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.

Brock And Boston Mikesell

We both get our work ethic from our parents. They are both business owners and have show us how to work hard and not stop on achieving your dreams. Read more>>

Vincent Brue

I got my work ethic from my father who was raised by a single mother (his father passed away when he was 2), put himself through college, joined the Marines and then got into computers and became an MIS director for various companies until he retired. Even in his free time, he was always working on some project in our yard which my brother and sister and I were forced to help out with. At the time, of course, I didn’t love spending my weekends digging up tree stumps while all my friends were out having fun at the arcade or whatever (I don’t know what they were doing, I was too busy trying to trap the groundhog that lived under our shed), but in hindsight I realize how much that shaped who I am and why I’m constantly working on something or other. I’ll sleep when I’m dead (which might be soon due to lack of sleep). Read more>>

Holli Jacobsen

My parents instilled an excellent work ethic in me, for which I am very grateful. Hard work has been a catalyst for me, helping me find success in many aspects of my life, including interior design. They also taught me to do high quality work; I was expected to do things right the first time. That work ethic and expectation of quality have proven to be a formula for success again and again. Read more>>

Jessica Hamra

Oh that’s a good one. I’d say originally my work ethic came from my dad as he worked a lot in order to raise my brother and I after our mom left. However, now my work ethic is to simply avoid not needing anything from anyone and hopefully in the process I can help others. No one is going to do it for you, so get up, dress up, show up. Read more>>

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my family’s legacy of perseverance and relentless work around the clock. My grandparents built a successful business from the ground up, starting with nothing but determination and hard work. Their journey taught me the value of grit and the importance of dedication in achieving one’s goals. Read more>>

Baby Teeth

We were good friends before deciding to start our production company, Baby Teeth. And something that really brought us together is our deep love of and respect for theater – it really matters to each of us. And we are all committed to working with deep rigor and kindness and centering artists first in this work. That is honestly where our work ethic comes from – our genuine love for this work and the people we make it with. All four of us are perfectionists in our own ways, because we want our work to be as great as it can. Read more>>

My work ethic was shaped by my experiences at several renowned architectural studios across different continents. Although the studios had different cultures and design philosophies, the one common thread was a strong sense of responsibility. I learned that when a task needs to be completed, it’s important to approach it with determination and problem-solving, finding the best way to get it done while maintaining a high standard of quality. Read more>>

Jerome Hill

My work ethic is certainly a “home-grown” one. As an entertainer, I was often inspired by different sources, people, other bodies of work, but what inspired me the absolute most was what I felt was an entertainment scene that just wasn’t putting on the shows or attractions that I wanted to see. Something was just lacking, and I felt like the only way I was going to see it was if I was going to do it myself. Read more>>

Stephanie Johnson

I was raised by a family of hard workers so it’s difficult to say if it’s a genetic trait or a learned behavior. My grandfather was very much a self-made businessman. He started in the mail room and ended up running an international engineering firm, as a psychology major no less, for more years than I can count. He traveled the world yet would show up at 6am on a Saturday to help work on our fixer uppers. And the coffee had better be on! That was always kind of our “thing.” Buying old houses and fixing them up. It was partially out of necessity, and partly because we enjoyed the process. Well. I didn’t love it as a kid. But I do think that’s where my love for bringing the old back to life and finding character and charm in the flaws started to develop.  Read more>>

Charles Ritter Iii

I have a strong work ethic. My parents were blue-collar workers and my grandparents were blue-collar workers. I learned at an early age that if you want something in life, you had to work for it. I am a firm believer that you are the product of your work; I always strive to deliver the best quality of work possible. Read more>>

Philippa Portnoy

My work ethic stems from my athletic background. I started playing tennis at 13, later than most aspiring college athletes, and worked hard to catch up, training five hours a day during the summers. This dedication helped me walk onto Barnard’s Division III tennis team. With limited funding and less favorable practice slots compared to the men’s team, early morning practices in Riverside Park became routine, and I pushed myself to improve. Read more>>

Ricardo Baca

When I was in elementary school, I often wondered why my mom Maureen would bring home manilla envelopes full of court documents, spending long evenings on the couch flipping through these seemingly endless piles of paper. Turns out she was copy editing transcripts for court reporters after her day job most nights. In high school, I had more self-awareness to see my mom’s three-nights-a-week holiday-season job at Barnes & Noble for what it was—a single mom’s side hustle.  Read more>>

