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.

Lakithia Nicole

From a young age, my work ethic was shaped by the experiences and values instilled in me during my childhood. I spent countless hours immersed in the world of music, singing and performing with an unwavering passion. Each rehearsal was not just a practice session, but a stepping stone toward achieving greatness—a goal that constantly fueled my determination. Read More>>

Timothy Davis

To have any hope in building a sustainable career in entertainment, my best guess is you need four fundamental attributes: talent, skill, persistence and luck. And only two of those attributes — skill and persistence — can I influence through my behavior. I can’t control how much talent I may have or may lack. Luck is certainly outside of my sphere of influence — that’s the purview of fortune, or the universe, or God, or whatever you believe. Read More>>

 Julie Walker

My work ethic was strangely born from suffering, and the compassion that unexpectedly sprouted from that. As a child I often witnessed children at school enduring many hardships, such as being harshly punished when they didn’t understand how to perform in the classroom. Read More>>

Matt Hardy

I’ve always believed my work ethic is rooted in my upbringing. As the younger brother of a high-achieving older sister, I was surrounded by a strong example of dedication and ambition from an early age. I wanted to make my family proud, so I naturally pushed myself to excel—whether it was in the classroom or on the sports field. Read More>>

Elecxus Ellis

My strong work ethic comes from my mother. She had my brother and me at a young age, just 16 and 18, yet she never let that stop her from working hard to provide for us. Watching her persevere through challenges, stay committed to her goals, and always put in the effort to create a better life for us taught me the value of determination, resilience, and hard work. Her example continues to inspire me in my business and everything I do. Read More>>

Krystal Anaís Amaya Navarro

Thank you for having me! I get my work ethic from my Mother, and Father. I had the opportunity of watching them start and grow a business at a young age – subsequently witnessing how much faith, dedication, and sweat it took to reach financial success. Incredibly so, they successfully manifested all of their desires into this realm, starting off with nothing – and in this – I gained solid proof that anything was possible – Read More>>

Justin Awn

I would say that a lot has to do with my family and how and where I was raised. I was born in New Jersey but raised in the jewel of the Caribbean, the beautiful island of Jamaica. My grandfather Ray Hadeed started a company in Jamaica in 1950 which still stands today. It’s called SERV-WEL. He was known as the father of Jamaican manufacturing. My parents Paul and Frances Awn also ran the company along with my grandfather. Read More>>

Mike Jimena

There is little doubt that the foundation of my work ethic was developed by the example and influence of my father. My father barely got out of high school, but through his hard work he built a business that lasted from 1952 until 1993 when he retired. Early on my brother and and I followed in his footsteps of the automotive field.. Starting our business in 1972 and still operating today. There was a problem.  Read More>>

David Mora

My parents and grandparents taught me from a very young age the importance of a strong work ethic. I have always believed in doing your best, even when you are not 100%. Read More>>

Taylor Emery

I really love this question. I get my work ethic from my parents without a doubt. Growing up, my dad would work 6 or 7 days a week – early mornings to late nights just to provide for us and be sure we had everything we wanted and needed. My mom stayed home with my older sister and I my entire childhood until we were in 2nd and 5th grade.  Read More>>

Kathleen Small

to complete his college education by going to night school, while working hard during the day and raising a large family. His example of committing to a goal and finishing what you start made a great impression on my young mind.  Read More>>

Eshama John

I’ve always felt like there’s more out there for me—more to accomplish, more to give, and more to achieve. I’ve admired people who walk into a room and instantly have the respect of others. People who are looked to for guidance, wisdom, and leadership. They don’t just stand out because of their title—they stand out because of the way they carry themselves, the integrity they bring to every conversation, and the way they inspire those around them. Read More>>

Juan Jimenez

Doing the things that bring me joy has always fueled my curiosity and drive to explore them further. Since I was a kid, I have naturally gravitated toward drawing and painting. Over time, it became more than just a pastime, it rather turned into a habit and an essential part of my personal growth. I’ve always prioritized creating time and space to develop my ideas and nurture my creativity.” Read More>>

Kim Ward

When I was a child I watched my mom’s decisions affect us all. We had no vehicle, she spent our food stamps on her cigarettes and most of the time the only food I got was my school food. I’m thankful for those seasons of adversity because it sharpened my awareness, my desire and quite honestly my tolerance level for certain things. Read More>>

Nina Burke

My work ethic comes from my dad. I would see him on the weekends getting his clothes pressed and laid out for the week. Those shirts were ironed to perfection. He would be up before the crack of dawn, dressed and headed to work daily. Other than vacation, I cannot recall my dad ever taking a day off. He is almost 90 and still wakes up fairly early…as for me I cannot sleep when the sun is up, trust me I have tried. Read More>>

