Finding & Living with Purpose

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.

Brianna beal

Every since i was 16 , I have had a job. My work ethic was instilled in me at a young age , and it stuck with me through my adulthood. After exploring many careers , positions, and jobs, I finally decided that it was my time to give back. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was sitting at my desk at work , and I was slowly falling asleep. Numerous times i tried to wake myself up , but nothing was working. Read more>>

Kevin Willingham

I can’t honestly say I know my true purpose; I’ve mostly fallen into everything I’ve done in the last few decades. But the further I get into my life, into this journey, the clearer it continually becomes what is truly important in life, and that is where I find any purpose. The love of my family, supporting them, friends, and community, and trying to create something fun and meaningful in a world often full of the opposite–those are keystones of my day-to-day life and where any purpose in this crazy world makes any sense. Read more>>

Amanda Trevelino

I like a particular quote by the artist Pablo Picasso. He said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” And yoga, of course, is the art of life. I’ve come to believe that life isn’t something that happens to us. It is something we create, an ongoing study of free will in response to fate. Read more>>

Yu (Zoe) Cui

I discovered my purpose by viewing life as an act of publishing. Every day, we share our thoughts and words, contributing to the world around us. It’s crucial to be mindful of what we put out into the world. My purpose is to publish my ideas and amplify the voices of others through various mediums beyond language—such as design, art, initiatives, and interactions. Read more>>

Vanessa François

Finding your purpose starts with discovering who you truly are. I began to find my purpose during a season of my life marked by emotional hardship. Taking care of my mental health became crucial for me, as I saw how it affected my daily life and overall well-being.  Read more>>

MICHAEL SHAPIRO

In 2008, I was an attorney working in New York City and commuting from my hometown in New Jersey and had been practicing law for almost five years. My wife and I found out that our 1-year old son needed open heart surgery. During his whole first year of life I barely saw him.  Read more>>

Ben Golburgh

Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version that directly answers the question about finding your purpose: From an early age, I felt a profound calling to pursue a career in teaching, and this unwavering passion has shaped my entire life’s journey. My purpose began to take shape when I started assisting individuals with Down Syndrome and dedicating my time to meaningful organizations like the Special Olympics and the Buddy Club at the Jewish Community Center. Read more>>

Katie Chavez

Purpose has to include what fulfills you. It has to be part of a bigger picture too or something that might constitute leaving a legacy to impact the future. Purpose is nothing to over think, there are many ways a person can find and fulfill A purpose Your specific purpose however, comes in knowing yourself on a deep authentic level. Read more>>

LaDray Gilbert

The most important event in helping me find my purpose was, first, realizing that I had live the majority of my life and had no clue what it was. At a young age, my parents had me speaking to standing room only crowds and involved in myriad of activities. While participating, people would tend to put me in leadership roles. Read more>>

Yisong (Rocky) jiang

First of all, as an automotive designer, often times I found my purpose throughout my passion to automobile. I am always just stay Curious, I Keep learning about new technologies, design trends, and automotive innovations. I always believe that Staying updated will help me remain passionate and find new areas of interest. Read more>>

Skot Welch

That’s actually a pretty easy question: For me, it’s primarily two things that converged – 1) Being raised in a family where serving others with a commitment to try to make the lives of those around you, better, and 2) being a practitioner of my faith and not simply a hearer about faith. Read more>>

Diana Onichkina

I believe that purpose is something that finds you. I was called to do what I’m doing right now. From an early age, I was always looking for jobs where I could help people, so I pursued my education at one of the best universities for hospitality management in Switzerland.  Read more>>

Kristin McHugh

Finding your purpose in an over-saturated industry can be hard. It wasn’t until 2021 when I was burnt out and shooting everything that came my way. I sat down and I really thought about the type of clients I wanted to serve and which niches of photography brought my heart the most joy. I narrowed in on one word…LOVE. Read more>>

Andrea Cecilia G. Dunn

From a young age, I was a relentless seeker of truth. I vividly remember bombarding my mother with questions, driven by an unsettling feeling about my father, who struggled with bipolar disorder and carried a deep-seated torment. Even as a child, I could sense this turmoil, although I lacked the emotional maturity to fully comprehend or accept it. Read more>>

Davanh Phayarath

Finding my purpose was a journey deeply rooted in my love for food and my heritage. Growing up, I always felt a strong connection to my Lao culture, which celebrates bold and vibrant flavors. Lao people don’t have many products that represent us in the mainstream market. In fact, we are often considered the underdogs of Southeast Asia. Read more>>

Jessy Edwards

It took me a long time to find my purpose. I was very, very lost when I was younger. I was expelled from multiple high schools as a teenager due to my behavior. I had a general disregard for my own future. I was plagued by my own mental health struggles. I got my first job on my 16th birthday. Read more>>

Zoe Regina

My mom is very outspoken about the process of giving birth, she chose to give birth to me and my brothers at home with midwives and because I am the oldest I became very aware of her process at a young age. She continued an open conversation with all her kids our whole lives (along with videos for each of our births). Read more>>

