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.

Rosie Rodriguez

My mom never ceases her support. She is the biggest cheerleader for my sister and I. Being a single parent to two girls was not easy for her. She had to figure out things as they came along, (FLAWLESSLY I might add) and worked so hard to make sure my sister and I had the best. Read more>>

Kamila Kowalke

My parents were born during WW2 and grew up during post war in a poverty-stricken country that was also under the communist regime. The priorities of people from that era were focused on survival and my dad once told me that his goal was to raise his kids for survival… happiness, joy, fulfillment seemed to be a secondary objective… Read more>>

Muftiah Jokomba

Unfortunately, I didn’t have your typical childhood. Growing up in Nigeria, I had recently turned 7 when my dad passed away; with my mom having just moved to America. My siblings and I then spent the next few years shuffling between the houses of aunts and uncles, spent some time in a boarding school, and even lived alone for a while; with the oldest sibling being no older than 16-17. Read more>>

Shanda McCloskey

My parents let me be messy and make things. Weird paper items, art, stories, even businesses. They never made me feel like my ideas weren’t worth trying out. They actually asked me my opinion on things! I know this trust and freedom impacted me as a whole creative person. Read more>>

Edi Callier

“We have not been given the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” “Fear is just F.alse  E.vidence A.ppearing R.eal.” “Be mindful of your words because death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Read more>>

Robert Collier Jr

What did my parents do right is very easy for me to answer. I’ll give you the top 3 key principles that still til this day impact my life greatly. Number 1 and the most important thing they did was taught me how to love and respect God. Without God nothing else in my life would be possible or even matter. Number two they taught me how important family is and how you should stick together and be there for each other. Read more>>

Mo Wise

My parents have been one of the greatest gifts of my life. I grew up in the same house that my parents reside in to this day in Dana Point, CA. Growing up less than a mile from the beach allowed me endless hours spent along the coast, dipping my toes into the ocean and simultaneously opening my mind and imagination to the world that resides within the sea. Read more>>

Akaira Cryer-Simmons

I absolutely adore my parents! Since I was a young girl, they’ve instilled countless values in me that I utilize within the family that I created and the empire I am working to build. Read more>>

Cessilye R. Smith

I believe my parents impacted my journey in a big way and in a variety of ways. One way is in their love for me. My parents loved big…they still do. Growing up, there was never a doubt in my mind that my parents loved me and my sister. They were affectionate, loving and supportive parents and we said “I love you” all of the time. Read more>>

Sarah Dunn

My parents did a lot of things right but one of the most impactful things they did was build a business out of their garage. Not only did they show me what’s possible, they also taught me about work-life balance. My parents rarely missed one of my swim meets or other important events growing up. I took it for granted then, but now as an adult, I realize just how lucky I was that my parents started their own business which afforded them the ability to be present in my life. Their presence and support was and continues to be a huge motivator of my success. Read more>>

Amanda Gunville

From as young as I can remember, my dad would start each summer by creating a goal to achieve by the end of the summer. Each summer the goal would have an age-appropriate award attached to it. I grew up playing competitive golf in an era when very few girls played golf, so I played with my dad and his friends almost exclusively. Read more>>

Catherine Okubo

My parents have instilled in me the importance of hard work and they have also put me through a lot of change during my childhood. At the time I didn’t appreciate growing up always moving from city to city and even countries. Today however I see how this experience was so valuable because it made me adapt to new situations with ease. “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change”. Read more>>

Peyton Hamilton

Being a new mom, I have a much more profound respect and appreciation for how wonderful my parents are. A lot of parenting is just trying to do the best you can with the knowledge you have in the given moment. Obviously a lot has changed in parenting in the 30 years since I was a baby, but I believe my mom and dad were way ahead of the curve with knowing how important it was to have freedom to explore our curiosities. Read more>>

Roe Michel

The best thing that my parent(s) did was to just let me be. I was a very inquisitive child. I love learning and experiencing the new. When there wasn’t anything new, I longed to create something. I listened to every music in ears reach: the Grease soundtrack, LL Cool, Tupac, Teddy Pendergrass, Coupe Cloue, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and of course Michael Jackson. Read more>>

Jyasi Galloway

I like to begin with formalities so first & foremost let me just say I appreciate you guys for just taking the time out to chop it up with me, that’s love. This is intriguing because it’s less of what my mother did right but more of her being transparent & raw with me. I was raised by a single mother so off the rip she tried to make sure at the best of her abilities I was poised & placed in the best of positions that she could afford, apply, and/or teach. Read more>>

Golbanoo Setayesh

I’m a first generation citizen. Both my parents are Iranian immigrants. Growing up, it was clear that I had a love of performing from a young age, and this love was supported from the get go. I was put in dance classes at age three. I started voice lessons at eight. At ten, I joined my first summer camp at the local community theater. Read more>>

LaKendria Ellis

Although my parents separated when I was young, I am fortunate in that I have a great relationship with them both. Although they have different parenting styles, they each added value to my upbringing. I learned the value of collaboration in watching them work together to raise me. They were not together, but they were partners in parenting. I wouldn’t realize this until I was much older but watching collaborate to raise me instilled the idea of partnership being essential. Read more>>

Sable Breeze

Neither of my parents have a background in music but despite that, they have always supported me wholeheartedly. My parents are always the first to hear my songs and share their opinions with me. I feel like they have even more faith in me than I do in myself most days haha. The amount of times my dad has told his friends and random strangers about my music is countless. My mom, as soon as she knew what I wanted to do, would help me in any way she could. Read more>>

Mariama Tatum

My parents have always been very supportive of my journey throughout life. They are both musically inclined with my mother being a classically trained pianist and my father being a percussionist. My mother did such an amazing job at nurturing my creative mind from a very young age. She kept me creatively engaged by exposing me to various experiences and environments that helped me develop both mentally and technically in my career. Read more>>

Jasmine Johnson

I was raised by a very intelligent, strong, beautiful, determined, ambitious black woman. She never put limitations on my dreams and aspirations! If anything, I feel like she pushed me harder because I am a female. She always makes me, and my siblings, believe that we can achieve any goal! Read more>>

Dr. Curtis D. Jasper

My parents allowed me to be exactly who I am. Although I had structure and discipline, I also had autonomy and the freedom of self-expression. I was a stubborn but focused kid growing up. I was head-strong and defiant. My parents worked within those spaces with me by remaining consistent, loving, nurturing, and tough. Read more>> 

Te’ona Ealy

My mother instilled in me work ethic, integrity, organization, confidence, how to enjoy my own company, how to speak with clarity, how to love myself, and how to believe in myself at all times. Read more>>