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.
JaSaun L. Buckner
My work ethic is deeply rooted in love, community, and vision. Those are values I inherited from my family. From my mother, Peggy Sutton, I learned commitment. She moves through the world with a special grace and execution of her purpose and creativity.
My father, James L. Buckner, helped me develop a level of focus and discipline. He taught me to seek an understanding of the world and to prioritize educating myself. He also taught my brothers and I how to show up fully for the people we love and those who are counting on us. Read More>>
Sandra Cisneros
I attribute my strong work ethic to my mother, who serves as my most significant role model.
her unwavering commitment to hard work, combined with her discipline, enthusiasm , and positivity , has profoundly shaped my values and approach to professional challenges. Her example continually inspires me to strive for excellence and maintain a positive attitude in all my endeavors. Read More>>
Boris Abramov
I believe that work ethic is something you build from an early age – it is important to develop healthy habits early on in order to be able to apply and adapt to the constant changes of your career! Read More>>
Ange Nguyen
I credit my work ethic from my maternal grandmother. She was an elegant, wise, and stoic woman of few words. She raised me since I was very young and we resided in her parent’s house with her elderly parents, her eleven children, and her children’s children. She kept that house running smoothly while her husband traveled extensively for work. My grandmother also took odd jobs such as cleaning people’s homes and caring for elderly neighbors to help keep food on the table. Read More>>
Dita Martinsone
I love this question! A strong work ethic has always been part of who I am. I think it comes from a deep sense of responsibility that I’ve carried with me for as long as I can remember. I’ve always believed that if you promise to do something, you do it – and you do it with the best quality you’re capable of. Read More>>
Jillian Marie Sayegh
My work ethnic is an attribute I am truly proud of. At a very young age my parents instilled the importance of having integrity in anything we do. Our actions affect others. In my industry I find a lot of people don’t see it as a business, it’s purely an art form. While I agree it is artistic, it is still “show business,” and must be viewed as a job at the end of the day. I’ve been in the industry since I was ten years old, and my family were always conscious of explaining good work ethic. Read More>>
Kobi Nolan
Ever since I was a kid my parents taught my brothers and I to work hard for what we want whether its showing up early and leaving late, getting extra reps at soccer practice, or simply putting all you have into everything you do. Sometime in high school I started to realize how important this was if I wanted to reach the goals that started to flood my brain. Ever since then I have strived to make every second count towards my future self by aiming for high efficiency and output with all of my projects. Read More>>
Britany Vinson
I get my work ethic from my parents. I saw them work so hard to provide, take care of our household, and make sure we had everything we needed. They allowed us to play sports and try new things but we had two rules to follow.
1. We had to start what we finished.
2. We had to work hard and give 100% at everything we did. Read More>>
Bec Price
Your work ethic needs to come from within. You can’t want to work hard for others. It has to be a choice you make everyday to get up and do your best for your job! Read More>>
Brandy Wentz
I think a solid work ethic learned and developed. As a child, everyone around me worked, multiple jobs, and it just always something I knew that I would do…. work. I did not grow up with the luxury of convenience and ease. If I wanted something, there was no $20 bill handed to me. I was doing chores and laundry and and babysitting, cleaning the house from the time I can remember. So initially I would say, money was a motivator when your young. Read More>>
Megan Travers
Similar to most people, I think my work ethic comes from my upbringing, especially from my grandmother. She spent her career as an educator at her local vocational school preparing young people for their future careers. She also served on the Board of Education and worked to abolish corporal punishment on students in the state of Pennsylvania. Even after retiring from education she continued to work, joining the board of her local symphony. She is turning 100 this year and is still finding ways to not only stay active in her community but to enrich it. Read More>>
Jayra Bray
When it comes to work ethic I believe that it can mean different things to different people. As I reflect on my own personal work ethic, I have to give a shoutout to my mom. Seeing a parent of yours as a single parent is never the easiest, but she has always instilled in me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind too, and from that I have been able to continue reaching my goals. Read More>>
Leanne Kampfe
I grew up on a ranch in South Dakota, with parents who were raised in the same traditions. My mom and dad worked tirelessly to support our family and the ranch. My dad always worked more than an eight-hour day, but at certain times of the year, the days were incredibly arduous, as well as long. In the winter, it was calving season, and when a cow is ready to give birth, there isn’t any discussion about whether you’re on or off the clock. In the summer, he was harvesting and spent 12+ hour days out in the field. Read More>>
Lisa Tran
