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.
Michelle & Evan Schmidt
Our strong work ethic comes from our childhood experiences and our parents. Read more>>
Travis Eads
First you have to understand you are the reason where you are at in life is 100 percent your fault rather it’s a good spot or bad. Once you understand that thru self accountability your mindset changes. Work ethic comes from repetition, doing the same thing over & over to master it. Once you master what ever it is that your doing, you add more things to your repetition that allows you to grow. Read more>>
Kourtney Terry
I wouldn’t say that I had an average childhood. Yet, it was typical in many ways. I grew up outside of the Dayton city limits in Jefferson Twp. My dad is a retired electrician and fix-it guy. He always had some wires hanging loose or drywall going up somewhere. I was raised by my dad. Read more>>
Eva Rivera
My work ethic comes from my mama. I am a Mexican daughter of a beautiful, strong, immigrant, single mother. She worked and struggled on her own to give me a roof, food on the table, and an education. I get emotional every time I talk about it because it was hard, but we both overcame those struggles, that hardship. I cannot thank her enough. Watching her do so much for me has motivated me to keep working. Read more>>
Linda A Olsen
My father was an Industrial Designer, and Inventor who worked from home. There were eight children to mentor and my mother who was extremely organized, kept the household in order and all of us helping. We were taught to be self-reliant and creative, resourceful and curious, Read more>>
Lauren Murvine
I grew up on a farm here in Wayne County. In that environment, I learned the value of working hard and having a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit from my parents. My husband and I recently purchased the 8 generation farmhouse where I grew up and that work ethic is something we hope to pass on to our children with their experiences growing up here on the same historic property. Read more>>
Jesse Fregozo
Being a part of the Oscar de la Hoya Boxing Youth Center in Boyle Heights from the age of 8-19 years old, helped me develop the work ethic I have today. Consistency, determination, and being respectful to everyone in and out of my community have been key in my career as an artist. Conducting myself as a professional, and having a good work ethic and personality have caught the eye of different organizations, galleries, and clients to trust and invite me to collaborate with them on different projects in and out of my community. Read more>>
Roneshia B
My work ethic definitely comes from my Mother . She always made a way and never gave up , although she has always worked a 9 to 5 just watching her still inspired me to become my own boss. Read more>>
Michelle Bethea
I grew up in a single family home. My mother worked very hard to keep food on the table, clothes and shoes on our backs and feet, and the nessisities needed to thrive and survive. Although she did her best, we were sometimes unable to get exactly what we wanted and that’s how work ethic attached itself to me. I became determined that whenever I became an adult, I would work hard so that I could get things that I needed as well as the things that I wanted. Read more>>
Roberta Fisher
My worth ethic stems from what I lacked during my childhood. When you struggle as a child at the hands of those responsible to care for you, it impacts your mental. I knew from a young age the type of life I wanted to live, so I was determined to do whatever possible in order to make sure that my childhood experiences weren’t repeated during adulthood. Read more>>
Grissel
I definitely get it from my parents ! Read more>>
Jae B.
