Over the years we’ve had the good fortunate of speaking with thousands of successful entrepreneurs, artists and creatives. Some are happy, some are not. The happy ones almost always had a strong sense of purpose and so we are very focused on trying to help our community members and audience find their purpose. This series is our attempt to create more dialogue around finding your purpose.
Sam Joole
Finding purpose for me is very much an ongoing thing! I often loose it and have to remind it and refnd it ! I was luckily cursed from a very early age with an unshakable, un negotiable need to sing and play music. When I look back it seems to have been there from very early on, age 10 or so, and never left me. Whilst I noticed with others around me that they would go in and out of various possible passions, interests and vocations, mine seemed concrete from then and no matter what happened that basic interest never changed. Read more>>
Ebony Scott
I found my purpose through my down times knowing how it feels to be in uncomfortable situations not knowing what’s going to happen next just having faith that god got you in will see you through and one thing about me is when i feel good I look good so starting my boutique was everything to me because I was able to make women and Young girls feel good in very pretty about themselves and it just made me soo happy to know that when one simple items that make seem soo small can have you feeling yourself the whole day makes me happy Read more>>
LaCarla Surles
I found my purpose in 2015, I would give my Great Grandmother pedicures until one day I wasn’t able to, she was sick and the infection from her body was coming out from her feet. I couldn’t do anything to help her ease the pain. In 2018 I became a Certified Master Pedicurist and that helped me to get a bigger and better understanding about the importance of feet. Read more>>
Ovais Malik
Watching my favorite cartoons and shows as a kid really got me excited for the world of acting. I remember “Looney Tune” as well as The Disney Afternoon that had shows like “TailSpin” “Chip ‘n Dale :Rescue Rangers” and “Darkwing Duck.” just to name a few, that really inspired me. A funny side story to this is that I went to high school with and became friends with Jim Cummings’ daughter without even realizing who her dad was! I’d also do impressions of family members and friends and inherited a wonderful sense of humor thanks to my mom. Read more>>
Denise Mosley
Finding purpose in life is one of those things that we all hear a lot of from everyone around us. We hear how much most people want to “find it.” They spend most of their lives either saying they don’t know what their purpose is or they are trying to find it.; and I get it. It can seem challenging to attain- because we are constantly hearing that “you should have a purpose.” Read more>>
Jenae Bluhm
For some context, I’ll start by saying that I am a sexual health and safety researcher with a passion for bridging the gap between research and practice. Regarding specifically how I found my purpose, people will ask me this and sometimes I get the impression they are expecting a linear narrative.
In reality, I changed my college major multiple times, such as from Communication to Elementary Education. As a child, I had a lot of answers to what I wanted to be when I grew up including marine biologist, neonatal nurse, race car driver (don’t ask), and hair stylist. Read more>>
Sharen Rooks
I found my purpose a long time ago when I was an educator. I quickly realized, building relationships was my lifeline for all things. I was intentional then and still to this day I am intentional about building solid relationships. None of us are designed to be an island, therefore we must learn or adapt to assimilation if we desire certain outcomes. Read more>>
Jennifer Leigh Warner
When I was about eight years old I was obsessed with the big cats of Africa, especially the cheetah. After learning that the cheetah was Africa’s most endangered big cat and that their population was in steep decline I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to wildlife conservation. When I was introduced to a special from National Geographic about a photographer who went to Africa to photograph cheetahs I realized that I could use photography as a tool to get people to care about the animals that I loved so much. Read more>>
Breunna Jaee
I didn’t. My Purpose found me. As a young girl i always saw my mom doing hair for other ladies and their reactions once she was done, the conversations, the laughs, it made me happy! i always wanted to feel that joy and happiness. i would go in my room and play beauty shop with my dolls, play in my little cousin’s hair, even the dogs! At 6 yrs old i braided my baby dolls hair and my mom didn’t believe me and she said DO IT AGAIN so i did! Read more>>
Dr. Ashley Lowe-Simmons
Kind of accidentally on purpose, I was working in juvenile corrections after getting my Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, it’s in criminal justice sciences. As I was working in juvenile corrections, there was a psychologist on staff, she held weekly groups and had to choose one staff member whenever she did a group with the kids. The staff member that was always chosen was me. I had no idea at the time that God was preparing me for my next. Read more>>
Drs. Phillip & Janice Porter
