Who taught you the most about work?

Society has its myths about where we learn – internships, books, school, etc. However, in our conversations with some of the most interesting and trailblazing entrepreneurs and creatives we noticed the biggest lessons they learned about work often came from unexpected sources. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Adam Mann

I can’t pin it to one person, but I’ve learned an incredible amount from the people I’ve collaborated with over the years. My first agency client was a big one. She had her own agency and brought me on as contract help. At one point she actually doubled my rate because I wasn’t charging enough, and that gave me a huge boost in confidence. Read more>>

Amanda Long, Stephanie Long Turner

Our parents started Hot Air Expeditions when we were kids with just one hot air balloon in our backyard, and ran the business out of our house, so we grew up watching the hot air balloon business blossom to life, and saw the hard work our parents put in behind the scenes. Read more>>

Jacey Grimstad

Honestly, my work ethic was shaped early on—growing up in Oregon, I was out loading firewood with my family by the time I was six. I got my first “real” job babysitting at 12, and by 16, I was working as a lifeguard! Read more>>

Rebecca Hidalgo

Much of what I’ve learned about work and life comes from my grandfather Larson, who played a big role in raising me as a little girl in San Francisco. I was born in Mexico City, and after my parents divorced shortly after my birth, my mother moved us back to California where she’d grown up. Read more>>

Channing Chasten

My grandad taught me the most about work — especially hard work. On his gravestone, it reads: “Hard work is the key to success.” He truly embodied that quote every single day. No matter how he felt, he always showed up, did what needed to be done, and made sure he provided for his family. That mindset stuck with me. Read more>>

Keisha Symone

It’s actually a few people who taught me about work but the one whose strength I saw most; my mom. I mean, I’ve seen my mom work 2 jobs, 7 days a week. I mean she has literally left one job and went straight to the other one, I’m talking off by 7am and at the next by 8/830. Read more>>

Dani Christakos

I grew up modestly and started working as far back as I can remember. If I wanted something, I had to earn it—nothing was handed to me. That early sense of responsibility shaped my work ethic, and it’s stuck with me through raising my kids and building this business from the ground up. Read more>>

Jeremy Schachter

My Father taught the meaning of work to me from a very early age. He taught high school for inner city students for over 35+ yrs. He commuted an hour and a half each way even in the snow for 35 yrs. He also worked summer school to afford to take my Brother and I on vacations each year. Read more>>