Core to our mission is helping our audience and community reach their full potential and the most important part of reaching your full potential is starting to find your purpose. Below, we’ve shared stories and insights from the community around how various folks found their purpose and we hope it helps you in your journey.
Kristina Muffoletto
I went through a particularly challenging period over the last couple of years, which gave me a unique opportunity to start fresh in my career. For the first time, I had complete autonomy to decide my next steps, and I knew I wanted to pursue something that truly brought me joy. Books have always been my outlet—I’ve loved reading them, discussing them, and sharing recommendations. I often daydreamed about having my own little bookstore, and I thought, If not now, then when? Read more>>
Yusef Aduan
When I think about how I found my purpose, it all traces back to the unwavering support of my family. My brothers were my first clients, and they trusted me in a way that still humbles me to this day. They made the bold decision to cancel their services with their current accountant, someone established and safe, and take a chance on me. At the time, I had limited experience, minimal resources, and plenty of doubts about whether I could truly deliver. But their confidence in me changed everything. Read more>>
Zeinab Kristen
I found my purpose in the chaos of caregiving—watching my mom struggle through perimenopause and menopause, dismissed by doctors who labeled her symptoms as “just aging.” Seeing her lose her spark, believing she was broken, was devastating. It also ignited something in me. Then, when I faced my own health crisis with benign breast tumors and mastalgia, I knew I had to make a change. Moving to Colorado was my turning point—a decision to prioritize my health and reclaim my life. Read more>>
Eva Nguyen
I found my purpose of starting my balloon business back in 2021. I had a friends farewell party and everyone put me in charge of decorating. Balloon garlands were quite popular at the time so I ordered a kit off of amazon. The day of the party came and I was putting the kit together with my partner, Danny, he assisted me with blowing and tying the balloons. During the entire process, Danny noticed the enjoyment I was having putting the balloon garland together. My friend’s husband even said if since I enjoy doing this process I should look into starting a business. I didn’t believe at first people would really pay to have balloons decorations set up but I took the step and here I am now. Along the process I did take a class with Magic Balloons PDX to really learn different techniques and the business aspects of the balloon business. Read more>>
Aubrey Ashburn
In my previous career, I wielded my creative energy into the world of video game music, co-writing and performing on many AAA title soundtracks, and performing with live orchestra. In 2014, I was asked by my dear friend and talented composer, Julia Marie Newmann, to donate my singing voice on a Sheldrick Wildlife Trust documentary about the elephant poaching crisis. After hearing about her experience visiting the orphaned elephants in Kenya, I was struck by an immediate call to action, to play a role in helping these precious creatures persevere. I gladly gave my voice to many short “rescue” films and documentaries following that, and this led me on a journey to Africa to visit them in person, and witness them in the wild. Read more>>
Shamba
Finding my purpose was less about a sudden realization and more of a journey. It came from listening to myself—my desires, my pain, my joy—and realizing that music was the one thing that made me feel whole. Every time I wrote a song or shared my voice, it felt like I was connecting with something bigger than myself. It became clear that my purpose was tied to storytelling, healing, and creating something meaningful for others. I think purpose reveals itself when you let yourself follow what God has for you and what feels right, even when it’s uncomfortable or uncertain. It’s in those moments of honesty with yourself that you find what truly lights you up. Read more>>
Sam Roberts
Finding my purpose wasn’t a single, dramatic moment. It was more like a series of small realizations that guided me toward something bigger. I’ve always been an artist—a creative—and that’s been central to who I am for as long as I can remember. Read more>>
Suzi Click
I always knew I wanted to be a fashion designer. As a child I made doll clothes with a toy sewing machine and then when I was in the 8th grade and took Home Economics to learn how to use commercial patterns my parents bought me a real sewing machine and from then on I made many of the clothes I wore. Read more>>
Paul Mack
The dads of the Defoe Place townhouses unwittingly revealed my purpose to me.
