents” my entire childhood. Read more>>
Fabiana Langston
Seeing my Mom and Dad doing what they love and working hard to get to that point has to be one of my main inspirations when it comes to my work ethic. I think one of the primary things that honed that work ethic, though, was taking classical piano lessons at such a young age. There is a certain rigidity and structure to classical piano that really forces you to focus. Read more>>
Emiliana Henriquez
My artistic journey is deeply rooted in the values instilled by my immigrant parents, who have consistently exemplified unwavering dedication and relentless determination. Their resilience and work ethic have served as a profound source of inspiration for my creative pursuits. Read more>>
Michael Carty
I like to think I’ve always had a good work ethic. I believe this stems from childhood as I was raised by two working parents who instilled in my brothers and I that if we wanted something, we had to work for it. Very little was ever handed to us. Read more>>
Todd Goodman
My work ethic comes from two sources: my father, and attention deficit disorder (ADD). Read more>>
Ceno RudeBoy
The Genesis of Grit: Ceno RudeBoy’s Unwavering Work Ethic Read more>>
Nathanael Davidson
My work ethic developed from since I was in my teens. To help support the family I took up work at the age of 14. Working at an early age helped immensely in the years going forward. They say it takes 21-30 days to make or break a habit and having worked for years since 14 this developed the habit of being consistent in working to help support the family. Read more>>
Raven Anan
I’ve had 3 great examples of great work ethic. My mother has multiple sclerosis. Growing up seeing her face the challenges that come with the disease, was hard but as I look back on those situations, they now inspire me and push me to go forward. Working hard, fighting and staying positive. I did not see my mother as stressed, angry, or frustrated growing up. If she ever was I never saw it. Read more>>
Ashley Paul
I was lucky enough to have two strong working parents that valued the opportunity to work and make a life for themselves. When I was a little girl my dad would take me with him in his work truck where I got to meet and see his clients, how he worked and how valued and accepted he was. We would drive in his locksmith truck with the keys clinking behind us and it was the best feeling to see your parent work hard at what they were good at. This endearing man has taught me the importance of relationships and showing up. Read more>>
Destiney Powell
My work ethic comes from my mother. She was a teen mom/single mom, My mother worked 3 jobs yet she was and still is always optimistic and supportive. She encouraged me to pursue my dreams even when she didn’t fully understand what I wanted to do. She taught me by example that working hard at something I love would yield results. Read more>>
Megan Nager
I grew up in a household with an incredibly hardworking father who is the ultimate serial entrepreneur. His father (my grandfather) was also a businessman and entrepreneur, and I believe growing up around both of them is what gave me my hard work ethic. My parents also always rewarded hard work and resiliency, and my sister and I were constantly encouraged to try new things, take leaps of faith, and keep going no matter what. I’m so grateful for the influence of my family on my life because I truly believe it provided me with the foundation I needed to pursue my dreams. Read more>>
Anyea’ Thompson
My work ethic comes from my mom, as much adversity as I’ve seen her come across she never let me see her give up. Being surrounded by strong black women all my life that always hustled their way to the top helped me create the drive and work ethic I have now. I also would say that my work ethic is IN ME I can’t get away from it even if I wanted too, God has a purpose for me and thats also where my work ethic comes from. Read more>>
Kriss-Abigail Paredes
I’m about 4 years old and my father is lifting me up to sit in a windowsill. We’ve come to the telephone factory to bring my mother dinner. Chinese food in white take out containers. A simple memory, more emotional than visual, maybe the facts aren’t quite right but it imprinted something in me. Something that linked what must be done, to what work looks like, to the importance of family. Read more>>
Sandra Casady
From childhood, I have been blessed by my family and their work ethic. I have had a job since I was 14 years old and was taught by my parents to take pride in whatever occupation I was employed. As I grew up and moved on in life, I have held many varied jobs and brought the same level of dedication to each, whether it was being a nanny to my last and most challenging job as a special educator. Read more>>
CoCo LaFousfous
I would say much of my work ethic comes from my ancestors. My family has always had to work hard to get their slice of the American dream. My great grandfather immigrated from Ireland in search of a better life for himself and worked tirelessly to give his family that same dream. My grandmother was a middle school English teacher, and during the 1960’s fought against a patriarchal society to provide the best life for her children. Read more>>
Alicia Sangster
As a kid growing up, I didn’t always have the best of the best. Some times were rough growing up. I made up in my mind that I didn’t want my children growing up the way that I did. So that drive my work ethic. It made me a hard worker, motivated, and a bit over zealous at times. But I’ve learned how not to over did it. Read more>>
Julius Hall
My work ethic comes from my mom and my grandmother. When I was a little boy, I watched them work and hustle in the streets of Savannah GA. In our restaurants, to selling watermelons and boiled crabs from the back of my grandmom’s station wagon. When I was 9 years old, I was operating our gas station all by myself. I even got robbed one time at the gas station. Work is all I know. I wake at about 6 every morning and I have so much to do that I end up ending my day around 1am every night working at my desk at home. Read more>>
Whitney McCoy-Cooper
My work ethic comes from my family. Growing up I watched my mom and grandmother work hard. They were always doing any job they did with excellence. From the church to the their day jobs. Read more>>
Richard Waine
My work ethic comes from a few places. Read more>>
Lydia Krasner
I worked for Nordstrom for many years, and their work ethic taught me that if your customer is in the fitting room and they need their car washed, you go! My Father was a hard worker and owned his own business, as well as my husband’s family business that is over 65 years strong. I carry that ownership into my company and consider the client’s experience as my own. Read more>>
Victoria Baldesarra
I truly feel like my work ethic came from my parents. My entire life I’ve seen them work so hard just to provide an amazing life for my brother and I. Read more>>
Lorin Morgan-Richards
Where do you get your work ethic from? Read more>>
Shannon Kearney
I grew up with a single mom and my brother on a dairy farm. We milked 80+ head of cattle and there really wasn’t a time we could sleep in or take off on vacation. Everything we did was to raise the dairy cows and to sell the milk to make sure we could survive. On my Fathers side of the family, they grew up as truck gardeners and all of the kids worked to help make their business a success. In my adult life, I don’t quit until the job is done and the animals are taken care of. Read more>>
Abby Messner
I learned the value of a strong work ethic from an early age. My parents taught me to take pride in my work and care about what I do. I’ve found that I’m most efficient when my schedule is full but manageable. Staying busy, within reason, helps me stay focused and get things done. I believe in doing every task with diligence, regardless of its size. This mindset has led me to approach everything I do with dedication and commitment. Read more>>
