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.

Noah Naidoo

My parents always instilled a working attitude into me and my siblings. From the age of 14, I was always finding a way to help around my parents’ offices. They are both small business owners who were not handed anything in life. When I started my sophomore year of high school, I became a part-time worker at my dad’s pediatric office. I learned more things from working with my dad than I could have learned from business class in school. Owning a business is a larger extension of owning your own life. Sometimes you have to take risks when running a company and I sometimes found myself looking for things that had a pattern or rhythm to them. I didn’t like change for a long time during my high school days. I loved having a routine and never wanted it to change. But when I saw my parents taking risks here and there to grow their brand and company I knew that I had to trust in God and bet on myself. That is ultimately why I decided to take the non-traditional route and go to Film School at Savannah College of Art and Design and pursue the dream that God gave to me. Read more>>

Ajayi-olowo Precious

My parents have been the cornerstone of my journey, each contributing uniquely to who I am today and the success of my art career. Their values, teachings, and unwavering support have left an indelible mark on my life. My mum has always been my greatest cheerleader, recognizing my love for art early on and nurturing it even when it was just a hobby in college. Her encouragement pushed me to explore more ideas, refine my craft, and take my passion seriously. During my university years, when life became a whirlwind of academic responsibilities and intense art projects, she was my anchor. No matter how hectic my schedule was or how challenging the tasks became, she never left my side. Instead of discouraging me under the weight of it all, she motivated me to push through and supported my endeavors to improve my skills and expand my presence in the art world. Read more>>

Bridgett Leslie

In my home, my parents championed education and independence for their daughters, insisting that all three of us have the courage to carve our own paths. They instilled in us a profound sense of self-worth, empowering us to challenge societal expectations and embrace our potential. Their guidance was instrumental in shaping my career and my identity. My father’s love for literature became a cornerstone of my own creative journey. An avid reader throughout his life, he continues to spend hours each day immersed in books, even at the age of 78. My mother, a woman of frugality and decisiveness, also left an indelible mark on me. Her practical mindset and resolute nature became part of my character, molding me into a unique blend of writer, pragmatist, and decision-maker. Read more>>

Sami Siteman

I’m grateful to be able to say that my parents did a lot of things right, and one of the most impactful things they did right was to always encourage my creative endeavors. I have always loved music, photography, and arts & crafts, and they have always encouraged me to pursue these passions, with both moral and sometimes also financial support (they helped me buy my first DSLR camera 12 years ago, the same one I still use today!). I’m so grateful that they recognized how important creative passions have been for my happiness and expression. Read more>>

April Cook

My parents raised me to be upright. To treat the janitor the same as the CEO. My dad never really disciplined me he always had long meaningful conversations. Saying and I quote “ A spanking only lasts a minute, but the wisdom I instill in you will be forever”. He was right, I can always relate back to the wisdom when I need it, or fall short. Rest In Eternal Peace to my mom, Norma J. Carrigan. Read more>>

David Jefferson

The main thing my mother did right was she taught me the importance of love and how to show it. Building a career based off love is a totally different experience than building one without it. Love is a huge component of owning a successful business and a key ingredient that business owners seem to miss all the time. Love is closely associated with the idea of “Giving” and I don’t know any self-made success stories that didn’t involve some level of giving or some contribution to society. So, in beginning my brand, the first thing I thought about was what type of contribution I could make that could somehow impact people’s lives for the better. Read more>>

Eric Hagan

What I have always loved about my parents is the fact that they have always seen the value in creativity, not as a mere hobby but as an integral part of what it means to be a human being. It’s up for debate whether nature or nurture played a bigger role in my decision to become an artist, evidence abounds for both arguments. My mother was an art teacher for 30 years, my father was a shop teacher for 20. In fact, I had both as my teacher. However, I don’t believe my artistic success can be attributed solely to genetics. It was the character, ideals and passions I absorbed, as well as the encouragement that led me to where I am now. Read more>>

Jaren Cerf

I love this question. In a time where many of us are in therapy to deal with all the ways we believe our parents failed us, looking for the ways they succeeded feels almost unnatural, but totally necessary for deeper healing. Afterall, hindsight is always 20/20. Many of the things I experienced as an undiagnosed neurodivergent child I decided I would never pass on to my kids. Until I had them. Read more>>

