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.

Dennis Giannetti

When I was graduating high school, I had a last conversation with my guidance counselor about my options once I graduate. I NEVER expected what he would say to me that day. It was ONE sentence, but it packed a punch! He said: Read More>>

Emanuel George, III, PharmD

I found my purpose by realizing that my life and experiences weren’t just for me.

I grew up in New Orleans, raised by a single mother and older sister, with my grandmother right across the street. From an early age, I learned the value of service, faith, and resilience. My family didn’t have much, but what we did have was love, accountability, and high expectations. That environment shaped me to work hard, lead with integrity, and look out for others. Read More>>

Tricia George

Trust. That one word has always guided me to find my purpose, even when those around me were stunned by my decision-making. I always trusted that I was and would be supported by the Universal Source Energy that surrounds each and every one of us. Read More>>

Royce Morales

If you were to ask me to name the very last thing I would ever think I would be doing in life, it’s teaching spiritual growth. Never in a million years would I have thought people would seek me out to teach them what I had discovered about personal growth, methods to neutralize triggers and live an empowered life! Read More>>

Camille Ellis

I found my purpose through many traumas in my life. Surviving betrayal, abuse, child’s debilitating illness and the loss of my child’s life from suicide.

Each experience taught me my own resilience, capacity and capability to be strong and purposeful to help myself and others with compassion and love. Read More>>

Mayra

Finding my purpose was a journey that unfolded through many different ventures. I’ve always had a deep desire to help others, and over the years, I explored several avenues, including personal training, massage therapy, hair cutting, the medical field, and nutrition. Read More>>

Elaf Hussein

Growing up as a 1st generation Iraqi living in America I always found myself feeling like I didn’t have a sense of belonging. I was not Arab enough for my own family yet I wasn’t American enough for America. I always felt guilty of not honoring and keeping my roots despite my parents and family constantly reminding me that I am Iraqi and that cannot be taken away from me. Read More>>

MARY DEVINE

How Did You Find Your Purpose?

Having, knowing, and working toward a purpose has become one of my greatest needs. I’ve found that I often can’t see the whole picture until I’ve already lived it. But learning to trust that has completely changed how I make decisions. Now, I point myself in the direction I want to go and try to stay open to whatever comes my way. Read More>>

Aaron Warren

I started my accessible shoe company because I always wanted to wear the same shoes as everyone else, but never could because of my disability. I knew I couldn’t be the only one so I started Zipped Brands – the first of its kind accessible shoe company that installs accessibility-enhancing zippers into popular shoe brands like Nike, Dr Marten, etc. Read More>>

Maedeh Ojaghloo

For me, purpose didn’t come all at once — it revealed itself gradually, through the intersection of lived experience, activism, and art. Early in my life, I was on a very different path, studying a technical field. But during that time, I started volunteering with children battling cancer, and something shifted. I began to understand the quiet weight of unheard stories — and photography became the language I used to honor them. Read More>>

Andrea Gianchiglia

Growing up, I was glued to the TV whenever Bob Ross came on. There was something magical about the way he spoke—so calm, so encouraging. He made you feel like you could do anything. Watching him, I wasn’t just mesmerized by his happy little trees; I was absorbing his confidence, his belief that art was for everyone. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those moments planted a seed in me. Read More>>

Chip Baker

I’ve found my purpose and clarity through four key factors: Environments, experiences, relationships and clarity. Environments include the places I have spent my time and the surroundings I have experienced. Experiences include the events and activities that have shaped my life and broadened my horizons. Relationships have been the connections I have made with others and the impact they have had on me. Actions are the choices and steps I taken that have either held me back or propelled me forward. Read More>>

Katy Simmons

I didn’t know for a long time what I wanted to be when I grew up. But I always loved beauty and makeup. I have vivid memories of running into grandmas house and wondering if the curlers I put in the Barbie makeup head months ago had made her hair REALLY curly!? I remember seeing my mothers wedding photos and being mesmerized by her liquid eyeliner, and asking what it was and how to do it? I have memories of asking my Dad to help me carve eyelashes into my jack – o- lantern at Halloween. Read More>>

