Working hard in 2024: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

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.

Alexandra Mayr-Gracik

My parents. Especially my dad. I grew up in an entrepreneurial household where business was a part of our everyday dinner conversations. I joke that I absorbed most of my business “know-how” just from meals together with my parents. Read more>>

Riri Tamura

Growing up in an immigrant household, I watched my father working long hours to support our family, often sacrificing his own ambitions in the process. The values of perseverance and hard work were instilled in me from a young age, with the belief that diligent effort could lead to the realization of my aspirations. Read more>>

Michelle Ornelas

My parents definitely deserve 100% of the credit of my work ethic. They came to this country with nothing, but with a purpose to give themselves and their children a better life. Me not being successful or not having a good work ethic is just not acceptable for all their sacrifices. Read more>>

Faith Johnson

Growing up, my mom and dad were always hustling. It seemed like working hard was just what you did, you know? I didn’t know any different. Seeing them put in the effort rubbed off on me. I guess you could say I’m a chip off the old block.  Read more>>

Rachel Dickson

I watched my parents. One was a police officer, the other a social worker who ended up working for the government and developing programming for the entire state. They were generous people who worked very hard, all the time. Read more>>

Nora Bruhn

When I consider my work ethic, two different parts of my life come to mind. First, my childhood. I grew up in the rural countryside of Minnesota. It was a packed house with 5 kids. We had a nice little chunk of land with horses, goats, chickens and plenty of chores.  Read more>>

Will Wheaton

My work ethic really came from my Dad. He was the hardest working man I knew. He would work day in and day out to provide for us even sometimes double shifts for days in a row. That example taught me the importance of hard work.  Read more>>

Kenya Griffin

I believe work ethic comes from finding your calling, and showing up! Nothing is more rewarding than enjoying the fruits of your labor (cliche I know) but everybody yearns for a force behind them which is personal.  Read more>>

Emily Minion

Throughout my upbringing, I’ve been fortunate to witness firsthand the embodiment of exceptional work ethic by my parents. My mother, stands as a beacon of remarkable drive and diligence. Despite lacking formal qualifications, she reentered the workforce during my schooling years, relying on sheer determination, unwavering commitment, and a contagious smile to carve her path to success. Read more>>

EMMANUEL JEANMARIE

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the values instilled by my father, who was a military principled individual. His guidance taught me the importance of honoring my word and prioritizing the well-being of myself and my loved ones over following the crowd. Read more>>

Whitney Trotter

For me, the foundation of my work ethic can be traced back to my family. Growing up, I was surrounded by parents and relatives who exemplified hard work, dedication, and perseverance in everything they did. My parents worked tirelessly to provide for our family. I witnessed firsthand the importance of putting in the effort to achieve your goals. Read more>>

Lisa Sonshine

I think my work ethic has definitely ebbed and flowed over the years. I am certainly a procrastinator but I have realized that no matter what everything always gets done ✔️ My work ethic comes from my drive and persistence. Read more>>

Marta and Imanol Alonso Yebra & Calderón Elósegui

Our work ethic is tied to our upbringing since we were children. It is based on respect and honesty when working on each project. Our families have always taught us to respect nature as well as local food and products, value it and learn from the authentic. Read more>>

Carling Lee

My work ethic comes from my parents. They are both immigrants and came to the United States in their teens to “do something better”. I don’t know much about my Dad’s family other than he was from the country side with a few siblings, he was the oldest of the boys. Read more>>

Walter Ino

Well I can’t say that I was always a hard worker. When I was a kid, in grade school, I was interested in so many different things. Then when I started learning how to play the piano and the then the saxophone, there were recitals and school concerts.  Read more>>

Liz Foulks

A strong work ethic has always been a key part of my artistic journey. It’s not just about putting in the hours; it’s about a deep-rooted drive to constantly push myself further. This motivation to excel comes from a mix of influences and experiences that have shaped how I approach my art. Read more>>

Kristin Taylor

I get my work ethic from my parents. My mother had a beautiful career in the Navy as Lt. Commander before earning her PhD and my father is a serial entrepreneur in insurance and real estate.  Read more>>

Martenni Marie

My work ethic has been deeply influenced by the experiences I had while spending time in my parents’ countries during my upbringing. Being immersed in the environment of my family instilled in me a strong sense of motivation and determination. Read more>>

MarShay Blair

I didn’t want to follow the same old script. I was determined to live a life full of meaning and respect. I jumped into life headfirst, always looking for ways to learn and grow.My drive doesn’t come from wanting to be rich or famous. It comes from wanting to make a difference and show that I can stand on my own two feet and someone that my kids could look up to. Read more>>

Nicole Dayberry

I get my work ethic from necessity to be quite honest. Working with horses is not easy, as anyone who has done so can tell you. And working to stay competitive in an industry with so much wealth and elitism is no easy feat either. Read more>>