Alec Bewkes

Well it was basically non existent all the way through college. I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker from a really young age, so I just used that as an excuse for why I shouldn’t apply myself in any of my normal classes, which was obviously bullshit. I was in for a pretty rude awakening when I moved to LA and found out that “really wanting” something wasn’t going to cut it. Read More>>

Ra’von Jefferson

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing. Growing up in a single-parent home, I watched my mother work endlessly to make ends meet, never letting obstacles stop her from providing for our family. Her resilience and determination instilled in me the mindset that no matter the challenge, the work has to get done—whether you have help or not. Read More>>

Phillip Cingolani

Growing up in a farm on a small town, I was fortunate enough to witness families communing with the land, drawing a symbiotic relationship that mutually nourished all involved. As most know, farming can be arduous labor. With each generation before me relying solely on farming for their resources and well-being, my childhood was filled with manual labor in fields, gardens, ponds, and everything in between.  Read More>>

Maya Yearwood

I get my work ethic from a combination of sources: my immigrant parents and an internal drive. It might sound harsh, but I truly believe that success requires a deep personal desire to achieve something. This is especially true for artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives – we have to be the ones to forge our own paths and relentlessly pursue them. I’ve learned that often, belief in your vision comes after you’ve demonstrated success. So, I strive to balance the gratitude I feel for my family’s unwavering support with the burning desire to build the life I envision for myself. Read More>>

Reason Ali

I grew up with the perfect combination with my parents. My father was a self-made contractor who always left room for pursuing what he loved, music. My mother was very serious about stability and security and worked really hard to make sure our family was always in a good place. She did her 20 years in the Army & worked her way from throwing trash to being a supervisor for the sanitation department.  Read More>>

Nicholas Hartley

I got my work ethic from my mother. She always works hard and finishes all of her tasks. Also, growing up my mother raised me by herself so I had to cook, clean and take care of myself while she was at work. Because of this, I grew up independent. Circumstances made me who I am. Read More>>

Ava Clapp

My work ethic comes from my love of creating art and my desire to produce a great final product. There’s something so beautiful and rewarding about seeing a project I’ve worked tirelessly on come together, and I’m constantly chasing that feeling. I’ve always been an incredibly stubborn person- for better or worse- and I channel that into my passions. If I have the desire to accomplish something, I stop at nothing. Read More>>

Antara Dave

I get my work ethic from my mother. She is one of the strongest, most determined people I know—someone who pursued everything she wanted in life with grit, resilience, and empathy. Watching her navigate challenges with unwavering dedication taught me to approach my own career with the same mindset. Read More>>

Rumur Wootten

I’ve always believed that you don’t have to be the smartest, the most talented, or the most naturally gifted person in the room to succeed—because you can always outwork talent, brains, and beauty. My work ethic comes from an unshakable commitment to showing up early, staying late, and constantly going above and beyond for my clients and students. Read More>>

Lindsey Flores-biroth

My work ethic comes from- well I have never had the privilege of not working. I think I adapted my mindset to that. If you don’t work, you don’t have anyone else to fall on to help you. I’ve always been very independent and realized from a young age that I would always be have to be a hard worker. Read More>>

Mallory Hersh

My passion for service fuels my drive to bring change in my community one step at a time. The challenge of battling food insecurity and the goals I set for myself and my organization drive my dedication to the work I do. The impact we have on people’s lives gives me focus and determination. Working with other organizations who have the same energy and focus to end food insecurity provides me with a community, support and resources to continue the fight. Read More>>

 Cassandra Morrison

I get it from my parents. Father was in the military for 20+ years. I was in law enforcement for 20+ years so I am a rule follower. My father always told me “do not ever stop learning.” I have taken this to heart and always tried to continue to learn. Read More>>

Neha Mhatre

Growing up, my parents imbibed the importance of hard work. From a very young age, they set goals for me and rewarded me when those goals were achieved. Being dedicated and focused when doing a task, be it at work or for my food blog, comes naturally to me when I set a goal for myself. Read More>>

 Shaland (shay) Verdi

My grandparents taught me some amazing life lessons at an early age. My grandpa was a coal miner and a milk man for the first half of his life. He got his PhD at 50 years old, while my grandma bagged groceries to support him and their 3 kids through school. He then became the Dean of Special Education at Cal State LA where he later retired. Read More>>

Brooke Totman

My parents. They married young, had two children while they were in college—my mother taking final exams with a baby strapped to her back. They just made it work.
It was made very clear to me early on, that no job or task was beneath me if money was an issue and time was available.  Read More>>

