We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic come from? Is it something we learn from our parents, or are we born with it? Do our friends, work environment or the city we reside in impact it? We asked some of the hardest working folks we know to share where they think they get their work ethic from.
Heberto Segura
I truly feel i got it from the guidance of my mom & dad. i regard them as my most solid friends and mentors in everything through life. Read More>>
Yobe Qiu
Growing up in a household with immigrant parents has instilled in me a strong work ethic. Witnessing my parents determination, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to providing a better life for our family has shaped my perspective on the value of hard work. Their resilience is inspiring and showed me that I can do anything as long as I put in the effort. This work ethic is not just a professional trait for me, but a reflection of the respect I hold for my parents’ journey and the opportunities they’ve given me. Read More>>
Meghan Hogan Tauber
Work Ethic is the name of the game at Hogan Made. Both my mom and dad taught me at a very young age to do the right thing by people. I saw how they treated people, how they approached situations and how well they both ran their businesses. My dad, Red Hogan, is going to be 90 next year and every day he is out and about, managing his rental properties, having coffee or lunch with his buddies and visiting with friends. Read More>>
Sharod Brown
My work ethic comes from my mother. Growing up watching my mother work 50 hours a week and still manage to raise 5 kids and never complain but always do what she needed to do without and excuse showed me the ethic it takes to sustain and work hard not just for yourself but for other people. Read More>>
Ricardo Dyall
My work ethic stems from a profound dedication to quality and innovation. I am fueled by a shared passion for crafting exceptional apparel that reflects my commitment to style and craftsmanship. Inspired by the ever-evolving world of fashion, I draw motivation from pushing boundaries and creating pieces that resonate with our discerning customers. My work ethic is the heartbeat of our brand, driving it to exceed expectations and redefine what’s possible in clothing consistently. Read More>>
Tatiana Phillips
I get my work ethic from my grandmother. She was a bit of an overachiever, in a good way, which I now see as an adult has its pros and cons. But, her tenacity and passion for the goals she wanted to reach were something I strive to emulate. Read More>>
Mula Migz
I got my work ethic from when i first start rapping and seeing other people i know who made a big name for themselves. If they could do it so could I ! Read More>>
Xavier Vanderblue
My work ethic came solely from understanding what would happen if I didn’t work hard. I’m a young black man in America. I have to do it on my own, overcome these obstacles and get to where I said I want to be. Nobody is going to come to my rescue when times get tough. My options are to continue grinding to get to the top of the mountain, or fall and bust my ass. When those are the only two options, it’s self explanatory which one to choose, right? Read More>>
Gisette Gomez
My work ethic comes from how my parents raised me and watching them throughout my childhood and adolescence. Growing up in Jersey City, NJ, the mindset of a city kid matures at a different level. I understood early on, that in order to make it in the world you need to hustle and prove your worth, as there are many others in the same room looking to get on top. Read More>>
Broderick Huckaby
Many have asked the question, “when do you sleep?” I am a jack of all trades personally and professionally. I have tapped into a new level of work ethic within the past 5 years. From getting a masters degree, to running a record label and curating monthly events, pressing and selling 100s of T-shirts, to now becoming a photographer and running a photobooth business while continuing to be the best Dad and husband for my family. Read More>>
Taylor Emery Eck
I was raised with amazing examples of work ethic and the benefits of working hard from my Father and my Grandpa. I was fortunate to grow up with my grandparents being our neighbors and while I was the only grandchild to be born after my Grandpa retired, I grew up listening to stories of how he established relationships with people, traveled the world with the earnings from his work and so many life lessons he shared thru his business practice. Read More>>
Julie Hinson
When I was growing up my parents both worked full time, however their jobs were more than a regular 9-5, both were professors or curators whose jobs spilled into late nights and weekends. Them being young and working relatively low paying jobs in the arts, I was a constant companion to their overflow work hours. Weekends, late nights and early morning were often spent visiting traditional artists around the state, listening to music and oral history recordings in the car from local makers and creators. Read More>>
Derrick Skipper
