Where do you get your work ethic from?

Dr. Roger Starner Jones Jr.

I get my work ethic from Coach Jimmy Mitchell, my high school football coach. His famous adage was “Finish what you start.” He had a powerful influence on my formative years, and I am thankful for that. I think of that adage often. Read More>>

Tom Davis

Growing up, I always had a strong example of hard work around me — whether it was from my family or watching others hustle to make things happen without shortcuts. But my real work ethic was forged when I became a dad and started building Hilltop Foam Parties while juggling multiple responsibilities. At the time, I had two young children, a full-time job, and another business to manage — but I was determined to create something of my own that could grow into more than just a side gig. Read More>>

Lauren Inkley

Before my journey into the health and wellness industry, I was a dancer. I grew up dancing from the age of 3 and made it my first career after graduating from Southern Methodist University with my BFA in Dance Performance. Dance was my sport and creative outlet. It required dedication and hard work at all times. I learned from a very young age that anything I wanted to achieve in my dance career wasn’t going to happen without that type of work ethic. Read More>>

Jason Harvey

I attribute my work ethic to my upbringing as the oldest of three children in a military household. My father, a retired service member, was our family’s primary source of income, and my mother devoted herself to raising us and staying actively involved in our schools, sports, and Boy Scouts. Together, they set an example of dedication and perseverance, showing us the importance of working hard not only at home, but also in our community and alongside our neighbors. Read More>>

Jennifer Fisher

My mother was a single mom. She had dedicated her life to being a stay-at home mom to my brother and I. After finding herself in a difficult marriage I watched her model how setbacks in life are only obstacles to overcome. I watched her push forward through the stress of putting herself through school and the fatigue of being a single parent. She achieved her degree in teaching. She chose a career path that would allow her the same schedule that my brother and I had, so she could provide for us and still be present for us during our school breaks. Watching her juggle so many things responsibly modeled for me how to make sacrifices for a better future. Read More>>

Shivani Gorle

Over the years, I’ve become quite used to being an outsider in every room I’m in. It probably started in boarding school when I joined mid-year in middle school and needed to make friends fast, or I’d become a social outcast – all the cliques had already formed at the start of the school year. Read More>>

JUSTIN GARCIA

I get my work ethic from the way I was raised and the challenges I’ve faced along the way. I grew up in Denver as an only child raised by a single mother, with the support of my aunt and uncle. Watching my mom work hard to provide for me taught me early that nothing in life is handed to you — you have to earn it. Read More>>

Dr. Trent Nessler

My father taught me, not by telling me but by his actions. My parents were teenage parents. They moved us across the country in 1976 to start my dad’s own construction business. Shortly after, in 1979, while on family vacation in a 3rd world country, my father suffered a spinal cord injury. After a tragic injury like this and year and 1/2 of rehab, my dad was back at the office and growing his business. From a wheelchair he grew it into one of the largest construction businesses in the US. In 1998, after graduating PT school, I started working with my dad and over the course of 18 weeks of hard work, sweat and unrelenting determination, we were able to get him up and walking again for the first time in 25 years. He was using loft strand crutches for his daily and work related activities. Read More>>

David Brown

My work ethic comes from watching my family work hard with purpose and resilience. Their dedication taught me early on that success is built through consistency, discipline, and staying true to your values. Read More>>

Julian Spence

My work ethic really comes from my grandfather. Growing up, I watched him grind every day—holding down a career at IBM while also being a full-time pastor. That balance of discipline and dedication showed me what consistency really looks like. He’d put in long days to provide for his family, but at the same time, he built a foundation rooted in faith and hard work. That foundation shaped me, my brothers, my sisters, and my cousins—it showed us that with God, vision, and relentless effort, there are no limits. That mindset stuck with me and drives how I move as a designer today. Read More>>

Mike Ferris

I’ve always been inspired by those who deeply explore their crafts. Since childhood, a wide variety of people recognized for excellence in their passions, from master martial artists and professional skateboarders, to expert visual artists, gave me the motivation to explore fulfilling activities. Read More>>

Chris Blair

My work ethic comes from my dad. He was an entrepreneur, and I grew up in kitchens and restaurants watching him hustle every single day. He showed me what it means to put your head down and get the job done, no matter how hard it is. That’s where I first learned that nothing worth having comes easy. Read More>>

