How did you develop a strong work ethic?

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.

A.m.g.will

My family and looking outside in at all the hard work that others did to get there success. Read more>>

Oluwabusuyi Fakanlu

I got my work ethic from my Faith, Parents and Mentors. Read more>>

Anel Pichardo Reyes

Growing up, I always looked up to my dad with awe and admiration. He came to this country with little more than a dream—a hope for a better life for himself and his future family. He didn’t speak the language fluently at first, nor did he have the safety net that many people take for granted. What he did have was an unwavering work ethic and an unshakable determination to succeed. Read more>>

Richard Gray

My Mom. She Never missed a day at work or church. Read more>>

Françoise Weeks

My upbringing really emphasized the value of hard work. That strong foundation in work ethic shaped how I always have approached challenges and success. Read more>>

Marco Polo

Love, joy and passion from creating music. Read more>>

Sherri Marchese

My mother . She always work really hard. Read more>>

Nicole Woods

In the shadow of my great grandmother’s legacy, I learned the beauty of multitasking and the importance of punctuality. She was a woman of God with a commanding presence, her silver hair always meticulously pinned up and in a hat, and her eyes glimmered with intensity. Growing up, I spent countless weekends in her cozy home, where the air was filled with the aroma of baked goods and the rhythmic clinking of pots and pans. Read more>>

Chris Powell

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing and shaped by the people and experiences that have influenced me along the way. It starts with my mother, an educator, who instilled in me a relentless commitment to excellence. She taught me that effort and integrity matter just as much as outcomes. My father, a dedicated mail carrier, showed me the power of service—how showing up every day with purpose and dependability creates value and builds trust. Read more>>

Keiko Kubota – Miura

A friend of mine, an art dealer who seeks valuable works at auctions in New York to send to Japan, once shared an interesting story. On days when exceptional pieces are available, he feels excited even before arriving at the auction site, convinced that those days will yield remarkable works. It’s not just about pieces by well-known artists; even works by unknown creators are appreciated and sold at good prices. Regardless of whether he wins the bid, he feels inexplicably happy on those days. Read more>>

Winnie Au

My parents instilled a strong work ethic and high expectations in me from a young age—and they continue to do so today. As a first-generation Asian-American, I wasn’t raised to be creative or artistic, but to work hard. Getting straight A’s was the baseline expectation, not something to be rewarded. They always pushed us to aim higher. Read more>> 

Jon Durney

Watching my father work as hard as he did for close to 30 years in finance. Not the Finance bro style… he was really into helping immigrant families get financially stable. Read more>>

Delyan Kostov

Every time I’m tempted to take the easy road on a project—whether because nobody will notice or the pay isn’t great—I always recall Proverbs 22:29-29 -Have you seen a man skillful at his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before common men.
It reminds me that if I maintain high standards, give my best effort, and ensure my work reflects quality and care, it will be appreciated. Even small details, like leaving the place as clean as I found it, make a difference. There is no better advertisement than this. And even if it’s not immediately noticed, sooner or later, it will be appreciated by people who truly value quality work. And there is no better marketing than that. Read more>>

Latasha Alessi

I Think that we all are familiar with the saying birds of a feather flock together. The people who you surround yourself with essentially become your influence. When I was growing up I witnessed firsthand the benefits of loyalty, love, support, and hard work. My parents were two of the most hard-working people that I have ever met. They raised 8 children, and my father built a business from the ground up. As cliché as it may sound, my parents have always been my role models. I credit them for raising me to have the integrity and work ethic that I implement into my business every single day. Read more>>

Gina Horlacher

My parents. They both always worked hard. I was taught the importance of self reliance. Read more>>

Terry Jessup

I get my work ethic from the goals
I set for myself. I’ve learned in life when you truly want to accomplish something that what ever it takes to get there will require many small wins that will result in your ultimate victory. Acknowledging that it won’t come easy and what it takes will
Program your mind to go above and beyond. Read more>>

Stewart Taylor

I think by the time my younger siblings were born, my parents were so busy trying to survive that I had to learn how to help out. My Dad had me mowing the lawn every weekend by the time I was eight. I was doing my own laundry too, and helping my Mom change my baby sister’s diapers. During the winters on the East Coast, I had to spend hours with my siblings stacking firewood so we could keep the house warm and save on the electric bill. I had to get a weekend job when I was fifteen in order to afford singing and dancing lessons. If no one else could pay for them, then I’d invest in myself with my own money! During this time, I was in school musicals and regional theatre productions every year.  Read more>>