I inherited my work ethic from my mother, who, in turn, inherited it from my grandmother. Our family’s roots are in Alabama, and this heritage brings with it a particular kind of work ethic – one where there are no days off and no sick days until the job is done. I recall my childhood when a doctor had to declare me near death before I could take a day off from school. It brings to mind a vivid memory from fourth grade when I complained about being sick. My parents insisted I go to school anyway, and I ended up vomiting everywhere. Read More>>
Stephanie Leininger
For my company, Botanica Floristry, I grow flowers for my clients, source primarily American grown flowers from phenomenal flower farmers. I create a safe space of intention and creativity for my wedding couples as we work as a team to bring their vision to life through flowers. I’m foremost a student of Mother Nature, creativity and how best to serve my clientele. What’s most exciting is I get to live my passion in my way. Read More>>
Suzie Graham
I’ve always made my own money since I was about 8 years old, I sold candy bars to neighbours and always had a paper round. My parents worked hard and I guess I just always loved to be independent and buy my own clothes and records. I remember I was also making more money at my paper rounds when I was supposed to go do a “youth training scheme” which you did in Glasgow in Scotland upon leaving school. For a full week of full time work, kids at 16 were paid £29.50, that taught me that I preferred to be in business for myself. Read More>>
ROB J
My work ethic was developed from wanting more and knowing that all my dreams and aspirations were tangible . Growing up my mother always instilled in me to go for the prize , do what you love , and work hard , so I took those Gems and ran with them Read More>>
Michael Walker
Growing up in a blue collar steel town outside of Philadelphia, I was surrounded by industrious people who shaped my view of the importance of hard work. My dad worked at the local power company and my mom stayed home to raise me and my three siblings. I had my first job at the age of nine working a paper route, followed by cutting lawns and giving guitar lessons in my teenage years. When my dad passed away from lymphoma when I was nine, I watched my mom struggle to meet ends as a single parent. When she passed away when I was eighteen, I was on my own and had to learn to support myself. Read More>>
Martice Snively
I believe I get my work ethic from a mixture of things such as my grand father Leonard Snively, who was always working a job or two and providing. The absence of my biological father motivates me. As well as my children and my mom. My fear of failure keeps me working. Read More>>
Jasmine Killebrew
My work ethic comes from my grandmother’s generation. While growing up in the countryside of Shelbyville, KY, my grandmother and her 11 brothers and sisters worked on a farm as sharecroppers. And as adults in the city of Louisville, KY, they served their country, worked countless hours as nurses, housekeepers, cooks and assembly line workers, to provide for their families. What they have taught the generations after them, has been the value of working hard and prioritizing hard work. My inherited work ethic introduced me to the word and meaning of independent before Destiny’s Child or Webbie. Read More>>
Julie Craig
My roots! Working in film/tv, I am always grateful for my theatre roots because of the work ethic innately required. There are no shortcuts. There’s a ton of preparation to create a role even before you step into rehearsal. The collaborative rehearsal process is a lot of time and energy exploring and trying things with the director and other actors. When the show opens, the 8-shows-a-week schedule is not easy! It’s nights and weekends. Two show days. Read More>>
miriam baranov
My strong work ethic stems from my privileged background of being raised in an immigrant family that worked tirelessly to establish a life in the United States, starting from scratch. Additionally, my experience as a collegiate athlete further ingrained in me the principles of achieving results through unwavering dedication, perseverance, and humility, accompanied by a positive mindset. Read More>>
Amy Shannon
It’s pretty simple actually; I love taking photos. Taking photos for a client, whether it be as business or volunteer work, feels less like a chore and more like an opportunity to do something I enjoy. My value of professionalism drives me to deliver quality work and efficient service, even when business is slow. The love of the art and the desire to be a reputable name is what keeps me hustling! Read More>>
iamcalii
I was raised in a family of hardworking women. Hustlers if you will. Whether it was owning their own business or working a 9 to 5 I have never witnessed any of the women in my family be complacent or lazy. Read More>>
Summer Knoop
As a kid in Mid-Michigan, my dad owned and operated his own excavation business, and we lived on a 40 acre farm that had various different fields of hay, crops and trees. So work ethic for me has been baked in from an early age. My siblings and I went to work with my dad often, and when we didn’t go to work with him there was always a long list of chores at home to get done. Read More>>