When my dad, John Mack, passed away, he was 85 years old and had suffered through the thralls of dementia and Alzheimers disease. He’d been a physically strong, slightly imposing Black man of six feet two inches of height, and a solid 220lbs. He was a World War Two veteran, and a retired New York City Police Officer. He was in excellent shape even into his seventies, and his mind was as sharp as a tack until one day it wasn’t. His decline was terrible to watch. My dad had entered into his retirement life without a purpose. I’m not saying his decline was the direct result of not having a purpose, but I think it definitely contributed to it. Read more>>
Villma Zenelaj
I’ve always been drawn to the arts, even from a very young age. My love for storytelling started early—I was singing in the town square at just five years old. Soon after, I was introduced to poetry, and by the time I finished second grade, I was already writing poems and short stories. My mother would often recite poetry to us, and those moments became some of my earliest and most cherished introductions to the world of storytelling. Read more>>
M. Ahmanise Sanati Morgan
Since becoming a mother, I would undoubtedly say that my purpose is to do everything possible to make this world a better place for my children and the next generation. Of course, what that looks like manifests in so many ways… but I will say it was through social work that I found my first, or, original purpose. I knew that I wanted to help others, especially vulnerable populations. And through this work, I discovered my passion project, to build a library system in the Los Angeles County jail. Read more>>
Pilar De La Cruz
“My pain became my purpose. At the tender age of eighteen, I gave birth to my daughter, who was born with special needs. This pivotal moment occurred during my senior year of high school, starkly altering the trajectory of my life. Faced with questions of ‘why me, why her,’ I embarked on a profound search for understanding and healing. Read more>>
Avery Judge
My purpose as an artist is to investigate how visual elements are able to convey a specific experience or emotion. I have difficulty expressing my thoughts and feelings into words. Thus, I turned to art. Art allowed me to communicate my thoughts in a way that words failed to do. Finally, I could grasp what I was feeling, and why, by turning it into a composition.
My artworks are inspired by personal experiences and emotions. I realized that discussing my concepts could help my viewers feel represented in the pieces. Specifically, my artwork is informed by mental health issues and disabilities. The artworks allow me to start the conversation around these stigmatized topics. This, in my experience, has made it easier for my viewers to continue it. In the end, my artwork creates a gateway for disabled and mentally ill individuals to have their voices heard. Read more>>
Tracy Drinkwater
I was a middle school math teacher with nowhere to take my students on a field trip, and I thought, there should be a math museum to help inspire students and support teachers, to engage all visitors in fun and exciting hands-on ways, to inspire folks and transform attitudes. At that time, I was a single mom with two daughters with neuro-atypicalities, one gifted and one with intellectual disability and autism. I loved math growing up and wanted to share my passion, but noticed that so many students, including my daughters, struggled for a variety of reasons. I had a short business tech career and after many years as a stay-at-home parent, I was getting divorced and decided to get my Masters in Teaching with endorsements in Math and Special Education. I taught for five years and was continually frustrated with the limited resources, rigid structures and systems, as well as adult-perpetuated, negative attitudes toward math. Read more>>
Stephanie Gerardino
I grew up surrounded by art and design—it was an essential part of my family’s everyday life. My dad was a painter and worked in advertising, and our home was like a gallery, filled with collectible pieces, from African masks to mobiles hanging from the ceiling. These influences sparked my creativity from a young age and made it clear to me that my path would naturally lead to the world of art and design. Read more>>
Ramona Braganza
It’s been a long and exciting journey one that began with my dream and led me to my purpose. Growing up in a small town, I knew I was destined for more than marrying my high school sweetheart and working in a factory for the rest of my life. Not that there is anything wrong with it but my vision was to go to Los Angeles and become a star and so began the roadmap of my life. I had a talent for sports particularly gymnastics and competed from age 9-18. I also loved to dance, and so after high school I heading for Toronto, Canada where I planned my strategy, and was successful using God given talent and tenacity. I first landed a spot on the CFL Toronto Argonauts and yet that was just the beginning of the climb for me. A few years later I auditioned for the NFL and as an LA Raiders cheerleader the doors to stardom had begun to open. Read more>>
Brinna Kelly
I don’t believe you find just one singular purpose for the rest of your life.
