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.
Bruna Frota
My genetics. My parents come from very humble origins. My paternal grandfather was a farmer, and my maternal great-grandfather worked for the city as an electrician. Both of them raised their children with very little, but their work ethic made their lives better than theirs. They never got corrupted, despite several opportunities to go the easier way. They learned that success comes from hard work and ethics, not taking advantage of others. Read More>>
Jazmin Garcia
We feel we get our work ethic from our grandparents, parents and cultura. Our parents always told us when we were growing up, “Siempre LUCHA por lo que quieres, LUCHA por un futuro mejor. Tienes que LUCHAR por lo que tú quieres por que nadie más lo va a hacer por ti” (Always FIGHT for what you want, FIGHT for a better future. You have to FIGHT for what you want because no one will do it for you) So the logo is not only a reminder of our parents but also for the Luchadoras and Luchadores in all of us. A lot of us come from immigrant parents that came to this country for a better future for their children. Read More>>
Cristala Poole
My work ethic comes from watching my parents. Both of them have their own respective, recognized, and successful businesses. Watching them over the years from childhood, I saw their mindset. Looking back now, it’s the “Poole mindset” that we all possess as a family unit. We don’t back down. If we’re told “no”, we find another way. You figure it out. You stay the course, and don’t let anything get in the way. If something does get in the way – you pivot and get yourself back on track. Read More>>
Ngor Adub
Well I truly care about the craft so I get my work ethic from passion and loving what I do. When you come to America the land of opportunity, from a foreign country where you had little to nothing, you’re almost immediately infused with a work ethic of wanting to explore all of your God given potential and making something out of your life. Read More>>
Penny Baird
My mother was a waitress all of her life. As a child, I would often go and work the waitress station and wrap silverware and watch in awe as my mother would know every customer by name. She would know their order before they even sat down and would just walk to the table with the drink she knew they ordered every time. No matter what type of day she was having personally, she never let that show. She would tell me all the time, no matter what your day is like, when you step out from behind that waitress station you have to smile and do your job. Smiling is the easiest thing you can do and share it with everyone, she use to say. Read More>>
Lindsay Walters
I’ve always been someone who is extremely goal oriented, I have always been focused on doing the best in every aspect of my life. I’m also someone who likes to REALLY live life; I don’t like to sleep in, I don’t like to sit at home on the couch (often). I really like to fill my days with meaningful activity. I would say my work ethic has been continuously building all my life as I increased my responsibilities. Read More>>
Heather Fraley
I believe my work ethic comes from many things. However, I would sum them down to two key factors. How I was raised, and life experiences. I was raised extremely old fashioned and in a low income home, I have watched both my parents work nonstop my entire life. They’re 70 and still maintaining working 70+ hours a week. I look up to my parents and was raised that you will only ever get, what you work hard for. Read More>>
Brandon Callies
A few of us in the band grew up following the punk DIY scene. We’ve all been playing music for sometime, and the only way to get ahead is to work hard. There is a lot music out there, so staying driven hopefully gets you to the top of that pile. Read More>>
Molly Cook
I definitely picked up having a good work ethic from my parents, but also being a kid in the 90’s. We were the last group of kids/teens to enter into life with the internet at its infancy. I started working at 14 in a mom and pop restaurant washing dishes, and there was that rewarding feeling of showing up and giving you best effort day after day while learning new skills that has always been so important to me. Without being raised around my hard working parents and working alongside some great people has given me that positive mindset to put towards every challenge I face and every task I accomplish. Read More>>
DeOndria Stafford
My work ethic comes from my Mother. She raised me to always be able to hold my own. She was a Woman of little words. I remember seeing my Mom come home from work everyday, complaining. Complaining about her Boss, Co-workers, hours, and duties. Because she complained so much about working for others, I was determined to work for myself. Seeing as an adolescent at how unhappy my Mother was, pushed me to run my own Business. Read More>>
Jonna Naegele
I got my work ethic from the environment I grew up in. My family were farmers in a small town of Tennessee, Lebanon. I grew up with Cattle, Chickens, Donkeys and a 200 acre farm to care for it all. My uncles, grandparents and parents all lived on the farm and was a collective as we grew crop at times and managed my grandparents Construction company. Read More>>
DJ L.A.
