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.
Melanie Chaponan
My mom has always been my idol honestly. Being a single mother and being able to raise me after coming to a country she knew nothing about? That took so much courage and I thank her so much for doing that for me. I can only imagine how scary that must’ve been. Seeing how strong and independent she is, made me who I am today. She worked so much when I was younger and never stopped until she got what she wanted and was able to give me essentially what I wanted too. Read more>>
Louis Grayson
My work ethic is deeply rooted in my family’s legacy of hard work and resilience. As first-generation immigrants, my family demonstrated the value of diligence and perseverance. My grandmother, now 82, continues to work tirelessly, always seeking to improve our family’s circumstances. My mother, who bravely moved to a new country to find better opportunities for us, has been a powerful example of determination. Read more>>
Arne and Barbara Carlson
My work ethic comes from my parents, who were both remarkable role models. My dad, Arne, instilled in me the importance of working hard and helping others. He came from humble beginnings with immigrant parents and rose to become the Governor of Minnesota, always advocating for those who didn’t have a voice. His dedication to public service and his unwavering commitment to his principles have deeply influenced my approach to my own career. Read more>>
Faibein Davis
I get my work ethic from a combination of sources, including the values instilled in me by my family, the influence of mentors and colleagues, and personal experiences that have taught me the importance of dedication, discipline, and continuous learning. Observing the hard work and perseverance of those around me has also inspired me to strive for excellence in everything I do. Read more>>
Susan Winograd
My work ethic stems from a profound sense of purpose, passion, and love for what I do. I am deeply committed to helping people through their healing journey, especially in achieving complete pelvic health . My approach is holistic, considering the full body and its interconnectedness. This dedication drives me to give my best every day, knowing that my work can profoundly impact others’ lives, helping them feel vibrant, healed, and confident. Knowing that I am helping people reclaim their health independence and live their best life motivates and drives my work ethic daily. Read more>>
Myla Deets
My work ethic comes from being inspired by top photographers who push the boundaries of creativity and excellence. Seeing their work, learning from their experiences, and admiring their dedication drives me to continually improve and innovate. I’m motivated by the likes of Cecil Beaton, Annie Leibovitz, and Sonia Szóstak, who show me that hard work, attention to detail, and a passion for storytelling can lead to truly remarkable results. Their influence reminds me to stay focused, keep learning, and always strive for excellence in my own work. Read more>>
Marwan Shahin
I was born and grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, I was surrounded by immense cultural heritage and art, which sparked my creative ideas from a very young age. My early life was a blend of pursuing my passion for art and the necessity to provide for myself and my family. This dual responsibility lit a fire within me, forging a strict work ethic that has been fundamental to my artistic journey. Read more>>
Chivone Smith
Lydia Venjohn
For starters, I’m a first born child! I think there’s a certain amount of responsibility and drive one inherits once a younger sibling enters the family. You seek out ways to get approval from your parents, going above and beyond, striving for success, becoming more competitive to out-do siblings. I think that’s definitely where some of my work ethic stemmed from. Read more>>
Shawn Weir
I got my work ethic from watching my mom work multiple jobs to provide for me and my siblings. Seeing her dedication and resilience made a deep impact on me. Additionally, knowing my dad’s story—how he came to this country on a work visa with the dream of building a better life—taught me that nothing is given to you without hard work. These experiences have been the driving force behind my determination and work ethic Read more>>
Amber Pekrins
I come from family of driven people, determined to reach there goals and create a legacy for themselves. Weather it be having a job and providing for there family, graduating college, owning there own home, or running there own business successfully they would do it! No matter what obstacles may of come the kept going and that spirit is within me and I carry it with me as I am on my journey to building my legacy daily. Read more>>
Leslie Gonzalez
I come from a long line of hardworking agricultural workers. From an early age, I was taught the value of hard work and the importance of entrepreneurship. Growing up in Mexico, I understood the sacrifices my parents made to come to the United States in pursuit of a dream. This meant that in order for that dream to come true, we all had a role to play to succeed. As children, we were taught to work, whether it was in the fields with the bees alongside my dad or at home with mom, never forgetting what it takes to achieve our goals. Read more>>
Tyson Green
\
Growing up i was quite a laid-back individual with minimal drive and ambitions, but that all changed when i decided to join the military as a teenager, which completely shifted my mindset and gave me a more structured and motivated daily routine. So i’d say my time in the Army is where my work ethic came from. Read more>>
Stephanie Sutton
I’m lucky to have influence from very opposite parents. My father was in the Navy and then worked for the US Postal Service for many years. So his regimental sense of hard work and a deep respect for the institution is a fundamental to who he is and certainly rubbed off on my sister and I. To the contrast, our mother is an entrepreneur. She is gritty, flexible, and clever, still operating a small building permit business that she created in the late 1980s, weathering many industry recessions with those business skills. My work ethic was developed watching them model how to be as creative as you are reliable. Read more>>
