Parents teach us many things including how to be a parent. We can learn from their mistakes, sure, but we can also learn a lot from the things they got right. We asked successful entrepreneurs and creatives to open up to us about their parents and what they felt their parents got right.

Dayne Allen

Being born into a life with parents who really prepared before hand to have a family of three kids. Supporting us financially and some of our life choices, for one me finding a passion in doing video and filming with a camera for fun. Little did I know sharing my fun videos on social media would turn into multiple gigs new connections and music videos. Read more>>

Josh Greene

My parents, both, are very instrumental in who I am and still becoming. My mother has been a successful business owner for the majority of my life. She taught me how to be a boss. Inspired me to blaze my own trail by exercising my faith in God and follow the steps He places before me. My father was a military man. Read more>>

Dena DiStefano

I was raised in an Italian household. My parents shared and modeled the most beautiful love story. They nurtured their relationship daily, worked hard, and placed family above everything. When I was 14 years old, my father passed away tragically at the age of 46 of a stroke. Read more>>

Shenette Swann

Goodness- as a parent of two sons, age 22 and 15- I think of every moment I could have been a better parent, but I celebrate my efforts and victories big and small. I do it alone and though it is difficult it is rewarding beyond measure! Read more>>

Makia Jenkins

My parents had me when they were teenagers, which is unbelievable every time I talk about it. They both dropped out of high school around that same time as well. They did not go to college or earn anything more than a GED. Read more>>

Emily McQueen

They taught me to be resourceful in non-traditional ways. Dad For my 10th birthday, my dad built me a lap desk out of scrap plywood. It sat about 18 inches high off the ground and was designed for me to sit on the floor while I worked. Read more>>

Angela Beloian

I grew up in Southern California in a family of “makers.” My dad was a self-taught, general contractor who added a second floor to our house after my brother was born. My mom was creative and industrious. She cut my hair and sewed matching floral dresses for herself and me (it was the 70’s.) Read more>>

Sandra Capaccio

To say that my parents have supported my career choices would be a massive understatement. My parents have shown my sisters and I from day 1 that when you work hard for what you want, it will always pay off. Right out of high school, there were so many decisions that I could’ve made to further my education, but College didn’t seem right for the type of Creative I am. Read more>>

Rodney Burris

I remember the conversation vividly. My dad set there in the truck, looked at me and said, “you are strong enough to be weak.” I was like, “what?”. He said it again: “You are strong enough to be weak.”Although I didn’t understand at the time, the conversation between us that followed was about to become one of the most impactful lessons on emotional intelligence that I would ever encounter in my life. Read more>>

Dr. Jennifer Stover

Title: “A Legacy of Resilience: My Journey as a First-Generation Graduate and Healer” In the heart of a blooming city, my story unfolds—a narrative shaped by the unwavering support and profound influence of my parents. As an only child and the first in my family to pursue higher education, my journey was marked by the challenges of navigating uncharted territories. Read more>>

Amy Newman Brown

I love reflecting on what my parents did right. They instilled a strong sense of independence in me with their “figure it out yourself” and “you can do it” attitude. Growing up pre-internet, I learned to seek information the old-fashioned way – through dictionaries and library visits. Read more>>

Devanq Everytime Walls

I grew up in during a day in age where you needed to know how to fight just to live. I can remember back to the days when I couldn’t even walk, but my dad made me fight my older brother who could walk; and I had to fight him every day. Read more>>

Mackinley Autrey

This question holds deep significance for me, particularly in light of my recent loss. I was fortunate to have had an extraordinary childhood shaped by the wisdom and resilience of my parents. hey instilled in me virtue and the value of savoring each moment as an adventure, consistently offering encouragement and positive affirmations. Read more>>

Uncle Joe

My parents supported every dream I ever had. As a child I played multiple sports, which lead to my passion and ability today to be able to discuss various sports topics. No matter the season or weather my parents were always at my games, paid for equipment, drove to tournaments and cheered me on. Read more>>

Megan Kierstead

As the textbook embodiment of the word “precocious”, I was a kid who always wanted to be exploring and learning something new. My parents supported and encouraged this, no matter how esoteric and weird I went. Here’s a small sampling to give you an idea: Read more>>

AMBER HAWKINS

I was lucky enough to be born into a family with 2 open hearted and open minded leaders, my parents. At a young age, I was able to witness a variety of ambitious career paths, entrepreneurship, and a healthy work life balance. Read more>>

