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.

Caroline Favre

My parents never told me that something was impossible, but they always exposed me to the reality that certain paths required a lot of work. This is why I never believed that something was impossible, but I was aware that it could potentially involve a lot of effort. Read more>>

Alicia Urizar McCallum

As a young girl, what I remember most about my parents was their tenacity. Despite their financial limitations, my parent’s courage and determination spoke volumes. Although I witnessed their struggles and setbacks, they always found a way to embrace gratitude and joy. Read more>>

Jeremiah Bryant

Since i was a little boy my parents always told me to improvise and be a leader not a follower! They constantly told me to improvise (ESPECIALLY my father) because i basically was the only child in the house. I have siblings but they didn’t live with me and im the baby. Read more>>

Flo

There’s so much that my parents taught us, but if I have to pick one that comes to mind it’s this: they taught us to work hard. That if we aim to be the best that we can be, then nothing can stop us or get in our way. You can reach for the stars and knock down doors when you’re equipped, when you’re ready for opportunities, and have done the hard work to prepare and get yourself to where you want to be. Read more>>

Samara Zelniker

My parents are entrepreneurs so growing up in our household was like receiving an MBA. That instilled a hustle culture in my brother and I as well as the belief that we could achieve anything we set our minds to coupled with hard work. I hold that with me today as I have navigated a career change and building my own business. Read more>>

Bonnie Artman Fox

I grew up in a small Midwest farming community. My parents modeled a strong sense of family, work ethic, and the importance of keeping your word. My dad used to say, “I don’t need to sign contracts. When I give people my word, I do what I say I’d do”. And he did. Read more>>

Julia Dordoni

I am very grateful to my parents for inspiring me to lead a creative life. Having a long history of artistic entrepreneurs on both sides of the family, my parents naturally allowed me to do whatever inspired me the most. My dad is an inventor and independent long-haul truck driver. He spent a lifetime on the road, driving across the country, using his imagination to create complex systems. Read more>>

Kait Batts

Both of my parents have always been extremely supportive of any endeavor in to the arts I have wanted to take. As a kid I was allowed to try my hand in all manner of art be it performing, visual or fine arts. I even did puppetry for a time in 5th grade. Read more>>

Logan Slaughter

My parents always told me to follow my gut, and go with my dreams. I was never told that any of my dreams were too little or too big. I was told that if I wanted to do it, it was possible. That has truly stuck with me my entire life. Read more>>

Celeste Lanuza

My parents were extreme believers in the impact of the arts. Growing up as a child in the Latina-Morales household meant that you were not able to watch TV unsupervised and that you were going to play the piano every day for at least one hour, attend church twice a week, participate in the choir and youth services as well as going to flamenco and ballet classes outside of school and attending rehearsals that my parents were choreographing or choreographic music for. Read more>>

Domenique Comparetto

I’d always been passionate about travel and kept a running list of places I wanted to visit, even as a child. I remember learning about different countries in 5th grade, specifically Australia. We had a guest speaker come into class who had studied abroad in Australia, and she shared her experience with us as well as facts about the country and her favorite parts of the culture. Read more>>

Alicia Key

I come from a very touchy, feely family. We all used to rub each others neck and shoulders when I was growing up. When I was around 7 my Mother was broadsided and tossed out of her car. The car come on top of her crushing her pelvis and ripping her sacroiliacthree ligament. It took 4 truckdrivers to get the car off of her. Read more>>

Kentisha Mazeke

My mom did so many things right, but if I had to pinpoint one crucial aspect, it would be her ability to face adversity with unwavering strength and determination. Growing up, she was not just a parent; she was my bestfriend, protector, provider, and the living embodiment of strength and resilience. Read more>>

Dr Bieta Kia

We moved to the United States, Minnesota to be exact when i was 9 years old from Iran. My parents made the sacrifice for us to have a better brighter future with more opportunities. My parents had to leave everything and everyone they had known to start all the way over in a new country with a new language and new challenges they had never faced before with three young children. Read more>>

Darian Brcic

My parents, both incredibly dedicated, have played a pivotal role in shaping my life and career. My dad, a lifelong entrepreneur, inspired me to pursue my passion, leading to the creation of Carol & Kay Boutique. His support and belief in my abilities have been invaluable. Read more>>