Steve Zwillinger

My dad was one of the finest fine artists I have ever known. He greatly influenced my work ethic and my dedication to crafting an image to be the best it can be. His art was always positive, colorful, and contained imagery that really resonated with the scene depicted. Read more>>

Holly Goodman

As an only child of two entreprenuers (my parents own their own countertop + cabinet manufacturing business), work ethic was drilled into me from a young age. I’m grateful to have parents who gave me a lot of freedom to explore my passions, try and fail at things, and learn a lot of lessons along the way. Read more>>

Jennifer Bush- Harris

I believe I get my work ethic from my father. He was innovative and creative—never afraid to take risk and see what was not there: that needed to be. Read more>>

Kellie Finch

My work ethic comes from watching my parents from a very young age. They both are extremely hardworking, intelligent and resilient people. They instilled work ethic and values that I still hold dear to this day. Those values ring true as I run multiple business. They help me maintain on the days where I don’t feel motivated to keep going. Read more>>

Cinzia Moniaci

My whole immediate family has impeccable work ethic and you can tell by the incredibile achievements they’ve made without being given anything for free. And in particular,.  Read more>>

Sarah Rose Andrew

I believe my work ethic comes from two places: First: I love checking things off to-do lists (or to-done lists). It’s a very satisfying and fulfilling feeling to manually scratch, erase, or swipe something off a long, sometimes daunting list. Yes, I have multiple lists on multiple platforms. Read more>>

Rosalinda Edwards

My Mama, Linda A. Allen-Clay she was the absolute best and one of my favorite Capricorns. She raised me to move with integrity, to be passionate about my dreams, and to save. She inspired me to be intentional about my work so that even in moments where I may have felt unmotivated to work hard at it anyways. Read more>>

Ashley Davidson

The desire to prove something to myself. Having an indescribable and relentless force within. True love for what I do and acknowledging how fortunate I am to be in a position of pursuing a career in the film/tv industry. Read more>>

Darlene Becerra

When my children were getting ready to go to college they all asked me what they should go to school for. My answer was a question. “What do you want to do?” You’re going to work the majority of your life so you better like what you do.  Read more>>

Lucy Ziegfield (Sarah Louise) Carmila Burana (Carina Sapiro)

We both come from an extensive background in theater and dance, respectively, so without putting too fine a point on it, it was kind of beaten into us, metaphorically speaking. Lucy Ziegfield (Sarah Louise) has been dancing since the age of four, training extensively in ballet, tap, and jazz with a focus on the works and style of Bob Fosse, and acting since the age of eight.  Read more>>

Jennifer Hill

When I was about 5 years old, I was at work with my mom on New Year’s Eve, where she was running the much-dreaded task of a month-end, year-end night audit as the front office manager of a hotel.  Read more>>

Joseph A. Castillo

At an early age my parents taught us how hard work and perseverance equaled success. My father and Executive chef and my mother a florist interior decorator. They worked day in and day out to give us the lives they never had. Read more>>

Trina Mitchell

I grew up in a Single Mother household. I know it was not always the easiest for my Mom, but it was inspiring to see my Mom get up everyday to work and make things happen for me and my brothers. Read more>>

Paras Juneja

My work ethic as a designer is basically a mix of things that keep me going. First off, I’m just genuinely passionate about what I do. It’s not just a job; it’s my thing. I’m always buzzing with ideas and itching to bring them to life. Read more>>

Maritza Chagolla

Coming from a Hispanic family has taught me to work hard for anything I do. Do you ever wake up on a Sunday morning and think about all the stuff you have to do before the day ends and you start a new week? Read more>>

Jessica Cygan Tingstrom

I come from two young parents who immigrated to the United States in the late 80’s. As my first expanders and role models, they demonstrated through their own actions and determination that anything is possible; not easy, but possible if you work hard and get a little bit lucky.  Read more>>

Shahin Studios

Growing up as two artist brothers in Egypt, we faced the challenge of pursuing careers in the arts in an environment where such aspirations were often considered unrealistic. In a country with minimal support, belief, or access to necessary resources and supplies, we navigated our artistic journey with determination and resilience.  Read more>>

Mansi Bhatia

I get my work ethic from my mother – Chandra Prabha Bhatia who has always been an incredible role model to me. She’s balanced her work and home and has been the most compassionate mother, a brilliant educator, and a passionate human rights worker.  Read more>>

Carolyn Berg

Growing up, I had the privilege of witnessing my father’s unwavering work ethic firsthand. From the tender age of my childhood, I can vividly recall the image of my dad rising at 4 am, his dedication evident as he embarked on his daily routine.  Read more>>

Isaac Leo

I get my work ethic from both of my parents. Growing up I watched my dad not only work hard to support the family but come home and continue to work at the house doing carpentry and handy man work. At the time I was playing sports and he taught me to put in the work year round through training camps and practice to help me get to the next level.  Read more>>