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.

Kelly Collins

One of the best things my parents did was that they always gave me the freedom to explore what I loved without imposing their expectations of who they wanted me to be on me. When I excelled at something they fully supported me in going after my goals at my own pace. Read more>>

Leah Richey

I grew up in a humble home in Alvin Texas with a stay-at-home mom and dad who worked in the chemical plants. I had an amazing childhood and two little brothers who I cared for often. Read more>>

Rochelle Irons

My parents taught me that my value wasn’t in fitting into a box. They always encouraged creative thinking and made both of my brothers and I feel confident in being exactly who we were. We grew up on a boat, traveling around the Caribbean…not exactly your average childhood. Read more>>

Blake Plaster

My parents raised me to believe that anything in life is possible with hard-work, determination and a vision. They’ve always had a tremendous work ethic, that was instilled in me from the beginning. Read more>>

Cierra Fly Bobo

My parents exemplified the ability to overcome. I watched my mom overcome having me at 16. I watched my dad overcome becoming addicted to drugs. I avoided both challenges. Read more>>

Sunita S

First of all, I absolutely love this question! It is a perfect way to pay tribute to my parents. Our parents are the very reason for our existence. As we all know, the type of emotional support that a child receives during the first three and a half years influences education, Read more>>

Amy Anderson

My parents both came from not-so-happy home lives. My mother lived in many different foster homes after being put in Catholic services due to her parents being alcoholics during the Depression. My father was also taken away from his parents due to alcoholism and was adopted. Read more>>

Dr. Avis Foley

One of the best things that my biological mother did that has had the greatest impact on me is to place me in a foster home at the age of three days old. She is schizophrenic and addicted to drugs. And while this was probably a tough decision for her to make, it was the best decision for my destiny. Read more>>

Matt Jones

Beginning in my formative years, my parents instilled in me, a strong sense of self-discipline, tenacity and resourcefulness. Being one of the only artists even in my extended family, I am not sure they always knew exactly what I was setting myself up for or how best to guide me. Read more>>

Jasmine Bryant

My parents are my biggest support system. My parents did not have it easy growing up in NYC but no matter what they always made sure my siblings and I were taken care of. Read more>>

Crystal Wheeler

The best advice that my mother has instilled in me is to always finish what you’ve started. I’ve continuously returned to this piece of advice throughout my life. I come from a musically inclined family and at the age of ten thought learning the piano would be a good way for me to join the family talent pool. Read more>> 

Tony Godbolt

My Parents have always been a motivating force in my life. Whether I was in between jobs, playing sports, or struggling in school. They made sure I carried myself with self-respect and self-confidence. One of my father’’s favorite lines is “possibilities are endless” and once I understood it, I ran with it. Read more>>

Joseph Deal

From my mother, I learned determination and to never give up on myself and my dreams. To this day she still is my biggest cheerleader. She is always telling me you can do this, stay focused, make this call, do this interview, and build working relationships with people and communities. Read more>>

Kimberly DeShields-Spencer

Whenever I share with people that both of my parents were in the military, there is an assumption that I had a strict upbringing. That was not the case. They were firm but very loving. Read more>>

Joe Baldelomar

My dad and mom, always taught us (I am including my three brothers) to be kind, to take the time to listen. to think before we responded and to see every single person as we wanted to be seeing; to be respectful and honest. I am so grateful, because my parents gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures and spiritual beliefs. Read more>>

Erin Cagney

I believe that my parents did many things right. What helps provide more of an understanding of what that means is that at the root of all of the things that my parents did was their unconditional love and support. Which they still happily give today. Read more>>

Kimberly Duff

At the age of 12 my parents were told that I had brain cancer and the doctors said I had 6 months at the most to live. I maintain my parents did two things right pertaining to my diagnosis and treatment. Read more>>