Allanah Bucu and Stephen Doxy

Both of us grew up having a close relationship with our parents. We definitely believe that it has had a huge impact on the success of our journeys. Allanah: Both of my parents are the hardest working people I know. Working hard and to the best of my ability is really all I’ve been familiar with because of my mom and dad. Read more>>

John Vergara

My parent’s have always been supportive , loving and strong on respect, morals, hard work and so much more! I can honestly say I’ve taken a lot of what I was taught from my parents as a child/youth whether it have been a lesson that was taught to me, something that was said and stuck with me or even just watching and observing how my parents maneuvered through life and have applied those things to my life as an adult, parent and business owner. Read more>>

Audrey Muse

My parents are both very harder workers and have always instilled that in my brother and I. Something they have always said is “if you are going to do something, do it the right way”. My mom and my dad have both always worked in the fashion industry which is where my love for the industry came from. Read more>>

Morgan Stanley

My parents are the best of the best. Both very successful entrepreneurs and Pharmacist by degree. They both worked very hard for where they are today. Once you become an adult, you realize that your parents sacrificed a lot for you growing up. They were at every sporting event, dance recital or school play. Read more>>

JACKI Cohen

This question resonated with me as I celebrated my dad’s life this month, him now being gone for more than half of my life. I was young when he passed but his strong work ethic has taught to me much during his years on this earth. He believed that you must work hard to achieve your goals. You have to exhibit initiative, self-discipline, and professionalism. Read more>>

Joi Carter

My parents did a great job of stewarding my creativity. They saw that I had interest in the arts, and they did what they could to help me become better. Rather it was enrolling me in art classes, buying me art materials, taking me to piano classes, buying me keyboards every Christmas. My parents definitely supported my love for art. Read more>>

Gabriela Castillo

My parents played a pivotal role in shaping the person I am today and influencing my career path in the tax and accounting industry. One of the key things they did right was instilling a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility from an early age. Read more>>

Patricia Arredondo

My mom has taught me so many things that I have applied to my growth as an independent consultant. The most important, things I use on a DAILY, are to work hard, stay strong, speak up and never forget where we come from. She has had to sacrifice so much to get us all where we are now, it’s beyond humbling. Read more>>

Carlos Suarez

My mom has always been supportive of my journeys. Ive had a lot. Growing up watching her take on some many roles in my life and her own, I learned that you’re not always going to have things figured out by the time you need to. What matters the most is having the courage to show up and try every time. Read more>>

Aarean Wooten

The concept of Bgirly was first an idea by my mother in 2007. She wanted to open a business focused on women’s empowerment, but at the time I was not interested as I wanted to focus on school and eventually a corporate career. However, after spending time in Seoul, South Korea in 2017, I fell in love with skincare which inspired the start of Bgirly. Read more>>

Liesa Cole

I was gifted with 2 very different parents. Though they divorced early in my childhood and I lived with my mother, I always had regular, impactful, contact with my Dad. He proved to be the single most important influence, by far. I learned the most from the contrast in their radically different perspectives on life. Read more>>

Melanie Hantze

They were always supportive of what I wanted to do. They supported me as best they could financially but most importantly they told me that I could do anything I set my mind to and that no one was better than anyone else no matter their job nor their income. Read more>>

Abbey Hogan

My parents have been very supportive and influential when it comes to me starting a business and wanting to work in the business field. My dad himself owned and operated successful iconic brisbane nightclubs for over twenty years (Jade Buddha, Adrenalin sports bar). Read more>>

Karen Noel

I was raised in a culturally rich environment, being of Haitian descent. In many Caribbean households, there was a prevalent notion that certain professions weren’t deemed as “real jobs” – a perspective that might seem amusing. Typically, careers like law, medicine, or engineering were considered legitimate. Read more>>

Monica Hendricks

I’ve watch both Mom and Dad express their talents since I was a little girl. As I go through this journey I realize how they’ve impacted my life and career. As a child I remember my mom braiding hair, beauty in general was her thing. I didn’t have many years with her due to a horrific tragedy, but as the years go by I hear stories of how humane she was and how she didn’t mind going the extra mile, & my Dad is the exact same way. Read more>>

Joshua Wilkerson

Growing up, my imagination knew no bounds, especially when it came to dreaming up stories where I was famous. I’d spend hours crafting intricate tales where I was a renowned figure, an artist or a trailblazer in my field. This wasn’t just child’s play; it was a reflection of my inner world and aspirations. Read more>>

