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.
Monique Salas

My work ethic definitely comes from watching my mom work so hard. I’ve seen my mom work on her worst days. If she can pull through those days, I have no excuse when I have my days. Read more>>
Shami Sosa

My work ethic comes from my family, mainly my parents. For children of immigrants, the experience of moving to a new country often invokes hard work and determination to establish a better life. This is passed down to succeeding generations, perhaps as a cultural norm. Witnessing my older brother raise his family at an early age (and now becoming a father) instilled a sense of responsibility and commitment deep within me. Read more>>
Jessica Alicia Morataya Cotrim

Work ethic is something I had to learn through losses, failure, Trial, and Error. Growing up, I always had a job, but I changed them frequently because I struggled a lot with consistency. I couldn’t find passion in working so hard for other people, or for big companies that had values I didn’t agree with. I also struggled a lot with controlling substances I was using to cope with life. Read more>>
Emily LaPlume

I grew up with smart, creative parents who taught me that I could achieve anything if I worked hard enough. When I was 13 years old, I told my parents that I wanted to go to snowboard camp on the other side of the country. They said, “if you can raise the money, you can go.” I was determined. Read more>>
DIANA CASTLE

Work ethic and core values are connected. I value learning and I’m a life long learner. I value the arts in all forms as vehicles for the empathic experience. I value courageous creativity and am inspired weekly by how it’s expressed in the actors I get to work with. Read more>>
Jillian Gundy

I come from a strong family who rolled up their sleeves, worked with their hands, and knew how to hustle. We were all taught at a young age to work hard for what we want. I started working when I was 14. My journey began with jobs that didn’t feel like jobs. Read more>>
Bailee Lewis

My work ethic is rooted in two main principles; my faith and my passion. My faith has influenced my tremendously in my photography as it not only encourages me to do everything as if I’m doing it for the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24), but it also really inspires me when it comes to working with people. I am really interested in showcasing the beauty of my clients and glorifying God through that. Read more>>
Joanna Murray

Where do you get your work ethic from? Ben Murray I learned my work ethic from the two influential men in my life. My grandpa was one of the hardest working men I have known. He would wake up early every morning and work diligently until he went to sleep at night. My father was also another great example. My dad worked harder and longer than most men I have known. Read more>>
Sam Roberts

I was raised to give my all no matter what it is, That is what I have always stood on. That mixed with the fear of failure has created a workaholic! Read more>>
Kevin Hershner

I am very lucky to come from a very hard-working and accomplished family. As the baby of the family, I have been very fortunate to learn from the examples set by everyone who came before me, especially my parents and older sisters. Most importantly, my family showed me the importance of working hard in the service of others. Read more>>
Lynn Abaté-Johnson

This is something I have been proud of, even when I was younger and did not have the confidence or experience that I do today. I always thought that my strong work ethic came from a couple of somewhat stereotypical paths. One was being born and partially-raised in the Midwest (Detroit, Michigan). Read more>>
Devan Moll

I get my work ethic from my mom! Being a single mom is hard and she definitely worked her butt off to provide for me and made sure we had a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and clothes on our backs. I would go to work with her sometimes as a kid and she would let me ‘help’ her… Read more>>
Alek Wasserman

I grew up in a pretty classic “Midwestern work ethic” home, where working hard was probably our number one value. My mom grew up on a dairy farm, so my brother and I were never allowed to make excuses for anything. Wanted to sleep in from school? “That would never happen on the farm!” Read more>>
Shane Alexander

It has definitely grown over time. But, to be in the arts and not have a strong work ethic is an absolute career death sentence. I see many talented people that (for whatever reason) don’t have the hustle or intestinal fortitude to do all things necessary for their survival. To have a prayer in this business, you need to be consistently writing, recording, performing/touring and above all – promoting your work. Read more>>
Alyse Nichole

I would say my father instilled a very strong work ethic in me. When I started playing basketball I sucked like every little kid. Though there are those kids with natural talent. I was not one of those kids haha. So when I told him I wanted to be good and play in games for longer times he made me practice everyday. Read more>>
Darryl Yokley

I’ve had many great mentors, both musically and otherwise that have influenced my work ethic. As a musician, especially being a woodwind player, I try to take good care of my body so that I can perform at my best always. This entails paying attention to what I eat, making sure I exercise, and try to get enough sleep although I’m plagued by a slight case of being a workaholic. Read more>>
Tara Grey

I can give credit for my work ethic to only one person: My mom!! She raised my brother and I as a single parent. There were definitely some tough times growing up, and to this day, I still do not know how she did it. I grew up in a very small town in West Michigan (Montague), and it was a big farming community. So, if I wanted a little cash I would often pick blueberries, or asparagus. When I got a little older I became a pretty popular babysitter around town. Read more>>
Fernando Martinez

