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.

Maggie Pool

From day one, my parents have always encouraged me to do what feels right for myself. I was always told, “Ask the questions! If you don’t you’ll never know the answers.”, and boy did that stick. Read more>>

Shay Ramos

My parents instilled in me a strong sense of independence, autonomy, responsibility, and self-determination. My parents were very busy, both working full time out of the home and running their own businesses; Read more>>

Rashmi Singh

My parents were very supportive. For immigrant parents, a child in the arts can present a dilemma as they want nothing more than security and ease for their children. Read more>>

Reinaldo Gil Zambrano

My family has no history of visual artists; I grew up in a household of science educators with a passion for rocks and the earth. My parents recognized in my brother and me the things we liked to do by taking us to many things, from sports to cultural events to readings and craft. Read more>>

Larry George

Growing up being raised by my grandparents was truly a privilege and divinely ordained. Being the oldest of 4(3 sisters and myself), we quickly learned that we were born into a family extremely gifted with singers and musicians, preachers and those with Military experience and so much more. Read more>>

Tanya Ellis

My Mom was always there for me when I needed her. She always had an open mind and let me speak when I was little she made it easy to approach her with situations that most parents wouldn’t be so open minded to talk about. Read more>>

Jian Wood

My mom taught me how to be compassionate, kind, and understanding. These values have helped me at my job in customer service. I am a manager at party city and being able to be compassionate, kind, and understanding to others is so important. Read more>>

Danielle Shea

I am an only child, raised by a loving and hard working single mom and my two adoring grandparents. All of my life I have been loved, supported, and encouraged. My family unit did a lot of things right. Read more>>

HM Newton

Both of my parents have always made a point of being supportive of whatever I want to pursue. When I was a young child they made sure to show me that someone can make a career for themselves in the arts. Read more>>

Isaac Olowogbade

I grew up in a very traditional African household where respect is very important. My parents thought me a lot about respecting others but even more so about respecting my value above all. Read more>>

OWL VIBEZ

My parents were and still are amazing examples of entrepreneurial pursuits. They always had their own business which allowed me to see a new path of expression and became aware I could earn a living doing what I loved. Read more>>

Natalie Bryan

To be honest, it was primarily my mother who raised me as a single parent for over 35 years. Both of my parents hail from Kingston, Jamaica, and as I’ve mentioned before, it was my mother’s unwavering commitment to helping others in our country that deeply influenced my values. Read more>>

Vicki Street

One thing my parents have always done right was supported me and my dreams no matter what. That might sounds cliche, but when you’re in a field like the arts, it’s actually pretty common for a parent to try and sway you against pursuing something creative vs. traditional. Read more>>

Mariedith López Sanchez

Both my parents expected the best of me, and although it usually came with a sense of never being enough, it make me always strive for the best. Read more>>

Soo Jin Lee

Your answer beautifully captures the essence of resilience and the profound impact of your parents’ decisions on your life and career. Here’s a refined version that maintains your original tone while ensuring clarity and impact: Read more>>

Nicole Leon

I come from a very humble family where hard work is the key to success. I watched my parents work incredibly hard to give us what we needed. Read more>>

Marilyn Colin Geiger

Growing up as a first Generation of Immigrant parents impacted my life and career so much. Watching my parents build a small little fruit shop into a successful Mexican sandwich shop was very inspiring. Read more>>

Kenneth St. George

My mother showed me the value in pursuing a passion early on in my life. She quit her job in order to become a childcare provider when I was 7 years old and it inspired me to find something in my life that I loved that I could also dedicate myself to. Read more>>

Nijhae Mckenney

I’ve been singing since I was 3. The first person to ever hear a tune out of me was my mother. She would always tell me “You get it from me”, while singing terribly all the while. Read more>>

Chenhui Zheng

My parents have had a great impact on my artistic career, providing me with great support both economically and spiritually. I think the most important thing is still spiritual support. Read more>>

