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.

Isabel Guido

I get my work ethic from my entire family. My mom adopted me from Russia as a single mom when I was a year old. She worked hard to make sure she could provide me with the best life. My mom has always told me to dream big and that anything is possible, so having that constant support helped form my drive to want to work towards goals.  Read more>>

Rebekah Robeck

I have been very fortunate to have a mom and dad who have been an example of having a good work ethic. My whole life my parents have worked hard and I have seen it. My dad would come home from work late at night and yet still find time to do things that were necessary for the family. Read more>>

Kelsey Crystal

I get my work ethic from my inner child who wanted to see me succeed and accomplish big things and from my health issues. I lost the latter half of my twenties to both cancer and chronic illness. I wasn’t able to work or do much for an extended period of time due to these challenges. I now see it as a gift and I’m grateful to be able to both run my business and be in school for my doctorate. Read more>>

Dan Ansaldo

I know not everybody comes from a religious background, but for me, it is critical to my work ethic and how I operate. Multiple places in the Bible, especially in the New Testament, speak about the importance of working unto the Lord. Read more>>

Don Cimorelli

I was born into a traditional Italian American family. My grandparents immigrated to the USA between the 1890s and 1920s. I always recall my mom and dad supplementing their primary jobs with secondary sources of work to be able to provide for their four children.  Read more>>

Dee Taylor

Honestly, my work ethic comes from wanting more out of life. It’s hard for me to sit still when I have a vision for something or want to achieve a goal. I don’t ever want to feel like I’m stagnant in any situation. So whatever I set my mind to, I go after it plain and simple.  Read more>>

Titonian Wallace Sr.

Growing up in a single-parent household, the figure at the center of my world was my mother, Sharon Wallace. Her resilience, determination, and unyielding work ethic were not just pillars of our family’s survival but also profound lessons that shaped my character and ambitions. Read more>>

Liza Seneca

In the past few years, I have developed a passion for running and I have found it to have a huge impact on my life as an artist. When I was first starting out in the entertainment industry, I often heard the phrase, “This career is a marathon, not a sprint,” but it wasn’t until I started training for a half marathon and then eventually a full marathon that I saw the similarities and the vital importance of discipline in maintaining a long career.  Read more>>

Vitaliy Lyubezhanin

Coming from an immigrant family, I believe I have very strong work ethics. My parents arrived in the States with just a few suitcases and were forced to simply figure it out- learn the language, find work, and support the family. I grew up watching and learning from my parents what it meant to work hard and not give up when it gets tough. Read more>>

James Hastings

It started with the discipline instilled in me by my grandparents. They were the model for what hard work meant to me growing up. Watching them get up at 4am + & preparing for the day starting with work and taking care of family. That showed work ethic & discipline to me. I thought ‘man.. Read more>>

Spencer McBride

Hands down, my father single handedly shaped what a strong work ethic looks like to me. I grew up watching him work full time, support us, and also managed to continue his education whilst doing so. I think I didn’t realize in the moment that seeing him come home from work just to get ready to go straight to night school was very formative for me. Read more>>

April Robbins

I get my work ethic from my family. My parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were all hard workers and had a great work ethic. Read more>>

Michael Waskewich Jr

II was fortunate enough to grow up with fantastic role models, that exhibited a strong work ethic. My dad was an entrepreneur who managed many businesses and founded a few more. He always faced new challenges head on and maintained his resilience through the most difficult times. Unfortunately, my dad passed away in a tragic accident when I was young, so I did not get to learn everything from him, but I had my mom.  Read more>>

Kiara Richards

Funny that you asked , because I started working at the age of 12 and I would only get two days a week to work due to being in middle school , but I would always be the first to take someone’s shift. I knew I got everything done before it needed too and plus I wanted to see the number go up in my account to be able to purchase what I wanted from my own hard working money . Read more>>

Beatrice

My work ethic comes from me seeing my mother get up every morning or evening and head to work. Even on days when she wasn’t feeling her best. Also having to do chores around the house instilled that work ethic as well. Read more>>

Chrissy Cetwinski

My work ethic has evolved over the years. My Grandfather was a business man. Many family and friends are also entrepreneurs. My late husband, Nick, was a hard worker himself. Sick, tired or both, he would ALWAYS show up. Watching their dedication and witnessing the results, I know that nothing worthwhile is ever easy.  Read more>>

Mariah Ankenman

My mother. As a child my mother always told us to do the best job we possibly could. If we slacked off with our chores we just had to do them again. I learned quickly that it’s better to work hard and do the job right the first time otherwise you’ll just have to do it again. Read more>>

