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.
Corrado Amenta
I’d trace my work ethic back to my brother. When our dad left, he stepped in and carried a huge weight for our family. I watched him work long hours and never make excuses, and that example showed me what it means to show up and do the right thing no matter the cost. Read More>>
Olivia Peterson
I would say I get my work ethic from my grandfather, Roy Heggenes. He was a talented carpenter and woodworker who was well known on Whidbey Island. In 2020, during the pandemic, he started my business with me and taught me the value of dedication, creativity, and putting pride into every piece of work. His work ethic and creativity naturally rubbed off on me. Read More>>
Blake Pottmeyer
I’ve always had a strong work ethic, even as an adolescent. Everyone in my family shares the same grit. I grew up in a household of entrepreneurs and weekend warriors, and my siblings and I were always finding new ways to make extra money. Shoveling snow in the winter, cutting grass in the summer, or selling pretzels at parades in Philly. Read More>>
Cynthia Krantz
I get my work ethic from my father. He was a big time CEO and was a brilliant man. Someone once asked him how he became so successful (he’d grown up on welfare subsistance farming in a single parent home). Read More>>
Wellie Jackson
My work ethic comes from the fact I love what I do and I also know that a 9-5 isn’t for me I’ve been fired from every job I’ve had except comedy. My last job they knew I wanted to do comedy so my boss told me I should pursue it because I was that bad at my job. Read More>>
Brian McFarland
1) experiencing both my parents working so hard and diligently without complaint for 50+ years. They earned every penny they made and always gave it their all 2) starting to work part time then full time from the ago of 1, especially in the food service arena. Read More>>
Mr. Bill Berry
There are many ways I could answer this question, but the first that came to mind is actually a story from my first book, ‘Stories That Move,’ chapter 17, ‘We’re Going to Disneyland,’ so I’ll share it with you. It was circa 1986, and a great day because our family was going to Disneyland! Read More>>
Denise Cordero
My work ethic has been influenced by many factors. I am a first generation American. My parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic. As many people who leave their country to come to the United States, the goal is to live the American dream and have more opportunities. Read More>>
Saharah Shrout
I credit my work ethic to both of my parents. I grew up in a working-class family where my dad often held multiple jobs to make sure we were provided for. My mom always seemed so tireless, she made sure we had breakfast before school and dinner as a family every night. Read More>>
Author/Sharon Johnson Johnson
I inherited my hard work ethic from my strong elders women my great great grandmother Granny who worked as a slave in South Ga My great grandmother Emma who was a domestic servant my grandmother who was also a domestic servant picked cotton and entrepreneur my mother whom I knew so little about because she unfortunately committed suicide when I was only 10 years old Read More>>
Brooke O’Gara
My work ethic comes from my passion. When I truly care about something, I don’t see it as work. I naturally give it 100% because I’m invested in the outcome, especially when my name is attached to it. For example, the moment someone places a custom cake order with me, I immediately start designing it in my head. Read more>>
Tasha Beckstead 
My work ethic comes from building everything I have from scratch. I started in this industry 12 years ago with nothing but a dream and a determination to make it in this career path. Read More>>
Leisha Olesch
I come from a very long line of hard workers on both my mother and father’s side. I like to think a lot of my determination in life and career comes from my paternal grandfather, Pete. I’m a lot like him. I also was raised in a very difficult home and started working as a small child starting at a very young age.. Read More>>
Shawn Lackerson
Honestly I am inspired my multiple role model figures. I remember watching Michael Jackson documentaries. I would watch his rehearsal for his tour and be inspired by his strive for perfection. He would run rehearsal over and over again until he felt he had got it right. Read More>>
Dr. Jeffrey Hammond
My work ethic was shaped early on, every Saturday morning in my childhood. While most kids might have lingered in bed, I knew that my day started with chores—helping my father in the yard, working in the garden, or fixing whatever project he had lined up. Only after the work was done came the reward: an afternoon or evening of fun. Read More>>
Jennifer Cerda
