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.

The Sparks Twins

Our parents inspired all three of their daughters to follow our hearts into the Arts. Growing up in Connecticut, our parents were freelance illustrators for magazines and publications based in New York City. And all of their friends were also artists, so we were surrounded by cartoonists, children’s book illustrators, oil painters, and ornament designers, who were all chasing their dreams, and making a living, in a competitive art world. But we also had a peek behind the curtain, of all the ups and down; successes and heartbreaks. We witnessed our parents pitching themselves to new clients; or trying out a new agent; working long hours in their studios to meet deadlines; or anxiously awaiting notes on something they’d just turned in. Read more>>

Laura McCann

My parents are polar opposites, which is why they probably divorced. Dad is analytical, pragmatic and highly intelligent. Mom is creative, feeling and adventurous. Guess who gets to be both? Me. My parents divorced when I was seven years old. At the time I was living in Miami. My mother decided after pondering her potential fate raising three children in the U.S on her own, it might be better to try something different. She always wanted to be an artist, so she packed us up and moved us to Paris in 1972. Read more>>

Jen Croneberger

Where do I start? They weren’t perfect. They did a lot wrong. And I think that is what they did right They didn’t hide behind the idea that everything was always great. It wasn’t. They were authentic and genuine and loving regardless. They taught us how to show up in the world. And they always always always stood for those who couldn’t stand for themselves– The voiceless, the broken, the unseen and unheard. They taught us to use our voices for good. I thank them every single day for that. Read more>>

Sue Berk

My parents grew up during the depression and they instilled in me that you never waste! My mom was an immigrant (to South Africa from Germany during the holocaust) and I was an immigrant to the USA from South Africa. There is a different mindset when you grow up in another country and immigrate. My mother was also incredibly efficient and taught that to me. Being efficient and knowing how to save money has been instrumental in my business. Building houses is not the first business I started. I have started several. Read more>>

Ariel Naftali

For many years, I thought my parents knew everything and that the way they did life was the best way to do life. At some point in my 20s, I realized that many of the beliefs I had about life were not ones I had consciously chosen. In order to figure out who I truly was, I needed to question everything I was taught (i.e. what success means and looks like, how to treat other people, where happiness comes from, etc) and strip away the layers upon layers of conditioning that formed my belief systems. From that place, I could then decide what values, beliefs and ideas I still felt aligned with, and what new paths I wanted to carve that might differ from what I was taught by my parents. Read more>>

Maggie Morris

There are three things my parents instilled in me that have been instrumental in my growth as a human and as a photographer/business owner. First and foremost, my Dad always said there are two ways to be successful as a business: 1) do something no one else has done, or offer a service no one else offers or 2) do something lots of people do, but do it better. The DMV area is inundated with wedding professionals, but I make an effort to go above and beyond for my clients and “do it better” as my Dad always said. Read more>>

Brandye Johnson-Batiste

My parents raised my sisters and I to be independent, hardworking, educated young women. My upbringing coming from a household of two parents who were college graduates didn’t allow us to settle for mediocre. Read more>>

Jessica Isabel Aguilar Ramirez

Both my parents are from Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. They fell in love at the beaches of Miramar. The story begins there. The passion that came from their love and dream for a better life stuck with me. My dads side of his family owned a business selling food made from home and my mother was in a band growing up. She spent her time performing for events. After moving from Mexico to the United States the dream for a better life became more clear that it was not going to be easy for my parents when they both did not speak English. Read more>>

Carrie Ballas

From a young age I remember being pushed beyond my comfort zone, which now I believe was an the effort to “build character” and “seek opportunities”. I was always encouraged to learn with curiosity (my mother was an English teacher). I would perform and sing in front of various audiences, such as in talent shows, church choir and in front of friends and family (my dad was a music teacher). I was taught to move my body with physical effort and strength too. At the young age of 5, I was taught to water ski on a “Zip Sled” until I could master two skis. Read more>>

IRNANDE ALTEMA

I am a first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrants. My parents made several sacrifices for their family. They became naturalized U.S. citizens to ensure their children had access to solid academic institutions and professional opportunities. My Mom and Dad graduated from their origin country with degrees. Still, they re-enrolled into institutions of higher education in America to obtain certificate degrees that would grant them positions in the healthcare field and IT communications industry. They were tremendously committed to improving my odds by working multiple jobs and attending a postsecondary institution in the US simultaneously. Read more>>

Keri Aaver

My parents were both very entrepreneurial. My mother was an artist and designer and my dad ran his own insurance agency. They were both very extroverted while I was very introverted. Their solution was to help me find a group that I would have interest in and step out of my familiar shell of family and close friends. After several failed attempts (I was kicked out of Bluebirds, Brownies, 4H), they finally got me involved in Junior Achievement as a teenager and the experience helped to open my eyes to what my life could look like if I focused my energies on applying my greatest strengths to anything that I wanted to achieve. It is what let to my interest in and eventual participation in building my first business venture after graduating from high school. Read more>>

