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.

Michael Johnson

Growing up, my mother had a saying that became the soundtrack of my life: “Nothing beats a failure but a try.” At the time, I didn’t realize how deeply those six words would shape my approach to business, leadership, and life itself. As a child, I first heard her say it after a piano recital where I stumbled through every note. Read more >>>

David Gaines

My parents were very pragmatic people and my father in particular didn’t really relate to idealism. But they were both fans of classical music and pretty literate in the standard repertoire, and as a Jewish family we were all aware of classical music icons like Leonard Bernstein, Yascha Heifetz, Vladimir Horowitz, etc. Read more >>>

Allee-Sutton Hethcoat

They loved and sacrificed for me and my siblings in a way that made anything feel possible for us. My mom used to drive me to every audition I wanted to go to when I was growing up. Read more >>>

Jalaina Coakley RN, BSN

Growing up, my parents were divorced but remained good friends. They shared custody of my sister and I. My dad was a hardworking man — the kind who was up early on weekends, washing cars, reading the newspaper, or working in the yard before most people were awake. Read more >>>

Morgan Ramirez

My parents have always been incredibly supportive of my passions throughout my life. No matter what I was interested in at the time, they consistently pushed me to be the best I could be. I got my first camera in middle school. I would enter photos in fairs and community contests, and I’d drag my friends out for photoshoots. Read more >>>

Dennis Thevenin

Even though my parents split when I was 10, both of them always encouraged me to chase my dreams. What really stuck with me is that they both had dreams of their own, and they made sure to live them. My dad was the front man and lead singer for several bands before my time, and my mom always dreamed of wrangling cattle on horseback. Read more >>>

Krystal Gurule

I grew up in a family that deeply valued education, even though my parents never had the opportunity to finish high school, let alone attend college. They always emphasized the importance of learning and pushed me to pursue higher education because they wanted a different life for me—one with more stability and opportunity than they had. Becoming a first-generation college graduate was an incredible honor. Read more >>>

Caroline Kiefer Bell

Both of my parents had many interests and skills and neither of them were ever afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty doing things themselves. My father was a veteran, carpenter, musician, and wine and food expert, he passed away at age 62. Read more >>>

Paula Yakubik

My parents taught me how to hustle, work hard, and think like an entrepreneur. They didn’t hand me opportunities—they showed me how to create them. Growing up, I watched them turn ideas into income, setbacks into lessons, and hard work into freedom. I firmly believe entrepreneurs are made, not born. It takes grit, determination, and resilience—but also a deep passion for what you’re building. Read more >>>

Raphael Weisman

My parents were very simple folks. They loved the outdoors, nature, hiking, swimming and sports and when I was a kid they often took me with them wherever they went. This wasn’t just because I was the youngest and in when I was growing up, we never had babysitters. So I walked a lot with my Dad. We never had a car. Read more >>>

Lisa Storey

I grew up on a farm where I was expected to work hard and alongside my parents, brother, and grandparents. It was the hardest work I’ve ever done but by far the most rewarding. It taught me good work ethic and showed me that even though things may not go as planned, the work must go on. Never give up. Read more >>>

Janese Boston

My mom was always fiercely committed to being her authentic self, flaws and all. Growing up, I didn’t always get it — sometimes it felt chaotic, even frustrating, watching her be so unapologetically herself. I used to tell her, “Be yourself, but your best self.” Over time, I realized that her authenticity was a gift. Read more >>>

HARRY CHOW

I grew up as a first-generation Asian American. My parents immigrated to the United States in search of stability and opportunity, but like many immigrant families, we lived with a constant mix of gratitude and pressure. Compared to many people, I was fortunate. Read more >>>

Marisol Colette

They supported me no matter what. From the wild creative looks to dying my hair different colors to piercing my own ears, no matter the size or shape of my body, they always made me feel beautiful. They gave me room to explore without shame. I never had a standard I had to meet, and that freedom to experiment was incredibly impactful. Read more >>>