Akande John

I found purpose, while I was in secondary school, I saw that I was talented, like I have a lot of talent but I prioritized one which is art, In the long run, I was so focused on it, that all my zeal was on it despite giving another gift some attention, at the first place I was just passionately doing it, not for the purpose, I thought I could become an office Man, it was later after I have worked and worked, I decided to stick to art as a calling. Read more>>

Maurice Salmin

“I want to work with movies” is probably a parent’s worst nightmare… hearing that from their child hahaha. Least in the 90s when I told my single parent mom those words. The evolution from that moment until now, a co-owner of my own downtown Los Angeles based Motion Picture Advertisement company “REBEL” was a journey. Read more>>

David Sumanu

I remember when I was a kid, age 5 to 8 I wasn’t really a bright student and I find it hard to understand why I couldn’t do or get to know what my brilliant friends can do. It was really hard for me to understand the value of their brilliance. They were different in their paths and I was also different in mine, the only thing I could do and nobody in the class could beats me on, was in drawing. Read more>>

Dawn Formo

My first job was at a gift shop in retail sales and customer service. From there I went to a front desk position at a Hotel, admissions at a University, followed by group sales at a Theatre before starting my own business. Throughout all those jobs I learned more about customer service and hospitality, and I fell in love with it.  Read more>>

Sherri McCoy

Once homeless myself, I endured the harsh realities of life as an unsheltered individual, struggling to find shelter, food, and transportation while maintaining full-time employment. Determined to change my life, I sought help and utilized available resources to get back on my feet.  Read more>>

Tim Murr

I grew up moving around a lot and I never had many friends. I was a monster kid and loved comic books and reading. When I was in second grade, I read Robert Louis Stephenson’s Treasure Island, and I knew then the only thing I wanted to be was a writer. I became an avid reader and kept drifting towards the darker stuff and getting more and more into horror. Read more>>

LaBrittney Jackson

My purpose became clear during a challenging phase of my life when I felt lost and disconnected from myself. In that period of adversity, I turned to God for guidance and embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Despite not knowing what truly made me happy or how to navigate this new chapter, I held onto my passion for helping others, even at my own expense.  Read more>>

Danyell Peavy

Honestly, I found purpose in being an actress in today’s society by stepping out on faith and my comfort zone, embracing the unique opportunity to contribute to the storytelling process, adding depth and realism to the narratives being told. This role allows me to be part of the creative industry, experiencing the excitement of production and the camaraderie of the set. Read more>>

Kristin Rehkamp

Our journey, story, brand, business (La Vie Est Belle gift shop) and purpose is plain and simply (but not so plain and simply) inspired by our beautiful daughter. The following is taken from our book, “Finding Us, A Mother’s Memoir of Braving Mental Illness with Her Young Daughter” published in October, 2022… Read more>>

Celine Ebert

Growing up in an all-girls school environment, I always understood the power of female education and its endless potential for shaping the lives of women. During the COVID-19 lockdown, with nothing else to do at home, I started reading the news. I immediately got hooked on all the stories about the stock market. Read more>>

Jerome Prude

Since I was a teen I wanted to create. Growing up in an urban neighborhood it wasn’t many areas to gain a purpose from. But because that was my reality it pushed me to want to create content that people around me can relate to and that one day I can show the world that anyone from anywhere can do great things.  Read more>>

Y. Tay Robson

I would like to say that I always knew what my purpose is. However, that is not the case. Nevertheless, over time I have found myself in the position to serve others in various aspects of my life; oftentimes, during the lowest point of their lives.  Read more>>

Pippi Saya

I worked for The Walt Disney Studios for 16 years as ahead in the clouds creative stuck at a corporate desk job. When the pandemic hit in 2020, it was like hitting a reset button, First and foremost, I reestablished my relationship with Jesus, I was always chasing the next thing that was going to make me happy, and when I achieved it, was on to the next.  Read more>>

Ryan Rena

I found my purpose by being curious. I was always drawn to new things when I was younger, such as sports, rock climbing, and video games. Finding your purpose involves exploring what you like and don’t like. It is not easy to find your purpose; it takes time and patience. I discovered that my purpose was music.  Read more>>

Bonnie Still

I found my purpose because of my love of animals. We had just moved to Missouri and needed a small dog park. At the time, the closest was at Wayside Waifs. I eventually started volunteering there and within a few months was fortunate enough to be hired to work in their Feline Care Department. I didn’t know a lot about cats except my experience with our own cats.  Read more>>

Ruben Maya

My journey to finding my purpose is deeply connected to my commitment to improving the lives of women who have faced breast cancer and undergone partial or total mastectomy. Observing the emotional and physical impact of this disease, I felt a calling to make a tangible difference in the recovery of patients.  Read more>>

Natalie Feldpausch

I am a musician, specifically an oboist. Whenever I say this, I feel the need to justify what I do or defend the art that I have chosen to practice (mainly to myself). This career insecurity produces fears that anyone can face in their jobs: imposter syndrome, inadequacy, failure to succeed financially… that kind of stuff. Read more>>

