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.

Natalya Hutchinson

My parents understood that I wasn’t like most kids. I’m sure most parents would say that about their children, but I mean I was…different. Engaging with others wasn’t my forte. It didn’t matter if it was family or not, I just didn’t. I was an observer. I had to understand what I was getting myself into before dipping my toe. Because of that, my parents couldn’t handle me the same way as my older sibling. Read more>>

Sherice Franklin

My parents are the foundation of my business mindset and ethics. My mom has passed away now, but I learned so many lessons on how to be an amazing business owner through her and my father. After having me and my three siblings, they decided that they wanted to be present for all of the precious moments in our lives. Working a 9 to 5 job didn’t give them the flexibility to be around as much as they wanted, so they jumped out in faith and started their own daycare. Read more>>

Adeele Wells-Ali

I would receive punishments as a young child about 7 or 8 years of age when my mother would not allow me outside to play with the other children for something I may have done at home or school. I would persistently contest the boredom I was experiencing that I had openly expressed to her and she’d always reply by saying simply, “Go read a book.” After hearing that so many times, I finally decided to take her up on the suggestion as an obedient son to his loving mother. I perhaps received the needed guidance to help me do away with the boredom I faced. Read more>>

Nicole Della Torre

My parents always raised me to be well-rounded. I played a sport (not well, but I did it), focussed on academics, was in honors music, and was very active in community service. One of their biggest lessons was to never pigeon-hole myself into one avenue and to always have a backup plan. So when I lost my job in 2018 (the first time) I turned to my cooking and digital media planning skills to create The Gluten Free Babe LLC. Read more>>

Froswa’ Booker-Drew

My parents taught me so many valuable lessons. My parents had no idea that they were teaching me to become a philanthropist. I witnessed my parents feeding the homeless, visiting the elderly or the bringing cards and money to those who were sick. I saw them volunteer for causes that were important. I had no idea at the time that they were planting the seeds of giving in my life. This made such a difference in my life. Read more>>

Beth Blacker

I always give credit where credit is due and must give my parents credit for raising me they way they did and how it has impacted me as an adult. First and foremost, they taught me the value of every dollar earned. It has served me so well as the owner of several different businesses throughout my life and taught me to work not only hard for those dollars, but spend them wisely. That doesn’t mean being cheap or frugal to the point that I don’t enjoy life. I just value experiences and time spent with family and friends more than “stuff”. Read more>>

Hensley Ellefritz

I always give credit where credit is due and must give my parents credit for raising me they way they did and how it has impacted me as an adult. First and foremost, they taught me the value of every dollar earned. It has served me so well as the owner of several different businesses throughout my life and taught me to work not only hard for those dollars, but spend them wisely. That doesn’t mean being cheap or frugal to the point that I don’t enjoy life. Read more>>

Mini Mukherjee

My parents showed me through their actions that all cultures are valuable, and that all people are beautiful and equal in the eyes of God. Growing up I remember celebrating all different holidays with our neighbors and I was encouraged to develop friendships with people from different ethnic backgrounds. For a long time I thought this was a normal and common thing, Read more>>

Kenisha Morgan

I think as a child, we can list 80 things our parents did not do right, but once we mature, we realize they did the best they could. If I had to say what my parents did right, they encouraged me to believe in myself when others doubted. This is done by nurturing my self-esteem. Read more>>

Alexandria Alvarez

I’ve had a passion for helping animals for as long as I could remember. Many of my earliest childhood memories involve experiences with animals. Growing up, I was constantly bringing home sick or injured animals and nursing them back to health. My parents let me keep lots of pets. We had cats and dogs and a few birds. Even though I could be a handful with all of the animals I’d bring home, my parents always let me be me. This includes my education and career choices. Read more>>

Brenda Tapia

I moved to Houston, Texas, almost ten years ago. So many changes have happened since then. I became a mother and started my wellness business. Everything changed after I submitted my divorce in 2019. I’ll never forget how hard it was for me to bear the uncertainty. Read more>>

