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. 

Canessa Thomas

Growing up, there are two things my parents got especially right that have benefited me deeply in both life and business: they didn’t allow us to quit simply because something became uncomfortable or difficult, and they made sure we experienced places beyond our hometown and state. Read More>>

Marvin Emetom

For me, coming from a single-parent household, my mom was a great example on how to be a hard working and respected adult in this world and it only came down to a few things: if you say you’re going to do something then make sure you always act upon it, never let the world dictate your voice, beliefs or your path in life and always give it your all if you commit to a particular road you pursue in this world. Read More>>

joshua lindsey

Because my mom believed me in from such a young age, I have always been comfortable living in my authentic self. Read More>>

Shannalei Henry

I was raised by a single mother and one of the things she did right was instilling a strong sense of faith in me. At a young age I didn’t understand why we always had to be in church or why we’d spend time during the week reading/studying the Bible. As an adult- I get it and thank her for it. Read More>>

Vantonio ‘BeGreat OnPurpose’ Fraley

My parents — Barbara, Fabian, and Vantonio Sr. — always challenged me to think differently. One of the biggest questions they constantly asked me growing up was: “Do you want to go down the road already created, or do you want to create your own?” That mindset shaped how I approach life, leadership, and entrepreneurship today. Read More>>

Emily Singer

My parents never raised me to believe that success was not about being the smartest person in the room or getting perfect grades. What they valued most was curiosity, experience, and becoming a well-rounded person. They encouraged me to get a job as soon as I was old enough. Read More>>

Michelle MaliZaki

My brother Brian and I grew up in a single parent household. Normally when you hear that statement a sob story follows it but that’s not my story. All of the hard times we experienced laid a solid foundation for the journey. My beautiful mother Phyllis Williams worked three jobs and owned her very own florist/crafting business. Read More>>

Katrina Williams

My brother Brian and I grew up in a single parent household. Normally when you hear that statement a sob story follows it but that’s not my story. All of the hard times we experienced laid a solid foundation for the journey. My beautiful mother Phyllis Williams worked three jobs and owned her very own florist/crafting business. Read more>>

Stephanie Steele

I think what was so unique about my parents was how consistently supportive they were. They always encouraged me to do the right thing, work hard, complete my education, and build a life for myself, but it was never forced on me in a way that made me want to rebel against it. Read More>>

Demetrius Williams

My parents instilled work ethic in me, which is the pillar of how I base my life. Anything you do, you do 100%. Read More>>

Sherree Rogers

My parents instilled in me the importance of perseverance — to keep going no matter what and to always chase my dreams, even when no one else believes in them. They taught me to work hard in every job, whether I enjoy it or not, until I find the path that is truly meant for me. Read More>>

Sarah Falciani

My parents did a lot of things right! But one thing that always sticks out for me most is how consistently they encouraged my curiosity. Whatever I wanted to explore (hobbies, sports, books, big questions, career ideas) I was always met with encouragement instead of limitation. Read More>>

Kayla Rose

My parents taught me the importance of discipline, consistency and the value of hard work from a young age. My dad started me on the violin at just 3 years old, took me to lessons every week and I was expected to practice every single day and to always strive to be better than the day before. Read More>>

Ashley Duverneau

My parents did everything right when it came to instilling drive, purpose, and passion into everything I do. Growing up with two Haitian parents who met in America and created their own American dream taught me more than the average kid I went to school with. Read More>>

CUA Reaper

Well what I’ll say is I learned what to do and what not to do. I learned a lot of hustle and critical thinking from my mother, also a lot of public speaking and psychology from my grandmother. Those helped me as an owner and as an artist definitely but as a human especially. Read More>>

Isis Mesa-Rubin

Wow, I love this question because I don’t think we reflect enough on the people who shaped us into who we are today. What my parents gave me more than anything was a deep sense of safety. Safety to be myself. Safety to try things. Safety to fail. And safety to take risks because I always knew I had a home base to return to. Read More>>

Bernai Brown-Holman

One thing my parents did right was nurture me as a big dreamer, even when my dreams may have seemed unrealistic to other people. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a model, despite being petite in an industry that often had very rigid standards at the time. But instead of discouraging me, my parents supported me wholeheartedly. Read More>>

Dana Gartland

My parents made it safe to fail. Encouraged it in fact. I watched them start businesses and adapt even when the business didn’t survive. They were constantly examining life and opportunities from different angles. They were always supportive of my endevours and choices. As long as I was willing to put the work in nothing was off the table. Read More>>

Kelsey Vaca

One thing my parents did right was teaching me the value of hard work, independence, and treating people with kindness and respect. Growing up, they always encouraged me to believe in myself and go after what I wanted, even if it meant taking risks or working long hours to make it happen. Read More>>

Meshai Dixon-Olivares

This is such a great question especially since we are in-between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. I was born into a military family, and we moved around the country and overseas for the first 14 years of my life. There adventurous spirit allowed me to see what resiliency looks like on repeat. Read More>>