Dave “champ” Moore

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing in Cincinnati, where the formative years of my childhood and early adulthood were profoundly shaped by my experience in football. I graduated from Colerain High School, an institution renowned for its commitment to excellence and teamwork. The camaraderie fostered among my teammates—both on and off the field—instilled in me a steadfast determination to give my utmost in every endeavor. This unwavering dedication has become a hallmark of my character, driving me to contribute fully to any task at hand. I am immensely grateful for the values imparted by this program, as it not only cultivated my sense of responsibility but also taught me the importance of accountability, resilience, and the essence of true character. Read more>>

Anthony Feeney

I feel my work ethic grew as young adult who entered the work force at 16 and became a full time worker at 17 and responsible for supporting himself. I had multiple career changes before entering the electrical field but each field I did my best to please and excel. My work ethic was motivated by the urge to succeed. Read more>>

Kalece Harrison

I draw my work ethic from my mother, who worked tirelessly to provide for our family while pursuing her education and balancing the responsibilities of managing my brother and me. Her dedication and perseverance continue to inspire me as I witness her ongoing support in promoting my work and helping me secure job opportunities while caring for my twin and me with unwavering love and commitment. Read more>>

Jui Patil

I think this has got a deep connection with my interest in spirituality since childhood. I have always been a strong believer of the Divine. India has rich mythology. It is a land of legends like Ram, Krishna, Bhishma, Karan, Dronacharya and many more.. a deep study of mythology lead me to have strong principles in life. Discipline, dedication, devotion has always been present in me. This also goes down to the values my parents have bestowed upon me. In every situation, I have always thought about the benefit of everyone around me, I have made sure my whole team grows along with me. I also have set high payment ethics. No person working with us has ever faced any struggle in getting payments. Read more>>

Jonni Parsons

I built a million-dollar marketing agency, and that achievement is deeply rooted in my family’s journey and the struggles they faced. Growing up, I witnessed the hardships my family had, and it instilled in me a strong desire to create a better life for my daughter—one filled with opportunities and free from the bad experiences we had. My faith in God has been a cornerstone of this journey. I often reflect on Colossians 3:23, which reminds us to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This verse inspires me to approach my work with purpose and dedication, knowing that my efforts are more than just for personal gain; they are a way to honor God and set an example for my daughter. Read more>>

Cheyenne Simpkins

I was raised by a single mom who did everything in her power to care for us. I watched her work 16+ hours daily as a nurse ad the come home with a smile and care for me as a child. Watching her my entire life is definitely where I drew my strength and work ethic! Read more>>

Esther Boesche

Thank you for connecting. I love that you are doing this series, it is so important to talk about and to remind people of their own inherent power! My work ethic and my success developed out of passion, having many live and work different experiences, and a lot of curiosity. New York City is a very driven and fast paced place. Being involved in many projects at the same time while keeping my love ones closed, it is important to have good time management and good values. It requires a lot of positive energy, resilience and good organization, especially in your building and learning years. Read more>>

Derek Sands

I got my work ethic from my mom. She was a single mother of three who managed to go through nursing school while raising us. She always put her children first, showing me the importance of caring for the people you love. Watching her juggle so much, I learned that sometimes you have to be willing to do what most won’t in order to live the life most don’t. Her resilience and dedication shaped the way I approach everything I do today. Read more>>

Bruce Allen

My work ethic comes from my father, who has always been an example of dedication and perseverance. He taught me that no one will hand you success, you have to earn it. If I want something done right, I need to do it myself with care and commitment. But beyond that, he also instilled in me the importance of resilience and adaptability. Watching him overcome challenges without complaint taught me that hard work isn’t just about effort, it’s about the mindset to keep pushing, learn from every experience, and grow stronger with every obstacle. Read more>>

Shademomo Iwasaki

It’s easy! Being born and raised in Japan and grew up as a Japanese you are raised to be workaholic ! I love working hard and seeing my work coming together so and I know when I am very focused and considerate, my work comes out the best. I keep my work ethic high because I am motivated to see my work greatly done. Read more>>