Wenjing Du

Like most people, I fell in love with films first—that’s what led me to study filmmaking. At that time, I didn’t know much about how films were made. In my mind, movies were a director’s art, so naturally, I thought I wanted to be a director. Read More>>

Daryl Ferrara

Creating films has always been my anchor. As a kid, my friends and I would spend weekends filming skits and short narratives just for the love of it. In senior year English class, after every story we read, we’d get together in small groups and film our interpretation. I was hooked by this point — and ended up minoring in film in college. Read More>>

Peter LeBlanc

I have been playing the saxophone since I was 10 years old and always knew music would be a part of my life. I grew up and went to High School in Massachusetts. I pursued music in college studying Saxophone Performance at The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at The Hartt School of Music(University of Hartford) along with pursuing a simultaneous degree in Broadcasting with an emphasis in Public Radio, earning Bachelor Degrees in both majors in 2005. Read More>>

AKi SHAWKY

I found my Purpose during one of the most hottest summers in Cairo Egypt where I use to watch back to back Movies in our living room at my parents apartment while I was on holiday from school . My interest in movies and Cinema became bigger and bigger everyday and suddenly I asked myself ( How to make a Movie ? ) Read More>>

MOSHE POYASTRO

By understanding that life is short and worth living. There is no reason to waste time worrying and be concerned. Control what you can and do not worry over what you can not control Read More>>

Patrick Raftery

It’s more like my purpose found me: I really did not go looking to pursue this particular path; it’s more that this path aligned well with talents I happened to be gifted with, so when opportunity knocked (or, for a more 21st century analogy: Read More>>

Deanna Lewis Lewis

I discovered my purpose as an esthetician when I achieved my first client transformation. That moment showed me that I have a true gift for treating clients struggling with hyperpigmentation and acne. Seeing their confidence grow and knowing they trust me with their skin makes me feel incredibly fulfilled. Helping both women and men feel good in their skin is what drives me every day. Read More>>

Davon Goodwin

In 2010, my life changed forever when I was injured in Afghanistan. The road to recovery was not just physical but also emotional and mental. During this time, I sought a new sense of purpose—something that would not only heal me but also allow me to give back to others. Read More>>

Sarah Tansel (Vella)

I found my purpose through Gods guidance. He has always led me to follow my heart and find my passion. I started working with individuals with disabilities at a young age and then continued to do that as a career. I love helping others and, I see that is what Gods purpose is for me. Read More>>

Chonsten Jennings

Purpose isn’t something you stumble upon—it’s something you refine through experience, challenges, and the moments that push you beyond yourself. My journey started in the world of professional basketball, working alongside NBA athletes, helping them develop not just their game but their mindset, strategy, and ability to see beyond the court. Read More>>

Kobi Reese

I believe that I was born to carry rock music into the future. From the time that I was a small child, my parents always had music playing in my home from a variety of different genres. I always loved listening to rock and begged my parents to buy me a drum kit. Read More>>

Shanda Ward

I find purpose in my family. In 2019, I was afraid that my daughters Ahydia and Sokyra, who have Sickle cell Disease, were not going to get treatment during the COVID-19 outbreak. My husband and I have Sickle Cell trait, and I genuinely don’t want other families to be unaware, afraid, misled, or go untreated. Read More>>

Stephanie Schwiederek

Finding my purpose wasn’t something that happened overnight—it was a journey shaped by struggle, resiliency, and a desire for something more. I grew up in a motel, an environment that came with its own set of challenges. Read More>>

Scout Raskin

Like most transplants in LA, I created a life here on the dreams of working in entertainment. Arriving in 2006, landing in a rented room in Burbank, with no contacts and no job, I built a life in entertainment. First as an actor – until the 2008 Writer’s strike took me behind the camera. Read More>>

Diamantis Pierrakos

How did we discover our purpose?