Scott Steiner

I discovered my purpose more so than finding it. I chased money for most of my life and it was never fulfilling. In 2020, when my weekends were taken away, I quickly realized how much I hated my working situation and how much it was affecting my mental health. So at the end of 2020, I quit my job and had no real idea of what to do next except that I wanted to do something that I loved. Read more>>

Sheri Tapani-DeBartolo

In 2014, Sheri and Angelique embarked on creating Learning Unlocked, inspired by their experiences in the Clark County School District. Witnessing firsthand the struggles of students with learning differences in traditional educational settings, they recognized an urgent need for specialized support. Motivated by this insight, they pursued certification in Educational Therapy and crafted a unique learning environment.  Read more>>

Ellyn Lerner

I found my purpose through a journey that began with a simple desire to explore and share my experiences with my children. When my youngest was just one year old, I started the page Santa Monica Kids. My initial goal was to get outside with him and expose him to the various parks and libraries around Santa Monica. Read more>>

Quincy Bates

Life’s path has been both joyful and challenging for me. The birth of each of my 6 children was a distinct and trans-formative experience, drawing me closer to the profound realm of midwifery. My teenage years marked the beginning, where a resolute desire for an intervention-free birth shaped my choices. The journey was demanding, and with the aid of forceps, I welcomed my first son into the world. Read more>>

LJ (she/her)

My calling to body/energy work came from my spiritual practices and relationship with God. I’ve always had an intuitive sense of using my hands and tools of nourishment and healing, but ultimately this interest became a true passion that lead me to being a trained professional in this field.  Read more>>

Chiara D’Amore

From the coast of Virginia to the mountains of California, and much in between, the natural environment is at the core of many of my oldest and best memories. My early childhood was largely spent playing outside, a joyful experience to which I attribute my deep, lasting connection and commitment to the Earth. Read more>>

April Josephson

Finding your purpose is one of the biggest challenges in life. When we are young it is difficult to know what we will really like long-term, or make a decision regarding our future pursuits that will impact the entire course of our lives. Few people have a strong sense of purpose from day one. I had certain strong ethics and beliefs, but did not know how to translate them into action. Read more>>

Mark Paul

Working at multiple different jobs. Constantly meeting new people. High school had multiple groups I hung with. So being able to adapt to different types of people was easy for me and I knew I had one day I would do something using that quality. Read more>>

Laura Gannarelli

The purpose found me. I met my friend’s rescue dog Maizy, and something came over me and I asked her “Can I paint her?” Crazy part…I hadn’t painted since college over 30 years ago. Once I started, I couldn’t stop! The dining room walls were covered with paintings. Another crazy part? I NEVER painted in that style before, every. Read more>>

Rose Wilde

I think purpose is something we find again and again throughout our lives. For me it always starts with a spark of inspiration, something that ignites my passion and feels like the world needs. Food was my third career, and I came to it after seeing so many food desserts and nutritionally depleted options on our shelves. Read more>>

Jeff Kennedy

I think that purpose is something that we will strive to find until our final breath on earth. For some, maybe it comes easy. But, for most, it comes from an intentional desire to find fulfillment. And the source of this fulfillment evolves with time and experience. It comes from understanding why you are doing something and not what you are doing. Read more>>

Josh (Josue) Alvarez

I was always into music, but I never thought it would be something I would be passionate about it. Now in my age, I love what I do and I’m in a season to use music as a tool for others to find their own purpose. Read more>>

Se Young Yim

I think it’s an artist’s role to touch people’s innate senses and to do that, I tend to observe daily life and dreams keenly. I try to find unnoticed feelings under the surface of life through them. I think art, as a means of communication, needs a certain strangeness to leave an impression without explanation in a short moment. Read more>>

Jillian Williams

There is a saying in the Christian community: “Jesus will meet you where you are”. This saying depicts how Jesus will reach us and saves us at some of our lowest points. At rock-bottom, He often shows up and reveals His love to us. Read more>>

Jessica Gottdank

It took me a long time to realize I was a leader. I’ve always been very organized and I really like the feeling of getting things done. I see any project, any dream, and even issues in the world around me as puzzle pieces that need to be put together. And often, you need a group to make bigger things happen. Read more>> 

Michael Stone

In a recent study, the #1 regret people had on their deathbeds was: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” This powerful insight resonates deeply with many of us, as we navigate through layers of cultural, familial, and societal conditioning that often obscure our true selves. Read more>>

Erica Coston

My soulmate, rescue dog, Thor, became very sick and his anxiety was hindering him from enjoying life. Conventional medicine was not helping him and only seemed to be making matters worse. I was working at a veterinarian office and realized a similar problem amongst many dogs with chronic issues-they kept coming back with more issues, and they were losing their overall vitality. Read more>>

Matthew Lu

It all started with a little bird. This might sound like a storybook, but it is a true story from our company history, and it is the core of who we are. I was working a regular corporate job for a decade, and my wife is the more entrepreneurial person who always encouraged me to start my own business.  Read more>>

Diane Gilman

The truth is my purpose found me. It appears I knew what I not only wanted, but must do, from a very young age. I was born to live, breathe and design fashion. I was born in the late 40s, a time when movies, not fashion, dominated the magazines. And I wanted to design the female star’s costumes. Read more>>

