So many of us parent the way our parents did – because it’s the only example we’ve had a chance to see up close. We think one of the ways to remedy this is to create a space where people can share stories of the things they feel their parents did right, so we can all learn from those examples.

Maura Streppa

As the youngest of 5, my parents had a lot on their plates, but never failed to support each and every one of us in our passions. Growing up, my mom put me in dance classes. We both knew I was meant to be on a stage, so every opportunity to do so she made sure I was signed up. She’d drive me to musical theater rehearsal at 5 in the morning, drive me an hour to and from singing lessons, and be at every single show and performance. She was the ultimate fan without overstepping into a “stage mom”. Read more>>

Giana Mijares

One thing my parents did right was by pushing me to my fullest potential and even now, being in school and gaining an education in music they push to my very last limit. I started at the age of four and have been doing so ever since. Since the age of four, I have sung a plethora of Mariachi music (regional Mexican music), and that of course comes with its challenges in itself. My mom would push me to speak Spanish around the house 24/7 so that I am able to speak and pronounce things correctly when singing. Read more>>

Jeramy Kahle

The thing that first sparked my interest in audio was a gift my parents gave me for Christmas when I was 8 years old. They gave me a small tape recorder with a stack of blank cassettes. I carried that recorder with me everywhere, recording myself singing, songs off the television and radio, silly radio shows with my friends, etc. I was always asking for more cassettes because I’d fill them up so fast. I really wish I still had some of those old recordings, but they unfortunately were all lost over time. Read more>>

Zander Krenger

I owe a great deal to my mom and my grandparents. They always encouraged and believed in me and, most importantly, they always let me be myself. I remember that in first grade, I insisted on wearing a three piece suit to school. There was no reason for this other than whimsy, and, while my mom pointed out that the other kids may laugh, I assured her that I was alright with that. From then on, she let me lead the way with my personal tastes in school clothes! Read more>>

Marissa Chaney

Growing up, my parents were always working. My mom sometimes didn’t get off work until after I was in bed. I’m not complaining – it definitely instilled a work ethic in me that has been influential to my success in my own business. They always told me I could do anything I wanted to do. Watching both of my parents run their own businesses taught me so much. Read more>>

Crystal Holt

I’ll start off by saying I had amazing parents. My mom taught me to always leave the house presentable, how you look and dress is someone 1st impression on you, so even look nice going to the gas station, someone is always watching. Be clean and presentable, and always where clean underwear just in case you get in a car accident. Lol. My dad was my biggest cheerleader with my creative e side. He always told me to do what I love and encouraged me the most to go to cosmetology school. Read more>>

Kimberly McCarver

Both of my parents are dedicated hard workers. Watching them work diligently in their respected career paths showed me to save your money, because the unexpected will happen and to keep making money. Even when they retired, they continued to do side jobs that made them happy and extra coins. That showed me that I can continue to work my business, be a diligent employee but also know that I can be happy once I retire. Read more>>

Kiara Thompson-Fincher

Now I know the general misconception on children who comes out of divorces and how messed up we are, however my parents were the best parents any kid can ask for and I respect them more for who I am today I want to start there. My mom and dad had me young. That as well didn’t hinder me from anything. I grew up spoiled on both sides, I always got two birthdays , two Christmas’s , etc. When I got to high school I graduated a year early and decided to go to Savannah state since I was only seventeen and didn’t want to go far. Read more>>

Whitney Bradley

I am a military brat. My mother retired from the army after 20 years, but during her career, we moved around a lot. Majority of my family stayed in our hometown of Newport News/Hampton Virginia but relocated a few times. I noticed in adulthood, many of my family members never left home. The accomplishments I’ve made in my career (s) and the goals and dreams I continue to pursue; I don’t think I would be where I am if I stayed home. Read more>>

Kimberly Atkins

Growing up was different for me. To make it plain and simple, I was the middle child. I often felt forgotten or dismissed. There was nothing that I felt was special about me. I wasn’t as creative as my older brother. I wasn’t as endearing as my youngest sister. I blended in. I did not stand out much. I was just well, Me. However, my parents did not make me feel inferior. They made me feel special. They taught me self-love. Although I was the introvert, they allowed me to be no one else but myself. Read more>>

