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.

Michelle Jones

Growing up, my parents profoundly influenced my personal and professional development. My mom was a stay-at-home mom and always emphasized the importance of following through. Read more>>

Sheherazad Barnes

Growing up in a Persian family, my parents were particularly tough, especially my dad. In our culture, education is paramount, especially if you come from a good family. Read more>>

Zitong Zhao

I actually studied economics for my undergrad. The reason I chose that major was because I didn’t do well in the National College Entrance Examination, so I had no choice. Read more>>

Courtney Doyle

When I was about eight years old, my mom put me into acting and improv classes at a local acting school to try and get my excess creative energy out and put towards something more focused. Read more>>

Jill Boland

My parents are wonderful, caring individuals. They taught me to see people, to be compassionate and to know that I am so blessed to have the opportunities I have. Read more>>

Marianne Wysocki

I grew up in West Michigan and come from a large Polish family. I am the 5th child out of 6 and the first girl. There wasn’t a lot of money, but as kids we never lacked for anything. Read more>>

Tamekia Flowers-Ball

My mother, Michelle Flowers, epitomizes strength and resilience. From a young age, she instilled in me the importance of diligence and perseverance in achieving one’s desires. Read more>>

Ryan Woodard

I was diagnosed at three with Autism. My parents knew that I wasn’t playing appropriately with toys, I wasn’t pointing but the biggest thing they noticed is I wasn’t speaking. Read more>>

Nollis Dewar

In the vibrant streets of Montego Bay, Jamaica, amidst the warm Caribbean breeze, my grandfather Kenneth Dewar was a pillar of strength and wisdom. Read more>>

Piper Madison

I feel extremely blessed to have parents that have always supported my dreams. When I was 6 years old and Hannah Montana was my absolute jam, I decided I wanted to be on TV. Read more>>

Tess Adams

My dad always spoke about “working for yourself.” He instilled in my sister & myself the idea that we could have an idea & execute it in reality. He did that in his own life & reinvented himself time and time again. Read more>>

Kelly Thompson

Both of my parents are entrepreneurs (My dad is a dentist who started his own practice at 26 and my mom is a self taught interior designer) and from a very young age they were always planting seeds about future careers and creating a direction for your life. Read more>>

Kalen Acquisto

When I think about my journey, I can’t help but feel a huge sense of gratitude for the unwavering support from my parents. It’s something I treasure deeply and never take for granted. Every day, I count my lucky stars for them. Read more>>

VAELUPE MA’AELE

Growing up as a Samoan person, there are many important values that are taught and instilled early on for many of us. With family and faith being one of the most important values I hold dearly, I owe tribute to my parents for showing me how these values add to my life on a daily basis. Read more>>

Ianthe Mauro

My parents had the most loving relationship I’ve ever witnessed in real life. They valued loving each other over material things, and had an open door policy, (with a comfy couch and home made vegetarian food on stand by), for anyone that came to the door. Read more>>

Aimée Terese

My parents have supported me in every skill I ever wanted to pursue. Those who know me understand that I love exploring all forms of art. Because of this, I was constantly trying something new, whether it required materials or making connections to succeed. Read more>>

Yuko Kyutoku

What my parents taught me was to always be curious and try new things, to always do my best, to always have an attitude of learning and moving forward, and to never be afraid of failure. Read more>>

John Lyons

I learned may lessons in business from my mom. She taught me marketing knowledge and a strategic mindset that equipped me with essential skills for navigating the complexities of the corporate world. Read more>>