Osei Boateng

My purpose found its roots in my upbringing and personal experiences in Ghana. Growing up, I saw firsthand the significant healthcare disparities that plagued my community. Many people had to travel long distances, often several miles, to access medical care, with no assurance of even seeing a doctor. Read more>>

Valeria Granda

Art has been a very big part of my life ever since I was little. My earliest childhood memories involve me coloring in different themed coloring books and having all assortments of packs full of art supplies. I took crayons, colored pencils, markers, and notebooks to draw and color with me everywhere.  Read more>>

Tanika Thomas

In 2014, I embarked on my caregiving journey, a path marked by significant personal sacrifices such as foregoing outings with friends and family, missing out on vacations both near and far, and passing up career opportunities. During this time, I realized that caregiving experiences often go unspoken, leaving many feeling isolated despite sharing similar challenges. Read more>>

Ramon Suzara

I was in the second semester of my freshman year of college in a theatre 101 class I enrolled in to fulfill a G.E. requirement. This was a bit outside of my comfort zone but I was interested in it. I was already on the track to major in film production so I thought this class would aid me. Read more>>

Jeremy Broms

Since I can remember I have been called to teach. I honed my craft in Chicago working with pre-k through 6th graders. I then moved to Austin and found myself in an early childhood Montessori classroom and continued, then followed that same path when we moved to Longmont in 2019. Once I was in the early childhood community for multiple years, I knew I wanted and needed to have my own school. Read more>>

Maia Kiley

In my mid 20s I very much wanted to discover my purpose. It was a process. I prayed on it for a couple years. In my daily meditation, I would ask: What is my purpose? And I would wait and listen. I courted the question over those years without forcing an answer. Read more>>

Aroona Khiani

My childhood passion was art. I always carried a pencil and a few scraps of paper with me, and if you couldn’t find me, more often than not I had my nose buried in a sketchbook hidden away at a quiet spot. Drawing was the best way to express how I perceived the world.  Read more>>

John Griffith

During my youth, I was deeply moved by a movie, Jacob’s Ladder. A particular quote from that film struck a chord within me, resonating with my life’s journey. “If you’re frightened of dying, and you’re holding on, you’ll see devils tearing your life away. If you’ve made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the earth.” Read more>>

Marie Barret

I struggled to find my purpose in the early stages of my life. With time, prayer and self reflection I discovered a repeated pattern of behavior. I zoomed in to focus on the times and areas in my life where I felt discomfort. I realized that it was in those moments of vulnerability that transitions would take place. Read more>>

Ruichen Bai

I am currently working professionally as a Production Designer for Film and TV. Four years ago, I decided to enter the film industry. Before that, I was a graphic design student. When I look back on my decision to switch careers, I realize it wasn’t a sudden impulse; it had been brewing for a while. Read more>>

Zongyi Xie

I believe my background is quite similar to most artists: we loved drawing as children, exploring and visualizing our imaginations on paper. For me, this is the purest way to express creativity and bring unique images in mind to life. Over time, this naive but bold longing gradually led me into the world of animation and film production. Read more>>

Nilosmita Banerjee

That’s a very interesting and rather difficult question to answer. Finding one’s purpose is often a continuous, lifelong process, and it has been for me as well. However, I believe my purpose found me at a very young age, for which I remain grateful. Read more>>

Melissa Wagner-Gens, PMP

I like to say I grew up in my purpose. In other words, I was destined to do this. Growing up in a rural Colorado farming community, I was exposed to those who made their money through entrepreneurial endeavors. . . . farming, ranching, sewing, canning, etc. I learned early on, better marketing always returned a higher profit. Read more>>

Alex Vanden Heuvel

I had a lifelong goal of pursuing a career in political journalism. I was the Editor-in-Chief of my school newspaper and went to the University of Georgia with the intent of going into its best-in-class journalism program. Read more>>

Kevin Marable

For a long period of my youth and well into my adult years, I had pursued a career in music. I initially believed becoming a rapper was my true calling and purpose then. Over time I had developed strong writing skills and was blessed with great lyrical ability to the point where I was featured on BET three times (BET Spring Bling Freestyle Battle 03′, 106 & Park Freestyle Fridays, and The Center w/ Julissa), I had a manager, was meeting and opening for some of Hip-Hops elite, and also had record label interest. Read more>>

Ana Carolina Coelho

I like to say that purposes are moldable, as they adapt to the person you are at that moment. However, we are born with a numerological DNA that vibrates within us, for example, as our mission in life, or the destiny that was mapped out for us… But none of this is concrete, as we have the power of free will in our hands. .. Read more>>

Sam Nooney

I don’t know if I’ve exactly found my purpose yet, but I feel as though I am heading in the right direction. When something interests me, I tend to dive into it heavily until I’ve thoroughly explored it. As a teenager, I started playing guitar and would practice for hours each day. It felt like my purpose at the time.  Read more>>