Marina Elaine

My parents instilled the arts in me from a very young age which has greatly impacted who I am as a person. They encouraged me to take music lessons, to attend concerts, to sing and dance. I grew up listening to and appreciating every kind of music, from Louis Armstrong to Led Zeppelin. Both my mother and father valued being educated and independent, and each taught me many things about being both book smart and street smart. Read more>>

Amanda Wansa Morgan

I had an interesting upbringing. I was initially raised by a single mother who was very smart and loved me very much. It was just the two of us and she treated me so maturely as well as supported my interests in the performing arts from a young age. She enrolled me in dance classes, voice lessons, and even a performing arts school full time. She tragically passed away when I was 10 and my aunt and uncle took me in to raise me. Read more>>

Tony Cheatom

I believe I was blessed with the best parents as they were always supportive of all my creative endeavors thru the years. When I was around 7 I would free hand the comic strips from the Sunday paper. I remember my father would be amazed at how I could just see something and reproduce it. So that Christmas I got a sketch book and two sets of pencils. The next year after I showed interest in painting I received oils and brushes. My parents have always been there to support anything creative I show a passion for. Read more>>

Lani Dickinson

My parents weren’t perfect, but I know for sure that they got a lot right too! I’m so grateful to them for instilling in me the sense of discipline and drive that I now have. While sometimes it’s hard for me to sit and relax, because I don’t want to feel unproductive, I know that my ambition is what makes it possible to own a successful business! The values and morals that they demonstrated throughout my life have helped establish my own set of values; Read more>>

Steffany Butts-Boucher

My parents Ron and Corinne Butts, greeted my interests like guests in our house. They offered me diverse experiences that supported my development: taught me how to live in and respect nature, while encouraging me to play with sound, connect with others and make art. They met me where I was and then added another step to the staircase. My interests ebbed and flowed throughout my life, but at at core my interests were always hinged to art and music. Eventually these interests deeply merged with my daily routine and making a living as a sound practitioner, meditation instructor and an artist. Read more>>

Amelia

From very early on, my parents provided a safe space for me to learn about my interests and skills. I grew up on 39 acres of pine trees in south georgia, and that allowed me to be very still and present. They pushed me to pursue my passion at a young age and never forced me into anything I wasn’t interested in. If I ever told my mom I was bored, she would write down 10 random things on a piece of paper and ask me to write a story incorporating all 10 things which made me realize writing and storytelling came very easy to me. They just allowed me to create and be a kid and taught me there was no age limit on being a “kid”. Everyone is born creative, but those who don’t let that inner child in them dwindle away are the ones who we call “artists” in the adult world. Read more>>

Paige Melancon

I have incredibly supportive parents and furthermore a very close and supportive extended family that has helped mold and shape who I am not only in life, but in my career as a creative and educator. My parents instilled a tenacious work ethic in both myself and my younger brother that has led us where we are today. I grew up on a small farm a couple of hours away from Houston and was always taught the value of hard work. Read more>>

Kevin Vierling

My parents taught me, directly and indirectly, the power of hard work. Hard work meant putting in the time, seeing tasks through completion and finally, taking pride in your work. By putting in time and hard work, a great deal of satisfaction is realized and it demonstrates the character of the worker. Read more>>

Melissa Moore

My dad always told me that he never wanted to hear me say “I’m bored” if there’s a pencil and paper in the house and that really resonated with me and I was rarely bored. He also always made sure that I understood the importance of equating the depth of music and art together as one. He took me and my brother to see Pink Floyd the day after my 14th birthday and it was truly life changing. I just simply didn’t walk out of there the same little girl that had walked in. Music and art have kept me company my entire life. They’ve gently held my hand in the depths of life just as they’ve cradled me like a cloud reflects brilliant light on my brightest days. Read more>>