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.
Michelle DiGaetano
My parents, I was raised in a middle class blue collar family. My father worked in construction his entire life and I remember him always coming home exhausted from the day. We lived in the north and his job required him to work in extreme cold and intense heat. Read more>>
Mareka Riles
My mother has taught me the most about work. All my life I’ve seen my mother work sometimes multiple jobs at once and still have time to be present in the household. There has been good days and bad days for her as for everyone else but she never lets those bad days keep her down. Read more>>
TERRY YAKI
The person who taught me most about “work” was my father. He always compared himself to a machine, all my life non stop he was hustling grinding and doing whatever it took for us to have what we needed. Read more>>
Nikita Garland
The people who have taught me the most about work are my clients. Representing them has taught me so much—about different cultures, the many phases of life, and the tough decisions people have to make to keep moving forward. Read more>>
Jason Wiggins
The person who taught me the most about work was my grandpa. Growing up, it was just my mom and me for a long time, and during tough times, we’d move in with my grandparents. My grandpa worked the night shift at the docks in Tampa, and after that, he’d head to work with his brother-in-law at the business they started together. Read more>>
Deidra McDowell
My mom and my uncle taught me everything I know about hard work. They came from the Philippines, a country where poverty is a daily reality, and both grew up with very little. My uncle had to stop going to school after the 4th grade so he could work in the rice fields to help support their family. Read more>>