Rachel Stocker

I grew up in a 2nd generation family business. Our business was run in our home by my parents and 3-4 daily employees. It was natural to me for the business phone to ring and my parents to answer it no matter what time of day it was. Read more>>

Tamara Jackson

My parents led an authoritarian parenting lifestyle. I appreciate the rearing I received growing up. I believe that it kept me safe and allowed me to make safe and wise decisions as an adult. I have now passed some of those things over to my children. Read more>>

Lena Bishop

Both my parents have been supportive of me from day one in art. From being a young child to even now. Always buying me art supplies, showing up to art events and shows. They are truly my number one fans. My father himself was an artist and my very 1st art teacher. Read more>>

Jose Cervantes

My parents gave me the right tools and values to become the person that I am know, they allowed me to make mistakes without judgement and kept supporting me and allowing me to be my true self. Read more>>

Luciano Ciorciari

a. My parents lived their lives gracefully walking the balance between fighting for more and appreciating everything they had. They instilled in my brothers and I an incredible dedication to our dreams and intense love for family that has since become the very foundation of what Food Related stands for. Read more>>

Lisa Jordan

I’m GenX so have latchkey kid written all over me. While my generation is often also referred to as the lost generation, for me, I never felt lost at all. Having to do things on my own was just a way of life. Read more>>

Charlie Redmond

I grew up on a small cattle ranch in NW Colorado. By 5 or 6 years old I had ranch chores I had to do everyday before breakfast, before school, before opening presents on Christmas morning, before anything else. Read more>>

Nashelle Nash” Brown”

I have been blessed with two parents who encourage my artistic endeavors. I was that kid who would drag the entire family into the garage and hand out playbills for a play I had made up that day. Each time, my parents gladly entered into my creative world. Read more>>

Mary Guzmán

I am a woman with learning disabilities. Didn’t find out what was my problem until I was in college. I thought there was things I just couldn’t do. But what brought me through it all was the knowledge that I was loved. Read more>>

Ques Beal

i feel my parents did right with guiding me through life and really setting me up early with just knowing life is precious and short.soo i needs to make the best out of it while im here and time doesn’t wait for a soul. Read more>>

Vanessa Lipscomb

My parents taught me to GIVE. Even if you feel like you don’t have a lot, you should always give. My parents divorced before I turned 3 years old. Even though they separated, the values pretty much remained the same. My dad always helped out other family members or family friends that were in need. Read more>>

Oliver Villacorta

I came to the US at the age of 7, and as the children of Peruvian immigrants who embraced the American dream, my siblings and I were raised with strong values. Read more>>

Ixamar Palumbo

The best gift my single, immigrant mother gave me was financial literacy. She started with simple concepts, using everyday experiences to teach me about money. Read more>>

Stephanie Reade

Growing up in the Hammerquist family was never dull. I was number two out of four kids. We grew up on a small ranch in Surprise, Arizona. Stores, people, and a big city were non-existent when we moved there. Read more>>

Mina Kim

I see my parents in almost everything I do. I think of them every time I thank a crossing guard or a bus driver. I think of them whenever I donate to charity. I think of them when I give up my seat in the subway for a younger child or an elderly couple. Read more>>

Kathy Chlan

My parents did so many things right! Two things that have stuck with me throughout my life – especially when you deal with adversities are : 1. My father would always repeat this to me “Life is like a card game. It is not about the hand you are dealt, but how you play that hand. Play it with dignity & grace.” Read more>>

Creigh Riepe

My parents were both incredibly supportive and excited about my interest in music from a young age. My mom played piano and my dad played guitar and loved listening to music. I began expressing interest in guitar and piano in elementary school, so I took some classical piano lessons and voice lessons and started singing at local churches in my area. Read more>>

Ryan Williams

“My parents were incredibly supportive of my passion for the arts, providing me with the freedom to explore my creativity. A particularly memorable experience occurred when I was around 7 or 8 years old—I created a drawing that resonated with my mom so much that she took it to her workplace. Read more>>

Jill Carlock

My parents and grandparents have been supportive of mine, (and my brother’s) creativity since we were young. The running joke is that they both have “not a creative bone in their body.” But I believe it just comes out in different ways. Read more>>

L’Marco

One thing I can say is that growing up, we really didn’t have much of money but my parents ensured that my brothers and i didn’t have to want for much. My ex- Stepdad was a very hard worker, even picking up odd jobs when necessary. They also never really allowed us to feel the weight of financial struggle, although we understood we may not have a lot money, we all had what needed: Read more>>