Parents teach us many things including how to be a parent. We can learn from their mistakes, sure, but we can also learn a lot from the things they got right. We asked successful entrepreneurs and creatives to open up to us about their parents and what they felt their parents got right.

Valerie Keiner

My parents did so many amazing things for me through my life so far and I know they’ll keep doing so. One of the biggest things I have grown up with is the lessons of owning your own business. I grew up as the youngest child of 3. My parents have almost always been an Entrepreneur. I have seen the ups and downs of doing so and having your own business. Read more>>

Eric Daniel

I couldn’t have asked for better parents than Roy & Rhonda Daniel. They both have been very supportive of me on my creative journey. My father has shown me first hand, what hard work and dedication to your craft can do for you as a person, in real time. My mother has shown me what perseverance and not laying down when things get tough can do for a persons character. I think they have done a wonderful job with giving me their best attributes to become who I am today. I have learned a lot from them and am grateful for their guidance. Read more>>

Roberto Magana

Both of my parents were born in Mexico and made the decision to relocate to the United States, driven by the desire to provide a better life for my sister and me. From a young age, they embodied the qualities of ambition and determination. They fully comprehended that nothing would be handed to them, and if they wanted to achieve something, they had to put in the effort and earn it. Throughout my recollections, I have witnessed their unwavering dedication, as they diligently pursued multiple jobs while never neglecting our family. Our family serves as the foundation, the fuel that propels their endeavors forward. Read more>>

Paris Cox-farr

My parents always signed me up for private guitar lessons from the age of seven. they never forced me to practice and i rarely did. but i continued to show up every week. they shared their personal favorite tracks with me from bands like: Radiohead, dandy warhols, the beatles, jimi hendrix, led zeppelin. on long sad car rides to the school i hated i would sing along with my mother and hope that things would turn out a little brighter in the future. Read more>>

Thaddeus Sharikov

They taught me that all humans matter. Read more>>

Victoria Holman

My parents are the ones that started my photography bug from a very young age. They always allowed me to explore new things, places and learn lessons, sometimes not in the easiest way. But all of that has allowed me to become the woman that I am today and I wouldn’t change a thing. Read more>>

Kate Toney

At the young age of seven, my parents got divorced, and my father moved to New York, where his family lived, my mother and my two siblings stayed in Ohio and she raised us all on her own while working and going to school. I think, growing up and watching my mother struggle gave me a new appreciation for women and single moms everywhere. Read more>>

Erin Prather Stafford

In elementary school, my parents started a light and sound system company called Electric Ear Productions. The name came from my father’s discotheque side gig during the 1970s. Throughout my childhood, especially during the summers, you would find me backstage at concerts and events, as my father was hands-on with the sound and lighting boards while my mom was making sure their services were being paid for and handling all the necessary paperwork as entrepreneurs. Read more>>

Michael Williams

Growing up, my favorite movie was Beetlejuice. It is my earliest film memory. I was also obsessed with Indiana Jones (Temple of Doom to be specific), and Batman Returns. Most parents might think those films are too dark for a kid. However, I had (and still do) a very active imagination. I didn’t know it, but I was consuming movies, stories, and visual storytelling that would influence me as a filmmaker. Read more>>

Aivy League

vGrowing up with immigrant parents things weren’t easy being the eldest. Both my parents started the own seperate businesses right before I was born meaning I was often left to learn a lot of independence at an early age. Not only am I grateful for the leadership skills I gained but the 3 languages (really more like 2.25 ) I had the opportunity to learn early on as well. Read more>>

Andrea Olson

Nobody has a perfect life. Despite what social media tries to portray, we all know that there is good, bad and everything in between for all of us. One of best parts of my life has been my family. It’s not always amazing, but I am very grateful to have parents who have exemplified what it looks like to persevere through trials and who have walked with me through all of my ups and downs. Read more>>

Nicole Fabian

My parents created a beautiful family. My mother was unable to have any more biological children after having me. When I was five years old they adopted my brothers who were three and four at the time, from Korea. The moment we picked them up at JFK International airport, I felt my family was complete. I always wanted siblings and now they were here. My parents did a beautiful job of bringing us together and protecting our new and special family unit. Read more>>

Kelly Hawley

When I reflect upon the challenges my parents faced and the impact it had on our family, one thing they did right is that they taught me that love is the key to healing and redemption, regardless of the circumstances. This understanding has become the very foundation from which I operate, both in my personal life and through the endeavors of Warrior Bride Ministries. Read more>>

Lori Pine

I grew up in a small town nestled in the western mountains of Maine. . At 18 and 19, my mom, the oldest of 6 in a bustling Irish Catholic family married my dad and had me 14 months later. With just high school educations, they started out with the most humble of beginnings. What they would teach me would be priceless: work ethic, the value of family, and how to work a room. My mother’s family owned a thriving restaurant (for 50 years!) Read more>>