Camillia Harris

Losing my father to suicide was an unfathomable tragedy that shook me to my core, leaving me lost and grappling with a profound sense of grief and purposelessness. In the wake of his passing, I found myself consumed by questions and an overwhelming desire to understand the factors that led to his decision.  Read more>>

Lori Scott La Gon

Back in 2003, I was sitting in my office one day asking myself, “What is my purpose?” At the time, I was in a toxic marriage that was about to end and working at a job that I didn’t love. I was a mess. I would love to say that I had an answer immediately after I asked myself the question. Well, I didn’t. In fact, I discovered my purpose about five years later. Read more>>

Megan Duncanson

As an artist I find purpose in creating colorful, joyful art that I hope inspires people to live their best lives. I don’t like to create anything dark or with a deep, hidden meaning that people have to search for, but rather to create art that makes people feel good just by looking at it. Read more>>

Danae Hersha

It all started with my daughter, Fox. You see, I was a tattoo artist for 15+ years before I had her. And I was very rough on my body. I ate like garbage, had horrible sleep schedules, smoked cigarettes, I was so unhealthy. Read more>>

Saskia Christian

In the vast realm of underestimated professionals, Saskia, the founder of BoostThru, stood out as a beacon of untapped talent. Her journey towards finding her purpose began with a pivotal moment—the failure of a major high school examination.  Read more>>

Alix Klingenberg

6 years ago: It’s 4am. It feels like food poisoning and two cups of strong coffee combined, a jittering, nauseating combination of bad decisions. My heart is pounding, and I can’t believe I let myself do this again. For the thousandth time I vow to never drink again. Read more>>

Anya Magee

From a young age, I always questioned why there couldn’t be Heaven on Earth. What was the purpose of just living to die? It never made sense to me, but I just kept my questions internal as I attended Catholic school and was raised Christian my entire life. Read more>>

Claudia Scheffler-Perrone

As the founder of Killer Press, a coaching and training company, my journey of finding purpose has been one of self-discovery, learning, and constant innovation. My path has been guided by the pursuit of my passions and a drive to empower people to reach their full potential. Read more>>

Rachel Deschaine

I found my purpose when I started to think of a job in the creative field as a service job. Because when you think about it, that’s really what it is. In my own life, consuming art greatly improves my quality of life. Listening to music, watching shows and movies, or reading are always some of the best parts of my day.  Read more>>

Bryan Firks

I found my purpose when my dad brought home a set of tiny LEGO minifigures when I was three years old. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen! I instantly started to make up my own stories with the figures, and take apart the set to build my own creations. Read more>>

R.G. Shore

Purpose comes to us when we are ready to let go of who we think we need to be, in order to become who we always were. It’s a radical idea, the notion that we have to lose ourselves to find ourselves, but I find this to be true. In my own experiences, I have found that in order to discover our truest purpose, we first have to fail at the one thing we thought be were born to do.  Read more>>

Swanette Kuntze

I could say a near-death experience at the age of eight, and a burnout later in my adult life were pivotal in revealing my purpose in this life. In my life, I have had to reinvent myself many times, boldly making the necessary changes. It has always been my curiosity and my insatiable spirit that have kept me going. Read more>>

Lia Mueller and Reagan Verdi n/a

My sister and I were inspired by a tragedy we suffered in 2022. Our mom passed away very unexpectedly. A few months later, this sparked an idea for Lia to make the transition into the health and wellness arena. She asked if I wanted to join her and it was an easy “yes” for me.  Read more>>

Jenni Tarma

My mission with Kaari is to help people feel and move their best, throughout their entire lifespan. I firmly believe that everyone can enjoy a much better quality of life when they are physically fit and healthy, and that this is achievable at any age when people receive the right guidance and support. Read more>>

candice franklin

Finding my purpose in creative direction has been a deep personal journey with exploring my passions & setting very clear goals. I also believe in being authentic to myself has helped me cultivate a fulfilling and meaningful practice. Finding your purpose is journey and its okay to evolve and refine your creative direction along the way. Read more>>

Kelsey Aquino

Growing up with a good family in a small northeast town and visiting New York City often, I used to notice the very obvious system of social class and have since gathered my purpose as serving those in need.  Read more>>

Montez Alford

What is my purpose? The million-dollar question that oftentimes in the eyes of the one questioning it, can never be determined overnight. Your purpose has everything to do with your inception, your journey, your lessons, your heartaches, your accomplishments. Read more>>

Radley Fenimore

Ever since I  was a little kid, I have always loved music and found it very entertaining. Both of my parents are musicians, so I grew up in a very musical environment, and I also have fond memories of growing up listening to music with my family in the car, especially The Beatles and Rush with my dad and even Theatre shows like Wicked with my mom. Read more>>

Mobeen Mian

I find my purpose through building a legacy for my family. Being the one that has to lead the way, I have to make sure I am always working hard with anything that I do. It is bigger than just me, it is about my family, and being able to stay motivated chasing the bag. Read more>>

Amy Chernikova

I found my purpose from like minded artists I met along the way and collaborated with. Feeling such positive energy and creating something together fills my soul with so much gratitude that it truly feels like I have an internal compass guiding my every step just by sharing our thoughts and ideas together. Read more>>