I get my work ethic from the people I keep around me. My parents inspire me the most, my siblings, my friends, my partner. It’s honestly a beautiful thing to be surrounded by people who understand discipline, sacrifice, long days of work to build a foundation. My parents are from Vietnam and came to America to create a new life, one that put my siblings and I in a better position to win. If they could buy homes, build businesses, etc. despite their hardships, then I really have no excuse. I feel really lucky to have them. Read More>>
Harlow Haynes
My work ethic is fueled by a relentless, burning desire to be the best and to succeed in and outside the gym. It’s more than motivation—it’s a fire that never goes out, pushing me to keep going even when things get tough. I don’t believe in shortcuts or settling for “good enough.” Every goal I set becomes a personal mission, and I give it everything I’ve got. That drive to rise above, to constantly improve, and to prove to myself that I can do more—be more—is what keeps me moving forward, no matter the obstacles. Read More>>
STW ST4TIIC
My work ethic is a reflection of both where I come from and where I’m headed. It was shaped early on by the examples set by my father and grandmother — two incredibly driven, disciplined people who taught me the value of consistency, perseverance, and putting your whole heart into whatever you do. Their influence created a foundation that I now apply to my creative process every day. Read More>>
Lindsey Van Rennes
I was born into a family of entrepreneurs and go getters. My grandparents and parents always had their own businesses growing up. I spent a lot of time going to work with them. So from an early age I learned that if I wanted something, I was going to have to go out and get it. I was raised to be self sufficient and independent! I’m thankful my family instilled that in me! Read More>>
Tiffang Zheng
I have a very strong work ethic because I started working at a very young age. I started doing restaurant work at the ripe age of 15 and during quarantine. One of my ex-friends recommended I work at a Vietnamese restaurant with her, and because I wanted to gain experience and also make extra cash on the side, I agreed. The first few days on the job were not so bad, just your typical restaurant work; however, that was just the beginning. Read More>>
Patrick Warren
When I was a kid, I loved to draw cars, and I would fill up notebooks full of my car designs. My love for design has stayed with me my entire life. The design process is still very enjoyable to me and very rewarding. I still get excited when I see my drawings turned into real products. The most rewarding part of my job is when a customer gets their custom wheels and calls me to tell me how much they love them. I think that process, creating something new and then having people love it, is what keeps me so motivated to work hard and stay creative. Read More>>
Melissa Monge
I believe it was instilled in my from when I was child and in my early teens. My parents never handed anything out. You had to work for it. I watched them as I was growing up, My mother owned a small business and my father went to work everyday for a corporation. At age 13 I began to work but not only did I work just one job I worked multiple jobs. I loved working hard, making money, saving it and buying what I wanted. Read More>>
Billie Rae Bates
I definitely get my work ethic from my family. I was raised by hard workers, and on both sides of my family, that work ethic has always been there, back generations. I was taught to do an honest day’s work, to not slough off. It’s actually difficult for me to be idle sometimes. Read More>>
Kaylee Bergh
I’ve always been a hard worker. My whole family are like that so I would say I get it from them. I believe that with hard work comes reward. It not only feels good to be working hard but you may get praised for it. I work a full time job while also going out on weekends to parks to capture my photography. Read More>>
Kristina Haahr
Work ethic has a lot of baggage around it, yeah? You hear the advice to hustle. Or the opposite advice to NOT hustle. There’s the mantra to remember we work to live, not live to work. Or work smarter, not harder, We are all out here balancing big full lives. But I think most of us, regardless of what we work at, want to do a good job. Read More>>
Elle Levy
I’ve been working since the age of 14. After high school I would work at a warehouse where they sold underground pools and Christmas trees and on the weekends I worked at a wedding hall. My mom owned a salon so I basically grew up in her salon and watched her work 24/7 to make the salon successful. I even worked there as I got older doing hair and made pretty good money. So that and just being from New York City where everyone hustles gave me my work ethic. Read More>>
Shalev Alon
I believe my work ethic comes from a combination of my upbringing, my life experiences, and the path I’ve built in my career. I grew up watching my parents, who are farmers, work hard every single day with incredible dedication, patience, and care for their work. That mindset of showing up consistently, even when things get tough or results aren’t immediate, really shaped the way I approach everything I do. Read More>>
Janaina Coimbra
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the purpose behind everything I do: transforming lives through organization. I’ve learned that our surroundings have a powerful effect on our minds, our mood, and even our relationships. When I organize a space, I’m not just tidying up — I’m creating well-being, promoting clarity, and helping people regain control of their environment. Read More>>
