We’ve shared some incredible stories of resilience below that we hope will help you on your journey towards building up your resilience.

Daneira Zuniga Sandoval

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the values my parents instilled in me—hard work, resilience, and determination. As a first-generation immigrant, I’m driven by the dream of building a better future not only for myself but to honor the sacrifices my parents made. I come from humble beginnings, and that fuels my ambition to grow, achieve, and prove that their efforts were not in vain. I’m committed to showing that the American dream is possible. Read More>>

Brittny Burford

My work ethic is deeply rooted in a blend of passion, purpose, and people. Growing up, I watched my family pour their hearts into everything they did, whether it was in business or everyday life. That set the tone for me early on—showing up fully, following through, and doing things with integrity. As a mom and a realtor, I’ve learned that consistency and commitment aren’t optional—they’re how trust is built. Real estate isn’t just about homes; it’s about people, lifestyle, and creating long-term happiness. Read More>>

Chris Cragin-Day

I applied to The Public Theater’s Emerging Writers Group in the fall of 2007. That same fall, I found out I was pregnant with my first child. As I walked out the door of my and my husband’s Queens apartment to interview with the Artistic Director, the Associate Artistic Director, and the Literary Director of this very prestigious institution, I said to my husband, “They’re going to take one look at me and say “she can’t do this program because she’s clearly not a serious playwright”.  Read More>>

Victor FONSECA

My parents are from Brasil. They came here just before I was born. My parents came here, with no money, not knowing the language, no work. They figured it out. They hustled, and pushed for the better life they promised for their kids. My parents were always doing something for money. My dad worked 6 days a week, my mom worked and always had a side hustle. Read More>>

Matthew Chambers

Sitting on my desk for over 20 years has been a framed African Proverb that tells the story of a Lion and Gazelle:

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle, or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle: when the sun comes up, you’d better be running. Read More>>

El Nathan Many

I have a deep desire to succeed. I have to succeed. I remember I used to talk to this girl, and she would always be so concerned with how I was always trying to be working on something, or trying to learn something, and I never used to rest or take a break. But to me, I can’t waste my time. I have so much I’m capable of and so much I can do, I would be wasting my time not doing it. I’m so young, I haven’t even hit adulthood yet, I have so much time to develop my craft and be the best at whatever I do.  Read More>>

Shahin Studios

Our work ethic comes from how we grew up as two brothers in Alexandria, Egypt, trying to make art with no real resources, no guidance, and no clear path. There wasn’t much support for creative careers where we were from, so we had to figure everything out on our own. I was learning silkscreen printing by building tools with my hands, while Marwan was teaching himself design and beginning to gain international recognition for his work with global musicians. Read More>>

Xavier Barrett

When it comes to work ethic I have had the privileged to see my dad and grandma live and breathe the epitome of a strong work ethic. My grandma was a business woman in Chile in an era where woman couldn’t do basic things like men could such as driving or even having a bank account in their name. Read More>>

Drea Sade’

My work ethic comes straight from my mother. I watched that woman work multiple jobs for as long as I can remember. She was never one to sit around waiting for anything to happen — she made things happen. Even though my dad was in the picture, it was my mom who was the constant, the driving force I saw every single day. She didn’t just provide for me and my brother; she also stepped in for other people’s children, making sure everyone had what they needed. Watching her juggle so much with so much heart — that shaped how I move through life. Read More>>

Chris Elias

I get my work ethic from my roots and the journey my family and I have walked. My parents were immigrants, and I was the first in my family born in this country. I watched them work incredibly hard just to give us a chance, even when times were tough. I felt that struggle firsthand, and it lit a fire in me early on. I started my first business at 17, determined to build something better not just for myself but for my future family. Read More>>

Cesar Paucar

Two persons, or should I say person(s)? First, my father who was himself a musician for several years after graduating high school but then went on to achieve a successful career when he gave up music to study in college. He had a motto, which he always repeated not just to me and my brothers but to anyone seeking advice: “he who studies, triumphs.” I adapted those words to my own musical career and to this day I study the guitar every day.  Read More>>

Rachael Wilson

My work ethic and determination has defiantly comes from my father, Will Wilson. We are a 6th generation butcher shop and everything I know about the business has come from him.