Emily Chacon

Although I had a roof over my head and ate full meals everyday, I also didn’t grow up with much. Coming from an immigrant family, navigating life in Los Angeles as a first-gen salvadoreña latina was always challenging due to finances. My parents split up when I was in third grade so my mom did everything on her own and always made sure she gave me the best she could. I was very limited on what I could receive so whatever else I wanted, I realized I had to go get it myself. It’s a bittersweet feeling as the way I grew up morphed me into a woman who has always been hyper-independent but it also gave me: drive, ambition, courage and will. I was very grateful for everything my mother was able to provide, my life wasn’t the absolute worst, but I used to feel very frustrated as a kid growing up because I always wanted more than what I had.  Read more>>

Brooke Langford

I’d say my work ethic comes from a combination of the values I grew up with and my experiences as a therapist. Growing up, I watched my family approach their responsibilities with dedication and care, and that left a strong impression on me. Hard work was always modeled as something important, not just for success, but for contributing meaningfully to others. Read more>>

Rachel Lynch

I was taught from a very young age that doing what you love and putting effort into your ambitions is an important quality in life. My father, Daniel Lynch, was a disc jockey in the 80s, 90s and 2000s in Wichita, Kansas and as a young girl, I was always tagging along to help set up his equipment at different venues around the city. My earliest memories are ones watching my dad doing what he loved while also working full time jobs to support his family. And I was always put to work as well, hauling in a case of records or CDs on each arm and then hanging out and getting to dance and sing along to my favorite music while my dad set up. Read more>>

Alexander Blount

My Mother. She instilled in me that hard work and faith in God will produce the results that you want. Read more>>

Marcela Pulido

My family came from Mexico and both my parents were pretty dang poor growing up. My dad ran his own business and worked really hard to be able to give us anything at all and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. Even from an early age I saw how much they sacrificed for me and my sisters. They were very adamant that we wouldn’t have the responsibility of chores but in exchange that meant we had to focus on our education. There was absolutely no room for failure and when you see how much your parents give up for you, you really want to do your best to make them proud. So I’d say my work ethic definitely comes from my parents and wanting to do better in order to give them a better life as a thank you for everything they gave to me. Read more>>

Judy (yi) Chen

My work ethic as a small business owner of SAINT WOOF comes from my parents. Growing up, I watched them work tirelessly to provide for our family, and they showed me the importance of resilience and determination.
As I run SAINT WOOF, I carry those lessons with me every day. I’m committed to creating sustainable, stylish, and comfortable products, knowing that success comes from consistency, dedication, and staying true to my mission. My parents’ hard work motivates me to push forward, even during challenging times, because I know that perseverance will lead to results. Read more>>

Heather Van Winckle

Because my parents were pragmatic and frugal, they always took on home projects personally, as long as they didn’t require specialized training. There always seemed to be something to maintain, or fix, or redo, so I was always watching and assisting parents that were often trying new things and learning through experience. On the weekends, I learned how to mount drywall, saw wood with power tools, and groom the dog. It was empowering, and having no one ever question my ability to learn, it felt limitless. Completing a home project was the best feeling in the world. I could see the results and feel the impact directly and daily. Every time I heard the click of a latching door that previously didn’t latch, it was self-satisfying. Read more>>

Tressia Duncan Searcy

Honestly My MOM !!! That’s a real hustler right there lol. I’m telling you , that lady worked hard & showed me what it is to be resilient. Let me tell you , she taught us to always WORK for everything but know when to slow down!!! That’s been my moto my whole life. To always push for what you want. Always fight for what’s right & what’s best for you. Give it your ALL when you doing something & don’t do it halfway. Read more>>

Roy Henry

Growing up both of my parents displayed a very similar work ethic. “Work hard, be passionate about your work and earn your keep”. My father was born an American in the Philippines where the majority of the population lived in poverty. His father left him, his mother and sister at a young age. He and his sister ended up having to work to help with the bills and keep up with their home. He finished college at 19 in the Philippines and came to America to become an Electrical Engineer. Read more>>

Kristyn

Growing up, I always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I was the neighborhood pet sitter, sold fresh eggs from our farm for a dollar a dozen (talk about a great deal!), and trained horses while blending my passion with business. Over the years, I ventured into photography, worked in the veterinary field, and later as an administrative assistant. But each step was part of a larger journey, one that ultimately led me to where I am now—owning a micro-bakery where I grew up, here in Southern California. Read more>>