We found our purpose unexpectedly after we wrote our second book “The Power in A Vision Driven”. The reason we wrote this book is because, for many years prior, people kept asking us how our family started a family business, got over 30 family members from 3 generations to invest their time and money into the business and not break the family apart. In 2016, we decided to answer this question and more by writing a book titled “The Power in A Vision Driven Family: The Journey to A Generational Vision”. Read more>>
Marco Restrepo
I discovered my purpose through passion. Initially when I was a child, I had no idea that my purpose in life was to make music, but I did know that I was absolutely obsessed with it. Whether it was the singing of songs or the backstories of the artists, I just could not get enough. Read more>>
Jennifer Martin-Sorrentino
Since I was a young girl I had a passion for helping animals. If I saw a turtle crossing a road we would have to stop or turn around to be sure it crossed safely. If we saw a stray cat I would put food or water outside. My love for all animals was huge and I knew somehow I wanted to make a difference. Read more>>
Brionika Johnson
As I left my campus community after graduation and returned home, I realized that not only was it hard dating romantically and building professional networks within my age range, but it was even harder to build these connections with fellow HBCU Graduates. Upon this realization, I contacted my friend and business partner Braxton Simpson, and she was also experiencing the very same reality. Hence the birth of HBCULinx, a one-stop shop for building relationships personally, professionally, and romantically. Read more>>
Jimmy Johnson
It was in 1999- while employed at the city’s electric department, doing customer service. Office buildings have those huge windows- my little cubicle desk sat right next to one. Everyday, I would just sit and stare out- thinking, “I need to be out there! I need to be free! I need to be more involved in the city- moving around, shaking- making things happen!” I felt I was just wasting time sitting cooped up at a dead end job. That’s when I knew- I had found my purpose. I knew I would rather be working for myself- as an entrepreneur, than be wasting time answering customers calls all day helping them with their electric bills. Read more>>
Brianna Schamberg
Our show, “What’s with the Neighbors” is not for sharing the latest news on politics, or to give financial advice, it’s a fun hobby my best friend and I share where we deliver you our NOT-so-boring take on true crime and paranormal stories. We want to give you the deets on these dark stories and possibly manage to make you laugh, simply having a good time. Read more>>
Dr. Maria Luque
I found my passion for helping women when I noticed that a lot of my clients and friends were going through menopause and were having a rough time. At that time (2010), I was at a point in my Ph.D. studies where I had to pick a topic for my dissertation, and I picked that. I conducted a study evaluating the impact of physical activity on quality of life during menopause, and that was the beginning of my path. Since then, I have focused all of my work and will continue to do so because I want to help women lead their healthiest and happiest life. Read more>>
Gail Gould
It took me a while but I found my purpose later in life. I grew up in the 1960s watching The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland and wanted to be just like Judy! I dabbled in theater and modeling and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Theater/Dance from the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating, I was not brave enough to move to Los Angeles or New York so I met my performance needs by becoming a group exercise instructor. I loved this time period in my life as I felt like I was helping people as well as having a lot of fun! Read more>>
Eli Kirshner
I found my purpose in realizing that my passion for genealogy research can make a profound difference in someone’s life. I enjoy helping people, and sharing with a client what I’ve uncovered about their personal family history can give them a deeper connection to who and where they come from. For my clients, it can be really transformative to feel more connected to their roots, and also to be able see their ancestors — and themselves — represented in our shared U.S. history, even when those ancestors aren’t always written about in the history books. In doing presentations for clients over these past three years, I’ve been able to find my gift, and, thus, my purpose. Read more>>
Josh Guerra
I started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when I was 10 years old as a way to lose weight and build my self confidence as I was being bullied in school. I knew from the day I did my first class that I was going to do Jiu-Jitsu for the rest of my life. It wasn’t until I started teaching that I realized that my purpose was giving back and working to influence people’s lives in a positive way. I believe God put this vision on my heart and I have faith that in the work that I’m doing at my academy Refuge BJJ. God gave me vision and gives me the strength to see it through. Read more>>
Hakan Yildiz
As a Muay Thai boxer who has achieved three world championships and multiple other tournament victories before transitioning into a successful personal trainer, I can say that finding my purpose was a journey of self-discovery, passion, and dedication. Read more>>
Neysa Garcia-Muhammad
I found my purpose when I got clear on how I wanted to feel on a day-to-day basis. I want to feel excited, curious and lit up.
Those are the feelings that let me know that I’m in alignment.
My purpose can’t be contained in one job, one moment in my career or business.
