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.

Cynthia Brando

I remember when I first read Julia Cameron’s, “The Artist Way,” “A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity,” a few years ago. I was in a group that went through the 12 week process of readings and exercises, centered around the issues of what gets in the way of an artist. One of the chapters discussed how often family is unsupportive of creativity; that parents often want children to be something “more.” In my group, there were a lot of stories of not feeling supported growing up as a creative person, and if one showed an inclination towards having a career as an artist, that it was highly frowned upon…I couldn’t relate because I had the opposite experience. Read more>>

Débora Rosatto

Not supporting my acting career. Allow me to elaborate. When I decided I wanted to be an actress and told my parents about it, I was fairly young. My parents took my idea seriously, but they had to be mature, realistic and conscious about it. I was not born with any connections to the entertainment industry or near an entertainment center, so the idea of becoming an actress was simply a dream. There was nothing concrete in regards to that and we knew nothing about this industry and business. And on top of that, there was the age factor. Read more>>

Jordan von Lange

I grew up in Baltimore, MD and was the oldest of four children. My parents were loving, encouraging, confident, supportive and they valued celebrating the big and little feats in our lives. Not only were they a couple I admired to one day emulate in my future relationships, but now, as a recent bride, I look forward to using their relationship as an inspiration in my marriage. Read more>>

Truvi

My mom and I have been besties since she brought me onto this earth up till today. I was her only child and she had very badly wanted a daughter to play dolls and paint nails with. No matter how much she tried to persuade me to be, I definitely wasn’t that. But honestly, my divergence from what she thought I would be never made her draw back any of her love for me. She always encouraged me to be exactly who I am, no matter how weird or silly I chose to be. She built a shield around me from others’ opinions by always telling me that I was smart, beautiful, talented, and good-hearted. When other people would tell me otherwise it would bounce right off my shield – if the person I loved the most thought I was so amazing, then I was sure I was. Read more>>

Kamaria Webster

I was raised by a single mother of 3. It was always my twin brother, my older brother, my mom, my grandmother and I. As a kid I saw my mom work to make things happen, even in times she didn’t think we saw behind the scenes, and the struggle I did. I saw the silent cries, the depression, and the hard times; but, most of all I saw how she fought and made her scars her wings. My mom showed me what it is to be a strong, resilient, ambitious, praying back woman. As I got older, the things I didn’t understand as a kid I grew to appreciate as an adult. Read more>>

Emilia Drago

I believe my parents made a good choice in giving me the right to chose. Both my parents were dancers, and instead of forcing my brother and I into that path, they gave us the chance to chose. I followed in their footsteps until I discovered acting, and they’ve been supportive at every step. They let me follow my own path when I chose not to go to college, and when I chose to take the film acting route. I was never forced into any school, club, or decision, and I am thankful every day for the right to chose and the support from my family. Read more>>

Blood Orchid

From a very young age, my parents began to teach me that in life, I would be better off taking my own path rather than following a path that somebody else sets for me. “Be your own man, build your own world, work for yourself… or you’ll get stuck working for people who don’t respect you…” Read more>>

Jess Beamer

My parents have been the most influential forces in my life. When I say forces, I truly mean that each of them has been a very important force in my life. You’ll never meet anybody who is more hardworking than each of them. Their relentless hard working mentality was an amazing example of what having a work ethic means. They are both the type to bend over backwards for anybody in need. They have each supported me and been my biggest cheerleaders through all of the adventures I’ve chosen to go through in my life. I’ve been told since I was a young age that I can be whatever I want to be and to never give up. I cherish them and consider them my best friends. Read more>>

Isaac Stackonis

What my parents did right in regards to my pursuit as a creative artist is that they made sure that I lived a fulfilling and normal childhood. They made sure that I had a multitude of interests and hobbies so I could try all sorts of lifestyles to see what I liked. I think from the start they always knew I was an actor but they also could see I had other talents – such as mountain biking – that they encouraged me to pursue. When I was about 16 I had moved to Los Angeles for a short while with my mother to pursue a child acting career. Read more>>

Yung Jewelz

My mom always encouraged me and supported me every step of the way. Not once was I told doing music was a bad choice or I should find something else. Her having faith in me pushed me to continue to grow. She’s impacted my career by giving me the comfort in knowing she supports all my career moves, knowing she’s my number one fan allows me to keep pushing forward because I’m always trying to impress her. Read more>>