At the age of 4, my parents broke off from the Ogden Location, to start Snider Bros. Meats in Salt Lake City. For 2 years my father would drive the hour drive from Ogden to SLC every day (rain, snow, and sun). He worked every single day and would come home an still make time for our family every night. Read More>>

Sunisa Ingram

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing and life journey. Growing up in Bangkok, Thailand, I was taught the value of hard work and perseverance from a young age. My parents instilled in me the importance of being responsible, staying focused, and never taking opportunities for granted.

That foundation stayed with me as I made the life-changing decision to immigrate to the United States in 2019. Adjusting to a new culture, learning English, and starting over in a completely different environment required determination and resilience. Read More>>

Robin Frey

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing as a self-starter. Growing up homeschooled, I learned the value of hard work from an early age. My parents instilled discipline and responsibility through hands-on tasks—my dad, a construction worker, often had me helping with labor-intensive projects around the house. From splitting and stacking firewood to assisting with home renovations, I was involved in every step.  Read More>>

Daegan Jacobs

Throughout the years I’d say I have achieved my work ethic from the people I surround myself with. Im constantly surrounded by like-minded people who are often successful and want to see me succeed. I’ve watched my own parents work, and their resilience to overcome challenges and setbacks truly has taken a positive effect on me. Over time, I have learned that there will never be a right time to do or start anything, as long as you just start.  Read More>>

Jolea Brown

I get my work ethic from my stepfather. He was a hardworking, generous and honest man who went out of his way to help others and always lived up to his word. Read More>>

Lawain Howell

I get my work ethic from simply never wanting to produce anything short of excellence. For me, it’s not just about completing a task — it’s about taking pride in every detail, no matter how small. I believe that the quality of my work reflects who I am, so I approach each project with a mindset of responsibility, care, and continuous improvement. That drive comes from a deep-rooted desire to contribute something meaningful, to stand behind what I create, and to always leave things better than I found them. Read More>>

Karen Fitzgerald

I was born and raised on a dairy farm in the mid-20th Century. There were always things to do, things that needed doing. From a young age I was interested in being outside with my brothers. By the time I was a teenager, there were many daily chores that were part of my routines. This upbringing has a lot to do with my preference for doing: I do not sit well, I have to practice doing nothing. Gardening is my favorite pastime outside of the studio, simply because there is always something that needs attending to in a garden. Read More>>

Mallory Anderson

I learned work ethic from my parents. Both my mom and dad worked hard their whole life and when I started working at 15, my dad instilled in me that “if you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late” and til this day, I cannot be late for anything! It is one of my biggest pet peeves. The way I look at it, everyone’s time is precious. If you have a certain time to be somewhere, whether it be work, doctor appointment, etc, be on time. People are counting on you to be on time. Read More>>

Margaret Chiaro

My parents provided a loving and supportive home and taught me to value integrity, work ethic, kindness, and strength. They were both the first generation to attend college in their families and worked very hard to provide my brother and me the ability to explore different interests and encouraged us to pursue being our best self in anything we tried. Read More>>

Sugich

I get my work ethic from my parents. Since I was a kid, I’ve witnessed their dedication, not just to providing for our family, but also to nurturing their creative passions. My mom had her own fashion brand, which she managed to sell in major stores, and my dad, while working hard at his job, always made time to draw, sing, and even teach himself songs on the piano. That balance of discipline and creativity was always present in our home. Read More>>

Stephan Walters

I get my resilience from my parents. Both immigrants from the Caribbean; my mother is Antiguan and my father is Jamaican. They came to this country with little more than each other and built a life from the ground up. Growing up, I watched them work tirelessly to provide for me and my sister, never once complaining or showing the weight they carried. Read More>>

Ilyeob Choo

My work ethic comes from my parents and my love for music. Growing up, I was taught to work hard and pursue something with my best efforts. Doing something half-heartedly was not in my parents’ dictionary, and I inherited that same mindset. So, when I decided to pursue music at age of twelve, I did it whole-heartedly. In addition, composing music is when I feel most immersed in something. I’m in a trance when I make music, and it makes me feel like nothing else in the world matters. Read More>>