Kelly Ragin Whaley

My parents instilled in me self-worth and self-love. Especially, my Mother. She poured into me at an early age. She affirmed me before that was ever a “thing”. She had wall art all over my bedroom. As a little girl, All I ever saw were words like BELIEVE, DREAM and ACHIEVE. I never knew then how vital those words would become to my life. Read more>>

Reco McCambry

I was raised in a single parent household the duration of my childhood. My mother taught me many things to become the man I am today but if I had to choose one that has had the biggest impact on my life it would be “Independence”. Read more>>

Renee Watkins

My parents and my grandparents always told me to ask questions when I don’t understand something or when I need to understand why someone is wanting me to do something. In life, there are many times where something is said or done and instead of just letting it fly, I will question it (even when it is a situation where I could just let it go). I think it has kept me out of situations that will harm me or something/someone I love. Read more>> 

Nicole Gates

I am the second oldest of five children. Because I grew up with a sister two years older than me and a brother that was two years younger, and my two youngest siblings being much younger, I always felt like the middle child. Funny thing, most people would not believe that I actually struggled to fit into our family dynamic. Both my older sister and younger brother were academically sound, brilliant minds, and things came to them naturally. Read more>>

Melodie Grace

I am very fortunate to have supportive parents who did so many things right! They are both creative people, so art and expression are valued in my family. My dad is a musician and my mom spent much of her free time sewing, crocheting, and doing needlepoint. I am proud of the fact that my brothers and I have all found our work in creative fields, as a ceramic artist, a musician, and a chef. This is a testament to the way we were raised. Read more>>

Dr. Shae Jones-Alexander

My parents led our home by example. They talked the talk and walked the walk in front of my siblings and me. My parents are my biggest cheerleaders and have always supported me in all I do. Knowing that I have the unwavering and relentless support of my parents always allowed me to be fearless in my endeavors. Read more>>

Bakari Blocton

Things that my parents did right was making the decision to homeschool me once I became a creative. It’s helped me be more flexible when I have work so I don’t have to do as much school, even so, I still have to put in the work. In addition, they always let me come to their office with them and it has helped me to find out what running a business is like I use a lot of those skills in building my business and brand. So that really was not even a quarter of all the things that my parents have done for me, but those were the main ones that help me to this day. Read more>>

Nick Testa

From an early age, imagination and creative freedom has always been important to me. Luckily, I grew up in a household where that was not only allowed, but encouraged. Both of my parents loved and performed music and understood the importance of the arts. The best part to me, we even though we didn’t always see eye to eye on things, they would understand where I was coming from and gave me the possibility of learning on my own. I started playing punk rock when I was in my early teens. Read more>>

Monique Wilsonn

My mother is one of the main people in my life who has been my biggest supporter since I first told her that I want to pursue music and I wanted to make a career out of it. Since I was performing in school choirs in elementary school, she along with my grandfather was front row at almost performance. When I started performing live she was right in front with her camera recording me haha! In 2019 when I dropped my first single, she promoted it more than I did and played it everywhere she went along with my album. She made sure EVERYONE knew how big I was going to be. Read more>>

Abby Nedderman

It’s difficult to say whether or not I’d have gotten where I am today without the support of my parents. I was adopted by Terri and Howard Nedderman in March of 1991. I was not an easy kid to raise and faced many hurdles in my adolescence and early 20s, including autism as well as risky behaviors that led to being hurt or arrested on several occasions. But every time I fell down, they were there with open arms to guide me back on the right track, until finally I was there to stay. Read more>>

Optimistic Gangsta

My parents made sure that I kept the most high God in my life and they always reminded me that I can not achieve nothing in life without him being the center of my actions. My parents also keeps it 100 with me and instills knowledge into my brain and many life lessons. That’s why I can balance the dualities of good and bad why not being afraid to push boundaries through my art. Everything I do is artistic, but I want to expose truth through my philosophies of art. Read more>>

Daniel Saint Black

My parents relentlessly championed my passion. As a kid my passions involved horses, skateboarding, basketball, Indiana Jones, and countless other things. They forced all of us (3 boys) to take music lessons but we could choose what we wanted to learn. I don’t think they even tried to find balance but they nailed the balance of “rules” and freedom to explore. Read more>>

Grizzly F.O.G.

