Society has its myths about where we learn – internships, books, school, etc. However, in our conversations with some of the most interesting and trailblazing entrepreneurs and creatives we noticed the biggest lessons they learned about work often came from unexpected sources. We’ve shared some of those responses below.
Brooke Menyuk
My very first job was at 15, living in Maine. I couldn’t drive yet, but I found a family on Craigslist looking for a mother’s helper for their four kids. At the time, life at home wasn’t always easy, and this family quickly became my second family — my escape and my sense of normalcy. Read more>>
Elizabeth Fraley
One of my professors Dr. Keith Allred, taught me the most about research, work ethic, and developing routines in my learning to make the most of my assignments. Read more>>
Kelly Needleman
I truly believe that sometimes it’s not about the technical expertise you’ve been taught, but rather the lesson of how to work with people, how to treat someone with respect and kindness, and simply be a good person. I give all that credit to my parents and the lessons they taught me throughout my life. Read more>>
Rachel Matos
The people who taught me the most about work were my family. My uncles and my mom were incredibly disciplined, hard workers who stayed consistent even in times of adversity. Sometimes that discipline felt like too much, but it shaped how I understood responsibility. Read more>>
Garbralle Conroe
The people who taught me the most about work were my parents. From an early age, they instilled in me the values of discipline, integrity, and perseverance. They always reminded me that my worth is not defined by my environment or the color of my skin, and that character will always outlast circumstance. Read more>>
Rebecca Tarabocchia
Many of my acting teachers have had a huge influence on me, and I’ll be forever grateful to them. Early on, I was introduced to the Meisner technique. It took me some time to truly understand it, but once I did, so many doors opened in my work. I began by performing silent films in school, which turned out to be an invaluable experience. Read more>>
Seda Saar
I’ve been shaped by both teachers and experiences. My early background in architecture and design taught me discipline and how to think spatially, while my years designing immersive environments for studios revealed the power of light and atmosphere. Spiritually, studying energy healing with Dr. Read more>>
Kormiyaki Lamarr
Honestly, our biggest teachers have been the people we’ve worked with along the way. From starting out on small student projects to eventually being part of large-scale Hollywood productions, the last eight years have exposed us to such a wide spectrum of collaborators — artists, technicians, entrepreneurs, and creatives from different walks of life and corners of the world. Read more>>
Jacob Walters
My dad taught me the most about work. He is a very hard working person, who never misses work, or anything in our lives. Him and my mom are both the most hard working selfless people I know. Read more>>
Marc Solo
I believe failures and success are two sides of the same coin. Failures aren’t just setbacks — they’re lessons and stepping stones that shape your growth. Every failure has pushed me to rethink my approach, get clearer on my goals, and build resilience. Success feels meaningful only when it comes after those struggles because it shows you’ve earned it. Read more>>
Steven Wong
With my grandparents and parents immigrating to the States, it was a tough transition in all aspects. From the stories and seeing firsthand when I was young, their work ethic, the drive, the tenacity, the dedication in everything they did personally and professionally to better the lives of the entire family, it is commendable, powerful, respectable, and aspiring. Read more>>
Analisa SIx
Both sides of my family have been highly influential in teaching me about work ethic and the various ways you can set up your life for success. My grandparents were all teachers, but my parents are all self made with very different approaches to how they work. Read more>>
Bridget Connelly
My Dad had a huge influence on my work ethic. He was constantly scraping lead-based paint off of a baseboard or up on a ladder yanking families of dead chipmunks out of the gutters of our childhood Victorian home. There was no sitting around eating Cheetos watching Donahuel. I take after him in my love of manual labor. Read more>>