Pluto Outerspace

My work ethic comes from my drive to achieve my goals, my process of creation, and my ability to master my craft. I enjoy practicing the discipline that is needed in order to level up. With each new level, more challenges are presented which allows me to learn more about myself and my purpose. When i’m locked in, I can feel myself aligned. I’m developing more skill and a sharper mindset. Read More>>

Meg Chizek

I pride myself in being a hard worker when it comes to my career as a performer. A career that can be tumultuous and unpredictable at times. I have my parents and my anxiety to thank for my work ethic. Read More>>

Director Ab

I realized one thing: nobody’s going to give me anything. Nobody’s going to do anything for me, nobody’s going to feel sorry for me. There’s people out here with a ton of resources at their disposal, and if I’m going to get what I want out of this life, I have to outwork as many people as possible in as short amount of time as possible. Read More>>

Haejin Yoo

Fear of failure, mostly. But not in the typical way – I don’t fear failing at something I tried. I fear the kind of failure that comes from not trying, from holding back, from knowing I didn’t give everything I had. That kind of regret would be unbearable. I’d feel ashamed to call myself a wife to my husband, or a mother to my daughter, if I didn’t give 110% to this path I’ve chosen. Read More>>

Emma Kalff

I studied at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, and my teacher, Auseklis Ozols (the head of the school) taught us by example how to be a professional artist. He always dressed impeccably and treated his work like something sacred. So that made me want to do that too. He gave us the courage and discipline to try again when we messed up on paintings, and he always insisted on the importance of working from life. Read More>>

Melanie Bange

I truly feel that work ethic comes from life experience. In my eyes, there are three types of “smarts” in the world: book smart, life experience, and a hybrid of both. In September, I will be 37 years old; I am now considered “mid-career”. When I look at my day job within the juvenile justice system, I have seen several seasons of direct service and navigating relationships. When I look at ohiogirl.travelingworld, I look at the relationships and visuals of content realizing all of the fruits of labor.  Read More>>

Sabra Crockett

I get my work ethic from my father. He always taught me never to give up, and showed me how beneficial grit was. He never fawned over me, nor did any of my family members. That set me up for low expectations and small wins which grew into bigger wins. I was always helping him with a home project, so I learned the value of working with your hands and creating something. He still has a positive demeanor, and “can do” attitude. That attitude is something that has helped me overcome a lot of obstacles. One major obstacle that he overcame recently is stage 4 melanoma. At age 89, he’s still setting goals for himself, and staying disciplined to achieve them. He is still an inspiration to me. Read More>>

VanDe Jones

I personally come from a long line of hard workers, and people that have a strong work ethic which is unfortunately is a lack of in todays standards. My parents, and grandparents had a strong sense of work ethic and pride in what they did. I was taught when you make a promise or an obligation, you honor that promise. It was instilled within me at a young age, even at age 5 or 6 selling lemonade and snacks to the neighbors. We put on shows and parades down the street for the neighbors. I was put into first grade at the age of 5 without going into kindergarten or preschool, which I now believe was a mistake. It was a bit of a shock at 5 years old playing with the kids, playing games, playing with dolls, then all of a sudden sent off to school! Read More>>

Jenna Carter

I credit my work ethic to my mom. Growing up, I watched her work tirelessly to make ends meet, and from a young age I learned what true perseverance looked like. She taught me that failure wasn’t an option, and she’s always been incredibly supportive of my goals and business endeavors. Seeing her dedication to her 9–5 instilled in me a deep respect for hard work, but it also motivated me to take a different path—to pursue entrepreneurship and create something of my own. Read More>>

Suzy Grifa

My work ethic began with my dad. He worked a blue-collar job as a stationary engineer, often putting in overtime, weekends, holidays, and long stretches without a day off. He worked hard to provide for our family, and because of that, my mom, two sisters, and I were always taken care of and lived comfortably. His consistent dedication to his family laid the foundation for my own work ethic and financial mindset. Read More>>

Kellie Berrios

Being an athlete my entire childhood and adolescence most definitely taught me the reward of hard work and dedication. Growing up I never had anything handed to me. If i wanted something, I had to work to get it. As a kid chores were mandatory around the house. As I became of age, I got my first job the summer going into my sophomore year of high school and haven’t stopped working since. I never relied on anyone to do or get anything for me its always been my mindset to work hard and do it for myself. Read More>>

Bradford Roberts

My work ethic more than likely came from watching how hard my mother worked while raising me and my brother. She had many jobs while also attending college in pursuit of her degree. Of course, it still took a village, but she managed to do her best with the hand she was dealt. We unfortunately watched her struggle and make many sacrifices in the process. I’ve also only aligned myself with inspiration from those who have done similar – from those large names in sports, arts, music, and more.  Read More>>

