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.
Kimia Kalbasi
I would have to say my aunt. She’s someone I’ve always admired deeply. She’s happily married to a successful physician — they’re truly the ultimate power couple. She’s a career woman, he’s a career man, and they’ve built a beautiful life together in Newport. What I admire most about her is her journey. She moved to America about 26 years ago. Read More>>
Eric Race
My work ethic comes directly from my parents, who showed me two completely different but equally powerful approaches to life. My mom worked for NASA, SETI (the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence program), and JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory). Her job involved planetary protection for Mars missions, which means she had to make sure we didn’t contaminate other worlds and they didn’t contaminate Earth. Read More>>
Kristine Hoestermann
Without hesitation, my mom. She’s the most brilliant business mind I’ve ever known. Growing up, I watched her and my dad build businesses together. I saw firsthand what it really takes: the long hours, the missed vacations, the constant problem-solving, the courage to bet on yourself over and over again. Read More>>
Jairo Urcuyo
My work ethic stems from a deep rooted foundation built by my family, my faith in God, and the enduring legacy of my grandpa, who passed away a years ago but still guides me every day. Growing up, I watched my mom pour everything into providing for my sister and I. Read More>>
Janiro Hawkins II
I believe that my initial work ethic comes from my family upbringing. From my grandfather to my mother and even on to my father, I saw them all get up and make it happen with joy and intention. For me, it has always been a silent reward of mine in completion and a sense of accomplishment in starting. Read More>>
Jonathan Robert Bleibdrey
I get my work ethic from when I worked in the film industry, it taught me how to push myself very far and enjoy the random wins. There were days where I would work 12-32 hour shifts. But the over nights, thats where legends were made. it was hard, really hard, but I never gave up. Read More>>
Jemario Patterson
My work ethic comes from watching a woman who refused to break. My mom raised four boys on her own while working a full-time job and going to college. There wasn’t any room for excuses. There wasn’t any backup plan. She made sure we had a hot meal every night, and on the nights she was exhausted, she didn’t complain, she empowered us. Read More>>
Jason Myers
Pretty much everyone who has achieved what could be considered a masterful ability to play an instrument has put a vast amount of practice and work into it. While some people might posses a greater ability to turn this work into real results, it’s really kind of appalling when it’s assumed that someone is simply just fortunate and lucky to be so talented. Read More>>
Joshua Gordon
Doubt. That’s the honest answer. Growing up, I was never the most talented kid on the field, and I didn’t come from an affluent or well-connected family. But when someone doubted what I could do — a coach, an opponent, whoever — it created a fire inside me that no amount of natural talent could match. Read More>>
Donna Schillinger
A good work ethic is my heritage. I’m guessing when most kids visit their grandparents it feels a bit like a mini vacation. For me, from my earlier memories visiting my grandparents was a vocational experience. My great grandfather starting a nonprofit organization that printed as one of its primary activities. Read More>>
Justin Leader
I got my work ethic from my parents. Both of my parents worked hard and instilled in my brother and I that we needed to work hard and until the job is done. Read More>>
Ryan Malavolta
My mother and father have always been very hard workers, and when growing up, I had examples of great work ethic on both sides of my family. I also have a few entrepreneurs in my extended family. It showed me that if you bet on yourself and work your ass off, chances are you can create a successful path for yourself. Read More>>
Michael Judkins
. learned my work ethic from my mother. When I was in elementary school, she would come to pick me up early to take me to the zoo. Those moments taught me how to manage my time, explore new worlds, and communicate more effectively. I also watched her work as a school crossing guard, where she took care to ensure students’ safety. Read More>>
Mikey Desjardins
I get a lot of my worth ethic from my family. My mom, dad, grandma all came from immigrant backgrounds and to see them work as hard as they do it’s puts that drive in myself to work harder and put them in a position they’ve never imagined Read More>>
TreSean Smith
I get my work ethic from a combination of sports, survival, and vision. First, I’m a former athlete. Football teaches you early that talent means nothing without discipline. You can’t fake preparation. You can’t cheat film study. You can’t out-run conditioning if you didn’t put the work in. That mindset stuck with me. Early mornings. Late nights. Doing the boring reps when nobody’s watching. Read More>>
Cameron Karber
I started working at my family’s mechanical contracting business as a teenager where I learned the sheet metal trade. The business was large-scale, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the Phoenix Area. As the son of the owner, I was not easily accepted by the other guys in the workforce. Read More>>
Ebony Brown
I get my work ethic from my parents — two people born and raised in small-town Mississippi, where hard work wasn’t optional, it was survival. My father graduated from high school and went straight to work at the local paper mill. There was no gap year, no pause — just responsibility. Read More>>
Stathia Orwig