Wenisha Jones

From my Guyanese and Caribbean roots, of seeing and knowing where my parents and grandparents come from always humbles and inspires me to be better. Read more>>

Linda Wegmann

I’ve always been fiercely independent. I ran my own small design firm with three employees for 30 years and was also a single mother for 11 years of those. That requires dedication and hard work. As a painter now, nothing has really changed. I want to make something really good, and that requires hours and years of hard work, and its be best choice I’ve ever made to jump into that work. Read more>>

Breonna Granto

When I look at my life, I think my work ethic comes from so many things but mostly from being raised independent, learning my sense of survival mode, and perseverance. Throughout my life, I have been blessed with the ability to truly look within myself and others and grow from every single mistake I’ve ever made, and every single wrong ever done to me. I believe it’s these parts of life that have bled into my work/business life, shaping my work ethic. Read more>>

Kamini Mamdani

I’m the daughter of immigrants and entrepreneurs and grew up working alongside my parents in our family businesses so I have had a lifetime of experience working and understanding what it takes to own a business. Read more>>

Gina B

Truthfully, my mother. She instilled in me at a young age the concept of working for what you want. I still remember being in high school and asking for a little beater car for a graduation present. She told me that I absolutely could buy a little beater car… with the money I was making from my part-time job.  Read more>>

Will Eskridge

My work ethic definitely comes from my parents. They both worked very hard and believed in a full day’s work. Mom waited tables and took care of two kids while my dad was working hard going back to school full-time at age 28 to become a veterinarian. My dad ran eventually ran is own veterinary practice and all of us helped out at the clinic as a family. Read more>>

Carly Morris

My work ethic was developed at a young age. Growing up, I observed both of my parents working very hard in their career, including both going back to school to get their MBAs while working full time, with two kids. My parents placed expectations and responsibilities on me that I believe shaped the way I work either in my career or in life.  Read more>>

Tyler Chronicles

My work ethic comes from my mother. There was never a time where she didn’t have only one job. And she always made it to every event I had. Never once complained. She always told me to work for what you want so yet you can have what you need. Read more>>

Suzi Balamaci

I don’t remember not having job in my teenage years. I started working when I was in 8th grade with a local in-home business as an artist personalizing items, later on that led to another job at an actual brick and mortar gift shop doing the same thing, but on a bit of a larger scale. Read more>>

Jennifer Wenderott

To me work ethic has a few different meanings. A person’s work ethic can be different in different situations or senarios. Growing up I watched my parents work at hard jobs. My dad worked for the rail raod which meant shift type hours, overnight hours and even gone several days at a time.  Read more>>

Annie McDaniel

You know, when people ask me about my work ethic, I always think back to my parents. They’re the real MVPs in shaping how I approach everything in life, especially when it comes to putting in the effort to achieve success. Read more>>

Corinne McCallum

Work Ethic. I think my high school experience introduced me to working hard. I went to an all girls academic school in Northern Ireland, where we were expected to give our best at all times. There was a lot of studying, many tests and exams twice a year. Read more>>

Jörg Hüttner

My work ethic is driven by my desire to deliver top-quality work to clients & companies on time, especially if there is a deadline. Additionally, not working equals not making money as a freelancer, and your bank account can be a healthy “inspiration”.  Read more>>

Hyunjun Park

I don’t know how long this will be, but I would like to share my whole life story as briefly as I can to answer the question: My name is Hyunjun Park and I was born and raised in a conservative and economically lower-than-average family in Korea, where my father was a salesperson and my mother was a housewife. Being disciplined and obedient to familial values and cultural norms was an early adaptation for me to survive in the Korean society. Read more>>

Kaiya Webb-Ramseur

I get my work ethic from my parents. My father came to America from Jamaica for a better life and has owned businesses and learned new skills to thrive and live. My mother is very creative and has turned her talents into skills to make money. They both worked very hard yet smart to get where they are today. Read more>>

Alana Raquel Bowers

I get my work ethic from the women in my family. Hands down. No questions asked. I come from a line of strong, talented, confident and capable Black women who had/have the capacity to take over the world, if I am being honest. I come from giants. I come from geniuses. But these incredible women–Virginia, Marjorie, Gwendolyn, Elizabeth, Clara, Bonnie, Karen, Susan, Arita, Ariel, and the one from whence I came, Rita, were not born this way. Read more>>