Nestled along the sunny southern coast of the Peloponnese, with clear views of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea stretching endlessly between two majestic mountain ranges, our family’s olive groves thrive, deeply rooted in tradition and whispering stories passed down through generations. Growing up amidst these silvery trees, we walked alongside our father, who instilled in us the profound belief that each olive branch carries the dreams and sacrifices of our ancestors. Read More>>

Loretta Chefchaouni

Not long after my second child was diagnosed with a condition called dyspraxia, three things happened:

1. I began to look back at my own lifelong challenges in a new light, and upon requesting a neuropsychological exam, I was diagnosed with the same condition. Read More>>

Moxey

My journey to discovering my purpose is a nothing but a testament to of resilience, faith and passion. I’ve faced challenges challenges from a young age even to present day. I was bullied in school, called names- even by my teachers which made it difficult for me to stay or even want to stay committed to completing my education. Read More>>

Joy Refrima

Initially, I started Joys Creation as a hobby for me to spread happiness amongst my friends. Based off of their very kind words, it motivated me to turn it into a business. Being that I had a background in hospitality and management, I felt that I would be ready to tackle the project. I wanted to have a business that would put smiles on people’s faces as they celebrate major milestones in their lives. Read More>>

Aviva Eagle

I found my purpose through my own journey of transformation, rising from the pain of childhood abuse and breaking free from a victim mentality to reclaim my power. For years, I carried the weight of my past, but I refused to let it define me. Read More>>

Hector Jesus Arencibia

In 2012, I had an abrupt, core shaking, spiritual experience that led me to suddenly abandon my life and travel the entire world on one way tickets. It was a search for my true self and to discover the wisdom of the ages. That adventure of lifetime had me touch the soil of 20 plus countries and ended being published as a book some have called a hidden “spiritual gem”. I like to call it the tiny big with a big soul. The title: Letters from Wanderlust. It was published in 2016. Read More>>

John Loreaux

I think everyone needs to find purpose in life. I started working with My Father at a very young age and found purpose being a carpenter. I worked alongside of My Dad for 30 years helping people improve their homes and seeing the joy they would have when the project was complete. I have always loved being creative. Read More>>

Evan Gallagher

For a long time, I thought just working hard was the price of passion. I loved creating but over time, the editing grind, late nights, and constant deadlines drained the joy from it. I hit a breaking point after yet another long editing session, realizing I couldn’t keep going like this. Read More>>

Jenny Wigham

I believe everyone’s purpose in this life is to experience love in all its forms. Giving love to others, receiving love from others, giving love to ourselves, and receiving love from ourselves. I think love is at the root of every experience we have. Our personal journey is to see how love expresses, manifests and creates in our individual experiences. Read More>>

Sarah Sutro

I remember learning to paint at an early age, and sensing that art was what made me feel most myself, most alive, most happy. Once outside in the neighborhood I grew up in, I was trying to paint a landscape of the back of a garage and tangled plants around it. Read More>>

Grace Anne Cascio

I found my purpose through music.

From a young age, I was always drawn to the arts. Whether it was dance or musical theatre, I was apart of it. Whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always told them that I wanted to be a musician. I never imagined myself doing anything else. Read More>>

Alicia Woolf, Joanna Hightower, And Shira Woolf Cohen

Knowing your purpose is so central to our lives and our work together, that we make sure to ask everyone we partner with. The reason the three of us came together after years of knowing each other was because our purposes align so well. Read More>>

Michael Nicastro

Everyone’s purpose is different, and so is the path to finding it. I’m not here to tell you what to do—only to share that it is possible to walk an uncertain path if it feels right in your heart.

Society often conditions us to prioritize stability and certainty, and I understand that following your heart isn’t always practical. Life happens. Bills need to be paid. Rent is due. And sometimes, the people closest to you won’t support your choices—not because they don’t care, but because they’re projecting their own fears or limitations. Read More>>

Victor A. Saint-Hilaire

Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve found it yet, but I can confidently say that I’m exactly where I need to be, doing what I need to be doing at the moment. The way I got here was by following my heart and always gravitating toward the activities and subject matters that were nourishing, fulfilling and inspiring to me rather than put myself in positions that felt forced or performative. Read More>>

Paul Leibow

This reminds me of the term: finding meaning, I like the term purpose over the vast expanse of the meaning because life feels meaningless, yet not hopeless. Purpose, however, feels more kin to motivation, self-worth, and exploration of one’s world. Read More>>