My colleagues and I have interviewed quite a lot of newly self-employed people over the past year or so that fit this hard-working stereotype.

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And contrary to the stereotype of teleworking professionals as primarily working mothers, most are male, knowledge workers in mid-career.

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Through the inductive reasoning of trial and error, I discovered that the stereotype that Mexican-Americans are honest, hard working, family oriented people who deliver great work is valid.

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The MEPs themselves will, no doubt, be on their best behaviour, going out of their way to show how hard-working and diligent they are - and how unlike the popular stereotype.

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The best way to challenge this stereotype is to be disruptive with new ways of solving problems and working in businesses that can also achieve success and make for great start-ups.

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