Raquel Diaz

I think I’ve mentioned this more than once, but it definitely comes from my mother. Not only because I am Mexican and it naturally runs in my blood , but Seeing her overcome so many obstacles while raising my brothers and i as single mother in a foreign counrty gave me a different perspective on many things. Its the fact that I had the privilege to see first hand how a resilient and persistent woman can go about life. My mother has always told me I must be better than her, and I truly think that the task is never ending. Read More>>

Jessica Wan

Being an achiever is something that’s been ingrained in me since I was a kid. As the child of immigrants who came to North America in the late 1970s, I grew up surrounded by a community of people striving for a more prosperous life. So many families that we knew came from a background of surviving the war: both of my grandfathers were army generals in the Chinese Civil War. They survived, but they were on the losing side. This shaped how my parents thought about education, opportunities, and what they could make of themselves. Hearing these stories shaped me. Read More>>

Finn Hansbury

Work ethic is practically genetically inherent in my family. For as long as I can remember, my mom and my grandparents have not only exhibited this quality but also told me stories about the perseverance and resilience of their parents and grandparents before them. I take great pride in my work ethic! And I appreciate the gentle way my family instilled this in me, particularly my mom. Read More>>

Dana Block

I’d say it comes from both of my parents, in different ways. My parents divorced when I was really young, and I was raised primarily by my mom. She worked incredibly hard to not only keep food on the table but also to make sure my sister and I felt cared for and were constantly entertained, including dance parties to NKOTB. Watching her juggle but successfully finding herself in her second act, taught me the value of independence and the importance of studying, learning a skill set and pushing myself at work, and in life. Read More>>

Paula P. Ogden

My work ethic comes from a few different places, starting with my mom. When I was young and just beginning to do household chores, I remember her showing me exactly how she wanted them done. She’d say, “If it’s not done to my standards, you’ll have to do it again until it is.” Lesson learned: do the job right the first time so you don’t have to do it twice. Read More>>

Aaron Jones

I credit my work ethic to my upbringing in rural New Mexico. Growing up in small towns like Tatum and Lovington instilled in me a sense of grit, self-reliance, and the drive to push through challenges. My career path, from private security in Beverly Hills to serving as a police officer in Los Angeles, then as a deputy sheriff in New Mexico, was shaped by resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to service. Those early experiences, coupled with building IPS from the ground up in 2006, forged the disciplined, results-driven work ethic I have today. Read More>>

Aviana Macias

I became a mom young .I had to learn fast how to provide and survive .I watched my mom who always work one or two jobs at a time to get by.I knew from the start that if I wanted more in life I would have to work hard to get it .I had kids depending on me which was an extra push and my reason to succeed. Read More>>

Shaleen Dove

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been working. My first real job came at just 14 years old. At the time, I was living in a group home, and they gave us a $10 weekly allowance for sweeping and mopping floors. Ten dollars for a whole week didn’t sit right with me—I wanted more for myself. So I decided to go out and earn it. Read More>>

Moly Gomez

Hi everyone, first of all, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be here. My work ethic is deeply rooted in my values, and those values come from my parents. They’ve always carried themselves with kindness and a genuine desire to leave a positive mark in this world, and I believe that’s where my own drive and approach to work truly come from. Read More>>

Gloria Soto

I often reflect on the origins of my work ethic, and I attribute its foundation primarily to the unwavering dedication modeled by my parents. Their consistent commitment to excellence and perseverance, regardless of the task at hand, instilled in me the profound understanding that true success is built on consistent effort and meticulous attention to detail. This early learning cultivated a deep-seated belief that every endeavor deserves our best, fostering a disciplined approach to all my professional responsibilities. I love what I do and I think it shows in my work ethic as well. Read More>>

Katarina Rankovic

I developed my work ethic from a very young age. I started attending music school when I was just five years old, and later continued my education at the music academy. Studying piano, and being dedicated to music in general, required an immense amount of discipline, responsibility, and consistency—especially at an early age. While other children were outside playing, I often had to stay in and practice for hours. It wasn’t always easy, especially as a child, to make those sacrifices, but through that process I learned what commitment truly means. Piano is not something you can master overnight; it takes years of daily effort, patience, and mental endurance. You have to show up every day, even when you don’t feel like it. That kind of structured practice taught me how to focus, how to work through frustration, and how to push myself beyond my comfort zone. Read More>>