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.

Elona Gaball

I was born and raised in Russia and I get my work ethic from my dad. He was in prison for 2 terms when I was growing up. He left when I was 4 and when he came back when I was 12, he started his own business without a formal education and without having specific knowledge, experience or expertise in the field. He found the way to succeed in most hostile environments in prison, he was released early due to his positive change, consistent behavior and being a leader and encouraging and supporting his mates.  Read More>>

Sergo Mazur

I got my work ethic from years of tattooing. In this field, if you’re not committed, it shows immediately — on the skin, in the process, in your reputation. That taught me to show up every day, push through discomfort, and stay focused on constant growth. Read More>>

Christina Green

I get my work ethic from my father. He worked tirelessly every single day to provide for us. I’ll never forget my first job—it came through a favor between him and a friend. Before I left for my first day, he looked me straight in the eyes and said, “If you embarrass me, don’t come home.” Read More>>

Raynaria Cowert

My work ethic was shaped long before I had a business of my own. Growing up, I watched my dad build his barbering clientele right out of his apartment. I was fascinated by how consistent he was showing up every day, building relationships, and staying dedicated no matter what. I used to count his money and iron the bills at the end of the day, and even as a kid, I understood that success didn’t come easy it came from showing up. Read More>>

Emily McCormick

I think of my childhood a lot now that I am raising 2 young children. Even on the best days, parenting is an overwhelming endeavor. So many decisions! Constant noise! The ever-present fear that you will mess something up! I was lucky enough to have two parents who truly loved me and wanted me to have a happy life. Many people sadly can’t say the same.  Read More>>

Jared Anthony Thomas

My grandfather. Ever since I could remember, I’ve always been faced with statements from my elders saying how hardworking my grandfather has been his entire life. My whole work ethic and ethic in general derives from the best man I know in the world. Albert Thomas. Read More>>

Larry Baumgartner

People often ask where I get my work ethic. It’s not something I learned from a seminar or picked up in a self-help book. It’s something I absorbed — quietly, consistently — by growing up in the Midwest.

In the Midwest, work isn’t something you boast about. It’s something you do. You show up. You stay late if that’s what it takes. You help without being asked. You finish the job even if no one’s watching. And you don’t expect a gold star for doing what’s right. Read More>>

Phil Flock

If you love what you do, you do not need motivation to do it.
And for all the annoying tasks in our life’s. Well, If we’re not in a position to outsource them. Here is a little trick which helps me. Imagine the strongest, smartest and best version of yourself,
peeking over your shoulder at all times. Try to make this person proud. Read More>>

Steve Whittington

This is a story about my grandfather and grandmother. They were a big influence in my life. They own a farm with all the livestock, that you could imagine with acres and acres of land. My grandfather also owned a bait shop. He had ponds all over his land. where he raised minnows. People would come from miles around just to buy minnows from my grandfather. He was a great salesman. I learned a lot about selling from my grandfather. Read More>>

Courtney Lockridge

My resilience comes from a deep sense of responsibility to bridge the gap I saw growing up. I was fortunate to have support and access to opportunities, but I also saw how many others didn’t — simply because of where they were born or the circumstances they were in. That contrast lit a fire in me early on. It made me want to use what I had — my voice, my resources, my time — to help level the playing field. Every time I face a challenge, I remind myself that the work I’m doing is bigger than me. That perspective keeps me grounded, focused, and determined to keep pushing forward. Read More>>

Seth Daniels

For me, a good work ethic is cyclical. My inspiration is borne of a drive to create works of functional art, quality products. This inspiration drives me to continually practice and perfect my craft. That drive pushes me to work as efficiently and perfectly as I can, until the job is done and I’ve achieved that quality piece. When the product is perfected I am inspired to continue creating and the process begins again. And thankfully has never stopped. Read More>>

Jennifer Oertli

I love this question! I saw my parents work very hard to provide us with a middle-class living, growing up in Minnesota. The winters were rough, and my mom and dad woke us up when it was cold and dark. They put us on the school bus before heading to their jobs. Working hard was therefore expected of me and I never shied away from it. Read More>>

Nicco Denton

My work ethic didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a rake.