My work ethic comes from seeing needs in my industry not being met for people like myself in my area. I wanted services provided & I could never find a service provider to do the services I needed on my hair type specifically. Read more>>
David Bernhardt
I used to be very motivated by spite. I’ve had people tell me in the past that I have unrealistic expectations, or they would question if I could make a living as an artist at all. So, for a short while there it was very motivating for me to just kind of give them the finger. To show them that I was capable of more than selling overpriced ham sandwiches. But “channeling the dark side” as I jokingly call it can only carry you so far. Read more>>
Laura Grier
I probably get my work ethic from my parents who were actually worked for the government in the CIA! Growing up in that kind of household helped me be super thorough and meticulous! From the start, I’ve really learned how to maintain a high level of work and a lot of it. Read more>>
Rachelle Richardson
Having a good work ethic is extremely important to me. I definitely learned good work ethics from my father. When I was younger, my father made me work for everything. At the time, it was frustrating. However, as an adult now, I see the purpose he had. If I ever wanted anything in this world and to get ahold, I had to work for it. I realized the more I worked, the more I earned, the more the world had to offer me. I craved work and that feeling of success. I do believe that this has led me to be a very hard worker, with great ethics. Read more>>
Mike Fister
My work ethic is a product of my upbringing and generation. Read more>>
Sophie Forcioli
My older brother, Laurent and my parents. Since I was little I would see my family balance working really hard and also carving out the time to laugh and enjoy life with your loved ones. I feel my family always instilled in me to show up, work hard, be kind to people , and don’t forget to laugh. I am really thankful for having a loving and supportive family that has always encouraged me to dream big. Read more>>
Taylor Seay
My work ethic has been influenced by a combination of factors. Firstly, growing up in tough situations made me learn the importance of hard work and dedication. Secondly, I’ve had mentors and role models who demonstrated exceptional work ethics, which inspired me to follow their example. Lastly, I’ve developed a strong sense of personal responsibility and a drive to achieve my goals, which fuels my motivation and determination in every endeavor. Read more>>
Metro Deezy
When it comes to work ethic, I feel like resilience plays a part in my work ethic, because when I come across an obstacle or challenge, it makes me want to go that much harder. In relation to music I’ve had times where I couldn’t make beats because of laptop issues, and just wrote instead, making my lyrics better, sometimes I get writers block and just make beats instead, and funny enough I’ve had a lot of hard beats come from that. When it comes down to it, I’m willing to make the sacrifices to get where I want to go, not just in music but in everything. Read more>>
Teeshay Shah
It came from my upbringing very early in life. My mother put me through the rigors of life right from the age of 8. She always made sure I was a disciplined and obedient student in academics by helping me with my homework. She also made sure my extracurriculars were in place when she enrolled me in dance and martial arts, which gave me the confidence to work around people. Read more>>
Jessyca Bable Spruill
Growing up poor. I developed a passionate and resilient work ethic from my personal circumstances and experiences from childhood. I can still recall a certain uncomfortable feeling from growing up broke so it motivated me to make sure I work hard to earn a better lifestyle for myself. Read more>>
Charla R. Mitchell
The foundation of my robust work ethic was laid early in my life, tracing its roots back to my enterprising spirit that sprouted at the tender age of 13 and a half. This was when I took on my first job, a beacon marking the onset of a lifelong dedication to industrious pursuits. Read more>>
Javon Rustin
I got my work ethic from my mom. She had me at age nineteen and worked through two degrees. She always told me, “do what you have to do now so you can do what you want to do later,” and it stuck. My whole family prides itself on having a hustler’s mentality, a survival-by-any-means-mindset. I apply this thinking to everything I’m passionate about, from school and jobs to writing and practicing. Every day I strive for something; the grind don’t stop. Read more>>
MEGAN CLANCY MEJIA
My work ethic comes from a deep line of hard workers in my family – everyone in my immediate family and relatives are extremely hard workers and I’ve always wanted to immolate that in my future. Read more>>
Devyn Giovengo
Growing up I was raised and brought up around nothing but hustlers. From my mom, to my dad, to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I experienced everyone around me working hard for what they had… I know what I want in the future and I know this consist of me working as hard as I can and not taking any breaks or days off. Read more>>
Terrence Hayes
