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.

Jasir Dollard

As a first-generation college student and the only child of hardworking parents from a tough neighborhood, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about talent or opportunity—it’s about resilience, sacrifice, and heart. My parents may not have had degrees or professional connections, but they gave me something even more valuable: the belief that I could achieve anything if I worked hard enough. They worked jobs that left them exhausted but never let that exhaustion dim their hope for my future. Watching them struggle but still push me to dream big showed me that my path forward wasn’t just about escaping where I came from—it was about honoring their sacrifices and turning their hopes into reality. Everything I do, I do with their lessons in mind, and I know that wherever life takes me, their unwavering belief in me is what will carry me through. Read more>>

Jennifer Sheffield

My parents, even though divorced, have always put the kids first. They never fought in front of us, they always stayed on the same page when it came to making decisions, and they always, ALWAYS supported our dreams. Teaching us dedication, to never give up, perseverance, and to get back up no matter how many times you’re knocked down. This has had a huge impact on my business and how I treat others allowing reputation management and referral based business come to me with ease.  Read more>>

Gayan Poovendran

I think my parents did a lot of things right when I was growing up. They moved from Sri Lanka, and my dad was already a doctor, however, when coming to this country, they faced a lot of adversity. They gave me many lessons to help fight that adversity. They taught me the importance of working hard and staying humble. They also taught me the importance of living life today and not waiting for some milestone to happen. When I was very young, my dad was diagnosed with a kidney issue, and was told that he wouldn’t live to see the age of 65. He use that as a springboard to make sure that we experienced life as a family and built really strong memories throughout our lives together. As a result, I got to see a lot of the world, which has really shaped my worldview. As a bonus, he has well exceeded that life expectancy, and he is now 76 years old. However, without him making sure that we focus on living life, he may have been too busy working, and my childhood and early life would’ve been much different. Read more>>

Whitley Semrow

My parents always encouraged my siblings and I to pursue our passions. My Dad loved to spend one on one time with each us and ask questions to figure out what we liked to do. My Mom was very patient and let me rearrange my room over and over and she always let me decorate for Christmas. Now that I’m a Mom myself I understand how patient she was. I can remember filling out personality tests together and then discussing how to use my personality type in my future career. They also taught me to put relationships with family and friends first, and I think that trickles down to clients as well. People are always more important than business. Read more>>

Bess Hagans

My parents, like all of us, were not perfect. They divorced when I was two, after several years of marriage and raising three children. Although they did their best, navigating life post-divorce with kids proved complicated and messy. This background significantly shaped my resilience. As a child, I struggled academically. I was creative, social, and had big dreams, which made it hard for me to focus in a traditional school setting. My report cards typically showed a mix of C’s, B’s, and the occasional A. I was smart but often too distracted to apply myself fully. Recognizing my potential, my parents decided to transition me from a religious private school to an experiential one: The Graham School. This school allowed me to explore my interests, gain real-world experience, and get a head start on my career goals while still in high school. I aspired to enter the fashion industry, so I took classes at a local art school and college courses at the community college in Columbus. Read more>>

Ashley Paige

One thing I have always appreciated about my parents is that they never told me I couldn’t. Any interest that came up in my life my parents, especially my mother, would encourage me to explore. When I was young and first showing interest in photography she bought me a digital camera to take photos of my friends and sisters with and it was such an exciting gift! As I grew older and transitioned into adulthood they never tried to talk me into another career path, even when I know they wanted to. It has made such a difference to have that support from my whole family behind me! Read more>>

Angel Cervantes

My parents’ example profoundly influenced my decision to create the Cervantes Fund for Social Justice. I grew up hearing stories of my father’s days as a farm worker and his impoverished youth. My mother overcame the challenges of contracting Polio at a very young age. My father often spoke about the fact his parents would often contract him to work with neighboring families in exchange for FOOD to feed him. In his own words, he would “sleep under a tree” and worked for food and this profoundly influenced his belief that if we are blessed with comfort, success, and financial stability, we are obligated to lend a hand to those who are still working to attain those blessings. Read more>>

Kelly De Leon

I often get asked where I get my work ethic from and the answer to that is my parents. Ever since I was a kid I saw how hard both my mom and dad worked. They have taught me to work hard , to never give up , and if you want something in life you have to go and find it . My dad is a business owner, and I have seen how he started his company with nothing but a truck . When he started he had slow days, months even but I saw his determination and the hard work he has had to put in. Even now that he’s been in business over 10 years he continues to work hard . My mother taught me through her example. Her condition excluded her from many activities and yet she lived her life with dignity, humility, positivity, and thankfulness. She never allowed her handicap to dim her positive nature and she taught me that each of us is born with visible and invisible challenges and we must strive each day to be “kind to each other” and lend a hand when we can. Read more>>

Georgios Vlahoylis

My parents did a lot of things right, and some others wrong like most parents, but I am more than grateful and proud of them to say the least. The best gift they provided when raising us (my brother and I) was to build our self-confidence, and the second one was to allow us to become curious human beings. In my opinion, when you are confident about your potential and curious about discovering the world and your place within it, then the sky is the limit. I think these are the biggest wings you can provide to a child before you teach them how to fly. I would have not been where I am today, both in terms of my career and my personal happiness, if it was not for my parents’ inner strength and courage while allowing me to discover what really inspires and motivates me. Long story short with a strong heart and unconditional trust, one of their biggest sacrifice, my parents allowed me to immigrate to the States from Europe (3000+ miles away) 17 years ago right after highschool in order to chase and test my dreams. It has been a self fulfilling, growth mindset path ever since, and for that I will be eternally grateful to them. I hope I can also teach resilience & provide a strong support system to my own children one day. Read more>>

Cynthia Martinez

My parents were the epitome of hard work and dedication. They set a powerful example for me early on, showing me that success doesn’t come without effort and perseverance. They were always working tirelessly to provide for our family, and that strong work ethic is something I’ve carried with me throughout my career. It’s the driving force behind my determination to push through challenges and to always give my best in everything I do. Education was another area where my parents were particularly firm. They made it clear that my studies were non-negotiable and that achieving good grades was a top priority. Their focus on education wasn’t just about academics—it was about instilling a mindset of discipline, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Read more>>

Siddharth Baxi

My parents have had the most significant impact on my life and career. They have taught me some important lessons and always supported me in every way possible. My parents have always pushed me to learn and excel at new things. However, the most crucial thing they have taught me is how to handle failure. I was in 10th grade, and we were at an electronic megastore. The Playstation 3 was still quite popular back then in India. I have always been into video games, and it obviously caught my eye. I picked up the controller and started playing. I distinctly remember I was playing God Of War 3. It was the best gaming experience I had at that point in my life. I really insisted to my parents that I wanted one, and they said if I scored 90% or above in the Board Exams, I could have one. Read more>>

Sharon O’sullivan Fung

It’s interesting to be asked this question. My husband’s dad is recently passed, and my own dad is slowly fading away due to Alzheimer’s. We’re at a stage where we feel like we’re losing a big part of ourselves, and it’s not easy. But your question gives me the chance to honour my parents, which I’m grateful for. My parents got two things very right. First, they were intentional about speaking into my life. They earned the right to do that because I always knew they loved me unconditionally. They also made sure we were free to make our own decisions and use our time as we saw fit. Because of that, I was content living with them and always valued their advice, even when I didn’t fully agree. Their wisdom guided me when it mattered most. Read more>>