Kanisha Haskins-Combs

I love this question! My parents did SO many things right. They love me unconditionally, all of me. They both instilled in me a work ethic that has served me well as a small business owner. Seeing my Mom leave for work before the sunrise, watching her turn nothings into something’s for so many years, gave me a blueprint on how not to fail. Read more>>

Amanda Penecale

My parents always celebrated that I was an artist. From a young age, they enrolled me in art camps and classes to help me explore my creativity. They also raised me to enjoy the outdoors and showed me how to appreciate nature. I remember planting vegetables and flowers in my earliest memories, and we still garden together today. Read more>>

Marika Tamura

My parents have always been very encouraging and supportive on what I wanted to try. From an early age, I liked crafting and drawing with my mom who also likes arts and crafts. I also liked going outside with my active dad and enjoyed playing baseball, learning karate, skiing, and hiking together. I think that my parents helped me develop the courage and curiosity to jump into new things through these experiences. Read more>>

Martha Howard

I am very lucky that I have been blessed with parents who have been supportive of my creative endeavors since I was a child. My mom is the one who taught me to sew, and, to this day, if I get too close to a deadline she will tell me to save the hems, save the buttons, save the hook and eyes, and she will do those. Read more>>

Omar-Tiago Earnest Jr

I think the #1 thing my parents did right was they raised me off love, never survival over love. It has impacted my life because a lot of people will cheat you and try to get over on you in life and it can be for the biggest dollar in business or it can be just to get ahead in life. My parents taught me about putting God first, putting in hard work, dedication, being determined, having discipline and that drive that won’t allow you to fail. Read more>>

Emily Harrison Torrence

I’m an only child, and my parents spoiled me in a good way. It wasn’t in a materialistic sense, but they supported every endeavor I took on. These were also sports my mom was involved in but I always had my own path with them too. Before I was 10 years old, I started competing as a Junior Handler in dog shows which is where they judge your handling skills, not the dog itself. This required a fair amount of travel for shows which my parents always supported. Read more>>

Faith Villegas

What did my parents do right? That’s a very heavy question. My parents are far from perfect. But amongst their imperfections comes a beautiful lesson of uniqueness. My parents always taught me to be myself, to embrace my flaws because in doing so the people that are meant to be in your life, the right people, will come along. If people don’t like you, if you’re not their cup of tea, they can find something else to drink. Read more>>

Euvanna Merriman

My mother has been a master cosmetologist since before I was born. I often joke, “I was raised to do this.” Although I say it in a joking matter, it’s true. I spent majority of my childhood with my mom and siblings in her salon starting in Queens, New York making its way down to Richmond, Virginia. I am forever grateful to my mother for submerging me into the beauty world. Read more>>

Ty Herman

I’d say setting great examples for me growing up in working hard and not giving up. As I grew up, they had a strong work ethic which got passed down to me through watching them and having their support. Read more>>

Maureen Walsh

My parents taught me to be kind, to follow my dreams and to never give up on myself. My Mom died when I was a teenager but her main lesson of staying in the heart has been a guiding light and something I that constantly return to when things feel intense in my life. My Dad taught me not to take anything personally and to keep going and believing in the greater picture when things get tough. Read more>>

Bogdan L.

My parents taught me to be kind, to follow my dreams and to never give up on myself. My Mom died when I was a teenager but her main lesson of staying in the heart has been a guiding light and something I that constantly return to when things feel intense in my life. My Dad taught me not to take anything personally and to keep going and believing in the greater picture when things get tough. Read more>>

Justin Ravenel

My mother showed perseverance more than anything. She decided to be a commercial Crabber in the early 90s. At that time there were no female Crabber’s on the water anywhere near here. Her good friend in commercial Crabber fell sick and had to go in for treatment. he asked my mother if he would run the business while he was in the hospital? It would only be a short time. Read more>>

Shalyn Lowry

I can’t imagine growing up with any other family. We weren’t perfect of course, but my parents, brother and I have always been incredibly close and there’s such a strong unconditional love that holds us together. My late Dad was a professional artist throughout my childhood and his office was smack dab in the middle of our living room. Read more>>

Keith Semple

My dad was always 100% behind whatever I pursued. He realised that my love for music wasn’t just a hobby and helped me get started with my first regularly performing group. There were times when I struggled and he would always encourage me to keep going and not give up. I was very grateful for his support. Read more>>

iiiYansaje T. Muse

Absolutely! I was born to parents aged 40(mom) and 44(dad), so I grew up with many values instilled in me that modern society would perhaps call “outdated. Yes, it’s true. I’m Ol’Skool! (laughs) However, following their teachings have served me well. Old school parenting came with the treat of being exposed to old school music, and that has a lot to do with the taste in music that 222.9 The Mothership Internet Radio offers. Read more>>

Garz Chan

The way my mom supports me. From accepting who I am, even when she doesn’t understand me, to listening and hearing me, even when she disagrees, her words of encouragement in all that I do, believing in me, being there for me, and unconditionally loving me. Her kindness and generosity are astounding. Read more>>