Patrick Bertagna

Instilled an appreciation for travel, culture, food and a general sense of living your best life. They also pushed for excellence! For me to be the best at whatever I did and to have a very strong work ethic. My parents travelled all over the world and took me with them starting at the age of 6 months. By the time I was 2 I had already lived in 3 different countries on 3 different continents. That opened my eyes to different cultures and different ways of life, basically taking the taboo out of things or people that were different. By the time I was 6 my parents pushed on academic achievement and strong work ethics. Read more>>

Juliana Lucca

My parents did a lot right that , when I was younger, did not fully understand. My mother Roberta and my father Shawn are both entrepreneurs & business owners. They showed me how possible it is to flourish doing something you are truly passionate about. I got to see the ugly side of entrepreneurship and the amazing freeing side of it as well. I am so grateful to see first hand everything that goes into starting your own business. Read more>>

Shannon Fitzpatrick – O’Shea

My parents insisted I was all me from an early age. You stood on your own, as your true self in our family. They encouraged our individuality and our creativity. They arrived to help us grow physically, spiritually and emotionally. They fostered my interests in dancing, cooking and service. They taught me who God really is and to have a relationship with Him. I know who I am because of my loving and ever present parents. I am the best of both of them. Read more>>

Talitha Phillips

My parents let me see the world and experience cultures different from my own.  That taught me empathy and showed me the beauty of diversity.  I therefore witnessed that there are many people in this world facing challenges and pressing needs, and I learned the value of serving others. Our lives are always impacted through that process. My parents taught me to work hard and modeled the importance of relationships over success. Read more>>

Claudie Marne

Growing up, my mom had to hustle to make ends meet. She would end up selling cake on Saturday morning. Sometimes, she would send me with a basket full of cakes to sell. I always thought that was more a punishment than a learning experience. I don’t even remember her or anyone speaking about it as a business. So, back in the day, I did not even realize that she was teaching me how to create my own business. What was more valued and important was finishing my studies and getting a job . I completed my studies and proudly worked as a psychologist. Read more>>

Dr. Hulya Odabas

I absolutely love this question! It allows me to share a meaningful part of my life story. I was born into a family with three older sisters, and my father gave me the name “Hulya,” which means “dream.” This name holds a special significance because it reflects my parents’ aspirations for their daughters. Even though they didn’t have much formal education, they were unwavering in their commitment to education, especially my mom, who was determined to see all four of her daughters go to college. When I was 11, my father passed away due to cancer. This loss left my mother as the sole provider for four daughters. During this time, my mother’s strength and determination served as a source of inspiration for me, even though I didn’t fully realize it then. She made sure we never felt “needy” and instilled in us the belief that we had everything we needed to succeed in life. Read more>>

Emily McCormick

I think of my childhood a lot now that I am raising 2 children under 5. Even on the best days, parenting is an overwhelming endeavor. So many decisions! Constant noise! The ever-present fear that you will mess something up! I was lucky enough to have two parents who truly loved me and wanted me to have a happy life. Many people sadly can’t say the same. My parents always recognized my independence and encouraged me to dive into it, and I am so thankful they trusted me to create and accomplish tasks and activities on my own. I believe it has helped me in adulthood and as a mother and business owner. Read more>>

Rami Abushhab

I will always say I have the greatest father in the world, Alhamdullilah. I’m so grateful for him and everything he’s done for me. From a young age, Baba has given me the opportunity to learn things on my own and that included figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. I think that’s the greatest thing you can do as a parent, give your children the blueprint and help guide them as they find their own way. Read more>>

Tiffany Ocasio

My parents instilled in me the values of resilience, compassion, and a strong work ethic, which have been the bedrock of my career as a health and wellness coach. My mom, a dedicated caretaker, and my dad, an estimator and manager at a large printing company, were both shining examples of what it means to be committed to one’s craft and to serve others. Read more>>

Alison Thomson

They raised me to confront my fears and overcome them. My dad was into adventure sports, downhill skiing, water skiing, and generally going fast. He encouraged me to do things I didn’t think I could like skiing down the most challenging run on the ski hill. I think in business you have to accept that there is a tremendous amount of risk and unknown, but having the confidence to rely on skills and ingenuity to figure out whatever situation you get into is a must. Read more>>

Warren Fenzi

I came from a middle class family, raised in Northern Arizona. From the age of 2 until I was 13, I lived 11 miles outside the small town (at the time) of Prescott, AZ. My closest neighbors were roughly half a mile away. It was a wonderful place to grow up as a child. The freedom I felt and the creativity my sister and i were (more-or-less) forced to develop, became the foundation that has driven my creativity since my early years. Read more>>