My work ethic definitely stems from my parents. My father immigrated to the US from Greece at the age of 17 with a 5th grade education and not speaking any English. He began working in a restaurant and eventually married my mother. Together, they worked hard to grow one restaurant into 5 over the next 20 years while raising 4 children. Read More>>
Antoine Prat
My mother instilled the work ethic i have. i had to work hard, and show up for myself. nothing is handed to you. the challenges i’ve faced have built the character i have/am. i learn as much as i can, gain skills, in all mediums. you have to be your own everything at times. always count on yourself.My mother instilled the work ethic i have. i had to work hard, and show up for myself. nothing is handed to you. the challenges i’ve faced have built the character i have/am. i learn as much as i can, gain skills, in all mediums. you have to be your own everything at times. always count on yourself. Read More>>
Anna Orlova
My work ethic comes from a deep sense of responsibility to my profession. In the beauty industry, there are no accidental results. Every strong look is built on discipline, structure, and countless unseen hours of refinement. I learned early on that consistency and precision matter more than talent alone. For me, work ethic is not about working more — it’s about working with intention. Read More>>
Alice Mizrachi
My work ethic is rooted in watching my parents build something from nothing. They left Israel—a place my family had called home for seven generations—seeking opportunity and peace they couldn’t find there. Coming to America meant leaving behind everything familiar, but they were determined to create a better life for us. Read More>>
Joe Chupp
My parents, naturally. My mother had two jobs growing up. She worked as an inventory analyst for a rubber factory most of her life before transitioning to another industry, working for a company that manufactured mats, like the ones that your computer chair might roll across. It was a very niche company, I suppose. Read More>>
Ashley Lobaugh
Work ethic is something I learned about from a very young age. Born to teenage parents in the 1980’s, I learned the value of hard work as I watched my parents do whatever it took to succeed in taking care of their family. I watched my amazing mother climb the corporate ladder through consistency, merit and determination. Read More>>
Aerius P
I get my work ethic from my mom. She’s always been ambitious, working multiple jobs to reach the goals she set for herself while building her career in education. She recently earned her doctorate, and watching her pursue that milestone showed me what discipline and consistency really look like. She didn’t just motivate me with words, she led by example. Read More>>
Dr. Courtney Beck
My work ethic was deeply influenced by my father’s own experience of earning everything he had. He paid his tuition at West Virginia University by working long, grueling shifts in the steel mills. By enduring intense heat and unforgiving hours, he built a future for himself. That standard of effort and hard work defined my upbringing. In our home, discipline was normal. Sacrifice was respected. Read More>>
Susy Siddens
My mother didn’t let me watch television when I was little; she considered it wasted time. If there was something I wanted to watch, I had to be doing something constructive while my program was on. I love watching television, so I make while I listen. I’m really listening—not so much watching. Read More>>
Brandon Kroupa
I get my work ethic from my parents and my grandparents. I was taught from an early age that a solid work ethic brought its own share of rewards. That when you went to do a job, regardless of what it was, you did it to the best of your ability. Read More>>
Clayton Creech
My work ethic comes directly from my mom. Watching her constantly on the move, juggling her businesses while raising her kids, left a real impression on me growing up. She never seemed to slow down, and rather than exhaust me just watching her, it inspired me. Read More>>
Denys Kavaler
I think my work ethic really comes from the way I was taught to approach work in general. Growing up, I learned pretty early that if you take responsibility for something, you finish it properly. It doesn’t matter whether the job is big or small – the important thing is that people can rely on you to do it right. Read More>>
Gabe Madera P/K/A: Chaboi
My work ethic was directly inspired by my parents. My dad has been a school teacher for over 50 years; to this day still dedicated to educating the new generation. Read More>>
Christopher Lockridge
I believe my work ethic was developed at a young age. I began playing football early in life, and the discipline of training almost every day instilled in me a strong sense of commitment and perseverance. Through that experience, I came to understand that nothing is simply given you must work diligently for what you want to achieve. Read More>>
Richard Maxham
My work ethic is inspired by my family. My parents put great care and effort into the things they did and always approached their duties and interests with conviction and seriousness. My paternal grandparents grew up during the Great Depression and learned to live on almost nothing and to work hard to build lives for themselves. Read More>>
AC Greenwalt
My work ethic comes from realizing if people are looking up to me or looking to me for inspiration I want to be the best version of myself. I had a friend in high school who had a kid. At that point in my life I wasn’t headed down the best path. Read More>>
Zohra Mavani
I get my work ethic from the belief that hard work is a form of gratitude — gratitude for the opportunities you’ve been given and for the people who place their trust in you. I was raised to understand that success doesn’t come from talent alone, but from consistency, resilience, and the willingness to keep going when things are difficult. Read More>>
Jessica Hunter
I have found that most things in life worth having take a lot of work. When I’m faced with something that is a huge step or a massive change, I seem to go into a different mindset, and just kind of get on with it. Read More>>