Casandra Haynes
From a young age, my father raised me to be at the top of my game. He bred me with the belief that mediocrity is not an option. I wasn’t allowed to make Bs or Cs in school. I had to make an A in everything. He always expected me to be 5 minutes early, he expected me to be the first person to volunteer to do work, and he expected me to always walk and talk like a leader. He also told me that I was an influence on the people around so I always needed to do the right thing. He made me the hard worker I am today because he was a hard worker. Read More>>
Carson Ferri-Grant
My optimism and ethics came from my maternal and paternal lineage, immigrants whom settling in Rhode Island and Massachusetts contributing to our Nation’s history and events. Throughout American history as proud immigrant American citizens, the Sweet and the Ferri families fought in all the American wars for freedom of all people. Read More>>
Calvin waddle
I was raised from a very hard working family. My grandpa was born and raised in a pig pen and he worked hard his entire life to provide a life for his kids that he was proud of and one they would be proud to be raised in. All my life I saw my dad work his tail off at multiple jobs and long hours. When my twin brother and I were 14 years old they made us get a job and I have been working ever since then. Read More>>
Christie Bell
I remember exactly when my work ethic changed…I was in my early twenties, shifting from dependency on my family to truly being an adult, out on my own. Read More>>
Brianna Ali
I 1000% get my work ethic from my mom, Laura. Growing up, I watched her work 2-3 jobs while taking night classes at a local college. As a child, it never registered with me that she was sacrificing so much of her time and youth to provide the best life for my brother and me. Eventually, she had to pick between continuing school or continuing work. I know this was tough for her, but the bills were billing, so she continued to work. She went from fast food and bringing home what she could for dinner to landing an entry-level desk job. Read More>>
Emily Noel
I got my work ethic at a very young age from my parents. I grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania, so my summers and weekends were spent helping out on the farm and doing chores. I got my first job as a dishwasher in the 7th grade and have been working ever since! Sometimes two or three jobs at a time. Growing up, if I wanted anything I had to pay for it myself, including cell phone, gas, car insurance, etc. Read More>>
Evan Carr
I get my work ethic as well as my resilience from both sides of the family. Even when times got difficult, I usually stick things out when I know the results will be worthwhile. I quit a job a little too soon one time early in my career. Although there is a time and a place for that (when you don’t have another job lined up but the environment or leadership are toxic), that instance really drove home to me the statement “it’s easier to find work when you’re working already”. Read More>>
Joel Dessaules
My grandparents were all immigrants from Canada and Europe, and the Great Depression was something that they never shook. From an early age, they were always kind, generous, hard-working, and knew how to save for a rainy day. My parents, born of depression-era immigrants, always worked hard too. Growing up in New England, you are instilled with a sense of Yankee Ingenuity at a young age, and you learn how to make things work with what you have. As an adult, I fondly refer to making things out of nothings as “MacGyvering”. I have always worked hard, made the best with what was available, and always reached further to keep going and growing. Read More>>
Serena Dewese
I get my work ethic from my grandfather. As a little girl to an adult I’ve watched him juggle many jobs such as working at a car delivership for over 20 years to teaching school for 20 plus years to owning his own soul food restaurant for a couple years. He”s always instilled in me that if you work hard, it will definitely pay off and you have to work for what you want in life. Read More>>
Lisa Agens
My parents instilled in us the value of earning what you want. Dad worked a corporate job and mom was tight with the bills and purchases, budgeting the family income so that we lived comfortably but not excessively. We never had an “allowance” per say, but did get “paid” for chores. I started working at age 15 and learned the importance of saving money and not living beyond your means. We didn’t get a new car when we got our licenses, we got the hand-me-down and had to pay for our own gas and insurance. Read More>>
Amalia Moreno-Damgaard
I was raised by an entrepreneurial grandmother and excellent cook. She was divorced and fended for herself to survive. She has been my source of inspiration and strong work ethic since I was a little girl in a remote town in Guatemala. Read More>>