My mom is my biggest supporter and she constantly is dropping gems on me. One of her things is, don’t half a** anything you do, everything you do has your name on it. I take that and apply to my life and career by going 100% at every project, gig, etc. Always putting my best foot forward and producing my best work. I know where I want be in life and that’s going to take a lot of work. I use my goals and even my wants as motivation. Read More>>
Mary McConner
My work ethic, dedication, and goals are interconnected. I have been able to develop a strong work ethic over the years by making sure my goals and values are aligned with what I want to achieve in life. Read More>>
C.K. Donnelly
My parents were wonderful, certainly attentive and hard-working, but my work ethic (or rather obsession) really came from within. Occasionally, I’m tenacious to a fault. I have an inner need to see a job through to the end, to the best of my ability. So much so, I’ve call my motivation and self-support channel, Unsuccessful Quitter ™. There are times when I want to drop everything, but that little fire inside of me just won’t let me. Read More>>
Kenneth Cohen
My work ethic is definitely instilled in me from my mother. Growing up my mama didn’t believe in free weekends. I always had to be active in something from volunteering, church and different school programs. It really didn’t matter what it was but it had to be something productive. I think that is probably one of the major reasons I enjoy my stressful wedding weekends or chaotic corporate shows, it just feels like home. I think it is one of my super powers also, I feel like I have the ability to put work my circumstance. Read More>>
Nekeith Mitchell
I get my work ethic from believing in my dreams and wanting more for myself. What motivates me everyday is knowing that my future is in my hands and that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to, the sky is the limit. Read More>>
Fabiola Doissaint
Growing up, I learned my strong work ethic from my mother, Lazmir Alexandre. I vividly remember waking up early to watch her head off to her first job, just one of the multiple jobs she held. Despite her busy schedule, my mother always found time to take care of her three children and spend quality time with us. Her discipline and dedication to her work and family inspire me when I face challenges and want to give up on my goals and aspirations. I observed a woman who possessed a positive attitude and an innate drive to excel both in her professional and maternal roles. Her example instilled within me a strong work ethic that now runs in my blood. Read More>>
Krystal Benson
My work ethic comes from my mother. She has always been a strong, independent woman. Raising 2 kids alone isn’t easy and without a college degree back in 1991 it was only so much she could do, which in turn meant it was only so much she could make. Yet, we never went without! After being laid off from the bank in 2013, she decided to go back to school and get her associates and later finished with her undergraduate degree in Psychology. Read More>>
Krystal Brinson
My work ethic comes from the desire to provide a comfortable life for myself doing things I love. Also, I’m very fortunate to work in an industry where my creativity is celebrated, so that motivates me as well. Read More>>
Lori Garcia
Both of my parents were very hard workers. I first started working in high school when I was 15 years old. I really loved the independence of making my own money and found a sense of purpose in doing a good job. By the time I graduated high school, I was working two jobs and using the money to travel. At this point, I was hooked on creating success with anything that I chose to do. Read More>>
Deion Messiah
Let me start off by saying Rest in Peace Jeff Lineberger; my father. He was the ultimate hustler. All to provide for his family, friends, and people in need. My entire life he has shown me that it’s ok to work at regular job, but at the same time he had his own side business off the clock. That’s why till this day I work a 9-5, clock in and out 40 hours a week. Read More>>
Leslie Delgado
My work ethic derives from my aim to escape from conforming to previous generational patterns. I have always aimed to be the best version of myself– refusing to comply with orthodox reasonings. Starting a business was difficult– the constant fear that lingers in the back of my mind will continuously allow me to do better. There will be many obstacles and setbacks, but I will persevere because I want to do and be better than I was before. Read More>>
Sheena Balentine
My work ethic comes from my mother. She is the hardest dedicated person that I have ever known. I work hard everyday to be like her but I don’t think I will ever catch up. We like to create and our customers a new experience to tasting desserts. All food and dining should give you an experience so that you want to come back again. We are currently working our packing our products so that we can ship them to more customers. Read More>>
Tamara Thoams
My work ethic comes from my father. Being a business owner himself, he instilled the importance of having a good work ethic from a young age. Although work ethic is very important, through the years I have learned that having a good balance between work and personal life is just as important. Read More>>
Alexander “Al Mega” Perez
Growing up all I had was examples of hard working people around me such as my parents, aunts and uncles. They had day jobs and they also husteld to make side money using their talents and skills, whether it be carpentry, sales, cleaning etc…. Unfortunately, if you are latin and into the arts, atleast in my day, it wasnt seen as a viable/lilvable career, it was not real to them, we know better now, that defintely did push me to do something different especially being the first of my family to be raised outside of Puerto Rico. Read More>>
Lorri Lee
I would say that I get my work ethic from my parents. They taught me, and my sister, to operate in excellence, character and integrity, in everything that we do or set our minds to accomplish. Both of my parents are hardworking and when growing up, I noticed their drive and passion while they worked in their careers and in ministry. They would give 100 percent; they would give their all in everything that they did or accomplished, and the end result would always be remarkable. Read More>>
JayT Russell
Ive been blessed to be in the entertainment industry since I was 11 years old. My first performance ever was at the Apollo Theater where I won the Kids Star of tomorrow competition. I believe that my work ethic comes from always knowing that I wanted to be an entertainer and a mogul. I’ve been blessed to be successful in this industry and working in different facets as an actor in television and film, music and the fashion industry as a model. Read More>>
Amanda Wilson
Do what you love, love what you do. I think we can all agree that loving something full-time can be exhausting, but if you love it enough and its worth doing, you push through.
