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.
Tony Rodini
Being in such a competitive industry makes me want to work harder and smarter than the previous day. I feel as if most people think that entertainment industry folks, at least us on the creative side, are a bit crazy because we don’t have a fixed salary like a conventional job. But the way I look at it is that I’d rather take risks and bet on myself then to have a ceiling in what I can earn and what I can accomplish in my career. One song can change everything- so with that in mind, I stick to an incredibly disciplined routine so that I can keep perfecting my craft every day. Read more>>
Lundell Simmons
I think most people would say it definitely came from my time in the military. I was in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years. Daily workouts, many training operations, spending months in the woods, deserts, etc., by default makes you more productive since you have no choice, but I would like to say it truly started in high school. I went to Germantown High School in Memphis, TN, where I was raised. It had several programs under the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). I originally started as an Honors Chorus student. Read more>>
Megan Mosholder
My work ethic is something I have developed over time, and it has been influenced by a variety of factors. For me, it’s a mix of my upbringing, personal experiences, and values I’ve learned along the way. Growing up, my parents were always extremely hardworking individuals. My mom and dad owned a personnel business and they both worked long hours: at least 60 hours per week in the office. During the weekends, they worked on house repairs and upgrades. Having witnessed their dedication and perseverance, I have learned how critical it is to put effort into my goals. Read more>>
Eboni Harris
My work ethic comes from being an ambitious person. I don’t dream of being the boss or the best there ever was, but I want to be the best I can be. I strive to discover or rediscover and cultivate talents within myself and explore new options to express this creativity. I set personal goals that I work hard to meet alongside my professional goals. Read more>>
Chelsea Chong Kim
As I reflect on my journey, I realize that my work ethic was shaped by a combination of my upbringing, my passion for teaching, and my personal drive to make a difference in the lives of children. Growing up in a Korean-American household, I witnessed the values of dedication, perseverance, and hard work firsthand. My parents worked tirelessly to provide a better future for me, and that instilled in me the importance of giving my best effort in everything I do. As a teacher, my responsibility to inspire and nurture young minds fueled my determination to create a positive and lasting impact. Read more>>
Todd Rundell
My dad and mom. My dad started an agricultural business when I was a newborn. Agriculture runs all hours of the day and night, and is not a “lifestyle” gig.
I remember when I was about 10 years old and my dad displayed his joyful work ethic. I had eaten a large bowl of lucky charms before going to bed, and it didn’t sit well. At 3am my dad was awake not only comforting me, but also not complaining nor gagging while he cleaned it all up out of the carpet. He probably still woke up to go work out. He didn’t want to end up in a heart hospital like his dad so he was always waking up at 4 or 4:30am to go get a workout in before he started his long work day. Read more>>
Kay Paschal
I’m not really sure! My mother was a stay-at-home mom, like most women in the 1960s and 70s, but I knew from a very early high school age that I wanted a career in business and even though I was a National Honor student, I did not want to go to college ~ which was not that unusual for girls my age in the late 1970s. My father was a salesman in the trucking industry and entertained customers a lot ~ always cash in his pocket, a company car(!) and a smile for everyone. I graduated from high school a semester early and went straight to work at a downtown Atlanta real estate development company in a high rise that this company had built and were leasing themselves. Read more>>
Ashley Nicks
I attribute my strong work ethic to growing up in a family of entrepreneurs and learning from my parents, who owned a small business. From a young age, I saw firsthand the dedication and perseverance required to succeed. My parents instilled in me the importance of hard work, attention to detail, along with customer satisfaction. Read more>>
Stephen Barnhart
From my father.. He was from a very poor family with no help from anyone to advance. Being very artistic, even winning the State Art fair in Kansas, he had a talent for building, painting art, etc. Even assigned as a special painter in WWII, and dping custom work at Alcatraz. He was never able to travel to Topeka, as he didn’t know anyone with a car, and no one could take him to pick up his award. Read more>>