Malia Tate

Our hive has been humming with bees and their keepers since 1939. My grandfather Walter Runyan Steele was the first beekeeper in our family. He and my grandmother Lillie raised 12 children in Boise off Hill rd. Read more>>

Mya Turner

My mom is one of the major reasons I’m progressing towards my dreams and goals every day. What she did right, was allow me to be. Read more>>

Ezra Oulanyah

I can confidently say that the only reason I’m as into art as I am, and chose to study it in a professional capacity, is because of my dad’s unwavering support. Read more>>

CarolLaine M Garcia

What is the purpose of our parents in our lives? As someone whose father became an ancestor when I was 21, I think about the impact of our parents on us perhaps more than most people. Read more>>

Sadie May

I was blessed with the most supportive parents imaginable. My mom and I are still extremely close, going to concerts, festivals and all sorts of events together. Read more>>

Ryan Cooper

My parents did alot of things right to help shape me on my journey! My Mom probably had the biggest impact in my life! No matter how bad life got arrests, getting the shit kicked out of me,broken ankle, the end of my rugby career, car crashes, the shooting that almost ended my life and took my finger…. Read more>>

Monica Davern

So many things! I’m the youngest of 4 kids and my parents are both immigrants from Colombia. My dad was always looking for the best opportunities in work and life, to be able to support our family and bring us to the next level. Read more>>

Valencia Davis

My father passed away when I was 6 years old, however he played a major role in my life, all of my life through stories told to me by my mom and family. Read more>>

So Ye Oh

They have consistently allowed me to do whatever I have wanted and have supported me at all times. This extends to my younger brother as well. Read more>>

Sofia Mara Maggi

My parents taught me a crucial lesson growing up – stay grounded. They emphasized the importance of being down-to-earth, humble, and grateful, regardless of the circumstances. Read more>>

Natalia Jofre

I feel very lucky to say that my parents did a LOT right. They made sure I always felt heard and loved, and gave me the right proportion of limits and freedom. Read more>>

Zhixuan Li

I had a tough time with my parents in middle school. I have never been a thin girl in traditional Asian aesthetics, so some of my classmates used to make fun of me. Read more>>

Chris Alveshere

My parents are wonderful, helpful, supportive folks! I grew up helping my dad with everything from car repairs and home renovations, to construction projects and yard work. Read more>>

Shameka Erby

My parents were huge readers. Both my mom and dad read all the time and were known for leaving books all over the house. Reading was definitely my gateway into writing and I owe that all to them. Read more>>

Rebekah Undersander

Beth, my mom, works in the school system as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA). Specifically, she works with children with disabilities. Read more>>

Dr Heather Brow

My parents grew up in the Great Depression and WWII. From living in poverty and fear, they both became unbelievably focused on their work ethic, character, and being aware and grateful for the simple things of nature. Read more>>

Dr. Kira DuCharme

My parents allowed me to make important decisions regarding my life at a very early age. I decided to attend boarding school in Florida at the age of 12. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Read more>>

Blaine Bartlett

Role models… Father was a serial entrepreneur, started and successfully exited a number of businesses. One was a trucking firm during the first gas embargo in the 1970s. Read more>>

Sofia Coyle

My parents let me be who I wanted to be. Ever since I was little I was very musically inclined. Instead of absently calling it a hobby, they chose to see how that talent could flourish. Read more>>

Katrin Miller

I have been fortunate enough to have had very wonderful parents. My mom has an artistic mentality and romanticized every aspect of our lives. Read more>>

Ada Goldfeld

My parents are both mathematicians. From afar, their path might seem like the total opposite of my own career as a painter. But on a day-to-day level, being a mathematician means working through abstract ideas, alone, which in many ways is similar to a studio practice. Read more>>

Paige Snyder

My entrepreneurial journey owes everything to the unwavering support of my parents. Starting a business at such a young age posed many challenges, such as little to none startup funds, workspace, and foundational knowledge in business operations. Read more>>