I got my work ethic from my late grandmother who always told me to get something behind my last name besides Hayes and she was right because I seen her work hard to provide a better life not for me and my siblings and cousins at the time but for my mom and her siblings that made me understand what she was saying because that work ethic helped my grandmother become the 1st African American nurse at Minden General Hospital in Minden, Louisiana and it’s that same mindset that has led me to becoming a comedian, hosting my podcast The Petty Murphy Project to now doing a movie this year. I mean what more can you say about that. Read more>>
Alejandra Guzman
Having a difficult upbringing instills a diligent work ethic. My experiences and community have become my “why.” As an observant child living in a lower socioeconomic neighborhood, I noticed how many people in my community were unfulfilled, and most stayed stagnant due to their lack of resources. I have met several gifted people with immense potential, but they ultimately fall into the carbon cycle of working taxing jobs to nearly survive. Read more>>
Joslyn Sky
I would have to say I get my work ethic from my father. Some does come fro Mother and step father seeing how hard they work all the time. But when it comes to my father, he really always has the words to keep on pushing me and my brother and teaching us self discipline and character. At 5th grade, even if we didn’t have homework, we would study for 2 hours and 30 min. Read more>>
Terrance Juwon
I honestly get my work ethic from my Mama! She was, and still is the hardest working person I know. In the South, we call when someone inherit a good trait from their parents, we say “They got it honestly!” – implying that the good trait wasn’t stolen. My family is a HUGE influence in my life. The military continued to build upon that hard working foundation that my Mama taught me. Being of good service has always required hard work. Read more>>
Ericka Hoggett
My work ethic comes from my family. My grandfather owned several businesses at my young age. I understood as a young lady if you want things you have to work for them. I have worked in corporate America for a long time. Pampered Eyes was birthed in 2018. This is my SkinCare business where we take your beauty and skin to the next level. Hard work pays off! Read more>>
Lativia Henderson
My work ethic is a trait I can say I inherited from my mother. As an adolescent, I watched her grind and work several jobs at a time, go to school, run a business and take care of her six children. She was resilient no matter how hard things got. As an adult I look back at and I admire her for what she instilled in each of us. Read more>>
Mark Cage
I have always been a hardworking man, my father and mother always made sure that when I start a job I finish it! my father, rancher of 6500 acres in south Texas and Dentist born in Laredo Tx, my mother, a school teacher born in pearsall Tx. My parents always made sure not to be a half A** get the job done no matter what it would be and to be kind to everyone always! Read more>>
Zantino Bustos
I don’t know if my work either is Naturally mine or if it was forced into me via childhood. I’m going to say a mixture of both. Growing up I always had school, Sports, & chores/ task. It was always one of the three I had to do before wanting to do anything that I wanted to do. Read more>>
Raven Richards
I like the act of working. I like being productive, especially creatively. I’m not usually comfortable for too long, so I like growing and challenging myself so I learned putting in the work is necessary for my goals to be achieved. I learned consistency and discretion when I would build things and learn while attending Spelman. Read more>>
Cristal Alvarado
My work ethic definitely comes from my parents. Both of my parents came to the US from Mexico and basically had to build a new life in a completely different country. I feel like it takes a lot of courage to make a decision like that. I am grateful for the decision they made and for all of their sacrifices. Read more>>
Shequria Williams and Shameca Gandy
Our lives have been filled with examples of hard-working individuals with great resilience, commitment, and determination. Most often, our mother comes to mind when thinking of great examples of work ethic. She provided the foundation for us to know what it means to be effective and productive in our work, to be intentional about what we do, and never give up even in the midst of the most difficult moments. Read more>>
Gloria Staats
One of the most significant contributors to my work ethic has been my mother’s influence. Growing up, my mother worked tirelessly to provide for my brother and me, while also emphasizing the importance of personal growth and hard work. From a young age, I watched my mother balance work and family responsibilities with grace and determination. Read more>>
Isaiah Bey
My work ethic comes from hustling around the neighborhood with my little brother, cutting grass or taking the neighbors trash out for something as simple as candy at the store. To finally starting my first job at the age of 15 so I can have clothes and shoes because my dad or grandad couldn’t afford it. To buying groceries around the house and whatever else to help keep my family afloat during hard times. Read more>>
Kimberly Sechser
My work ethic has come from a long line of hard workers. We joke in our family that it is the one thing everyone is good at. As a kid, I naturally developed a good work ethic because it wasn’t really a choice not to have good work ethic. My parents made sure we always helped around the house and they owned a business which all of us worked in. My mom did gardening and canning which she learned from her parents and grandparents, so I got to help with that as well. Read more>>