Krystal Gervais

My parents, although imperfect like the rest of us, gave me gifts that have profoundly shaped who I am today. My mother was a talented poet who inspired my love for writing poetry and raps. Growing up, I would find her writings scattered around the house—little pieces of her heart that spoke to me even as a child. She introduced me to Edgar Allan Poe, whose works remain some of my all-time favorites. Her creativity and vulnerability through poetry taught me to express my emotions through words, a gift that has become central to my personal and professional life. She had an uncanny ability to connect with anyone, no matter their walk of life, blending a sharp sense of humor with a childlike innocence that was both endearing and inspiring. At the same time, she was deeply thoughtful and could engage in meaningful conversations about almost anything. Her unique mix of openness and playfulness taught me to embrace life with an open heart. Read more>>

Sydnee Harris

I am honored to call the most supportive, loving, and hardworking two people I have ever met my parents. My parents have always stood by me and supported me through every aspect of my life. They have never let me feel alone or say I am not strong enough to make a goal. Every crazy idea, any change of opinion, or a minor decision, they have always encouraged me to make my dreams happen. My mom and dad have taught me that the sky is the limit and that I can do anything I put my mind to, no matter how hard. My parents have shown up to me at every school function and sporting event I ever had. Read more>>

Pranav Abraham Varikad

From the age of 15, my lovely parents, Abraham Joseph and Indu Abraham were unwavering pillars of support for my dream of becoming a filmmaker. They understood my passion and made the intentional decision to surround me with opportunities and environments that nurtured my creative ambitions. Whether it was enrolling me in workshops, introducing me to mentors in the field, or encouraging me to participate in film-related school programs, they ensured I had access to the right people and resources. Their belief in my potential and proactive efforts to connect me with the world of filmmaking gave me the foundation and a headstart I needed to grow as a filmmaker and pursue my dreams with confidence. Read more>>

Ruoyun Liu

The most impactful thing my parents did was trust my choices and support me unconditionally. This belief gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for music, even when the path was unconventional. In high school, I attended an international school but struggled with mental health issues that made it hard to keep up. While most peers prepared for academic majors abroad, I realized I wanted to study music. I set a long-term goal to attend Berklee College of Music but decided to first attend China’s top music conservatory to build my foundation.  Read more>>

Lorena Roque

My parents have been my #1 supporters and primary inspiration. I’m only child and luckily the 3 of us are very close besides the physical distance that exists between us; they live in El Salvador and I live in San Fernando Valley in LA county. And the life i have right now i owe it to their sacrifices and love. And of course the way they raised me. My mom was always very strict with anything regarding academics and since i was a child she instilled in me the value of responsability, and went i was of to college (CSUN) those skills cae threw cause i was completely tunnel vision focused on graduating in 4 years and i did. Read more>>

Rico Andrews

Seeing my parents work hard is what impacted me the most in my life and career. It made it clear to me that hard work separates you from the pack. Balancing careers and a family is no easy task, but discipline and hard work makes everything manageable and the rewards are well worth it! I can’t think of a time that my parents called in sick for work. I’m sure they probably did at some point, but it wasn’t a common thing. I’ve been working since I was 13 and I think that had a huge impact on the way that I see work. My family and I represent our brand and that brand is extremely important to me. My wife and I instill this into our children. We never put a monetary value on the things that we do or the lifestyle that we live, but we accredit everything that have and are able to do to hard work. Read more>>

Ali Schwartz

My parents taught me everything I know. They instilled in me the values of kindness, empathy, and self-love, all while encouraging me to dream big. They also gave me the foundation to believe in myself, work hard, and pursue my passions with determination. Both my mother and father brought their own unique lessons and unconditional support, shaping me into the person and artist I am today. Read more>>

Aviva Legatt

When I was a baby, my parents put me in their small business commercial for their health food store and had me “work” in their store. I was ringing up sales at 3 and 4 years old, helping to stock juices (worked for my height), and greeted customers, including interesting characters such as Brooke Shields and John Nash. These early experiences gave me a love of work, entrepreneurship, and interesting people. Read more>>

Autumn Martino

As a kid, I covered my mom’s pristine white hallway walls with crayon scribbles. When my grandma saw it, she warned, “Your mom is going to kill you.” I was terrified, bracing for the worst. But when my mom came home, she surprised me—she didn’t get angry. Instead, she told me how beautiful my drawing was. That moment sparked my love for creating, and I’ve been pursuing it ever since. Through every high and low, my mom has stood by me, encouraging my passion every step of the way. Her reaction that day taught me that creativity deserves love and support, a lesson that shaped my journey as an artist. Read more>>