I think one thing that my parents did right straight from the beginning was making sure that I knew my worth. I had the blessing of not only being raised by a single mother but my grandparents as well. Once they found out about me making music, they supported me 100% but also made sure that I didn’t settle for anything less. Also with how they raised me into the person I am today, making sure that I knew that showing respect and never being too big to help someone got me a long way into where I am now today. Read more>>

Asjah Monroe

When I reflect, I can think of 3 really important things that my parents did right. The first is that they treated my learning and education as a personal project. One of my first memories of this is when I was 6, the summer after I’d just completed first grade. We went to the library and my father asked me to choose a book about an American historical figure who was Black. I chose Frederick Douglas. Read more>>

Fredii Belaire

From a young age, I’ve always been a free-spirited person. Getting into anything I could make time for. My childhood was filled with music, sports, books, and cartoons. The best part about having those early years to focus on anything I could was never feeling pressured to perform at a high level (although I really wanted to). That relief helped me learn self motivation through the years. I found out early that nothing is ever really given to you, you earn it. Even though I never felt the pressure, I always wanted to be the best version of myself and as a result my work followed. Read more>>

India Dupre

What did my parents do right? Music My siblings and I moved to Western Australia with my mother when I was four and after a traumatic beginning where we were in and out of different children’s homes for two years, we made our way across the Nullarbor (the longest road in the world) to Queensland. It was there we lived in a small tent on campsites moving up and down the coast. It was definitely odd and often perilous, but we managed to stay together, and we bonded through music. Read more>>

Maureen Michels

My Parents are the most incredible people. I am one of the lucky ones that can say that my parents have always supported me (and my 4 siblings) and have never let us down. They are Teachers, Heart and Soul, and from the beginning we were taught all the right things. Above all, we were taught Respect, Respect each other. Respect others. Respect this Crazy Life we have here on this Earth. Respect is the most important aspect, even over Love. Read more>>

Nigeria Mchellon

My parents are the best! It took me becoming an adult and a parent myself to understand the dedication, sacrifice and commitment required to be as good of a parent as my Mom and Dad have been to me. My parents taught me respect for myself and others, they instilled in me the importance of education and provided me with every opportunity possible to learn, grow and excel. Read more>>

April Frazier

I was blessed to have parents that fully supported and encouraged me. My father is a Vietnam War Veteran. His service in the military motivated me to join the military and attain the rank that he did. However, he was none too happy to hear that I had selected Military Police as my field of choice. My mother also studied criminal justice, she operated a shelter for abused women and she is also a minister. I come from a family with a strong religious background. Read more>>

Emily Maples

Growing up, I never felt really supported by either of my parents in a spiritual sense. Every time I would go to either one of them with any sort of “outlandish” experience, it was immediately shut down. This made me learn at a very early age that, for one, I was not having normal experiences – and two, I need to be discerning in who I share this information with. I had no one to talk to about any of this stuff until I was 21.  Read more>>

Amber Broder

My parents, especially my father, have been the biggest supporters of not only my current business but all the dreams and passions I pursue. The biggest thing they did right was making it safe to fail – that trying something and making a mistake, or having it not go to plan, was better than not trying at all. The confidence that comes from knowing I had a safe place to turn to if I failed is a big part of why I’m able to take risks, like starting a business while I was still in college. Read more>>

Jordan Hankins

I grew up watching my mother own and operate her own business, and that inspired me to do the same, what my parents instilled in me was to be the best I can be and not settle for less, fun fact it was my mother’s idea for me to create a clothing brand for myself and she was my very first customer, I thank her every day for it. In the beginning, I just started off selling all types of clothes whether it was in person, via the internet, or shipping products, my mother saw how hard I was working for other brands and she said “imagine what you could be if you put that same drive into your own brand” and that’s when it hit me, in the beginning, Read more>>