My mom never hid the fact that work could be hard, so it was important to make sure you enjoyed what you were doing. She enjoyed wood working and crafting. I can remember going to craft fairs where she would sell wooden dolls and other crafts she had made. Read More>>
Ashley Holmes
I’d say the majority of the strength I find to hustle and grind comes from the gift I have been given of being a Mother. Being a mom requires so much of my empathy, energy, and time! I have pushed myself past some physical and mental limits on behalf of my boys that I didn’t think were possible, and it’s only empowered and motivated me to do that for myself as well. Not only is my creativity fueled my the love I have for my kids, but my drive as well. Being a storyteller will always come second to my favorite job in the world, being a Mother. Read More>>
Laurel Barrett
In my case, I express my generosity through the investment of my time and resources in the form of volunteering. I possess an inherent passion for assisting my community and constantly seek out fresh avenues to extend a helping hand. Ever since joining the Girl Scouts in second grade, I have wholeheartedly embraced the role of an enthusiastic volunteer. On average, I dedicate over 500 hours annually to various volunteer activities. I firmly believe in the significance of volunteering, recognizing that one can never predict when they might require assistance themselves. Read More>>
Paula Jane Newman
I get my generosity from my mother. She had a big heart, and was always think of others before herself. I watched her over and over again, provide for others when she would not receive anything near equal reciprocity. . Read More>>
jay grossman
I was raised by my parents in Long Inland NY. My mother, who has a master degree in counseling, choose to be a stay at home mom until I was a mid-teenager, and my father, choose a local job that had no travel and low stress so that he can be a participating father. The one-income family had financial challenges, like so many people, yet my parents were very giving. I recall bringing a youth from Harlem to our home one summer, and I introduced him as my cousin – not knowing that we were not related. My parents ultimately taught me to be color blind and philantropic regardless of financial circumstances. Read More>>
Sonya Lane
My generosity comes from my bloodline, at a very young age I can remember my family members always being involved in the Church, their community, and even in their professional careers. The person who had the greatest influence on my generosity toward others came from my grandmother, Mrs. Mary Alice Lane, she was an educator and a strong leader in the community. Read More>>
Chef Tim Vimonnimit
Culturally, Thai people are extremely generous and welcoming. As a kid growing up in Southern Thailand, this concept has been reinforced throughout my entire life – by my parents and by my environment. Read More>>
Waladi Ali
I believe it comes from a deep sense of empathy for my fellow person. I always see opportunities to be just a bit kinder to someone else who I see being openly abused or disrespected by the party around them. That is how I’ve practiced it in my adult life. Growing up, my elders and adult family members often checked me and reminded me to be respectful and gracious whenever possible. I indefinitely had the characteristics of a selfish troublemaker as a youth, so the teachings they instilled in me to correct those attitudes will forever live on. Read More>>
Marquita Gill
I have never really thought of the source of my generosity because it feels almost second nature. My parents are hardworking individuals. Though we have never lived a lavished lifestyle, I grew up watching my mother and father express gratitude and love through acts of service and gifts. My mother would bake, cook and make floral arrangements, while my father would give away merchandise to any Manchester United fan, and his specialty rum punch (trust me- if you ever visit Barbados, go to Dover Beach and ask for Mark Gill!). Read More>>
Priyanshi Bhagol
Generosity is a virtue that holds immense power to positively impact individuals, communities, and society as a whole. As I reflect upon my own capacity for generosity, I am often curious about its origins. What factors have shaped my inclination to give and help others. I will delve into the sources from which my generosity arises, exploring both internal and external influences that have molded my character and shaped my worldview. One fundamental aspect that fuels my generosity is empathy and compassion. The ability to understand and share the feelings of others has allowed me to connect deeply with their struggles and challenges. Read More>>
Andrea Starnes
Growing up, my parents didn’t have much, and five kids to care for, but that didn’t stop them from helping others and instilling that in us. My favorite story to tell that illustrates that comes from one Christmas when I was a kid. My parents knew a family whose dad had been laid off just before the holidays, and they couldn’t afford gifts for the kids. Read More>>
Meek Williams
My generosity comes from my Mom, who’s name is Lashell Mucker. This lady right here did not play when it comes to how you treat people. She was very firm about respect and I always watched how giving she was. She instilled those morals into me, which shaped me into who I am today. Read More>>