Brittney Brown

Purpose can sometimes feel as though it is stumbled upon, like you woke up one morning and now you know your niche. As I reflect back on my life, my passion for jewelry started at childhood. My late grandmother and aunt used to gift me with an assortment of accessories ranging from rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. Read more>>

Jamie McKeogh

I found my purpose from the last few years of gigging and playing shows. I realised that performing and entertaining is what I was meant to do for a living. From seeing how our music with JigJam has had a positive effect on people is the reason we continue to make music and perform.  Read more>>

Jonathan Floyd

To start with, Box Of Care is a gift-giving company based in Kenner, LA right outside of New Orleans. It started in 2017, in a corner of a 2-bedroom apartment with 3 founding members who turned into a solo business owner. Read more>>

Meika Franz

From a very young age I knew I wanted to do something in fashion, I thought I wanted to be a fashion designer; however, life took me down a different path that ultimately led me to vintage! I was the oldest of 4 children and from a lower middle-class home and had big dreams! Read more>>

Sharon Hurley Hall

When I think about finding my purpose, I sometimes think my purpose found me. I created an anti-racism newsletter, but that was almost the last step in finding my purpose. As a teen, I observed the differing dynamics at play among people with different identities, and how white supremacy and colonialism played into that. Read more>>

Bobby Hayden

I was introduced to music at a very young age. I was doing National TV shows by age 10. I was blessed with gifts such as a singing voice and stage presence and was unaware that these gifts were God given. As I got older I continued to chase my dreams to stardom. I thought that fame & money was how I would finally gain happiness. Read more>>

Ikumi Makino

My parents have been living separately since I was 2 years old. I have four older sisters, but they are significantly older than me and were already working, so I was often home alone. When I was young, I was profoundly moved by a popular singer who could sing and dance on television. At the age of 15, I began dancing. Read more>>

Gavin Bacher

I found my purpose in the obstacles set in front of me. When I was younger I developed a very intense anxiety disorder that affected my social and professional life. It hindered my education the most. I was afraid to go to school and make new friends. I hated this feeling of being small. I used this fear as fuel to change my life for the better. Read more>>

Katie Vinther

As a child, I was deeply intuitive, but over time, I experienced a suppression of those skills. I began to return to my gifts and my spiritual journey after experiencing the loss of my niece about 10 years ago. My world turned upside down. I didn’t know what I believed anymore, how to move forward, nothing made sense. Read more>>

Randy Williams

It started with the spread of a fashion-abomination called Crocs. You see, years ago, these dastardly embarrassments to mankind were only seen on a handful of rare humans, who obviously had zero fashion taste or shame whatsoever. Unfortunately, over the past few years, these holed, rubber monstrosities have been spreading like the plague, infecting almost every level of society, on every corner of the earth. Read more>>

Janay Stevens

I believe I found my purpose through a combination of my personal experiences and my strong desire to positively impact others. My background as a certified youth mentor, school restorative practice coordinator, behavior specialist, and life coach gave me the chance to work closely with individuals facing various challenges. Read more>>

Michelle Hacunda

My purpose is deeply rooted in my life experiences. Throughout my 20s, I faced numerous health challenges, including poor gut health, skin problems, and musculoskeletal pain. The phrase, “the only way out is through” perfectly encapsulates my journey. Read more>>

Laura Sweitzer & Jaclyn Arcuri

From an early age, we both loved fashion and clothes. In fact, our mothers taught us that a key part of showing up, is dressing for the room. We were taught that the care we place in choosing our outfits is cornerstone to the image we want to project into the world. We learned and experienced from an early age, how clothes can transform not just the way someone looks, but most importantly, positively impact one’s self-esteem. Read more>>

Karen Cerezo

Finding my purpose has been a fun journey of self-discovery and growth. Once my children were older, the “free time” allowed me to do a little reflecting on my passions and interests, asking myself what activities truly light me up and give me joy. I soon realized that helping women in midlife navigate their wellness journey was calling me!! Read more>>

Gracie Hagen

Finding my purpose has been an evolving journey, rooted in my passion for art, human connection, and the empowerment of individuals. I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty and uniqueness of every person I photograph. This fascination deepened over the years as I saw the transformative power of photography on my clients’ self-perception and confidence. Read more>>

Walter Reap

I found my purpose through trying different things. I tried to go the clothes route because I always liked getting dressed and thrifting but I realized after a while that I wasn’t doing it because I genuinely wanted to and it wasn’t what I felt that strongly about.  Read more>>

Frank, Joslyn Mosley, Jensen

With many combined years of experience in the film world, we found that many of our colleagues would reach out to us to help develop their screenplays and/or provide feedback. During the early days of COVID, and like many other writers, we were using the time at home to develop our own scripts and submit to writing competitions. Read more>>

PatriceLIVE

I am sure my purpose found me. Some of us have to find our purpose, and others have been covered by our purpose from day one. I was born with a life-threatening case of pneumonia and spent the first weeks of my life hooked up to a ventilator. Read more>>