Denise Elisabeth

Growing up, one of the biggest blessings in my life was having parents who fully supported my creative passions. My mom was always my partner in creativity, whether it was taking me to Hancock Fabrics to pick out materials or accompanying me to fashion shows to fuel my inspiration. My dad was equally encouraging, proudly sharing stories about how I once whipped up a dress overnight to wear to church or showcasing one of my designs to anyone who’d listen. Their belief in me gave me the confidence to keep going, even when the path wasn’t always clear. Read more>>

Michael Swiezo Anderson

Not fully believing in me to the fullest extent pushed me to go super hard lol no but for real the tough love from my mom pushed me far I love her and RIP MAMA my grandma her iconic basement aka my my creative space is where I developed my mind Read more>>

Emily Balsley

Hailing from a small farm town in northern Wisconsin, there wasn’t always a lot to do. So I spent the bulk of my childhood reading, playing outside and drawing. I LOVED to draw, and my parents kept a never-ending stack of coloring books and art supplies on-hand. They also enrolled me in whatever creative workshop they could find – from making puppets to comic books – I wanted to do it all. For several years I participated in 4-H, and dedicated my summers to making art to display at the county fair in August – always striving for that elusive purple Merit Ribbon! Read more>>

Mackgrace

I have been fortunate enough to have a parent that has supported me in everything I have done. When I realized that I wanted to pursue music at a young age, my mom put me in all the private lessons I needed, and poured all her time into nurturing my passion. I think the best thing a parent can do for their child is to listen to their dreams, and give them the chance to make them happen. That’s what love is. Read more>>

Joel Lindberg

I owe my successes in the music industry to my parents. They are both music professionals, and when I was growing up I had them to look up to as living proof that a career in music could not only be possible, but also enjoyable and sustainable. Having hugely supportive parents provided me the bravery I needed to take the necessary risks along my journey. Without them, I wouldn’t have the sense of purpose and conviction I have today as a creator and performer. Thank you mom and dad! Read more>>

Kara Ardron

I grew up before the word “grit” was popularized, but persistence and resilience were imbedded in my family culture. For example, my older brother James and learned how to swim in the manmade lake below my grandmother’s farmhouse. Every summer, as soon as an adult was available to supervise, he and I would run down the long, rolling hill to the splintery wooden dock and jump in. James is three my years my senior. And one year, when he was about eight and I was about five, he decided he wanted to learn how to do a flip off of the dock. Read more>>

Amanda Reifert

My parents taught me the value of hard work and determination. They raised me to believe I could achieve anything I set my mind to! Read more>>

Lee Seidner

When reflecting on my upbringing, there are so many things that I feel incredible gratitude towards my parents for instilling. The most prominent are instilling a strong, consistent work ethic and seeing everything you begin through to the end. These qualities that they helped engrain in me are really embodied in when I began marching band in high school. Although it may not seem this way now from my job as a SoulCycle instructor, I was in fact, a band geek. In fact, I studied clarinet all the way to receiving a doctorate from the Frost School of Music. However, I had moments that I wavered in this passion. Read more>>

Khristopher Leach

My parents really instilled a strong work ethic in me from a young age. I watched them both work incredibly hard in everything they did, whether it was their professional responsibilities or personal commitments. Their dedication and perseverance were constant reminders of the importance of giving your best effort, no matter the task. This example inspired me to adopt the same mindset in my own life, striving to approach challenges with determination and resilience. Read more>>

Tamekis Williams,lcsw, Cctp

I must pay tribute to my late mother, who passed away in November 2021. Losing her was a profoundly earth-shaking experience for me and remains so to this day. As I navigate my grief, I choose to focus on her remarkable legacy and the profound impact she continues to have on my life, rather than the sorrow of her passing. After my parents’ divorce, she became a single mother of three, dedicating herself to providing us with a life filled with love. Her strength was tested in unimaginable ways, including enduring the loss of two of her daughters in her life time. Yet, when I reflect on her life, I am in awe of the extraordinary strength, tenacity, and resilience she demonstrated through every trial and tribulation. She remains an enduring source of inspiration and a guiding light in my journey. Read more>>

Darwin Zook

When growing up a kid, it is so important to have a balance of toughness and compassion instilled in you. For me, I was fortunate to have parents that allowed me to pursue my interests and goals, even if it wasn’t always the “normal” path taken by others. I was always very into sports and competition from a young age. But, I think I even surprised my parents when in college at Fordham University, I suddenly elected to make a major life pivot and transfer to UC Santa Cruz for the opportunity to play college basketball. I was entering my Senior year at Fordham and was station director at WFUV radio, broadcasting the Fordham football and basketball games. Read more>>