Sonny Newman

My hope is that I’m not naively romanticizing mental illness here, but a major part of my work ethic, both artistic and pragmatic, comes from being an extremely anxious person by nature. I’m pathologically attuned to the uncertainty that underlies every second of our lives, and the only way I can keep myself from curling up into a fetal position and reciting my ABCs is to plan, organize, and keep track of what’s in my control.  Read more>>

Jess Moon

A few places, actually. The first would be that running a publishing house means I have dozens of people relying on me. Though many at Shadow Spark assist with editing, social media, marketing, etc., at the end of the day, the buck stops here. With me.  Read more>>

Chris and Laura Panjwani

When we started Contemporary Craftsman we both had full time jobs and were expecting our first child. Life was already busy. Now we have two kids and life is even busier. But for us, this business is truly a passion. Read more>>

Lartarsha Parramore

I have to say with All Honesty and heart,I get my work ethic from My Mother. I can remember when I was only 9yrs old and my moved myself and my 2 siblings to Atlanta Ga. She had already obtained a job before moving us here with her. I watched her get all of dressed and made sure we ate before leaving the house. Read more>>

Kimbreli Flournoy

My work ethic stems from my athletic background. Growing up, I ran track and played basketball, which was a big part of my identity. As I began to focus more on basketball, I knew that hard work and dedication were non-negotiable if I wanted to reach my goals. I grew up in a sports family so I had my brothers to push me and my dad who coached me. Read more>>

Joshua Gadson

I get my work ethic from my parents; they are the most diligent people that I know. Neither of them knows how to stop before a job is a complete. I naturally picked up on that growing up. It has served me well on my journey. The people who matter know what the work looks like, you can’t cheat it. I live by the motto “How you do one thing, is how you do everything.” Read more>>

Rhí McPhelim

From a young age, I have always enjoyed the work aspect of academia and personal creative projects. If I’m given time and an interesting project or brief, I do try and put my all into it, and keep the cycle going. I’ve often been told to stop working so much, or to not take on too much work, but I love the sense of purpose and structure work gives me, in all its forms. Read more>>

Eric Lee

This is probably one of the easiest questions I’ve ever been asked. My work ethic comes from my parents. Seeing them work throughout the years to give me and my younger brothers a better life really gives me the drive to keep pushing forward everyday. My parents came to America at a young age barely knowing English but managed to learn and create the lives that me and my brothers have today. Read more>>

Adam G

I definitely get my work ethic from my parents. I grew up in a pretty privileged home but my parents made me work for everything I wanted. There were no free rides. If I wanted a certain toy or book, my parents would make me learn my times tables, etc. If I wanted some trendy-whatever, it was the same. If we weren’t in school we had to get a job. Period. Read more>>

SARI FRIED-FIORI

My parents fostered a strong work ethic from the very beginning. My brother, who is only 16 months younger than me, had health issues as a newborn. Both of my parents needed to tend to his needs. I learned to be independent and strong at a very early age. Read more>>

Kara Bettis

My work ethic is definitely supported by my late grandmother. She was always the first in line to jump at an opportunity and had a great sense of how to make things fun. My Gram is the reason I grow flowers and her drive and motivation have helped shape me into who I am today. Read more>>

Stephanie Mays

I get my work ethic from my dad. I have always known him to be a hard worker. No matter how big the obstacle or challenge, he goes and faces it boldly. He taught me a lot of things that traditionally, a woman does not grow up knowing how to do. I worked with him as a teenager doing construction work; from laying tile on the kitchen floor to laying shingles on a roof.  Read more>>

Carli Castro

My work ethic I owe all to my incredible father. My dad has owned his small business in contracting for many years and I’ve always found him to be the most hard working person I know. Every little girl looks at their dad and says that but I know in my heart where his heart lays for our family.  Read more>>

Vanessa Dunn

My work ethic comes from my upbringing for sure. At a very early age I started along the path to become a professional ballerina. My days were spent surrounded by people with a strong purpose, passion and commitment to their dreams. I quickly adapted to what was necessary to thrive in this environment. Building resilience, grit, and grace just came along with the territory. I am so grateful for the skills that were engrained in me as a young person. Read more>>

Meghann Kettler

I come from a long line of incredibly hard working people. Both my parents instilled a strong work ethic in me and my siblings from a young age. We were expected to do chores, maintain straight As (while playing sports), help out around the house on weekends and donate our time volunteering as well.  Read more>>

Dr. Matthew L. Kane

In the summer going into 8th grade I knew I wanted to tryout for my middle school’s Basketball team. I not only wanted to make the team, but I wanted to really showcase how good I was. You know, prove a point. So I hung a sign up in the doorway of my bedroom. Read more>>