Kristen Kellogg

As a child, work ethic was strongly modeled by my parents in my household and a value in our family that was always held in high standard. My parents both had careers that caused them to work and think hard, but they also exhibited this quality throughout their home life as well. They worked hard on their home to make it the home they wanted it to be, both inside and out, and still continue to do so. We were a very active family in outdoor activities such as hiking, and together we overcame obstacles on those hikes and outdoor adventures.  Read more>>

Dejhanna Simmons

Honestly me, I am very hard on myself because I have to if I want to get to where I wanna be. Creating a routine , being organized, learning from my mistakes, setting boundaries, and prioritizing. Going with that has helped me develop a strong work ethic. Read more>>

Rekita Ndumbe

My work ethic is deeply rooted in the example set by both my mom and dad. My father immigrated to the U.S. from Cameroon, determined to build a better life. Both of my parents started in low-paying jobs, and it was during those early, humble years that they met while working together. Despite the challenges, they were committed to furthering their education and improving their circumstances. My mother eventually became a nurse, and my father became a respiratory therapist with dreams of becoming a doctor, though his unexpected passing meant he couldn’t fulfill that goal.  Read more>>

Eviatar Slivnik

My passion for becoming a professional jazz musician began in fifth grade when I joined my school’s jazz department after a couple of years of drum lessons. There, I started my formal training, playing in a band, and learning the repertoire, idioms, and the tradition of jazz. After a few years in the jazz department, I already knew who Coltrane, Miles, Rollins, and Blakey were, and could sing along with their recordings or play them on the piano. That enabled me to apply to Thelma Yellin High School of Arts, where I fully committed to music as a career. Read more>>

Jessica Cadmus

I’m the third oldest of ten children and have had a job since the age of 7. My parents were extremely warm and loving, but money was always tight. To their great credit, money was always something they discussed with us kids and made certain that we understood its value and respected it. My parents were also very forward thinking and knew they wouldn’t be able to put us through college despite how much they valued education. They encouraged us to work (at 7 I was a cleaning service with my two older brothers at my dad’s office) and the deal was always 50% of what you make goes into a college fund and the other 50% you were able to spend on things you wanted; my parents were able to cover the basic needs but not much more. Read more>>

Anna Kelly (ak) Lawless

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my background as a competitive swimmer and my academic journey. Growing up, I was always focused on refining my performance, whether it was striving to shave off thousandths of a second from my swim times or working hard to excel in my classes. The early mornings and late evenings spent training instilled a sense of discipline and commitment in me. Read more>>

Christian Durfee

I grew up in Duluth, the last major “city” before the Canadian border in Minnesota. Duluth metro accounts for around 290,000 people spread across a 12,000 sq mi area – meaning that we had pockets of small communities which is an important way of life. Since you lived down the street from the shop owner or knew the family, it was always important to shop at the local store rather than the big corporate chain. Each neighbor watched out for one another and provided help when someone was in need. Family, friendship, and community are my core values, supporting loved ones to excel in their goals and well-being.  Read more>>

Breanna Stephens

I got my work ethic from my Dad. He’s always been very consistent, and has worked at the same aerospace manufacturing facility for the last 30 years. Never late, missed very few days, and worked really hard to ensure we had everything we needed and wanted. I’m so grateful to have such a good example. He’s also the reason I got my foot in the door into HR. I started out at the same manufacturing facility, and I have no doubt that his good reputation at the company had a hand in me having some really amazing opportunities. Read more>>

Christopher Evans

I developed my work ethic over time. When I left college, I spent a good part of my 20’s having fun but eventually I made it a priority to put more time into my passion which was photography and videography. My mother, Sonia Crosby, was a hard working woman throughout my childhood so I like to think that my strong work ethic today comes from her. Read more>>

Shayna Vincent

I definitely get my work ethic from my dad. He’s always been an incredible influence in that way. I always put 110% into my work and I thrive in my successes. He’s been my number 1 supporter my whole life and the one person I call when I need advice or support. I wouldn’t be where I am without him and I cherish our relationship every single day. Read more>>

William Tate

My Dad. He worked 7 days a week when I was a kid. Even on his off days every one called him when something was wrong with their home, car or whatever else their issues were. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. Read more>>