Rosie Fabre

I get my work ethic from my mother. She was a single mom who worked hard to make sure we never went without. Growing up, I watched her wake up early every day, handle everything on her own, and push through even when things were tough. Her discipline, drive, and dedication left a deep impression on me. Watching her gave me a clear example of what it means to work hard, stay focused, and never give up—no matter the circumstances.  Read More>>

MJ Golzari

As a filmmaker, I believe the work I create must be honest, honest to my spirit as the creator, and honest to the eyes, ears, and minds of the audience. I see truth as inseparable from ethics, even when that truth is harsh or painful. That’s the foundation of my work ethic: staying truthful in the stories I tell. Read More>>

Lureena Thompson

My beautiful, stubborn, hard-working mother. She was a C.N.A. (Certified Nursing Assistant), and there was rarely a weekend when she wasn’t working a double or even a triple shift. It was tough work, and she did my sister and me the kindness of not pretending it was easy. She let us know—and more than anything, showed us—that you can make almost anything happen when you pair perseverance with a strong work ethic. Read More>>

Noreen Heron

I come from a long line of hard-working people. My father, John Heron, was a Dublin immigrant who worked two full-time jobs most of his life. My Mother balanced a full-time job as she obtained her college degree from Northwestern University later in life, graduating at the age of 59. So I had two great role models. I worked two full-time jobs until I was 28 years old (and started working when I was 14) and then when I went to work as the PR Director of Hyatt Regency Chicago, it was basically like working two full-time jobs because the hours were long.  Read More>>

Liz Kroll

I get my work ethic from a combination of my upbringing and personal values. I was raised to take pride in doing things well, no matter how big or small the task. My past experiences have played a huge role in my work ethic also. When I worked for the Kohler Company, I understood what it means to be proud of your workplace and to go above and beyond to meet expectations of the guest. Read More>>

Helen Huang

My work ethic comes from learning how to weave discipline and tenderness together—a lesson that didn’t come easily.

I grew up watching my grandmother’s hands move tirelessly over her loom, weaving intricate patterns late into the night. She was a textile artist, and her craft demanded both precision and patience—every thread had to be placed just so, yet the final beauty could only emerge with time. There was a quiet relentlessness in her work, a belief that worth is woven through persistence Read More>>

Gracie Shafqat

My work ethic definitely comes from my parents. My mom has had so many different types of careers throughout her life and the constants throughout all of them were her professionalism, reliability, and diligence. She worked so hard and continues to do so to help provide for our family and always be there for me and my sister.  Read More>>

Valentine Chukwuma

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the values instilled in me by my family and the environment in which I was raised. I come from a family where work is not just a necessity but a virtue—something to be approached with commitment and, importantly, with joy. From a young age, I was taught that finding joy in your work acts as a catalyst, enhancing both the quality and speed of what you do. Read More>>

Brian “Zayy” Langford

would say I get my work ethic from my dad ever since I can remember he has always instilled in me how important it is and how far it gets you in life and years later im still using the same lessons to not only improve my business but my own personal goals. Read More>>

Chef Rose

My work ethic comes from my Jamaican roots and the strong influence of my family. Growing up, I watched my mother raise 8 of us on her own, working around the clock without asking for help. Her determination and resilience inspired me. Additionally, my grandfather, who was blind, would get up every morning to feed his pigs and animals and take care of himself.  Read More>>

Christian Gaitan

A big part of my work ethic comes from skateboarding. Growing up practicing this sport taught me invaluable life lessons—about persistence, discipline, and setting goals. In skateboarding, failure is part of the process. You fall a hundred times before you land a trick, and that builds resilience. It taught me to trust my dreams, to stay committed even when progress is slow, and to always push myself to improve.  Read More>>

Cesar Lazarus

My work ethic comes from a desire to bring opportunities to others in the creative space, from music to art and design. For a time, I felt helpless in just being one person in an expansive digital landscape, absorbing ideas I didn’t think of, following what others said was right, accepting what was offered at the immediate moment. Since starting Highframe, I have gained invaluable insights from a lot of unique people as well as identifying and introducing ideas that we can collectively adopt.  Read More>>