Minh Huynh

The highest privilege of my life is being born into the family that I have. The priority in my house has always been my health and happiness. The immeasurable love and radical compassion that my parents have given me has truly made my life complete, and for that I will always be grateful. There is a nasty prevailing stereotype about Asian parents being overly strict, grade-obsessed “tiger parents”, who push their children to their breaking point. This was never the attitude in my house.  Read more>>

Arnay Marshall

The people you have surrounding you is most important when starting a new creative project. I struggled often in my childhood with feeling stable emotionally. When I got to highschool, it was difficult because of financial constraints but I was able to explore myself from a new perspective. My mother empowered me in many ways growing up. No dream was ever too big and that gave more the confidence to explore the unknown sides of myself. What I felt my mother did the best was creating a safe place for me to explore creative side. Read more>>

Ronisha Joy

My parents allowed me to be a child and taught me to stay in a child’s place. My mother was a bit tough/strict growing up and now I appreciate everything she did because I see how being a grown up is expensive and I just want to be a kid again. My mother didn’t allow her children to work any job while we were in high school. Her reason for not wanting us to work was because she wanted us to enjoy our youth and focus on our schooling but when I went to my dads house during my 11th grade year I got my first job without even asking my parents. Read more>>

Bella Amore

When I was 6 years old my father kept Money Time Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Forbes Magazine in the bathroom. Everytime I used the restroom I would read through these magazines. I remember looking at pictures and telling myself that one day I will be just as successful. Well one day, I was bored so I took the magazines and started cutting out pictures of how I wanted my life to be. Being exposed to those magazines encouraged me to create my first vision board at the age of 6 years old. Read more>>

Sway LaCroix

The only thing my parents ever did right… was underestimate me. That’s really the only way I can answer that. All of my parents, both adoptive and biological, made the mistake of thinking I would never do what I said I would. It’s impacted my business in the sense that I am doing things my own way. My parents are the type that seem to stick to the same program until things change. I on the other hand feel that change can only happen if you switch up the format and CHOOSE to operate differently. My parents taught me how to choose differently. That helps me teach others how they too can choose differently. It gives truth to the words “Life is the greatest teacher.” Read more>>

Maria Perme

When I look back at what my parents did right in reference to my upbringing from childhood to becoming an adult, I have to smile. I get the warm fuzzies, and I feel grateful. My parents encouraged me from a young age to explore, be curious, ask questions. We moved from the city when I was 3 to a rural area. My dad built a home for us where we could explore nature, feed the curious spirit and be surrounded by beauty. Our home was built on a 5 1/2 acres of wooded land that was set back 1000 feet from the main road. The property included a waterfall with a 100′ drop. Read more>>

Lakeya Mitchell

Have you ever met “perfect” parents??? Well I want to introduce you to my perfectly imperfect parents. They may have been imperfect but they were perfect for me. I would like to say my life was full of joy but it wasn’t. Life was hard sometimes sprinkled with lots of love. My parents loved me through every hard time. My parents were both “hustlers.” I get my resilience from them. Resilience the ability to bounce back. Life has knocked me down a few times but when you have parents who embody resilience then you know, when you are knocked down you have to get back up. Read more>>

Sweet May’s Desserts

Our parents taught us to treat others the way we want to be treated and to always be honest and respectful. Both mom and dad were kind-hearted and giving and would always go the extra mile to help anyone. They instilled a foundation of genuine love that exudes into our love for baking and making sure that our customers are satisfied. These teachings go a long way no matter what line of business you are in. Read more>>

Dre’Shawna Solomon

Growing up as a young child, my parents always taught me to be strong & independent. I grew up in a household where we had to make a lot of sacrifices. I overcame emotional, mental and physical pain. The tough love and aspiration helped me gain character and strength throughout the years. Read more>>