Tommy Habib

I’m an only child, and when I was super young my parents worked different shifts on the weekends. My mother was working midnights and sleeping during the day, so my dad would take me out to breakfast, hang with me and visit with my grandma so that my mom could catch some well-needed rest. I can remember like it was yesterday at the age of 3 driving with my dad to Bob Evan’s when he grabbed a CD and said “I want you to hear something, I think you’ll like it,” he popped in “Two of Us” by the Beatles. Read more>>

Arusa Majeed

My parents really drilled the importance of perseverance into me, and I have to say, it’s been a total game-changer while starting my own business. Whenever things got tough, their lessons kicked in and kept me going. Being first-generation immigrants, my parents faced their fair share of challenges. But they never let those obstacles define them. Instead, they taught me the incredible power of never giving up. They worked tirelessly to create a better life for our family, and their unwavering determination became my inspiration Read more>>

Fran Forman

As a child, I was always drawing. And although my parents came from a tradition in which girls were supposed to just get married and leave the working to the husband, my mother early on encouraged me to think of art as a career. She knew I loved drawing (I always had a pencil and paper in my hands), and she suggested I become a medical illustrator. Unfortunately, my talents didn’t pertain to science. But the fact that she encouraged me, a mere girl in the 1950s, to think of art as a career astonishes me to this day. Read more>>

 Dr. Ivan Edwards

What did my parents do right? My story, a synopsis of the American dream My parents have had a significant role in my life. My father, the late Teddy Edwards, was a man who never believed in defeat. Whenever he fell to the ground, proverbially, he got up on his feet and kept walking. Nothing kept him on the ground for long. Nothing. My mother, Ludmilla, cultivated in me a deep passion and love for people. Above all, she taught me to speak – and helped me overcome my stuttering. Read more>>

 Dominique Mouton

Being exposed to many different types of literature and film at a young age filled my head with a myriad of voices. As a screenwriter, learning to channel the experiences and POV of others is everything. Read more>>

Jessica Graham

My parents raised me surrounded by art, music, and film. We were under resourced at times, and they still prioritized creativity and creative expression. They also taught me from a very young age (in the early 80’s) about things like systemic racism, climate change, and LGBTQIA+ rights. They also both had deep connections to spirituality and nature and invited me to explore the internal and external beauty and wilderness. Read more>>

Denise Wedderburn

My parents migrated her from Jamaica in the early 1980s. They were married and wanted a better life for their future family. My parents gave us lots of opportunities that they weren’t able to have back home. However, life wasn’t easy when it came to things that we desire. We had to work really hard. Like I remember for prom, I had to pay for everything because my parents didn’t really understand what prom was. Read more>>

Niccole Bruno

Veterinary medicine is the least diverse medical profession in our country. My mom knew this and wanted to make sure that she provided me and my sister (also a veterinarian) with opportunities to see representation and have exposure so that I was confident in committing myself to this profession. Read more>>

Darronnette Curtis

The one thing my family did right was allow me to explore. They never put limits on learning, experiences, or creativity. Whether it was answering one of my million questions, encouraging me to try new things, or feeding into my imaginary friends and impromptu productions (lol), my family has always made me feel like I could do or be anything. That unconditional support has made me fearless when it comes to personal goals and the entrepreneur life. It has also ignited a passion of supporting others in the same manner. Read more>>

Geoff San Miguel

They instilled a strong work ethic in me that has driven me on my path to success. My father has been in his role for the past 50 years and will be celebrating retirement in the next few months. My mother worked in corporate jobs most of her work life. Both imparted invaluable insight into the structural, political, human resources, symbolic, and ethical communities in their respective arenas. Read more>>

Julianne Ashby

One question I get asked a lot when I tell clients that I used to be a scientist is – ‘Are your parents disappointed in you now?’ It’s an interesting question to me and often a frustrating one, as the underlying insinuation is that it’s somehow less of a profession and therefore to be less proud of. Read more>> 

Akeem Mair

My mom, Queen Alice Mair, is the hardest working woman I’ve ever met in my life. What my mother did right is being the perfect example of demonstrating the kind of work ethic I need to have. She never had excuses or felt sorry for herself. If she needed something to get done and asked for help and it doesn’t get done she will immediately do it herself. She’s diligent and strong, I’ve never seen her ever be lazy. Read more>>

Rhonda Wilson

Both of my parents were very hard worker, the instill a great work ethic within me. Read more>>

Kelley Kay Bowles

They just did a good job of, within the frame of whatever time period was age appropriate, letting me learn lessons through personal experience instead of forcing their own experiences on us. Read more>>

Silvana Arbak

They didn’t get mad when I started drawing on walls, chairs, and important documents. Everything around me was a drawing pad. Eventually, I learned to draw on paper. They always supported me in all my artistic endeavors, even when I decided to quit my architecture studies to switch to Graphic Design, a pretty new career back then, and nobody knew what it was about. Read more>>