Growing up in Michigan, as the daughter of a blue-collar worker in the automobile industry and a stay a home mom I learned early on the meaning of hard work/work ethic. Watching my parents plant vegetable gardens, make our clothing, fixing our own cars, etc. My parents were an example that sacrifice for your family and hard work always pays off in the end. I am the youngest of three and loved my childhood, I truly felt blessed looking back. I never worried about having food on the table, seeing my parents, or even understanding expectations. I was able to be a child and learn and grow from love.

Hard work was ingrained in my DNA or my equation. My dad left for the factory at 4:30 am Monday through Friday and would always pick up as much over time as possible to help our family live more comfortably. He volunteered at the fire department on his off time or was known for coaching his children’s sports teams. He also played with his kids wrestling on the floor, swimming in the pool, taking us on nature walks, sledding and building in the snow. Looking back, I wonder where he had the time to make us feel so well taken care of as well as loved, while doing so much.

My mom set the example of what a care giver looked like to me. Getting up and making us breakfast before school every day, freshly baked cookies in our lunches, and amazing 5 course dinner every night and a clean loving home. Around birthdays, holidays, saving for a vacation or a pool, my mom would do all this and then head to her craft room (my dad built for her) once dinner was done to work on her crafts until sometimes the wee hours of the morning. I remember sitting on the floor of the craft room and studying spelling while she multitasked sewing and helping us study. She went to night school while we were young to learn her baking skills and grow.

My parents never missed an event and seemed to have the perfect formula for expectations, growth, and adventure. They did not hover; they gave room for exploring and making mistakes. While also having standards for those times we pushed the line too far or did not do the work we were taught to do.

I use all the skills my parents had showed as an example every day at work and in being a wife and mom.

• I have high standards for myself but also for my children.
• I take risks, I push my comfort zone to continue to learn and thrive and I encourage my kids to do this.
• I work hard, I rarely sit down its not my DNA. My children see the hours I work, volunteer, and parent and this has made them hard dedicated workers as well. They are each excelling in their own equation and I am proud.
• I have fun, build relationships, make fun of myself, and always try to see the best in everything
• I make mistakes (and am not easy on myself for this) I take raising kids and my career very seriously and have so much passion about it I am my own biggest critic. I beat myself up and this is something I try to improve on. I have sleepless nights when my mind wont stop working on solving the problem.
• I am emotional, I cry when I am happy, upset, frustrated and I am ok with this. It’s my heart and I wear it on my sleeve.
• I do everything with passion

My takeaway here is set the example to create your own equation weather at work or at home. Put in the work, continue to learn, grow, give space for others to do the same, take the chance. Support mistakes everyone makes them, we typically learn best from mistakes, be passionate in every you do.