I get my work ethic from my uncle and my mom. My uncle has always been a big part of my life he showed me professionalism, good manners, and the value of hard work. My mom was a true hustler, always finding ways to bring money to the table and take care of her family. Read More>>
Toya Robinson
My dad has had the biggest influence on my work ethic, hands down. Growing up, I always heard stories about how he came from very humble beginnings and eventually became an entrepreneur who built and managed multiple businesses. Those stories stuck with me. They taught me that where you start doesn’t define where you can go. Read More>>
Reid Jarvi
Growing up in a household where both of my parents go above and beyond in not just the effort but the quality of their labor. My family has always instilled the concept that there is good work to be done and that finding it can be just as crucial a step! Read More>>
KAANG
My work ethic came from understanding everything I do– seen or unseen– is an exercise. For exmaple in my music, I write and record everything as if it were to be performed. I practice where the breathes are going to be, where the pauses are, all of it. When I create, I geniuely see everything liek that. Read More>>
Tommy Bayiokos
I surely developed my work ethic through my late father Panagiotis (Peter) and in later years, – my friend and iconic songstress Laura Branigan. My father owned a restaurant by Brooklyn College called SUGAR BOWL. Read More>>
Dave Nearing
Growing up wasn’t easy. My brothers and I didn’t have much, often relying on hand-me-downs. From an early age, I realized that if I wanted to achieve something greater, I would need to take responsibility for my future and work relentlessly. I watched my mother work two jobs just to make ends meet, and I knew I wanted to create a different path for myself. Read More>>
Margaux Pagès
My work ethic is rooted in the example set by my parents, who are dedicated scientists and continuous advisors. Their commitment to their research and their relentless pursuit of knowledge instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and a deep sense of responsibility. Read More>>
Harry Chow
I grew up as a first-generation Asian American. My parents immigrated to the United States in search of stability and opportunity, and like many immigrant families, we lived with a constant mix of gratitude and pressure. What weighed on me most wasn’t money—it was watching my parents face serious health challenges and the reality of them aging faster than I ever imagined. Read More>>
Kelly Latham
I definitely got my work ethic from my mom. Growing up, she was working two jobs. Accounting during the day and bookkeeping for our local soccer league at night. I’d even help her stamp the backs of checks with the big stamp for the league. I always saw her working, so now I am always working. But I also enjoy working. Read More>>
Cody Walker
When I think about where my work ethic comes from, I’ve realized it started from a deep unwillingness to fail. In the beginning, that came from a place of scarcity where I felt like I had something to prove. I pushed myself to overwork, and while it wasn’t sustainable forever, it gave me a strong foundation. Read More>>
Kennedy Youngren
This is so fun. I credit both my father and my aunt as my inspiration for my work ethic. My aunt, a single mother of two boys, has worked TIRELESSLY to give them an incredible life. She’s an ICU nurse who works multiple jobs and I can promise you, you’ve never met someone who works harder than she does. Read More>>
McKenna Kreiling
I think my work ethic comes from a mix of resilience and passion. Growing up with arthritis meant I had to learn early on how to adapt and persevere. There were days when even simple tasks felt like uphill battles, but I refused to let that hold me back. Read More>>
Jay Lauck
Where do you get your work ethic from?’ ‘My work ethic was forged early, on construction sites alongside my dad, who was a professional floor installer. From a young age, I learned that work wasn’t just something you did – it was who you were. Read More>>
Dianey Villanueva
My mom and my grandma have always been, and still are, my biggest inspiration (where I got my work ethic from). From a very young age, I was taught to keep learning and to work hard for the things I want. Through their wisdom and accomplishments, I was able to build and establish my passion career. Read More>>
Kashawn Willis
My work ethic most definitely comes from the people in my family that I grew up around. First example that comes to mind are my parents and seeing how they carried themselves while raising 2 kids. As well as my grandfather who owned his own landscaping business and my grandmother who was a chef (major reason why I wanted to get in the industry myself). Read more>>
Diana Castaldi
I was so lucky because I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. My father owned his own business when I was growing up and my sister and I spent long hours with him in his shop after school. We often helped him work on his projects, building custom trailers for customers. Read More>>