Erin Kosovan

Finding my purpose was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Growing up, I had this idea of what I wanted my life to look like. I knew I wanted a family and a job I loved, but I was not prepared for not knowing what my purpose on this planet would be.  Read more>>

Nicolette Maio

Finding purpose in the work I do is a feeling that I have been following. Each year it seems to get more refined. I take moments to ponder and imagine what could I be doing that would make the work I do feel more aligned? Read more>>

Tiago Carlotto

That’s not a easy question. While I grew up in singing in choirs and church groups, I used to close my eyes and connect to God and just sing. After I started to work with pop, eletronic, and songs that are lottery tickets it was really hard to understand what I could be doing, or what was my purpose. Read more>>

Jodie Rodriguez

Finding my purpose has been a journey filled with discomfort, difficulty, and immense fulfillment. Ever since graduating from college, I have often felt lost, disappointed, and terrified that I would never discover a true purpose. Read more>>

Leila Henry

Ya know, sometimes I wonder if I’ve actually found my purpose or if what I THINK is my purpose is simply a stepping stone on the path toward that purpose. What I DO know is this—Humans need connection. We need the ability to communicate and to feel like what we’re saying is being heard and felt. Read more>>

Chelsea Evans

4 years ago we decided to create opportunity from defeat and dive into retail with next to no knowledge of what we were doing. I had lost my job due to the COVID pandemic, and there was a lot of uncertainty about what to do next. Read more>>

Mary Moran

Teaching and connecting with children has always been my purpose. Early in my life I was a nanny for families, needing more I went to culinary school. In the fall of 2008, I began teaching children how to cook at The Hollywood School House in Los Angeles. I loved how curious and interested kids were about cooking. Read more>>

Chandler Palmer

I found my purpose by living on-purpose. I always felt a sense of anxiety being asked about “what is your purpose?” until I made the decision to stop focusing on an answer to the question and instead, position myself as a living example of the ongoing discovery to a question that I feel is a personal journey and ever-evolving. Read more>>

Adrienne Crawford

As a Entrepreneur, Independent Media Producer & Author, I found my passion as a Speaker & Advocate for Mental Health after losing my brother due to a tragic work related accident. It changed my life completely, & this is when my mental health took a quick turn.  Read more>>

Skylar Kulbacki

Like most, my purpose found me. Through a winding path that led me in one clear direction I found my purpose to serve women and children through natural health care to support healthier families. I’ve always been drawn to the health field—I started interning in a teaching hospital at the age of 16 and have shadowed numerous medical professionals. Read more>>

Akilah Walker

I found purpose through experience after being diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. My symptoms increased and had worsen and I chose to fight back the pain with knowledge. After going through a month of painful symptoms I kneeled down in prayer, I was extremely weak and felt like I was going to pass out after not eating solids for 5 days.  Read more>>

Young Exotic

My purpose came from me wanting to help others. Music has always been a passion of mine. I realized music was my passion when I could not do things without it. It helped me get over heartbreaks, sadness, depression, and especially my mistakes and failures. Read more>>

Emylee Bogart

I found my purpose when I travelled to India at age thirteen. I learned about anti-trafficking of children. I had sisters the ages of the children that ministry leaders talked about; and it hit home. I have continued to fight for the rights of people through various projects including photography, Read more>>

Lisa Dy

I discovered my purpose through absolute frustration actually! For several years in my prior career as an accountant and CPA, I felt restless. I would appease my inner voice by “trying” another role within the accounting profession.  Read more>>

Kayla Romero

I found my purpose of becoming a Gestational Surrogate after becoming a mother and 6x egg donor. The love as a mother is something that can’t be explained. One needs to experience it for themselves in order to know the true feeling.  Read more>>

Judy Rodriguez

I guess you could say I found my purpose by following my mother’s personal recipe—not for her amazing arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), but for life. My mother, Gladys Gonzalez, moved to New York from Puerto Rico at 15, and immediately started working in factory to send money back to her family. Read more>>

Vanessa Santillana

Finding my purpose was a transformative journey that intertwined biohacking and spirituality, ultimately helping me become my best version. Through these practices, I realized that if they could work for me, they could undoubtedly help others achieve a balanced, healthier life brimming with vitality and energy. Read more>>

A.Abyla Lloyd

My purpose in life will never be completely fulfilled for there will always be a need to advocate for mental wellness. As a mother of an autistic teen, I have also had my childhood challenges in learning development and speech impairment.  Read more>>

Corey Caballero

Finding true purpose is different than finding a purpose. I started to find my true purpose when I came to realize that purpose was not an action, a role or a job. It is more an internal attitude and way of being. It is not so much what you do as it is the way you do it. When I discuss this topic with a questioning friend or younger person, it can sound like I’m speaking in riddles and being purposefully obtuse.  Read more>>

Karmelina Moore

My life purpose was found by an accident. I always liked to tell stories and always liked the big (and small) screen, but I just figured that I was like many other kids who dreamed of achieving something bigger. It was not until I was around sixteen or seventeen, when I realized I was basically the only person who thought the way I did. Read more>>