It’s the intention that I have in everything that I do in life as it relates to my relationships, health, and business. Read more>>
Diana Cicery
I found my purpose, from the hard work from a very young age, when I started my first steps as a model, coming out of my adolescence, I continued working for my dream of being a model for an important agency worldwide, they made several proposals to me to be queen of beauty entering my 20 years, but due to the precarious and economic conditions of my family, my dream was cut short, however, I did not give up on my purpose and I continued rehearsing and training the catwalk in small stores in the city where I was born, modeling the new designs, that the clothing designers launched, for their new collections, so I earned a living for a few days, for my personal livelihood. Read more>>
Bailey Ness
Growing up, I had a lot of energy to burn both physically and creatively. During high school, I ran track and cross country and filled weekends with making clothing for friends. Fashion and running were definitely my first loves- they built a base for the framework of where I am now. I studied Fashion Marketing at the University of Minnesota and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University. I ran for both the Gophers and Rams track teams. Read more>>
Amber Brown
Hello, my purpose was initially discovered when I became a teenager. During my teenage years, I had revolving desires for hair extensions, eyelashes, makeup and anything else that enhances your beauty look. I would go to Mary Kay beauty parties on the weekends with friends, to learn more about make up, skincare and how to become a professional beauty consultant. I would also go to my favorite beauty stores, which were Ulta and Sephora to buy foundation, eyeshadow, concealer and other beauty products that their stores would have. Read more>>
Logan Donald
My passion for filmmaking comes from the experience itself. When I was a kid I dreamed of working at the local Blockbuster. A lot of that stems from core memories of sharing movies and tv shows with others. I remember sitting on my grandpas lap in the theater watching The Fellowship of the Ring. It was such a special moment and I think that particular film as well also developed this craving for incredible experiences watching movies. The biggest part of that is creating movies that invite people into this atmosphere where they can engage with the conflict within themselves. Thats my purpose. I want people to have emotional journeys with the art I create. Read more>>
Durell Peart
When it comes to how I found my purpose it’s a pretty easy answer. I have always known my purpose to be center around helping others because I like to consider myself someone who has mastered the ability to build relationships that makes a difference, I have made my playground that I love to build relationships and help others is the entertainment industry specifically within the music space. When I think about what it takes to be successful in the music industry it’s really all about building and maintaining relationships that can help open up doors to create success. Read more>>
Ally Archer
When we look back on our lives, I believe we will find “threads” or “breadcrumbs” of things that have interested us, made us feel excited or lit up, or just felt totally natural. These “threads” can trace back to childhood, or be a newfound spark or realization that suddenly came through. I believe these “threads” are like themes in our lives that we must follow. Read more>>
Shoshanna French
It took until my 30’s to understand that my natural ability to have the people around me feel freedom, love, and acceptance to be themselves no matter who and what they are is my gift and my purpose. My childhood was a bit challenging. I was the only kid I knew who had a divorced mom. It was 1984. I was chubby, strawberry blond, and had a crap ton of freckles plus we were really poor. Let’s just say that I intimately understand feeling a desperate need to be like everyone else and failing at it miserably. On top of that I was super tapped in intuitively. Read more>>
LaShae Hayes
My greatest misery birthed my greatest ministry in discovering my purpose. I grew up knowing I wanted to help people. I didn’t know what specific career I wanted to go in at the time, but while in college I discovered a gift in encouraging others. I would text my friends an encouraging word or scripture and they would often reply, “I needed that.” At the age of 17, I decided to write a book. The book was a memoir of journal entries, quotes, scriptures and prayers that was inspired by my faith in God and seeking my purpose. It was published at the age of 21, titled “Look at God”. Read more>>
Caroline Cotto
Henry Miller said, “For there is only one great adventure and that is inward toward the self, and for that, time nor space nor even deeds matter.”
My purpose was revealed to me over time through the books I read and music I listened to in my youth. Growing up, I was quiet but had a great inner world that wanted to be expressed greatly. I received intuitive nudges to use my voice, but I didn’t know how – this caused me to retreat into solitude and go forth on an adventure inward towards the self. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Baker
We were luckily exposed to our faith at a young age and I truly believe it helped us pave our future. God not only provided us with a beautiful family but he also gave us hope in our darkest moments. Having a business is not easy and after getting married we finally decided to take the leap of faith together. It will never be perfect but we would not change the time we get to spend together teaching our daughter what hard work is for anything. Read more>>
Mike Nixon
When talking about purpose, I view it as the special thing that gives a person’s life the strength it needs to progress toward something worthwhile. It’s one of those things that can change depending on many factors. With that said, I found purpose in my travels throughout the years. Read more>>
Chrystyan Cross
So to answer this question with transparency, I didn’t realize I HAD a purpose until I was already WALKING in it!
In May of 2021, I read The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I treated the 40-day instruction manual as a workbook, internalizing the advice & inspiration provided. However when I was finished, I found myself saying “I still don’t know what I’m meant for.” Read more>>
