Where do you get your work ethic from?

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.

Katrina Riley

I grew up in a family where work ethic was extremely important. At the time I didn’t realize how influential that was and how much it set me up for success in my business. I also look at my children and my husband who are depending on me to show up and provide for them so even on my worst days where I am tired and want to throw in the towel, I know it is up to me to show up and put in the work. Read More>>

Victoria Manning

I think work ethic is a skill that you have to continuously work on and practice, not just something you’re born with. From a very young age, my parents instilled the importance of working hard and always encouraged me to do my absolute best. If I committed to something they ensured that I follow through with maximum effort. Growing up in the ballet world aspiring to be a professional ballerina we were trained from a very young age. By the time I was 10 I was taking class every day. As it is such a competitive field we were told if it’s something we want to pursue professionally you have to work hard and continue to grow. Read More>>

Abdul Sadiq

Within the past 2 years of Creating DAXFITNESS.LLC while in college seemed definitely unattainable for most. But with having the mindset that comfort comes at a price of work, from the way I’ve seen my family work hard. That led me to work multiple jobs while in college and finding the drive to want to work for myself. Because it’s in those moments when your alone that you really get to understand yourself. Read More>>

Kat Reeder

My work ethic comes from being both self-taught and self-driven. I didn’t grow up with access to elite art tools or formal training. What I had was a fierce determination not to be left behind. I’ve always had a competitive streak, but it was never about outshining others…it was about not letting my circumstances limit me. Read More>>

Tim O’Leary

A solid work ethic is fundamental to any success in Hollywood (and I’d imagine every other industry, too, but I’m just a dumb filmmaker.) The best and quickest way to form a good work ethic is to surround yourself with mentors who have way more experience than you do. I’ve been lucky to meet some amazing people in LA who’ve been navigating the film industry for a long time, and they’ve all taught me so much. Read More>>

Jazmin Salazar

I get my work ethic from my dad. Since a very young age, he’s been a go-getter and a risk-taker. He started working early on to help take care of his parents and support his siblings. Watching him navigate challenges with resilience really shaped the way I approach life and work. Just like him, I don’t back down from difficult situations .. even if I’ve never done something before, I give it my all and figure it out along the way. I truly believe I’m 1000% like him when it comes to that drive and determination. Read More>>

Bobbi Mendez

From a young age, I noticed I had exceptional drive, dedication, determination. I got these traits from my grandfather, he got kicked out of his house at the age of 12 because his family didn’t have the money to feed him with 12 other children. He struggled, he worked hard, and he was the American dream. I credit my grandfather for being the human I am today. I started going to school at Jean Madeline Aveda Institute in Philadelphia, from then on I continued to reach for the stars. Read More>>

King Arthur

I got my work ethic from watching my parents go to work every single day and grind. My mom was a school teacher for 36 years—she rarely took time off or missed work. My dad drove a bus for 36 years and had the same level of dedication. I watched them hustle so I could have a better life. I also developed my work ethic from Charles “Choo” Smith, a former Harlem Globetrotter, Harlem Wizard, and New York National. Additionally, Roland Hall, who coached me in recreation basketball from ninth through twelfth grade, played a big role in shaping my mindset and work ethic. Read More>>

Ivey Parrish

I get my work ethic from my family. I grew up watching my parents/grandparents work hard. Not just to succeed, but to take care of the people they love. That taught me early on the importance of showing up, staying consistent, and taking pride in what you do. I’ve carried that with me ever since. I’m not afraid of the hustle, especially when it’s for something I truly care about. Read More>>

Aashna H

Throughout my life, I’ve always been surrounded with people that have a strong sense of responsibility especially toward their work. While these individuals may have faced hardships, they never gave up in the face of adversity and only strived harder to achieve their goals. I personally believe that having a strong work ethic is about showing up every single day, despite sunshine or rain and this is what drives my work ethic. Read More>>

Jean Mann

I started my first business at 23 years old, an in-home cooking service. This was in an era when such services weren’t readily offered.

From the moment I started, my goal was to be reliable to my clients, accommodating where possible and always put out the best product I could.

That experience of being self-driven, and not afraid of creative innovation has informed my work ethic in all manner of business endeavors to date. Read More>>

Abby Jo

I got my work ethic from growing up poor and seeing my family around me working their butts off to get to were they are now. So now I work twice as hard to make a better feature for myself and my future family. Read More>>

Arianna Bermudez

My parents -They both worked very hard and instilled a good work ethic in me at a young age. Some of my first exposure to performing arts was due to my mom taking us to see shows from an early age, I can remember vividly watching “42nd Street,” at Miller Outdoor Theater and being mesmerized. She picked us up early from school to see “Fosse,” at the Hobby. My sister and I danced from an early age and through that I got exposed to musical theater. Saturdays were filled with dance rehearsals, shows and occasionally competitions. While I knew I would never grow up to dance professionally, it gave me the foundation to pursue theater. Read More>>

Tori Ellis

I get my work ethic from my mom and watching how hard she worked to keep a roof over our heads growing up. It wasn’t easy but she found a way. She would go from working two jobs during the day to coming home and working toward her dreams all while taking care of her three kids. Which really showed me when there’s a will there’s a way and to never give up on my dreams. Read More>>

Tanja Percival

I get my work ethic from my parents, who are landed immigrants and the most hardworking people I know. When they came to this country, they arrived with just a few suitcases and started from scratch. It wasn’t just about building a life—they had to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture, and navigate a completely unfamiliar system, all while starting a family. Read More>>