Talia Gutin

It all comes back to values for me. Having a clear understanding of my core values and the meaningful goals that arise from them drives my work ethic and self-discipline. I also thrive on being internally challenged in a significant way. The external achievement itself is less fulfilling and a lot less interesting than the challenge I face to get there. It’s in the challenge where true growth happens—the unlocking of potential and the journey of self-discovery. Read More>>

Robyn Sims

“My work ethic comes from my life experiences and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Growing up too fast, living on the streets, and going in and out of jail, I had to learn resilience the hard way. But in 2016, I entered The Other Side Academy, where I discovered the power of honesty, accountability, and becoming the solution instead of the problem. We wake up every day, go to work, and make it about others—but the real work was always within me. Read More>>

Zaid Hassan

I developed my work ethic from my father. Ever since I can remember, my father has been waking up at 4am to exercise, eat, and go to work. I always wondered why he couldn’t just wake up at 7am like every other normal person. As I got older he taught me about his life and his upbringing. My father at 16 came to America from Pakistan with no money, no connections, and no path.  Read More>>

Karim Badani

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing and the sacrifices my parents made. When I was 12, my parents moved our family to the U.S. from India, leaving behind a comfortable life so that I could have a brighter future and access to the best education. Watching their resilience, hard work, and determination to rebuild from scratch instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and drive. Read More>>

Dr Chasity J. Carswell

Upbringing & Values-my mother taught me the importance of work at the age of 16. Initially, I did not want to get a job, but I went for it and have been working every since. I enjoyed making my own money which taught me independence. Read More>>

Elizabeth Grant

I believe my work ethic was instilled in me from a young age. My grandfather often said, “The harder you work, the luckier you get,” and that mindset has stayed with me throughout my life. Growing up, I was taught that we are responsible for what happens in our lives. We can’t blame others or make excuses when things don’t go our way. If we want something, we have to take the initiative to make it happen. Read More>>

Nicole Lightbourne

Growing up, I struggled in school. I chatted a lot. I laughed even more. I was a distraction. A troublemaker. And, a title I was proud to achieve in yearbook year after year: A class clown. Primary and secondary school didn’t click for me. By time I got to college, it didn’t really there either. In fact, I completed my bachelors by the skin of my teeth – earning the exact GPA required for graduation. My Dad always said finishing college shows you can complete assigned tasks. Read More>>

Polaroiid Kut

I get my work ethic from the struggle I was raised by my great grandmother who didn’t really have much. I remember as a kid thrift shopping or walking down town to trade as she called it. She always managed to get what we needed but never what I want ed in the sixth grade I decided to change all of that by getting my own money Read More>>

Liz Atchley

I get my work ethic through life itself. There are so many different things I want to experience. I want to be a talented designer, I want to travel, I want to learn how to sail, I want to live life like one big vacation. I recognize that to be able to make these things happen, I’m going to need to work hard to save up my money and give myself a name. The motivation to reach my goals pushes me to succeed within my career. Read More>>

 Jordan Roberts

My work ethic comes from my family. I would watch my family work hard everyday to sustain the living that we wanted. Both of my parents worked hard and made sure that if I was going to work on any task, that I was going to finish it and do it to the best of my ability. Read More>>

Grace Bennett

I come from a family of farmers, tradesmen, and small business owners, so a strong work ethic has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I saw firsthand what it meant to put in the hours, take pride in craftsmanship, and build something that lasts. My dad, especially, instilled in me the value of working hard—not just for the sake of getting the job done, but for the deep satisfaction of being able to stand back and truly be proud of what you’ve created.  Read More>>

Jessica Leighton

This may possibly be a cliche answer since I get my work ethic from my parents, but I do and each for different reasons! My Dad is an entrepreneur, making his work work for him. He’s creative and hardworking, a “people person” and does right by his employees and clients.  Read More>>

Joshua Norfles

Hard work is the foundation of my family. On both sides, dedication and perseverance run deep. One of my grandfathers built a chain of dry cleaners in Merced, creating a legacy that lasted beyond his time. My other grandfather worked tirelessly—right up until a month before he passed at 85. Read More>>

Emily Grindell

I got my first job at 15 organizing books at a book manufacturing warehouse. I enjoyed earning my own money and having my own responsibilities. I worked at a restaurant at the age of 16 and loved the fast pace of this new job. From early on in my childhood, my dad gave chores and required my siblings and I to work hard in the house, at school and at work. Read More>>

Ryckie Bian

I believe my work ethic stems from two main sources. The first is my upbringing. My parents, though they work in ordinary professions unrelated to art, have always approached their work with a strong sense of responsibility and dedication. Their commitment to doing their best, no matter the field, has had a profound impact on me and taught me the value of hard work and integrity. Read More>>