When I was 12, I began working in my family’s janitorial business. My stepdad, an entrepreneur himself, was one of my earliest and greatest influences. He ran contracts all over town, and I’d be out there helping wherever I could—scrubbing, sweeping, hauling gear—long before I understood what the word “entrepreneur” even meant. Yard work wasn’t optional. If something needed to be cleaned, moved, or fixed, you did it. No complaints, no shortcuts. That was the culture of our home—and the beginning of mine. Read More>> 

Mathea Emery

I was lucky enough to be raised in a household with an amazing parental example of hard work and dedication. My mom always inspired me to be a better person and against all odds, as an adult with 3 kids and one more on the way, she decided to stop working long hours for a corporation and decided to go to law school and take the bar exam while pregnant with me. You could even say I was born from that determination.  Read More>>

Rohit Relan

I get my work ethic from my parents. They moved away from their families in New Delhi to build a life in Mumbai. I never saw them take a day off. They were always up before I left for school, and I wouldn’t see them again until dinner. They used to say they were doing it to provide, and they meant it. We didn’t come from wealth, but over time, I saw how their discipline paid off. They climbed the social ladder and made sure we had access to the best education possible. Read More>>

Sara Springhetti

I get my work ethic from my mom. She is someone who worked 2+ jobs while going to get her associates when I was young. For me, she showed me that anything is possible as long as you put the time towards it. She is truly an inspiration. Read More>>

Terrance Donte

I developed a strong work ethic early on thanks to my mother. She taught me how to handle business from a young age—how to open a bank account, build credit, and even introduced me to investing in stocks. My great-grandfather was one of the first Black sales clerks at Gimbels department store, and that legacy of perseverance runs deep in my family. Read More>>

Holly Birch Smith

Growing up on a farm, I learned the value of hard work very early on. I was very involved in 4-H & FFA and had many livestock projects. Taking care of livestock is not for the faint of heart — it requires daily responsibilities, often several times throughout the day. My summers were spent feeding and rinsing cattle twice a day, making sure they stayed cool and fed and watered properly. I also helped take care of our facilities and equipment, ensuring we were ready for travel and show days when they arrived frequently throughout the summer months. Read More>>

Lizi Gonzalez

I get my work ethic from my mother. Growing up, I watched her build a life from almost nothing working long hours, managing a household, and still making time to show up for every one of my milestones. She didn’t just talk about responsibility or grit she lived it. Read More>>

Kaylee Dale

I would have to say I get my work ethic from my dad, not only on a genetic level but a physical one. My dad taught me the value of hard work, never doing anything “half-ass” and to always know you can depend on one person, and that’s yourself. Read More>>

Tim Balajadia

Great question! Growing up in a military household, life was never certain. My family moved a lot. At the time I hated it because we (older brother and younger sister) would make friends and connections and then would have to leave shortly after. However, looking back now, I cherish those memories. It shaped my character and through the loss, I gained valuable insight and perspective. Life is short. I remember how hard my mother and father worked to give us a life different than one growing up on Guam. Read More>>

Jennifer Trevino

I developed my work ethic early on, starting with my first newspaper delivery route as a kid. From there, I took on babysitting jobs in the neighborhood and worked countless odd jobs—retail, banking, food service, and other roles in the service industry. Each experience taught me the value of responsibility, showing up, and doing my best. Those jobs also motivated me to stay in school and keep pushing myself, knowing that education would open the door to more opportunities and allow me to make a greater impact. Read More>>

Ras Moses

In a worldly way, my parents and my grandparents instilled that hard work pays off and each generation thrives more.
My dear father was the first to go to university and get his masters then went onto a successful business career. However I learned a hard lesson that we must balance work life with restoration as my dad worked himself to death with stresss. Read More>>

Tana Ostman

I get my work ethic from my parents. Growing up, I watched both of them work incredibly hard in blue-collar and corporate jobs to provide stability for our family. They always taught me that having a strong work ethic would take me far in life – that doing things for the right reasons matters more than just trying to get rich. Read More>>