Élon, Paige

I believe that when we truly find our life purpose the function isn’t reserved for our own benefit, but becomes impactful and significant in its utility to uplift others. Thus, at a young age I recognized that simply living to indulge and fulfill personal desire would never amount to me reaching my full potential as the leader that my parents raised me to be. Read more>>

Holly Berg

If i’m being honest, I feel like I’m still tweaking the idea or reality of living out my purpose. With that being said when I reflect on this question, “How did you find your purpose?” I feel grateful that overall throughout my life i’ve had the privilege, inspiration and encouragement to seek out the journeys that promoted the opportunities for self-discovery and purpose.  Read more>>

Kathleen Supové

I grew up studying classical piano. When I made it to The Juilliard School for graduate school, I struggled to find a place in the “large pond” of amazingly talented players. A few had bright futures as performers, many would teach and “see what happens”. Read more>>

Sambo Kim

I am one of the Martial Arts Instructors at Premier Martial Arts Studio. I joined the Premier Martial Arts UTAH Team to teach and develop students to become leaders both inside and outside the studio. Challenges are everywhere, you need to be disciplined, respectful, and determined to succeed. Read more>>

Bianca Callocchia

Let me begin by saying that we all have purpose in this lifetime. Being alive, being you – is enough proof that you are here to fulfill multiple and many purposes. Imagine the panic and stress it may cause someone to believe that they have only one purpose (often associated to a career or work) and if they do not find it, then their lives are not as fulfilling or meaningful.  Read more>>

Amber Davis

When i was a teenager, I really enjoyed watching cooking shows on TLC & Food Network. It was so amazing to see people from all over just creating magic out of food. One day i came across a TV show called Cake Boss and seeing the creations they made out of cake just blew my mind. From that point on I knew that baking was something that really interest me. Read more>>

Alona Yakymchuk

My journey to finding my purpose began with a deeply personal experience from my childhood. When I was 16, I faced a significant setback that challenged my dreams and tested my resilience. During my summers, I spent time with my grandmother, where I became known as the local veterinarian, bringing home and caring for various animals. Read more>>

Emma Andrews

When I think about finding my purpose, I feel so humbled. The moments that have taken me closest to finding my purpose have been the moments of letting go, trusting and finding the courage to be myself. Read more>>

Ikyo Bailey

Photography in a lot of ways found me. So many different parts of my life pushed me in this direction. Parts that i would ignore because in my mind I was already on a good path to success. Then covid came and shook everything up, giving me the time and money to lean into this new world. Read more>>

Sam Guillermo

Finding my purpose has been a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth in the world of photography and videography. My passion for capturing unforgettable moments and telling compelling stories led me to discover my true calling: empowering individuals and showcasing their unique beauty and strength.  Read more>>

Vanessa Orlando

I found purpose in many areas in my life. My faith for starters is what helped me feel like God has a plan for anyone and everyone, including myself. God had made me believe that anything that was in my path was for a reason and it has allowed me to overcome any challenges thrown my way. Read more>>

Josh Datánt

I discovered my purpose very young. It’s always been in creativity, specifically music. I love making music and in my opinion it’s all I really truly know how to do. Read more>>

Diana Geiger

One fateful day, I stepped into Wil’s Zumba class, completely unaware that this moment would transform my life forever. As the music began and the rhythm took over, I felt a spark ignite within me—a spark that quickly grew into a roaring flame of passion and purpose. Read more>>

Sandy Joy Weston

I was 9 years old when I first started visiting my Mom in the Mental Institutions. Like it wasn’t difficult enough growing up in the projects but Ma spent quite a bit of her life in asylums. During those visits I knew I had to do something drastic to change the mood.  Read more>>

RJ Johnson

The best way I can describe how I found my purpose, is by sharing a bit of my story…
My story begins in the heartland of Nebraska, where I was raised in a loving family, with great friends, in a tight-knit community. Read more>> 

Jenn Ceriale

I was scrolling through some google Image search trying to find a visual representation of a candle fragrance. This is not the North Star of many graphic designers, but it was for me in dimly lit, quiet mornings that I snuck in at my corporate job before anyone else got to the office. Read more>>

Zel Monstrous

If I’m being honest I really feel like my purpose somehow found me… it was always present in my life before I even had the chance to realize it. I remember being annoyed any time my mother would blast her stereo system.  Read more>>

Eric Walters

I always used to struggle with finding my purpose. It took a long time before I even figured out what I wanted to do with my life. I heavily struggled with mental health in the 8th grade, partially due to the pandemic, which left me confused and constantly searching for a way out. Read more>>

Manndola Dorsilon

It took many moments of silence, self-reflection, and experimentation for me to not only recognize my purpose but also to fearlessly live it. I’ve lived many lives, so to speak. Before creating Dolafit, I enjoyed success as an opera singer, dancer, and actor. Read more>>

Tim|ur| Vagapov

My whole world collapsed: depression, instincts, scary choices, and suddenly, I found myself on the right path with a purpose. That’s the abbreviated version of my story. The whole story would take a couple of articles to describe. In short, I was extremely fortunate to have a purpose since I was a little kid, playing basketball. Read more>>