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.
Marie Linne Von Berg
For me, it all comes down to one word: freedom.
I’ve always been driven by the desire to build the life I actually want; freedom, fulfillment, and the pride of proving I can do it. And I’ve never taken kindly to being told I can’t do something. That kind of doubt just fuels me. Read More>>
Michael Rolchigo
I feel I developed my work ethic at a young age. My parents encouraged me to get a job at a friend of my family’s restaurant at the age of 16. I fell in love with the business and found it was apparent that you had to work hard in this business. Upon graduation of high school I work in various restaurants, and then decided to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York. Where work ethic was instilled in students daily Read More>>
Christopher Higgenbotham
The men in my life shaped my work ethic: my dad and both of my grandfathers. I saw them get up every day, no excuses, and put in real work to take care of their families. But what they taught me went deeper than just providing. For them, work ethic wasn’t just about survival; it was about freedom. Read More>>
Nicole Milstein
My work ethic definitely comes from my parents. Both my mom and dad were incredibly hard-working, and they led by example. I also became a single mother at a young age, which pushed me to work even harder. I had to juggle two or three jobs at a time while raising my children and going to college. That experience taught me resilience, determination, and the value of showing up—even when it’s tough. Read More>>
Deezy Hendo
My work ethic? It’s born from having nothing. I remember empty cupboards and more month than money. That feeling sticks with you and fuels a fire.
When you’ve been at the bottom, you never want to go back. Complacency isn’t an option. Every opportunity is a chance to build a cushion against those hard times, not just for me, but for my family. Read More>>
Patience Murray
I carry my father’s fire. He’s a chef, a master of managing chaos and creating beauty under pressure. Even in the face of personal storms, he never stopped showing up. Watching him, I learned how to keep moving, how to stir creativity into responsibility. His kitchen was a classroom in resilience, and without knowing it, he taught me how to juggle many things with grace. I see so much of him in the way I live now—I’m an author writing my second book, a podcast host, an artist nurturing a music career, a full-time mother and wife, and a visionary constantly dreaming up new ideas. Read More>>
Rono Pal
Working in film and “making it” in the industry always warrants you to develop a good work ethic. Everyone has talent but what people appreciate the most is a good work ethic. I was always taught by my mentors and teachers that being a hard worker will give you that edge. They were people I looked up to, They were people who had been there and done that… So right from my college days, I always tried to give my 100% and then some more. Read More>>
Ben Kullerd
I grew up in a family of dedicated workers, but I can thank my mom, Sue Kullerd, for my work ethic. Allow me to gush for She has always been a risk-taker, running full steam ahead toward each new goal, defying gender norms every step of the way. She earned back-to-back degrees in biochemistry and mechanical engineering before working as an airframe engineer at the naval base in Coronado. After my parents’ divorce, she raised me as a single mom, navigating three cross-country moves and several major career changes. Read More>>
Arden Myers
I believe having a strong work ethic is one of the keys to success, no matter what field or industry you’re in. My work ethic comes from my deep passion to do the best I can, and prove to myself I can in fact, do what I set my mind to. But if we are talking about where I get it from, it would be my parents, Rebecca and Jason. My parents are the hardest working people I know, and growing up around them has set the best example for who I want to become. Their work ethics reach beyond getting the job done, as they’ve passed on their grit, kindness, resilience, and most importantly— their optimism to me. Its them I thank for believing in my love for my craft. Read More>>
Aubriana Gonzales
My work ethic is something I credit to my family—especially my parents. Growing up, I watched them lead by example, showing me that dedication, consistency, and integrity in your work will always take you far. Their drive and resilience instilled in me the mindset that success is earned through discipline and purpose. Read More>>
Raquel Serafino
I remember a brutally hot day in New York with my dad. We were outside dripping sweat, trying to fix the pool filter. And by “we,” I mean he was doing the heavy lifting while I was kind of hanging around, trying to help. The job was a nightmare… The filter was in some impossible-to-reach spot. Grunting, sweating, clearly struggling. After a while, I said, “Why are we still trying? Just give up. We’ll wait for Joe [my older brother] to come help.” Read More>>
Chloe Zmolek
I get my work ethic from a mix of influences — from my parents, who taught me the value of hard work; from my coworkers, who inspire me to give my best; and from God, who guides me to work with purpose and integrity. Read More>>
Claudia Saunders
Shoutout to my mother & my father! God really did His big one when he blessed me with my parents & even grandparents.
