While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that everyone is just ghosting their lives away, we’ve seen countless examples of how strong the work ethic is on every street and in every neighborhood in America. Hard work is alive and well and we asked some of the hardest working folks we know how they developed their work ethic.
Scott Meyer
I get my work ethic from my desire to constantly make our farm more resilient, beautiful and welcoming with each passing day. I always enjoy working with my hands and actively creating and exploring. If I am not working in the fields or in our winery or restaurant I am painting or fishing or simply planning for what is coming next. A blessing or a curse, I am rarely in neutral, and am always actively pursuing some objective, which translates to always showing up and always working hard at whatever it is that comes my way. Read More>>
Slayla The Purpose
I definitely get my work ethic from my parents. My mom especially, she is my biggest role model. I only hope to be half the woman she was. As a child, I watched her work three jobs to put food on the table. She always worked multiple jobs, while also being enrolled in school and still being a full- time mother. I thought she was an alien honestly, because I could not understand how a person could work that hard. Read More>>
Sierra Dawkins
My work ethic comes from seeing my mother work so hard as I was growing up. She was always working and providing for my siblings and I, so we wouldn’t go without anything. I remember her working two jobs at one point, and I remember saying “This lady has super powers.” To work and make sure her 4 kids were taken care of was so amazing to me. She even enrolled in school and obtained her associates degree while working and helping us with schoolwork/homework. She was a great example of “Keep pushing toward your goals.” Read More>>
Brittani Northern
I get my work ethic from my mom all my life. She has always hold down a job and has stayed at a job to make sure she supported her family.. Read More>>
Jason Hopkins
I think my work ethic defiantly came from my Mom. She was always very hardworking, and she taught me that if you want something, there’s no excuse for not getting it. She also taught me to never be afraid to ask for help when I need it. I believe that one of the most important things to have a good work ethic is to be passionate about what you’re doing. My mom worked at Chrysler and enjoyed it until she retired. Read More>>
Gretel Vazquez
I grew up in a non-traditional household. My mom was a single parent and she relied heavily on my grandparents for support in raising me. One of the core values my family instilled me was hard work. My mom and my grandparents taught me the value of an honest day’s work and I strive to give my best at work every single day. I do it because I value what I do but also because I want my daughter to grow up with the same work ethic I did. When it comes to work, we should always put our best foot forward and we should remind ourselves that we cannot stop until the job is done and the job is done well. Read More>>
Amy Forsythe
Being in the Marine Corps and surrounded by others who are dedicated to helping others and accomplishing the mission developed a sense of duty and purpose. When your job is to protect our national security and save lives, work ethic is just naturally increased especially when you know that the stakes are so high. Serving in the military is misc more that working at a job because it gives you a greater sense of teamwork and higher purpose. Read More>>
Serrin Joy
Honestly, I think it comes from genuinely enjoying what I do. The arts have never felt like a chore to me, which is why it has never been an interference to myself committing to studio time for long hours on days, rehearsing and sharpening crafts, planning out marketing strategies for myself, putting together productions, etc. My work ethic when it comes to the arts has always come natural to me, because while yes it is work, I’m having a good time while doing it. Read More>>
Lerea Mares
I attribute a lot of my work ethic to athletics growing up. I played basketball through high school, and softball through Junior College. The little lessons include: *if you’re on time, you’re late*don’t be last*teamwork*mental toughness*winners are built during practice* I carry all of these lessons with me in the workplace. These traits have kept me both disciplined and competitive. Read More>>
Al Romas
I really don’t know. Maybe since it’s the only thing I know how to do, I figured I better keep at it. Plus it’s not always easy but it’s not exactly laying bricks in the heat. It’s an hour a night and then a couple of free drinks and a check. Travel isn’t easy but again, it could be a lot worse. Read More>>
Christopher Roche
This is a great question, and I have never really thought that much about it to be honest. But I have thought about what things in my life have motivated me to do the work I do, and I think that motivation is where my work ethic ultimately comes from. I think fear is a big one. I have been motivated by fear in the sense that if I am not working and painting then I am not getting better at my craft, and others will zoom right past me, so I am always working on something, my easel is never empty. Read More>>
Nashéy Perry
Growing up, I always admired how my mother dressed up for work. The dresses, heels, accessories, and perfume lingered after she left the room. She was adamant about being on time and never calling in sick to work, regardless of how she felt. She instilled in my brother and me that same mindset regarding school. From there, it evolved into my work ethic. Read More>>
Anne Robert
Growing up with hard working immigrant parents, greatly influenced my approach on work and life. From a young age I observed their dedication. They would work long hours, hold multiple jobs, and even sometimes, especially my father, would take on physically demanding tasks to provide for his family. I embraced my parents values when it comes to hard work, perseverance and determination. They imparted the importance of education, self resilience and seizing opportunities. Read More>>
David Weiss
From my parents, definitely they both where and still are big roll models for me, mom is the one that would push me and dad the one with the good advices. Read More>>
Shanderia Montgomery
I get my work ethic from my parents. I have always saw them work for what they want from cars, homes, businesses etc. I have witness them through the good, bad and ugly when it comes to business. I am not sure that they are even aware that part of the reason I have come this far is because I took heed to what they were doing. I have benefited from their business mistakes and watching them succeed. Read More>>
Destinie York
Definitely my mom, hands down! Growing up, my mom was a single parent and she did whatever she could to make sure that I could do the extra curriculum activities I wanted, provide the things I need, and give me the life that I deserved. She is so resilient and such a boss that my whole life I knew I wanted to be just as independent hardworking and driven as she was. Read More>>
