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.
Jacky Macias

I am everything I am, ALL thanks to my wonderful mom! Growing up in a single-parent household has truly shaped who I am today. Long before the term “Girl Boss” existed, my mom was just that. I vividly remember the days I would be sick at home my mom would allow me to dial into her business calls; so long as I could promise to remain on mute. By listening to my mom’s conference calls and sales calls I was able to learn so much. My mom laughs back at this memory because she remembers I would call her back with ways to improve the sales or by offering a different sales tactic. I was merely 10 years old. Read more>>
Eleanor Kingston

I would not be the artist or woman in business that I am without my parents: more specifically, the duality of my parents. My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader, and in her eyes, everything I touch is truly gold (lol, parents am i right?). Growing up, she always told me that I can be whatever I want in this world. I decided in 2nd or 3rd grade, when I got cast as The Princess Who Kissed the Frog in the Elementary school play, that I wanted to make art for a living. From there, my mom made exploring my creativity a priority and went to the ends of the earth to fund the pursuit of my dreams. From taking me to Los Angeles for acting camp at just 12 years old, to accompanying me at my first recording session in a real studio, she sacrificed her childhood dreams to be a mom who pushed her kids to pursue theirs. I’ll always be indebted to that sacrifice. Read more>>
Tea Rush

My mom was an entrepreneur she owned her own daycare business since I was a baby. My Father was an entrepreneur & musician who traveled all around. Both of these career decisions inspired me to do both! I’m a live music performer who owns a brick @ mortar tea & health business as well as an executive director to a nonprofit organization called Travel’n Little Tea Party. Read more>>
Lindsay Shaver

One of the biggest things instilled in me at a young age, was that if you want something, you work for it. You do the research, you put in the time to learn, the effort, the work, whatever that looks like. I started my first job at 14 so that I could have money to go to shows, and on adventures with friends. When I wanted to drive, I got another job that offered more hours, so I could afford car insurance, and gas. Nothing was handed to me, and it really shaped me to the person I am today. At the age of 17, I started paying rent in my childhood home, which just further encouraged my independence. I wouldn’t have the self discipline or drive to own my own business as I do today, had I not had a mother that instilled such a strong work ethic in me at a young age. Read more>>
BARRETT COOKE

My parents are entrepreneurs and both of their parents were entrepreneurs as well. My sister Elizabeth and I spent many weekends and summers working in our parent’s bookstore and grew up seeing some of the rewards, as well as complexities, of running a business. My dad is an unrealized architect who loved drawing and designing elements of their stores and our house and my mom is a powerhouse who is still always trying to figure out what lessons to learn from each situation and how to work internally and externally to make things better. They both encouraged every interest I developed and not only supported those interest but also showed sincere curiosity about them. I felt empower to keep trying new things and lean into the adventure. Read more>>
Hanna Ainsworth AKA Yocute

This is quite the question, and it hits differently as a now first-time mom thinking about how I want to raise my son. Though, I understand that there were circumstances in my upbringing that will never be the case in my child’s life. For one, my parents immigrated from Central America and were on the journey to becoming American citizens when I was growing up. I heard many stories of how quickly my parents had to grow up and take on adult responsibilities. In that sense, both my parents had an “entrepreneurial spirit.” The term entrepreneur has grown to become this romanticized pursuit in America. Whereas in a country like Guatemala or El Salvador and I am sure in early America, entrepreneurism was widespread and has been a means to survival. Entrepreneurialism as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, “is the ability to start new businesses, especially when this involves seeing new opportunities to make money.” Read more>>
Mike Gagliardi

My Dad especially taught me the old school way of making relationships work. I can still hear him telling me : “Look people in the eye, give a firm handshake and always finish what you start. You make a commitment to do something – you do it.” My Mom taught me how to enjoy every day. To make a point of laughing every day, learn to laugh at yourself, and have empathy for those less fortunate. Read more>>
Jai Marie

When I was 6 years old, my mom took me to the Detroit Public Library to see Les Brown speak. At that time I had just lost my first job where I made $25 an hour (great pay for a youngin) and was experiencing a huge devastation because I grew out of the role. In a search to create additional income, I had adapted an entrepreneurial spirit and just in time for my realization, I heard Les Brown say, “It’s possible.” My mom taking me to hear that talk gave me every ounce of belief I needed to carry out this dream and I have been on a mission to do so ever since. Read more>>
Samantha Ludwitzke

I’ve always been a creative-minded person. Even when I was young, I’ve never felt like I was wired for math or science – it just wasn’t my thing. Every hobby or passtime I’ve ever had has revolved around some form of art or imagination. My parents 100% have always supported and encouraged my creative side, and for that I am grateful. Read more>>