Vallie Prince

I get my work ethic from a variety of influential people in my life. My parents have always been a great example, instilling in me the importance of perseverance and dedication, even when things were hard. My former coworkers and managers have also played a significant role, demonstrating how commitment and hard work can lead to success. Additionally, my teachers and professors, from elementary school to college, have taught me the value of diligence and encouraged me to push through challenges. Lastly, I’ve had great role models who have shown me that we don’t quit when we’re tired; we quit when we’re done. All these influences have shaped my approach to work and life. Read More>>

Melody Phoenix

It started in my adult life. I started to see the benefits of hard work and what fruits it produced. I never liked being lazy because it doesn’t support my dreams. I have to be a hard worker in order for my dreams to work. Read More>>

Demetrius Joseph

I got my work ethic from past tragedy in my life. I told myself I would never allow these things to happen again so having an amazing work ethic keeps a lot of negative things away from you. Read More>>

Alexa Collins-Shields

My father. He has been a hard worker his entire life. I always saw it as a young girl, and he taught me that nothing ever comes easy. He still works very hard til this day and he has instilled that within me! Read More>>

Kacey Medenwaldt

I’ve been working since the moment I was legally allowed to—age 16. My first job was at Taco Bell, where I stayed all through high school. Loyalty has always meant a lot to me, and I’ve carried that mindset into every job I’ve had: stay dedicated until there’s a reason to move on. Read More>>

Kayla Sutterer

My work ethic definitely comes from my parents. Growing up, I watched both of them work incredibly hard to give my siblings and me a great childhood. They taught me the value of showing up, giving your all, and doing the work to create the best outcome possible. Read More>>

Jalanta Smith

I developed my strong work ethic by watching my parents, not just in their jobs, but in how they handled everyday responsibilities. Whether it was taking pride in keeping the house clean, staying committed to family routines, or showing up early and prepared for work, they led by example. Their consistency, discipline, and dedication to doing things the right way, no matter how big or small, taught me that excellence starts with the little things. Read More>>

Juhina Farooki

I developed my work ethic from watching my hardworking parents, who juggled multiple jobs to provide for our family and instilled in me the value of perseverance and determination. From a young age, I had to carry my own weight with little to no support, which taught me resilience and the importance of self-reliance. My dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur continue to fuel my drive, even as I navigated the demanding journey of completing my undergraduate and master’s degrees, along with an internship—all while raising three children. Through every challenge, my motivation has remained clear: to build a comfortable and successful life for my family and to set a powerful example of work ethic and ambition for my kids. True work ethic requires strength, resilience, and a commitment to your vision, no matter the obstacles. Read More>>

Candace Marek

I believe I initially got my work ethic from my father. Growing up he worked at a power plant and would often work night shifts, but would rotate into day shifts throughout his entire 30+ year career there. When he wasn’t at work, he would make time to spend with our family, take us on vacations, work on things around the house and be present with all of us. He even went back to college late in his career to advance his role and did that as he was working full time. He never complained about any of these things, just kept up with it and kept going. I didn’t realize it in the moment, but it shaped my mentality on how I perceive working and just getting things done. Read More>>

Lindsey Perry

I credit my work ethic to the example set by my parents. Growing up, I watched them work hard without ever making it feel like a burden—they never complained or spoke negatively about their jobs. It was simply something they committed to with consistency, and I always had the sense they took pride in their work. Read More>>

Francisco & Yadira Sanchez

Honestly, our work ethic comes from a mix of how we were raised and the pride we take in building something of our own. With Haul Away Any Day, we know every job reflects on the business—so we treat each one like it matters, because it does. We always believed in showing up, working hard, and doing things the right way. That mindset is what keeps us consistent and trusted by our customers. Read More>>

Jordan Monnin

A good work ethic has been instilled in me as long as I can remember. My dad has always told me, “It takes a lifetime to build a reputation and 30 seconds to destroy it. You can’t control how people treat you, but a man who is honest, hardworking, and grateful never has to look over his shoulder and falls asleep every night satisfied in himself.” My dad took pride in his work and in his family. He worked hard his whole life to give me, my mom, and my siblings a good life. As I grew up, I worked alongside him on the family farm stacking hay, mucking stalls, and doing the never-ending projects a farm has to offer. Once I started working outside the home, my dad’s name was everywhere. Read More>>

Alejandra Iorgulescu

I definitely got it from my dad. He was borderline a perfectionist, and while that could be intense at times, it really shaped how I approach challenges. One thing he drilled into us as kids was never to say “I don’t know.” If we didn’t have an answer, he’d say, “Don’t ever tell me you don’t know—go find out. Research it. Ask someone. Come back with something.” Read More>>

Tibor Nemeth

Where do I get my work ethic? The first thing that comes to mind (and probably the most common answer) is my parents. I grew up in a typical middle-class household where they both worked 9-to-5 jobs. They had a routine, and just seeing that day in and day out, you start to absorb it. You learn how life works and what’s expected of you without anyone having to spell it out. Especially in the summers, when they were gone most of the day, if you wanted something, you figured it out on your own. Read More>>

Casie Sowers

I attribute my strong work ethic to my early involvement in sports, where I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and discipline. These foundational lessons taught me that success is attainable through consistent effort and dedication. Running a business—particularly as a sole operator—demands a wide range of skills, and I’ve grown through every challenge and learning opportunity along the way. I’m also deeply committed to setting a positive example for the next generation. As a mother of three, I’m constantly aware that my children are watching and learning from my actions. Instilling the importance of hard work from a young age is something I believe in wholeheartedly. Read More>>

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