Definitely got my work ethic from my dad. Read more>>
Lenny Schwartz

I like to create something out of nothing. A topic or a project comes my way usually and what ends up happening is that I get obsessed with it. So much so that I can’t think about anything else. That is when I need to dive and delve into whatever world is presenting itself to me. Read more>>
Dionna Greene

My work ethic was derived from growing up and seeing my mom and dad struggle. Watching them work extremely hard back in the day and still struggle when it came to certain things! My work ethic derived from me wanting to position myself to be able to care for my mom (father deceased now), in her later years as she cared for me in my younger years! My work ethic is derived from wanted my later years to not require so much hard working. Read more>>
Ashley Recknor

My work ethic has come from growing up on a farm. Growing up taking care of the show cattle and pigs was apart of our routine and daily lives. It didn’t matter the weather or what we had going on the animals still had to be cared for. While our parents, were great about helping us out if we had other activities and assisting with the chores in the mornings before school, when we did not have school and on weekends we were expected to do our chores. Read more>>
Vincent Richmond

My work ethic has been greatly developed throughout my lifelong time of wrestling. The physical and mental resilience it brings going from practice and cutting weight to actually competing was a great test of fortitude. I knew every time I had to be on my A game every moment and I take that with me with each task I’m going forward with. Read more>>
Josh Hailey

I come a line of workaholics on the both sides of the family. I also think family and genetics plays into most everything we do. DNA baby. Read more>>
Joimel Dunigan

My work ethic has come extremely naturally for me. Whether I looked to my maternal or paternal families, each have been diligent and successful in their respective fields.. From Nurses to Judges to Educators to Musicians and much more, I come from a lineage of excellence in work ethic. Read more>>
Rachel Lee Perez

My work ethic absolutely comes from my mom and the values she instilled in me and my siblings growing up. As a kid, I was involved in numerous activities (such as ballet, gymnastics, choir, drama club, etc.) on top of the everyday tasks like school and chores. There was always the expectation to go above and beyond and to work hard until I could excel at whatever I took on. Read more>>
Syrus Black

It’s kinda hard to explain exactly where it comes from, but ever since I was a kid I just always knew that I have no other option but to make it and to achieve all my dreams. Being raised by a single mom with three kids makes you look at life differently, so I guess my work ethic comes from wanting to make sure my family is always good and that I’m turn is what makes me go hard. Read more>>
Kimberly Buchanan

From my mom. For as long as I can remember, she’s always worked in a business/office setting. As a small child, she would bring me to the office, on occasion, and give me small things to do while I was there with her. She exposed me to the atmosphere early on. Once I started working my own, I enjoyed a fast-paced environment that challenged me in a number of different ways. Read more>>
Justin Houman

As a urologist who owes my foundation to my hardworking, immigrant parents, I can say without a doubt that my work ethic is a direct legacy of their enduring spirit and unwavering determination. My parents’ journey to this country was filled with obstacles, yet they faced each challenge with resilience and a steadfast belief in the power of hard work. Read more>>
Kevin Herdeman

I can’t say for sure where my work ethic came from. I just know that if work is in front of me, I have to complete it no matter. I just work hard and fast so I can then move to something else. Read more>>
Greg Capozzi

I grew up in a mid to lower income household in a pretty gritty town called Brockton, MA. I’m a son of 2 immigrants, one from Greece and another from Italy. Both my parents had incredible work ethics so that was my baseline. I got my first job at age 13 where I was washing dishes at a hotel about a mile from my house. Read more>>
Thomas Numan

My strong work ethic stems from the values instilled in me by my parents and the lessons learned from their exemplary dedication. Growing up, I witnessed their unwavering commitment to their professions and their relentless pursuit of excellence. They emphasized the importance of hard work, integrity, and perseverance in achieving one’s goals. Read more>>
Jeronimo Speaks

My work ethic comes from seeing my mother struggle, I grew up in less than sustainable circumstances. It was my mother , me and my 3 sisters surviving on the Southside of Chicago. I watched my mother work dead end jobs, barely making ends meet, living in shelters or staying with friends and family members to pulling herself and us out of the gutta. Read more>>
Dominique , Franshesca Hamilton , Garcia
Hi, my name is chef Franshesca Garcia , my work ethic came from my childhood living in the Dominican Republic with my grandparents. My grandmother taught me at the age of 7 year old self disciple and maintain my responsibilities in the household. I watched my grandfather build our family house for scratch and being a leader. Read more>>