GRINXHY
My work ethic comes from, well for one my daughter Nevaeh , & my family , they keep me going and on my toes, & just being trapped and locked into the studio , im always looking & trying to make the next BIG HIT , even if I just made a hit that takes the world by storm, i always try to make my next move bigger than my present or my past. Read More>>
Al Mango
My Father was first generation Italian, his parents both came from Italy, and he taught me how to work with my hands in concrete, cement and paint, my dear Mother, came from the hills of Tennessee and she was an incredible artist, I learned hard work from both sides of the family and I combined the Art with the concrete creations. Read More>>
AJ Caruso
I definitely acquired my work ethic from my parents and grand-parents. Both grand-fathers were WWII veterans, so for starters, realizing what they went though as young adults and what my grand-mothers had to endure while they were away gave me an incredible appreciation for unfathomable hard work. Read More>>
Jeremy Little
My work ethic comes courtesy of my father. He was one of those rare people who loved his work. I think that joy rubbed off on me. I love the process of making music; finding the right chord, searching for the right combination of words, constructing a melody that reflects the meaning of the lyrics. I love working on difficult tasks. Read More>>
Anni Ramsay
Without a doubt my work ethic comes from my parents. From a comically young age they’ve always told me, “No one will ever outwork you”. Often it was said as praise – a celebration of a late night spent studying lines or returning home from extra hours of rehearsal. Read More>>
Nick Hill
My work ethic was built long before my professional journey ever began. It started with early mornings, long summers, and the understanding that hard labor was the price of opportunity. In a town where agriculture shaped daily life, I spent the majority of my adolescence working on a farm. Read More>>
Erin Merkley
Without hesitation, my dad. He’s one of the hardest working men I know. He grew up on a ranch, where early mornings weren’t optional and excuses didn’t really exist. The work had to get done, no matter the weather, no matter how tired you were. Those lessons translated to me at a very young age. I watched what it looked like to show up consistently. Read More>>
Deshawn Taylor
My Late Deceased Brother always stayed on me about work ethic and consistently always told me a person with little to no work ethic will be broke and that’s always stuck with me Read More>>
Amanda Perez
My work ethic comes from my mom. As a young single mother, she had no choice but to hustle and push through obstacles. Watching her build stability for us with grit and tenacity set the blueprint for how I approach my own goals. She taught me that discipline and perseverance aren’t optional, it’s how you create opportunity. Read More>>
Javon Talley
I get my work ethic from my mother. I watched her raise four kids on a less-than-fixed income and never take no for an answer when it came to providing for us. She didn’t complain—she found a way. Seeing her push through obstacles, make sacrifices, and still show up every day taught me that excuses don’t build anything—consistency does. That mindset stayed with me Read More>>
Britney Smith
I would say that my work ethic comes from watching my grandma work multiple jobs and long hours to make ends meet . She never complained nor never looked for help. She did what ever needed to be done for a better outcome her kids and herself. My mom also worked very long hours to take care of my siblings and I . Read More>>
Allen Carter
I definitely get my work ethic from my mother. Growing up with a teacher as a parent, I experienced firsthand the late afternoons following the final school bell, that consisted of lesson plan preparation, paper grading, staff meetings, parent-teacher conferences, etc. Read More>>
Andrew Escudero
I was raised by a first-generation Ecuadorian immigrant who believed that if you were going to succeed, you needed to be prepared to work harder than anyone who might compete with you. Long before art or music provided financial stability, I was deeply committed to the process. Read More>>
Tatiana Quintero Garcia
Whenever I worked for other companies, I saw things I didn’t like, how I liked to be treated, how growth and the approach to employees should be, and I said, ‘Someday when I have my own company, I know what I’m going to want to do in terms of ethics and values to create a community that loves each other and wants to grow with me.’ Read More>>
Anna Francis
I get my work ethic from never having anything handed to me. Early on, I understood that if I wanted something, I had to work for it. There were no shortcuts or safety nets — just effort and consistency. That mindset stayed with me. It taught me to take ownership, stay disciplined, and keep going even when things feel uncertain. Read More>>
Avery Mowder
I have always been a very self driven person. I’ve known what I wanted and I’ve done my best to get there. I would say my mother Heather Schlickman would be where I get my work ethic from. Read More>>
Andrea Brower
I am obsessed with bettering myself. I don’t look to those around me, although I always am cheering others on. I stay in my own lane and keep my eyes on my own paper. I try to be me and stay true to myself. Read More>>
Ms J7
I believe my work ethic was shaped by three foundational influences. First and foremost, my faith and God. It instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude for each day and a responsibility to use my abilities with purpose and integrity. From a young age, I understood that discipline and accountability are choices we make daily. Read More>>
Elizabeth Gabaud