I come from a hard working, loyal, dedicated, dedicated family. My mother is a hustler. Plain & simple. She has a heart for the community. She’s done some amazing work out here. She’s very committed to her work. Never backs down. Finds a solution to anything that may try to stand in her way! She’s not one to play with. Read More>>
Kari Gregg
I was instilled with a strong work ethic at a young age from dancing both competitively and professionally.
That, and my parents, of course!
I started dancing when I was 4 years old and retired at the age of 36 after dancing professionally for 18 years. Read More>>
Jordan Moed
I grew up in a house where my parents really drilled into my head that anything is possible as long as you are willing to work super hard to obtain it. I have always gotten my drive from that motto, on top of that wanting to have a legacy that outlives me has always been a driving force as well. Then being able to combine that mentality and the my time at Full Sail University it really molded and built me to be ready for this industry. Read More>>
Ada Sorensen
I grew up in the 80s, a Gen-X latch-key kid of a machinist and a waitress-sometimes-steamstress-turned-lunchlady. I was the last of five kids, and the age gap was huge—so much so that my sister was ten years older, and the majority of my siblings were long gone from the house. Dad was a steward of his local machinist union, IAM 831; he became president and board member over time. Read More>>
Ana Cuellar
My work ethic comes from my parents and all the gymnastics coaches who guided me from a very young age. Gymnastics taught me what diligence, dedication, and perseverance really mean. The daily discipline—early mornings, physical training, mental focus—was not just about sport; it was about building character. That foundation has stayed with me in everything I do. Read More>>
Jaimie Malone
I inherited my strong work ethic from my parents, John and Karen Bloxsom, who have always led by example. Their dedication and determination paved the way for their success, and they’ve consistently supported and encouraged me to strive for excellence and become the best version of myself. Read More>>
Nicolas Lessard Pérez
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by my parents. My mom, Jhonis, worked tirelessly as a high school teacher, and my dad, Dany, spent years working as an engineer in power plants around the world. I had the opportunity to work alongside him for a few years, and seeing the demands of life on the road gave me a real appreciation for the kind of discipline and resilience it takes to stay committed. Read More>>
Jammie South
I developed my work ethic out of necessity and responsibility from a very young age. As the oldest of four kids, I took on adult responsibilities early, helping care for my siblings and manage things at home. I moved out when I was 17 and have been on my own ever since. During that time, I worked full-time while attending college—juggling both because I knew I had to build a future for myself. That experience taught me discipline, resilience, and how to stay committed even when things get tough. My drive comes from knowing that nothing was handed to me—I had to work for everything, and I carry that mindset into everything I do. Read More>>
Elise Riley
I credit my work ethic to my parents, who both set powerful examples throughout their careers. My mom, now retired, was a dedicated teacher who earned her master’s degree in education while raising a family—a balancing act that taught me the value of perseverance and lifelong learning. My dad, also retired, built his career from the ground up as a cinematographer and eventually launched his own company with nothing but passion, grit, and a strong creative vision. Read More>>
Bryan Rader
A lot of it comes from my dad, Scott Rader. I was adopted at 18 months, and I grew up watching him work incredibly hard. His jobs often took him away from home, but he always found a way to stay connected—like being on the phone with my mom during my middle school band concert so he could still hear it. Read More>>
Vanessa Ferlaino
Honestly, I love what I do. I’m not sure that I would call what I have “work ethic”. I think of it as alignment between my intentions and actions. It never feels like I’m working, it feels like I’m living. Of course, I do practice mindful rest, which to me looks like staying hydrated, sleeping well, and nourishing the body with good food. But this just comes from listening to the body and ensuring I’m honouring my needs, so that I can stay aligned in a truthful manner Read More>>
Cynthia Ruchti
I can point to three important sources that influenced my work ethic–my father, my mother, and the teachings of Jesus. My father was both a pastor and educator (who taught middle school music for more than 30 years). My mother was a wholly devoted registered nurse who eventually was the Director of Nurses at the hospital in our hometown. Read More>>
Analise Marin
My work ethic comes from growing up in a household where effort always mattered more than outcome. My parents didn’t expect perfection — they expected presence, consistency, and a willingness to keep going even when things got hard. I watched them push through so much, always adapting and showing up for us, even when life threw curveballs. That quiet resilience taught me that success isn’t about constantly winning, it’s about how you move through challenges — how you respond, not just when people are watching, but especially when they aren’t. Read More>>
Lorice Pullins
I get my work ethic, self discipline and confidence from my parents. I’m an only child and they poured so much into me directly & through their example. I saw them not miss days of work, kept order at home and encouraged me to give my all in whatever I was doing, Early on, that involved my schoolwork, cleaning my room and treating people right. My father was stern when encouraging me to focus on my studies. Read More>>
Chad Brown
My Dad.