Brook Kraushaar

Something clicked in my late teens, early 20s. I enjoyed manual labor! Roofing of all things really became a passion. Then it slowly became who I was and I later enjoyed just being able to work in the heat. So if you can handle a 130 degree roof, 60ft off the ground with a harness and all your ppe. You can pretty much handle anything. Since then, I don’t do many roofs. It’s mainly all running my PB & J food truck (That’s my Jam, a sandwich co.), production and painting these days. Read More>>

Tremayne Copeland

I’d say I get my work ethic from a mix of my upbringing and a deep fear of missing deadlines—sprinkled with just enough tea to power a small spaceship. Growing up, I was taught that if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right the first time. That stuck with me, and now I take a lot of pride in delivering quality work, staying accountable, and staying a step ahead—while laughing through the chaos when needed! Read More>>

Jayden Eastman

My work ethic comes from years of dedication and never giving up. Its waking up and just doing the one thing you enjoy doing and never forcing creativity. Forming a habit of trying and trusting the process. Things might not always work and get lost in a vault of creations. Though there’s days were things do work and it usually comes from days where inspiration lacks and the creations do their true job of rekindling inspiration.  Read More>>

Leigh Achenbach

Growing up, I watched my parents consistently show up, work hard, and take pride in doing things the right way—even when no one was watching. That made a big impression on me. Over time, I learned that strong work ethic isn’t just about putting in long hours, it’s about being dependable, doing quality work, and following through on commitments. That mindset stuck with me and continues to drive how I approach every job and responsibility. Read More>> 

Omari J. Brooks

I get most of my ethic from my mom. She’s one of the hardest-working people I know. She keeps me occupied in this crazy business known as show-biz. Whether it’s learning multiple scripts a day or having to tape multiple auditions in a day. It’s beyond crazy. But I keep going one foot in front of the other. Read More>>

 Albert Greene

Vision To Reality a mission-driven energy—balancing artistry with execution. Every production, project, or pitch comes with grit, late nights, and the vision to turn ideas into impact.

This work ethic is about more than hustle—it’s about honor, legacy, and purpose. Read More>>

Diana Saribekian

I get my work ethic from the discipline I developed in childhood while competing in rhythmic gymnastics. That sport taught me early on that consistency, focus, and pushing through challenges are key to growth. I also believe in working hard the SMART way — setting clear goals and being intentional with effort. Read More>>

Sarah Wolford

My work ethic was shaped by hardship, responsibility, and the quiet example of the strongest woman I’ve ever known, my grandmother.

I didn’t grow up with much. I faced a lot early on and had to step into roles of responsibility at a young age, helping care for my family and learning how to be resourceful. Even then, I always saw myself doing something big! Something creative, something that helped people. Read More>>

Yadira Rodriguez

Growing up with hard working dedicated parents was my main example of prioritizing and developing good habits and a strong work ethic. That along with being taught to always be respectful, kind and trust worthy (honest) made me the person I am today. Your parents really are your first role models in life. Read More>>

Tami Felder

I get my work ethic from my dad.
He taught me that showing up matters—even when it’s hard.
That quitting isn’t an option just because things get tough.
That pride is found in doing your best, even when no one’s watching.
His hands may have built things, fixed things, or carried heavy loads—
But more than that, they showed me how to carry responsibility with strength and humility.
My work ethic? Read More>>

Sri Divel

I was built in the hospitality industry—and in this industry, we don’t quit. Long hours, back-to-back doubles, no such thing as “off the clock”—it’s where I was forged, and it’s where my work ethic was born.

You learn early that there’s no room for “later” when something needs to be handled now. You show up. You stay late. You solve it. You keep going. Whether it’s a packed dining room, a 911 in the kitchen, or a broken AC unit in the middle of dinner rush—it gets fixed, not tomorrow, but tonight. Read More>>

Laura Mehall

From a young age, I was taught that if you want something, you have to work for it. That lesson really stuck with me and helped shape me into the person I am today. My work ethic has allowed me to graduate college, build a career I’m passionate about, and continue growing both personally and professionally every single day. I was able to grow into someone who doesn’t take a single thing for granted. I’ve worked my butt off for everything I have, and that makes it all the more meaningful. Read More>>