Adam Amoedo

I’m extremely fortunate to have parents that have supported me in my decision to pursue my passion for music and audio production as a career. Early on, I was always aware of the sacrifices my dad would make by showing up to a job that he hated to provide for me and my little brother and sister. Read more>>

Tiana Jovana

Growing up under the care of a single mother who battled drug addiction for the majority of my childhood was a journey marked by frequent upheavals and uncertainties. My father’s absence was a void, but it was in the midst of this tumultuous environment that my mother’s enduring strengths shone through, profoundly shaping the person I am today. Read more>>

Macki

Both born in Cuba, my parents immigrated to the United States at a young age to escape Fidel Castro’s new regime. Being Cuban and first generation American, I’ve always instilled my parents work ethic into everything I do. America is filled with opportunity and dreams are achieved every day – but only after years, decades of hard work. Read more>>

Jamaal Matters

One thing that I truly appreciate my parents for, is that they stressed financial stability and independence. I can remember vividly how around the age of 17, they were creating graphs and charts with examples of monthly bills and expenses. My parents always warned me not to get a credit card. Read more>>

Zen Tha Buddha

I can say both of my parents were very supportive, in the beginning, and they still are to this day! They would’ve had every right to say, “Oh, no! You’re not doing music. Your going to work a regular 9-to-5 for the rest of your life!” But once they realized that I was serious about music, they shifted their focus to managing my career. Read more>>

Ella Hall

My upbringing has instilled in me a strong sense of resourcefulness and independence. My parents intentionally carved a path that guided me in a positive direction while allowing me to experience small failures for valuable learning opportunities. Read more>>

Lauren Lanoue

From a very young age, my parents instilled a love of travel and adventure among my siblings and me. My dad is a commercial airline pilot, so our whole family could fly for free. We would often take quick, 3 or 4-day trips to Europe, because if the flights are free, why not? Read more>>

Vedant Joshi

Everything. My parents are the reason I’m in Los Angeles trying to achieve my dreams. I grew up listening to their favorite artists and bands that still remain my biggest inspirations; and the reason I fell in love with music. My parents picked up on my talent when I was only 7 and got me my first keyboard. Read more>>

Deven Wohlwend

My parents integrated me into their business. They were constantly teaching me about business, and the importance of being creative and taking action. Eventually, I just gained a natural interest in business and investing. In fact, at 5 years old, I bought my first investment. I bought my first house at 7, and published my first book at 11. Read more>>

Jordyn Marie

Well, Both of my parents are creatives. From an early age they definitely gave me lots of tools to express myself. Whether that be a musical instrument, or introducing me to an extracurricular like dance. They’re both musicians and DJs, so I was bound to learn and have some musical inclination. Read more>>

Jessica Sinski

It’s wonderful to reflect on the positive influences our parents have had on our lives. In my case, my parents instilled valuable lessons that have shaped both my personal and professional journey. One impactful aspect was the way they empowered me to make choices and provided essential tools for success. Read more>>

Jowanda Durham

My parents raised six amazing kids. They were entrepreneurs. My dad was a barber and my mom worked beside him as a cosmetologist. My parents did everything together in love. I learned stability, leadership, and compassion from them. I also learned how to run a business. Read more>>

Joshua David McKenney

I grew up in a conservative Christian home in Amish country, which heavily influenced my mother’s views on child-rearing. She decided to homeschool me and my younger siblings from an early age. I was effeminate and mercilessly picked on in elementary school, and homeschooling was common in the community, so it was a natural solution. Read more>>

Lucy Toussaint

I would have to say what my parents got right was instilling in me to always be proud of my heritage and an understanding that giving up was never an option. My parent’s resiliency to keep pushing forward even when faced with obstacles, and their unwavering commitment to family has left a lasting impression on me. Read more>>

Ebony Johnson

I grew up in a 2 parent household where both my parents were entrepreneurs business owners. My mom owned a hair salon and was a cosmetologist. My dad owned a carpet flooring business. On top of that, they owned several rental properties. I learned firsthand that you could be your own boss. Read more>>

Lisa Pahl

Everything happens for a reason. I despise this phrase. I don’t believe that when a child dies or thousands of people are killed by a tsunami that there’s some magical reason for it. I do believe that significant growth can come out of difficult situations. I was eighteen years old and a freshman in college when my father was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia, a rare cancer of the blood. Read more>>