It’s ever evolving…
For my part, I started out as a child actor. Then I went to film school to study acting, but upon graduating, I discovered that I wanted to write instead. So for a few years, I wrote for my stand-up comedian friends and eventually for an animated show. After that, I realized where I really wanted to be was in feature films. So I wrote my first screenplay and produced my first film. I also stepped back in front of the camera as an actor again. Now, ten years later, I co-own a production company and am currently prepping my fifth feature film. However, very recently I’ve also found great joy in short form content creation on Youtube. In a way, it is more fulfilling to me than making feature films right now. Read more>>
A.m. Wright
I lost my mom in my early twenties and quickly realized I had no idea who I was–that I’d been living my life for other people for far too long. Losing her was the reminder I needed that life is short and can be over in an instant. I decided to focus on reminding myself of who I am and what I enjoy, other’s opinions be damned. I rediscovered my love for reading, which reignited my passion for writing which had been long since dormant. I’ve learned that my purpose is to create stories, use words to relate to others, and give them a place to escape when they need it most. Read more>>
Debbi James
of loss, struggle, and the healing power of music. I grew up with amazing roll models my mother Nava Halimi was a model, actress and super mom and my father Steve James, was a celebrated actor in the ‘80s—known for roles in American Ninja, Delta Force, and I’m Gonna Get You Sucka. His love for acting, his unwavering dedication to his craft, and the legacy he left behind taught me what it meant to truly pour your heart and soul into something you love. He showed me that purpose isn’t just a job; it’s about creating a lasting impact and honoring the hard work it takes to get there. Read more>>
Rocio Villavicencio
I’ve always felt that my purpose was to help others. I’ve spent over 10 years working in the hospitality industry, always focusing on making a positive impact in people’s lives. But it wasn’t until late 2020, after a car accident left me unable to work, that I truly found my calling. During that difficult time, I was depressed and lost, but something shifted when I started exploring homemade self-love and care items. It was then that I realized that my calling was not only about helping others but also about creating tools for self-love and healing. It became clear that I needed to start my own business. Read more>>
Lisa Christie
When I think about how I found my purpose, I’d have to say it was always there. At a very young age I discovered I could accurately draw or copy a subject. It gave my soul a little bolt of energy and that made me want to do more. I loved art class in elementary school. I had a fabulous art teacher who had a beehive hairdo and white go-go boots. She loved the color magenta. I wanted to be just like her! I never tired of creating things and it satisfied something inside of me. Read more>>
Lauren N.
I found my purpose in the first few years after bringing home my first dog, as strange as it may sound. My love for him—and now my second dog as well—has given me a sense of purpose I never knew I needed. Before that, I felt stuck in my growth journey, without a clear path or specific goals in mind. Read more>>
Hollis Burton
My purpose with Treme Luxury Experience came from a deep love for New Orleans, especially the Treme community, and its rich history and culture. I noticed there was a gap in how tourists experienced the city, and I wanted to offer an authentic and educational way to showcase the real New Orleans. My passion for preserving and sharing the culture, history, and resilience of the city—particularly through the lens of Treme—has been the driving force behind this work. It’s all about giving people an experience that truly honors the heart of New Orleans Read more>>
Donald Ryan Hodge
Growing up I was a very over weight kid. When I got to high school I found the sport of water polo and knew I wanted to play at the collegiate level. During my high school career I realized how passionate I was about strength and conditioning, and I began to plan how I could make a living coaching people in that field. In college while playing water polo I continued to cultivate my skills as a strength and conditioning coach by assisting with the water polo team as a player and a trainer. Then during my senor year of college my father unexpectedly passed away. That event further solidified my purpose to not only help people become better athletes, but also help others be as healthy as possible and live longer better quality lives. Read more>>
Iryna Marchak
My name is Iryna MARCHak. I am a violinist/fiddle player from Ukraine.