Erich Sayers

Growing up in rural Kansas we are blue collar workers and farmers. I feel like your work ethic is valued over almost everything else aside from maybe honesty and dependability. I guess that’s the Protestant work ethic I don’t feel right if I’m not working. Throw in perfectionism and I have a hard time doing nothing unless it being in nature admiring its peace and beauty. Read More>>

Sage Bara

My work ethic was shaped by a childhood deeply rooted in the performing arts. Dance, music, theatre, and performance were part of my everyday life. The long hours of study built a strong inner discipline, while early mornings, late-night rehearsals, and countless performances taught me the value of preparation and perseverance. My teachers and directors instilled in me not only the personal drive to always give my best and push past perceived limits, but also the responsibility to show up fully for my castmates, my audience, and the greater creative effort. Read More>>

Krista Bailey

Growing up, my parents instilled a strong work ethic in my sister and I. We were encourged to start multiple “small businesses” in our elementary years and dream up many inventions. We had lemonade stands, garage sales and offered to do yard work for many of our neighbors. I personally had a constant desire to help others and earn my own money. My first job was at a small bakery down from my high school. I made chocolates and waited on customers. I loved the instant gratification of serving people something so delicious and seeing their satisfaction. Read More>> 

Lyn Stewart

My dad worked in the field of environmental protection when I was a kid. He always talked about the challenges he faced issuing citations for mega corporations. But no matter how much stress these mega corporations caused him and no matter how hard they tried to get him to cave, he never backed down from what he knew to be right and true. Read More>>

Joshua David Smith

I get my work ethnic from my mom and also challenging myself each year to do better then the year before. I’m always aiming to improve my skills and work ethic. Read More>>

Eric Brown

I was once a sports writer for a newspaper for over a decade, and we had a very strict deadline to have each paper done before midnight of every day. I believe that time at the newspaper really taught me the value of managing your time effectively while also meeting a deadline in a very timely notice. That same rule applies to really any job or business you wish to create. And that same type of deadline also is important for meeting the contract deadlines for each audiobook narration that I have done. Read More>>

Moriah Dejohnette

I can say I get a lot of my work ethic from my dad. He taught from a young age to always work for what I wanted and that nothing comes free in life. I used to not like that I wasn’t spoiled and given everything, it helped me when I became an adult. Read More>>

Taylor Davis

I get my work ethic from my mom, without a doubt. She’s been a business owner my whole life, and I grew up watching her work tirelessly to build something of her own while still showing up fully for our family. That kind of dedication really shaped how I approach work. I’ve always had a lot of drive, and I think that started by watching her lead by example. Read More>>

Jordan Anderson

My work ethic was forged in quiet moments where no one was watching and tested in the loud moments when everyone was. From doing push-ups to failure in a circle of screaming hockey coaches to working through COVID while building three businesses after hours, I’ve learned one thing: the work you do when it’s hard is what builds who you are. Read More>>

Sandi Jerome

My work ethic comes from both sides of my family heritage. My father, Larry Cook, was Cherokee and worked in construction—a demanding field that taught me the value of showing up every day and putting in honest, hard work regardless of the conditions. My mother, Rita Nellesen Cook, was a second-generation Dutch, Danish, and German immigrant who embodied the discipline and dedication that runs deep in Germanic culture.  Read More>>

Deanna First

I’ve been determined from a very young age when it comes to pursuing my love for art. I feel my journey as an artist is directly linked to my soul mission. My father also owned a business selling ice to local shops in Ohio with my Uncle and grandfather. Looking back, and seeing him work as a teacher during the day, and then building his business after work and on the weekends also inspired me from a young age. Read More>>

Bruce Blumentritt

During my pre-teen and teenage years, there were three important people who taught ne the value of a good work ethic – my stepfather, my auto mechanics teacher, and especially my maternal grandfather, taught me the importance of a great work ethic. As an adult, two workplace experiences enhanced this learning. Read More>>

Lauren Dixon

There are plenty of explanations that could be a factor as to why I work so hard, but the main thing (and person) I’d say who’s inspired me to never settle and never stop hustling is my dad. Growing up poor my entire life, living in Baltimore City, it felt like a destiny already in place for me that I was never going to truly live my full potential and not fall victim to a systematic lifestyle, but that wasn’t the case growing up in a family full of creatives either. Read More>>