From watching my mother! My mom is one of the hardest working woman I know. From a very young age, I knew that if there was one person I could rely on, it was my mother. I watched her immigrate from one country to another, and basically start her life over. Read More>>
Paul Cooper
I get my work ethic from two places: my mom, and the early discipline of music. My mom is the definition of self-determined. At 14, she made the courageous decision to leave a volatile home environment and move in with her grandmother. Read More>>
Allison Craig
If I had to pinpoint it, I’d say my work ethic started with being the first born daughter, the oldest sibling, the first grandchild, and a Gemini for extra spice. That combination tends to produce someone who likes to lead, likes to succeed, and really likes to prove she can handle it. Read More>>
Adita Yrizarry-Lang
My work ethic comes from growing up in an environment where I quickly learned that nothing worthwhile comes without effort. From a young age, I was taught the value of responsibility, persistence, and showing up every day—even when it wasn’t easy. Read More>>
Anthony Samuels
My work ethic comes from generational trauma. An idle mind is a devil’s workshop so constantly working can ease the mind of the thoughts of what we have experienced. Read More>>
Baturhan (aka Bart) Corabatir
I get my work ethic from my background and the way I was raised. I grew up understanding that nothing is handed to you, if you want something, you work for it. I’ve always believed that excuses don’t build businesses, discipline does. Read More>>
Angilean Fleming
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by my mother, Pastor Virginia Williams. She taught me that integrity is not situational, excellence is not optional, and service is not seasonal. Watching her lead with faith, discipline, and unwavering commitment instilled in me a standard of diligence that guides everything I do. The consistency of her character shaped the consistency of my work. Read More>>
Roger Lee
I got my work ethic from my parents, my mentors, and my artistic influences. My parents got married and created their own family when they were very young. I grew up watching my young parents work extremely hard to achieve their goals. It was so inspiring to witness. My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me. Read More>>
D’Vohn Greeb
my work ethic comes from hard times. My work ethic comes from seeing my parents go through hard times as well, and not wanting to see that anymore. My work ethic comes from not wanting to see my sister’s struggle throughout life to do things that they wanna do. Read More>>
Andre Walker
I developed my work ethic early in life. At around 15 years old, I created a clear vision for who I wanted to become and what I wanted to build. Even as a kid, I understood that nothing meaningful happens without discipline, consistency, and sacrifice. That vision became my anchor. Over the years, I didn’t wait for opportunities, I created them. Read More>>
Adam Baker
I got my work ethic from my mother who was a single-mom for much of my childhood. She never complained and she was a woman of action, which is to say that she expressed her love not so much through words but more through deeds. Not only did she work, but she was there for us at home as well. Read More>>
Ur favorite Holiday
Honestly, it comes from our parents and the community we grew up in. We didn’t grow up with much, so we saw early on what hard work and sacrifice really look like. Our parents worked their asses off just to give us opportunities, and our community is full of people grinding every day just to get by. Read More>>
Alex McDaniel
My father. When I was a kid he was constantly working, trying to find ways to make ends meet to care for my mom and I. Sometimes he had more than one job, and showed up to work even when he needed rest if sick or injured. Read More>>
Ashlie Collins
Growing up, I watched both of my parents work full-time jobs, and on top of that, they picked up second jobs or side work just to make sure we had what we needed. My mom even went back to school while working full time. They also taught me responsibility early. Read More>>
Tanner Haas
I’m a voracious reader—especially of biographies. I’ve always believed that if you want to understand excellence, you study the lives of people who achieved it. One of the biggest influences on me has been Warren Buffett. He talks about developing the habits of success and says you should find someone you admire and consciously model what they do. That idea stuck with me early on. Read More>>
Savannah Carter
My work ethic comes from my parents. My dad worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers as Reservoir Manager of Broken Bow Lake for 35 years, My mom was a Social Worker at the Department of Human Services in Idabel, OK. With their assistance, I started Janine’s School of Dance at 15, which continued through my high school and college years. Read More>>
Amira Kopeyeva
Moving to the other side of the world on my own at 15 taught me very quickly that nothing is handed to you – you earn it. Not even just success, but visibility. If you want to be seen, trusted, and taken seriously, you have to show up consistently and do the work. Read More>>
Brian Pruett
I got my work ethic from my father; he taught me long ago that when you do something, you do it right, and always make sure you are at least five minutes early to any appointment. And I also got it from working for several less than desirable bosses with morals and work ethics. Read More>>
Andrea Garcia
I get my work ethic from my mom and dad. Growing up, I watched my dad work long hours but he would find ways to spend time with me. My mom, has always been there for me and even though a lot of times she had to sacrifice her own projects to be there for us, when she was working on something, she found a way to juggle it all. Both of them have different ways to prioritize their work, but having both of them as examples is what has shown me how I can find the best of both. Read More>>