Jennifer Ayeni
I was raised on a farm in the country. I spent my childhood in the Ozarks in southern Missouri and my teen years in the Appalachian mountains in Eastern Kentucky. I had to get up and bottle-feed the baby calves before going to school. My dad taught me that hard work builds character, that I should never give up, and there’s always a way to make it work! Building a fence, hauling wood, and detasseling corn was not for me but it built an appreciation for a dollar. Read more>>
Luna Achiary
My Italian grandmother is a great example of perseverance and independence since an early age, being a single living and working physiotherapist, masseuse and healer, living by herself and holding a business together, coming from rural post fascist regime, which left most of the country in extreme poverty. Read more>>
Megan Mount
My business partner, JB Hewell, and I both grew up playing sports, which helped develop our work ethic qualities such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and discipline. Also, our parents are both hardworking individuals who taught us and emphasized the importance of work ethic. In addition to work ethic, we have always loved helping others. Whether it’s friends, family, or really just anyone. I think the urge to help others has also helped us to have such a great work ethic. Read more>>
Jeffrey Bûtzer
After I had children, I had to become more disciplined with my artistic work. What I found was, when I put my self on a schedule I work much better and more efficient. I just finished a new album with our band Academy of Staring Daggers. I gave myself 2 months to rehearse abd 2 weeks to record. Read more>>
Jackie Sleight
I got my first job when I was 14 years old teaching cheerleading at an after-school facility. To be clear I had never been a cheerleader and knew nothing about it. Throughout my entire life, I’ve said yes to jobs even though I knew that I was probably under-qualified, but I also knew that I could get the job done. So honestly, I don’t know if it is my work ethic or the love of the challenge that motivates me. Read more>>
Jason Veilleux
I get my work ethic from my time spent with my grandfathers as a young boy. Both of my grandfathers died when I was young, but I still learned what hard work was from the time that I was able to spend with them. They were both hard working men who always instilled in me working hard in life to provide for your family. They were “old school” men. I also credit my parents with giving me my work ethic. Read more>>
Jared Van Heel
My parents certainly set a great example and I had a blessed childhood in that way. When I was quite young, my dad pounded spikes for the railroad and later was a letter carrier for the US Postal Service. My mom worked a lot of jobs, often several at a time. When they weren’t working they were often coaches, scout leaders, and the like, or at the very least were quite involved in getting my brother and I to our games, events, and practices. Read more>>
Michael Rishawn
My mom for sure. My childhood was slightly atypical. I was born and raised overseas as an air-force brat where moving around every two years was the norm. While it was a beautiful childhood to be exposed to many different cultures & types of people, my formative years were constantly nomadic. And being raised by an air force captain who also wore the hat of being a single mom, she always stressed the importance of doing everything with excellence. Read more>>
Nya Indiyae
My work ethic comes from watching my mom work tirelessly to support me and my little brother. Her dedication inspired me to have the same drive—not only to provide for myself but also to repay her with the experiences and things she deserves. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit; I started designing clothes at 13 and launched a business at 18, making clothes from my bedroom and my mom’s basement. After a few years, I experienced major burnout and shifted to working at Foot Locker for five years. Safe to say, no matter the circumstances, I’m always working! Read more>>
Brandon Lamar
Being the youngest of four, I saw some good and not so good examples ahead of me. However, I always felt like I had to prove myself and make a name for myself. I say make a name for myself because I was always known to be the “little brother”. The “little brother to me felt like a shadow of someone else. Making a name for myself and finding myself did not come easy; mainly because I had no idea what I wanted to do. Read more>>
Edward Cushenberry
One of the main sources of my work ethic comes from my dad. At a very early age, he told me that if I really care about something, no excuse should stop me from achieving my goals. I didn’t show much interest in school, but when it comes to making paintings, drawings and photographs, I become single-minded and extremely focused on my goal. Read more>>
Angelina Lalau
I started working at age 16. My parents didn’t have a lot of money, so I had to start work at a young age to pay for things. I went to college after high school and had to pay for my own way. I applied for grants, but also had to take out loans to be able to support myself while I attended college. I worked full-time and went to college at night – took me 7 years, but I graduated with a BS Degree in Information Systems. Read more>>
Linda Akinyemi
Growing up in Lagos (Nigeria), I saw my parents’ work ethic every day. My mother owned two successful medical clinics and pharmacies, while my dad owned a chemical engineering firm. They worked full time. To add to it, they had six young children and their aged parents to take care of. Plus, served at church on a weekly basis, as well as found time to give back to the community. Read more>>
Andrea Domjan
Being born and raised in Hungary gave me a very strong work ethic from a young age. Both my parents were very hard workers. My parents would leave in the morning and come back in the afternoon, and my mom, even when she was not working for a few years in between jobs, was always busy cooking and cleaning. She never just rested and did nothing. Read more>>
Erika Slade