Jordan Cordel
Honestly, it comes from my parents. My mom and dad are 2 of the hardest working people I know and still find time to balance work with family. It inspired me to always put that work in for the things I wanted in life whether at my job, school, and my music career. Read More>>
James Ferrero
Working in technical theatre is a primary experience in how I developed my work ethic. While it’s some of the most fun work I’ve done, it also requires long hours, collaboration, and patience. Trial and error. Read More>>
Jyoti Madnani Singh
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing and the values instilled in me by my family. From my father, I learned the significance of hard work, discipline, responsibility, and commitment—values he consistently demonstrated in both his professional and personal life. Read More>>
Kidd Lightning
I get my work ethics from my father who was a also a mechanic and of the blue collar fame. To achieve any dream you must manifest within yourself daily, the fact that you CAN and WILL achieve it. I tell myself every morning that something good is going to happen today, and look… someone wants to interview me for example! Read More>>
Randy Milmeister
My current work ethic comes from the pain of not wanting to go backwards. I was not prepared mentally, emotionally, much less financially for the Great Recession of 2007-2009. It was painful on every level imaginable…not knowing where my next dollar would come from…being a single dad, looking back, I have no idea how we made it through that time. Read More>>
Hugo Arenas
Work ethic is beyond important for me. Migrating to the U.S. at a young age, I was raised with parents who gave everything up for me and my sister in order for us to have a future. Read More>>
Aurange
I get my work ethic from the people I surround myself with. It’s something that was embedded in me as a kid from my uncle, who’s no longer with us. I also see someone else as a form of inspiration to give me that boost, telling myself, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” and working towards that goal I have set for myself. Read More>>
Mattie Miller
The Roots of My Work Ethic: Growing Up Amish Work ethic isn’t something I learned from a book or a seminar, it was woven into my life from the very beginning. Growing up Amish, work was not simply a task to complete; it was a way of living, a rhythm that connected family, community, and faith. Read More>>
MillertimeX
I credit my work ethic to my mother. Growing up, I watched her work tirelessly to ensure we always had clothes on our backs and food on the table. Her dedication taught me that no matter the circumstances whether high or low you must keep faith in God, stay driven, and keep pushing forward until you reach or even surpass your goals. Read More>>
Cynthia Ramirez
I credit my work ethic to my Mexican heritage. I was raised in a culture where hard work, resilience, and pride in your craft are deeply rooted values. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who poured themselves fully into their work, whether in their jobs, homes, or communities. Read More>>
Hanan Townshend
I learned work ethic before I even knew the word. Growing up on a dairy farm in rural New Zealand often meant mornings that started before the sun came up, feeding calves in the cold, helping with milking, fixing fences. It was not glamorous, but it was steady and faithful work. Read More>>
Lauren Steward
A loaded question! I will say my mother and father worked tirelessly my entire life to create stability and financial security for myself and my half brother. I started working at 14 years old and have worked since. I know for certain I can out work most- some may think that is a deficit in life and in business. Read more>>
Genice Gonzales
My work ethic will always stem from my father – hard working, blue collar, and highly respected at the jobs he held throughout my life. I did not see it back then, but as a teen he was tough on us when we did not want to go to work. Read More>>
Shynna McCown
I get it from my parents, without a doubt. Growing up in the ’90s, I watched them juggle the demands of running nightclubs and managing six real estate doors. It was a full-on lifestyle, long nights, early mornings, and a constant hustle. Read More>>
Neshell Noelle
Definitely from my parents. They taught me to not only be a hard worker but a smart one as well. Learn all the skills you can so you’re the first one hired and the last one fired. I still implement that life lesson today when it comes to my craft of filmmaking. Read More>>
Victoria Martin
I get my work ethic from my mother. She has always showed me what a hard working woman was and is supposed to be. She always works hard and takes pride in the things she does. Read More>>