One of my favorite stories about my dad and his work ethic comes from the morning of the biggest game of my high school football career— playing our annual crosstown rivalry, Pasadena high school, in a game called the Turkey Tussle. It’s a huge deal in Pasadena. We played in the Rose Bowl, and there’d be 15,000 to 20,000 people in the stands. It was basically the Super Bowl of local high school football. Read More>>
Sheridan Samano
My parents were very young when they had me. My father had only lived in the US for 7 years. He lived in Mexico until he was 13. Neither of them went to college, but they worked hard and I always knew that for me to get further in life career-wise than either of them, I had to work hard at school. That drive and work ethic is all I’ve ever known. Read More>>
Bo Harris
My work ethic comes from my father, and he gets it from his father my grandfather. My grandfather had his own business, which was brick masonry. My father, who is a career educator, has started his own business as well, after retiring as a school superintendent. They have instilled a strong work ethic in me by being an example as well as providing great advice and direction. Read More>>
Stacy Brooks
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by my parents. Both of them began working in blue-collar jobs as teenagers. My father recently retired after working 60 years at the same company, and my mother spent over 30 years as a cosmetologist. They worked incredibly hard not only to provide for us but to show us the value of commitment, stability, and independence. Read More>>
Jackelin
I got my work ethic from my family. I can proudly say that I have a family and a father who works very hard. He worked for everything that we have today. He came here with nothing, not even speaking the English language, and today we have a house, he has a company, and we have everything we could ever need. I remember when it was hard. When we were struggling to keep the lights on, but he worked even harder. Watching him work hard made me want to have my own business one day. He taught me to work hard so that I never have to rely on someone else for my needs. Read More>>
Aris Kakkis
Being surrounded by high-achievers, in particular, my father and 3 other siblings certainly created an environment where a good worth ethic and perseverance was the formula for success and it seemed that success was the only goal. My mother would often say, we don’t seek attention for ourselves but we let our work “speak” for us. In many ways, that would drive a lot of my desire to be successful at whatever goals I put my sights on. Read More>>
Blaine Terry
This is an interesting question that should be addressed. Work ethic doesn’t come from anywhere or anyone. Work ethic is a series of choices throughout the day. Motivation comes from somewhere or something. Motivation is doing something when you want to. Work ethic is choosing to do something that needs to be done, regardless of the circumstances. Read More>>
Stefanie Mathews Wilkinson
My work ethic comes from my mom—along with most of my character, values, and outlook on life. Everyone says their mom is the best, but mine truly is the best.
As an officer in the U.S. Air Force and a single mother, she juggled an incredible amount. When duty called and she had to travel, I, as the oldest child, took on responsibility at home—especially caring for my younger brother. And when she wasn’t away for the Air Force, she was working long hours at her second job to keep us afloat. Read More>>
Alejandra Los Angeles
I design my work ethic from discipline and a deep alignment with my goals. When my actions move in harmony with my vision, working feels like an act of devotion. Discipline carries me through even the grey days, and my goals are the compass that keeps me true. I live la vie en rose by seeing beauty in the process and every time I check off a task in my pink planner, I watch another delicate petal of my dream life unfold before me. Read More>>