My work ethic stems from my parents and my childhood at large. I grew up the oldest of 4 children on a farm. I am very familiar with what it’s like to garden, fix fence, haul hay, work cows, and more. My parents instilled the core traits of perseverance, resilience, focus, and follow-through from a young age. My father worked at State Farm for over 30 years and came home every night, changed into his work clothes, and worked the farm, animals, and land until dark. Read more>>
Jasmin Arakawa
As in any discipline, having a role model is extremely helpful, if not essential. I was fortunate to have mentors (my piano teachers and professors) who inspired me through their work ethic and taught me firsthand what it takes to be who they are. Read more>>
Matt Flint
Growing up, I wasn’t necessarily pushed to do anything, I lived outside of my hometown of Hornell, NY. School was miles away, same as the town, so access to any kind of art programs for me was limited. Once I hit college and into the adult working world, I quickly realized that to make anything happen, you had to create opportunities for yourself and quite honestly make things happen for yourself. Go out and meet people, create connections in all walks of life, know everyone. Read more>>
CHRISTINA DIARCANGELO
My work ethic stems from a combination of personal experiences and values instilled in me from a young age. Growing up, I observed the relentless dedication and hard work of my father, who balanced his demanding career with family responsibilities. These early lessons in perseverance and commitment were further reinforced through my own professional journey, particularly in healthcare and advocacy. Read more>>
Daylon Furloughh
A lot of it comes from my mom and whatever doesn’t come from her, comes from my time in the US Marine Corps. My mother has always worked and I don’t mean simply at a job inside a building. She “worked” for me and my brothers in keeping us respectful, God fearing and task driven men. So she worked literally every day in some form or fashion to just make things better. And so I took a lot of what drove her and it motivates me. Read more>>
Phatz Williams
I get my work ethic from my parents, they always taught me to work hard for what you want. Hard work will eventually pay off, plus dedication and having a strong foundation. Read more>>
Michael Kolawole
It would be easy to say celebrities and how they have impacted my life, like Kobe Bryant with his Mamba Mentality, Michael Jordan’s obsession with winning and wanting to be the best, and Lebron James wishing to bring a championship every year regardless of what team is on. Even professional wrestlers/sports entertainers I grew up watching, like CM Punk, John Cena, Batista, Shawn Michaels, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin, on their drive to be the best and to put on an excellent show for the audience, whether in the physical form or people worldwide watching on their devices. Read more>>
Walter Cullin Jr.
For me, my work ethic was taught at a young age. My mother was adamant about working hard and doing everything that was required of me. As a child, I understood that I needed to do things, but I also believed that I should be rewarded for my efforts. My thought was that if I did my chores and did well in school, I deserved some kind of external reward (i.e. game, money, clothes, etc.). I remember expressing this to my mother my junior year in high school. Read more>>
Bracken Hermansen
I would say my work ethic developed as a child. My parents are both very hard workers and instilled in myself and my siblings an endurance to finish a job and to do it well. My father owned his own business as a General Contractor building custom homes, and in high school I would clean the homes through the construction phases which taught me endurance through physical discomfort in the Las Vegas heat. Read more>>
Anthony Wallace
I was raised by a single-mother and I grew up fairly poor, I knew at a very young age that I wanted a different path in life, and that putting the extra work into school, sports, part-time jobs, etc., would give me the best opportunity to grow in my potential. My mother also instilled in me that everyone has an opportunity to do great things, but the people who put in the greatest effort generally make the biggest impact. Read more>>
Molly Lonborg
My work ethic stems from my upbringing and family values. Growing up in the small coastal town of Mendocino in rural Northern California, we lived a lifestyle that was deeply connected to nature. Without malls, TV service, or cell phones, we spent our time outdoors, doing chores, splitting and stacking wood, and growing and raising our own food. While we weren’t quite homesteaders, we were on a similar path, and everyone pitched in around the house and property. Read more>>
Darku Jarmola
I guess I’d say it comes from the constant need to be creating. If I’m out somewhere all I can think about is when can I get back to writing. when I’m trying to go to sleep for the night all I can think of if what ideas I could try out the next day in the studio, I recently switched to a laptop so when I travel or get coffee I didn’t have to stop creating. after this interview I’m going straight to a studio haha. idk a love for the art I guess. Read more>>
Scott Peat
It comes from watching my parents work hard. My mom and dad always said if you want to make it in life you have to take the steps to get there even when there is a wall in front of you. I never understood the wall part of their saying but in time I learned that that wall is yourself. Even on the day where you dont’ feel like working or moving forward it is important to do one thing each day that is considered productive. Read more>>
Allie Gallardo
My work ethic is something I’m extremely proud of. I’ve seen what life can be like without one and it’s a struggle and creates distrust with everyone involved. I know the amazing opportunities a good work either can get me and it’s an absolute non negociable to have one. Read more>>
Daniele Puleo
Definitely from my father, he was a very hard working man, working forty years for the same company and was distinguished with the honor of “Knight of the republic of Italy” for his service. I tried to follow his footsteps throughout my career, I enjoy working and most of all I enjoy what I do, I am fully aware that every day is a different day and accept the challenges of my profession without hesitation. Read more>>