Ray Villalobos

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by my mother. As a single mother of four, she consistently worked multiple jobs to provide for our family. Despite the challenges, she never complained and always prioritized our well-being. Her dedication and resilience taught me the value of hard work and commitment, which I strive to embody in my own professional life. Read more>>

Stephen Boyd, M.ed

My work ethic comes from my parents. My father was a farmer and custodian. My mother a school nurse. Both grew up during times when children worked on farms and had to do chores before and after school. When I was born, that same work ethic was passed down to my brother and I. My father had us working in fields, chicken houses, cutting grass, harvesting in gardens, etc. There was ‘no rest’ for the weary! Read more>>

Terrie Huberman

This is a great question with a covert answer. My work ethic comes from the energies of anxiety and overwhelm. So often they are seen/felt as negative, however if they are redirected and used properly they can be considered a superpower! I use anxiety and overwhelm to my benefit for work purposes which often results in punctuality, high quality of whatever output I provide, as well as great customer care. Because of this superpower, I am reliable, dependent, and highly functioning with organization, and my behavior is consistent – that makes me trustworthy. Read more>>

Uduak-obong Dan

My work ethic is a combination of personal values and the inspiration I draw from my surroundings and experiences. Growing up, I was taught the importance of dedication and discipline, and these principles have stayed with me as I’ve progressed as an artist. But it’s also deeply fueled. Read more>>

Hugo Liu

The Matthew Principle states that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and although that sounds bleak and harsh, I find the opposite. It’s a fundamental truth in our autonomy versus human nature, and hard work is a constant and catalyst for those who succeed. How each of us finds a good work ethic varies. Read more>>

Grace LeVeque

I feel so privileged to have the work ethic I do. From the time I was 14 I couldn’t wait to have my first job working at the local grocery store. The thought of putting in the work to have the opportunity to earn money for what I want was always appealing from a young age. Whether it was a lemonade stand, garage sales, or anywhere I could earn cash, I was willing to put in the work. Read more>>

Elizabeth Herremans

I draw my work ethic from the exemplary standards set by my parents, who were always busy and engaged in their work and community. My dad commuted to Manhattan for long days, while my mom expertly juggled raising five kids, multitasking, and volunteering. Their dedication instilled in me the importance of hard work and the value of making a positive impact. Read more>>

Jeff Hibru” Banks”

I think work ethic comes from a place of realization and acceptance. As human beings with a continuous conscious mind, we have a tendency to mentally burnout as a result of over processing information and being mentally inefficient. This is where I suffered the most in the beginning. It wasn’t until I begin reflecting on the possibility of reaching long term goals in the shortest amount of time span did the concept really click for me. For example, how does one get out of huge amounts of debt? They must focus their time & energy in paying off financial stress rather than leisurely spending. That catapults the decisions to be more instinctive rather than contemplative. Once you operate on instinct, you begin to train yourself to perform necessary tasks without over complicating menial ones. From here you learn how to plan out your days and structure your time accordingly. Read more>>

Bianca Slattery

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my father’s example. Growing up, he faced significant financial struggles, but rather than being defeated, he used those challenges as fuel to strive for something better. His determination. In the years that followed, my father achieved success, only to face a setback in 2008 during the financial crisis. He didn’t let that stop him—instead, he rebuilt by starting his own real estate business. As a young girl, I was right by his side, involved in every aspect of his work, from painting to selecting lighting fixtures. My passion for hard work grew alongside him, and I became determined to make him proud. Read more>>

Kayleigh Eilenberger

I come from a family of small business owners. My grandfather owned a roofing business he started with his brother that my father eventually took over. He worked by himself or with a small crew depending on the job, and my mother has successfully run a cleaning business for the majority of my life with herself as the sole employee. My parents were my first exposure to hard working entrepreneurs, they showed me it was possible to be your own boss and be successful. Read more>>

Rose Mary Bellamy

Being raised in a big family of 8 brothers and 3 sisters we were always taught by our parents, our father a car dumper operator at U.S. Steel Plant and our mother a custodian at the local elementary school to work for what you want and to remain focused on your goals. Show others what you can do. Read more>>

Hannah & Christiana Cohen & Weber

Both Hannah and I have worked in the beauty and editorial industries prior to becoming distributors for the Iyashi Dôme. We’d like to acknowledge NYC, the city where we both built our careers, for being the best teacher when it comes to building our work ethic, tenacity and resilience. Read more>>