Shontae Jackson
I got my basic work ethics from my mom and my grandmothers. Being the oldest I watched the women in my life go from one job to the other, and still come home and cook and clean without ever complaining. As I got older and started working in the corporate field myself, I learned then that I was in control of how successful I was and I was also the main one that needed to hold myself accountable above everyone else. Read More>>
Laura Kummerle
I grew up doing gymnastics, which taught me how to work hard. It taught me lots of time management due to practicing 24 hours per week as a student. It taught me to try the best that I can at what I do and my parents reminded me that if I try my best, that’s all I can ask of myself. Read More>>
Ace the Rapper
I got my work ethic from my mom. Growing up I saw her work 3 jobs at a time, just to provide for my siblings and I. Some nights she went to sleep hungry or didn’t go to sleep at all and still gave us her best. Her resilience is unmatched. We been through a lot and she put in the work to get us to a better place. She established a great foundation for all of us and I love her to death for it. Ma dukes unmatched. Read More>>
Gabriel ‘G-Rod’ Rodriguez
I have to credit my parents for the work ethic I have developed through the years. They came up from humble means in Venezuela and they knew they wanted to provide us, myself and my sister, with a better future than what our country of origin had to offer. They set their eyes on the U.S. and in the early 80’s we made the move which was far from easy. We were now in a foreign land; learning a foreign language and having to adapt to an entirely different culture. Read More>>
Robin Ogg
I am the granddaughter of an immigrant from Belfast, Ireland and my work ethic comes from the opportunity given to me for a better life. My work ethic is an internal drive to always surprise myself with what I accomplish and to push myself through the hard times to have the reward of achieving my goals. Read More>>
Isabel Manns
My parents were always very hard working so I feel I got my work ethic from them. They were always encouraging me to work hard and were extremely supportive, which is definitely needed when you are starting up your own business on your own. Read More>>
Andrea Andrews
I inherited my work ethic from my family’s core values. At an early age we were taught to be honest, say what you mean and mean what you say as well as if you want something, you work for it. I am blessed to have witnessed 4 generations of hard work. Do it right the first time or don’t do it at all. I take pride in everything I do knowing I represent my family. Read More>>
Nackie Fiso-Moli
My work ethic is driven by my desire for a better life for myself and my children, as well as for Pacific Islanders. I am motivated by the belief that hard work and drive are the keys to success. My mother is my role model and has influenced my work ethic greatly. I watched her work tirelessly to raise me and my brothers, starting off as a hotel maid and working her way up to become a manager. Read More>>
Paul Boyles
Without a doubt – my mother. She was a truly incredible woman. She raised six kids as a single parent. No real help from anyone. Her primary “job” was working in a dress factory. She almost never missed a day of work. Most days she would take the bus to get to work, but many times if money was tighter than normal, she would walk. Read More>>
Crystal Honeycutt
My grandmother was the biggest influence in my life. I spent every summer, weekend, and holiday break with her on her dairy farm in a rural area back in a dead end holler in East TN. I was considered the runt & puny but that didn’t excuse me from having chores (although I tried to get out of them as much as possible and was often upset because I didn’t get to do the same jobs as my cousins). Read More>>
Brandi Jaz
My work ethic comes from me. I’m destined to be successful and not grow old how my parents, peers or culture live. I want more for myself out of life and I deserve it. I been through a lot even as a child. I’m ready for abundance in all aspects of my life. Read More>>
Chantay Stearns
I got my work ethic from my late father, James Stearns Sr. He was the rock in my life. He was dedicated to making sure he provided for his family. From childhood to present day, up to his passing last year, he has always done what was necessary to provide and get the job done in his business and personal affairs. I know nothing else other than hard work and dedication to seeing my goals and dreams come to pass for myself and my daughter. No matter how many times I have to fail forward, I will do that to see my goals come true. Read More>>
Dr. Tammi Taylor
I think I got my work ethic from my mom and her family. They are business oriented, educated, and do what it takes to make things happen. My mom has always been an entrepreneur. When I was younger, she owned 3 pool halls in Jackson, MS and she also owned a tax business. She always kept multiple streams of income. After losing my job in 2013, I jumped out on faith and started my 1st business which was a brick and mortar clothing boutique called Modace Boutique. Read More>>
SAMUEL KWAME MENSAH
My father taught me a lot about giving and caring for others, and the funny thing is he has no idea; I learned this from him, As I was growing up in Ajegunle, a community in Lagos State, Nigeria. I witnessed the kind heart of my beloved father to anyone he met; neighbors, colleagues, street groups, and his fellow church members, all those categories of people who often visited our house were so great that I lost count; each of them left beaming with smiles, I wondered how he managed to do it on certain days, Read More>>
Shanice Lewis
I believe my generosity comes from having lack of so many things growing up. My mom is and always was the hardest working woman that I knew, and I was also aware enough to know that if she did not work hard, we would not have as much as we did at a very young age. I realize that my mom working hard was the result of her lack of education, and being a single mom but she worked very hard to provide for my sister and I and she was so very generous with people around us in our community. Read More>>
Michael Diamond
Mike Diamond, the founder of Fore The Kids, is a remarkable individual whose generosity is deeply rooted in his personal journey and experiences. Growing up in a fortunate family, Mike was exposed to a life of privilege and abundance. However, rather than taking his blessings for granted, he developed a profound understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by children in his community. Read More>>
Chris Limeres
My generosity originated from seeing people who suffer and are barely holding on or who don’t have the ability to get basic assistance and dignity in their lives. I remember seeing a lot of this when I was growing up in Alaska. When I transitioned into Anchorage, the city located in central Alaska, I would walk home from school and see the inflation of homeless communities that filled the streets with people who were battling morality and health. Read More>>