My goal is to bring people joy and inspiration through music, to popularize Ukrainian culture and traditions.
I perform original music and violin covers in such genres as Ukrainian folk, country, rock, jazz, blues, pop and classic. I am a doctor ophthalmologist also. Music and medicine are my passions, through which I can be an instrument in the hands of God. Read more>>
Kristen Reynolds
For a long time after high school in 2014 and throughout college, I felt like I was on autopilot. I was lost, unhappy with the job I had at the time, and overwhelmed by the thought that I might never finish school. My mental health suffered, and I didn’t feel like myself.
After graduating, I got a job in the field I went to school for, and while it was the right path for me professionally, I realized I needed something creative to feel more fulfilled. I wanted to reconnect with who I was, so I started seeing a therapist. That’s when I had a major realization: I am in charge of my own happiness. You can choose to stay stuck or take steps to create the life you want. Read more>>
Terrell Green
In 2014 I posted my first viral video, I seen how I made millions of people laugh I knew then what my calling was. I started getting messages about how my content helped people out with their mental health issues. That’s when I knew I found my purpose. Read more>>
Chunxuan（kelvin）Yu
I found my purpose by combining a natural curiosity for the world with an evolving understanding of design’s transformative potential. Early in life, I was captivated by how objects were shaped, how colors affected emotions, and how designs could elevate ordinary experiences into memorable ones. This innate fascination matured into a deep appreciation for the ability of design to influence behavior, shape experiences, and create connections. Read more>>
Ladieslovewave
The way I found my purpose was by paying attention to what made me happy—things that captivated me and made me lose track of time. As a child, I was scared of large crowds, yet I often found myself in front of them, whether singing, acting, dancing, or participating in pageants. That sparked a question: “What will you do in the spotlight?” Though I didn’t have an answer right away, I let it guide me. Read more>>
Himali Wickramasinghe
When I first started baking in the Midwest, it felt like learning a new language. From adapting recipes to finding the right ingredients, everything was a mix of trial, error, and a lot of late-night Googling. The kitchen became my safe space—a place where I could express myself without words, where the hum of the oven and the swirl of batter felt like home.
At first, I baked only for family and friends. My daughter Sophia, who has a sweet tooth that could rival anyone’s, was my biggest fan. But when others started asking if they could order cakes for their own celebrations, I realized I had found something special. Read more>>
Belle Stanton
I came out later in life, and met my now fiancée in 2022. Since coming out and discovering my sexuality, I became passionate about creating LGBTQ+ representation, as I know this is something that would’ve helped me so much growing up. When we got engaged, the photos felt like a celebration of our love, and it clicked for me that photographing couples and weddings could be a way for me to combine my creative hobby of photography with sharing queer love stories that deserve to be told and truly celebrated! I feel so genuinely lucky and fulfilled to work with couples who trust me to document their special moments, and showcase all kinds of love. Read more>>
Christopher Wesley
I found my purpose by tending to my own trauma.
By the time I was a pre-teen, I’d already taken the worst of the abuse in my father’s home. When the courts finally placed me with my mom, I thought I might find some relief, but therapy—the one thing I knew I needed—wasn’t an option. My mom dismissed the idea. “I’m not paying someone to tell me I’m to blame,” she said.
Oddly enough, I was lucky in a twisted sort of way. Read more>>
Kiara Thompson-fincher
If by purpose you mean how did I find the business for me , I found that in college, as most of us, exploring different things I like and researching on YouTube , that’s how came across brow tint. I thought it was so dope to learn a trade , I immediately fell into learning the skill and so excited, that I only charged $10 per person. That ended quickly ,ha. Read more>>
