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.
Mary Brotherton
Finding my purpose wasn’t as easy as finding the winning lottery numbers or discovering the golden Easter egg. Actually, my purpose wasn’t something to find as much as something to accept and nurture, because it’s been within me all my life. I just didn’t understand that’s what it was. Read more>>
Jennifer DaSilva
have always known my purpose was to help others. I enjoyed meeting new people and took a sales job out of high school selling magazines door to door. (yep…I was a door knocker) I was promoted to “car handler” and was training others on building rapport and how to connect with others. After a year of traveling I decided to settle down. I ended up getting married to someone in the military and we chose to start our family 4 months later. Read more>>
Sarah Geer
I feel my purpose came through a combination of different experiences which led me into what I do today. I grew up in a family business that fostered my work ethic and knowledge in different fields. Which then led me to pursue a degree in Entrepreneurship. However, my passion and joy always came from creating and designing. I like to think of myself as an Artist at heart . I always found myself creating something whether artistically or structurally throughout my adolescence. Read more>>
Anthony Jameyson Smith
I discovered my purpose by understanding the Call thats on my Life. Everyone is called to do something specific that will always connect them to their Purpose. Never do anything just to do something. One must learn to Love what they do, because when you love it, it will never just be a task. If it become a task it’s highly likely it’s not your Purpose. I Love what I do and I am committed to it because it’s my Called Purpose. Read more>>
Colleen DeForrest
I felt from an early age that I loved to perform in front of people and of course I love to make people laugh. I felt like entertaining people on a stage was the exact way to make that happen, and turns out I’m pretty good at it. I found out it was my purpose around the age of 11 when I did one of my first stage productions, which I believe was Pinocchio where I played a bully who turned into a donkey. Read more>>
Chloe LIND
Growing up my passion for fashion, design and aesthetics had been apparent. Because of my young age, I could only fathom a career of clothing design so I would spend a lot of my free time drawing designs out. When I became a bit older, I discovered the fulfillment I experienced when completing a project with my hands, which led to my love of hand-sewing and then sewing in general! Through the years I’ve worked on many projects, businesses, ideas, etc that ultimately shown that I have a passion for connecting with people through different mediums, but all that allow everyone to express themselves freely! Read more>>
Christy Sutherland
I found my purpose by accident. I have always loved photography but I’ve always paid other photographers to take our family photos. I never believed I was good enough to take the task on myself. One year, money was tight and my husband put me on a budget and limited the mini sessions I could pay other photographers to take of us. Or if I wanted to hone in on my hobby of photography and take it to the next level, we could put that money toward better camera gear and I could find my own clients and photograph my own family for once. Read more>>
Micah Nelson
I think purpose is something that is equally grown and built as much as it is unearthed and discovered. It’s an active and on-going journey that often times circles the same few monolithic ideas and values we hold dear. But always moving. Read more>>
Amanda Andrade
First of all, we need to understand what is purpose. We don’t wake up and simples say: Today I am going to find my life purpose yet finding our purpose is a journey! As I started to get more self-awareness about who I am as a spiritual being my life started shifting in a direction of self-realization! When you find out that you are an immortal and eternal being and you are here to experience this lifetime which is a school for our personal growth you start experiencing and feeling life in a different way! Read more>>
Lindsey Machado
I have always loved anything to do with decorating and designing homes, but it wasn’t until a little later in life that I decided to make a career out of it. My family and I were selling and buying a home, and as we viewed the properties I was floored at some of their conditions. Home improvement needs aside, the sellers obviously hadn’t been educated on how to best prepare their homes to get the most Return on Investment. Read more>>
Braveaux
I found my purpose by just trying things. When I was introduced to creating music, it resonated with me. Being able to tell stories from my experiences and the experiences of those around me, felt right. Then when I began to release music I started to see how I was touching some people . I’ve had people cry in front of me because of my music or message me saying they’re going through the same things I’m speaking on. That feeling of knowing something I created does something for people let me know that I found my purpose. Read more>>
Stephanie Wright
The calling came in March 2019 when a business school paper sparked my personal development journey. It led me to a coach who helped me explore the direction I wanted to go down, step outside my comfort zone and grow my confidence. For the first time, I thought ‘damn, I can do this – I can live my dreams.’ What will stay with me forever is how I felt in our coaching container – excited, inspired, challenged, safe, loved, supported, seen, heard, respected. My coach gave me the gift of believing in and loving myself. Read more>>
Dina Tovar
This is a great question! Since high school I always knew I wanted to own a business. In what you ask? I’d shrug “Idk anything”. Before COVID started I tried college, hated it. Tried some artistic jobs but nothing really stayed. I was a waitress at a Sports Bar for nearly 4 years, I felt like I was stuck but I didn’t have it in me to quit. The pandemic hit and everything shut down. This was a higher power nudging me to the future I had been wanting. Read more>>
Mary Paulson
I’m not sure if I have yet. I do know that everything we do has a purpose, or a reason.
I learned this while I was training to become a LPGA Golf Professional, and later a LPGA Golf Coach. It’s a big part to successful decision making. If what you want to do doesn’t serve a purpose, or you can’t state a reason for your decisions…. then don’t do it. Read more>>
Melissa Sharee
From a young age I was aware of the things that I loved to do. My mother was instrumental in exposing me to a variety of people, places and experiences that gave me the opportunity to find what I love early in life. I believe we are innately wired to love the things that fall in line with our purpose. The challenge is growing in confidence about our ability to naturally do what we are purposed for and trusting the process as we learn to move in purpose. Read more>>
Jennalee Massey
The New OC ™ sparked from conversation and collaboration around the pandemic time frame. A group of friends were throwing ideas around about entrepreneurship, and figuring out ways to create and put their time into purposeful events . All of the individuals that are party of The New OC ™ are pushing unique in their own way and inspired by pushing their own business, which in turn makes them stand out. Read more>>
Eric Worthy
So I’m actually lucky in that regard, I found what I wanted to do when I was young. It started when I was hanging out with my friend in the backyard, we were both in middle school at the time so we just messed around and did kid stuff. But one day I came over and my friend showed me that he just got an iPod touch, from there we just started filming everything. Read more>>
MaKayla Elise
I find my purpose in serving others and simply connecting with people around me. As a full-time fitness trainer, online coach, + thrift shop owner, I enjoy empowering and uplifting the communities around me through 1 of 1 styles and wellness/fitness education + application. Read more>>
TwinGang
We found our purpose by going through the system and being faced with so many ups and downs. Growing up not knowing anything about ourselves was extremely hard but it made us into the men we’re today. And I’m a firm believer that God do everything for a reason Read more>>
Paul Zanardo
I started my career in construction/sales/marketing at the age of 16. Through the years, I climbed the ladder to executive levels in management and nationally recognized sales rep positions. I earned more than a lucrative living, but the hours and time away from family and friends had me in a bad place. I was drinking a lot, making poor choices, and had no hopes for a bright future. Read more>>
Alyssa Delone
I learned/ found my purpose through a corporate layoff. It blind sided me, however it was one of my biggest blessings. It allowed me to slow down and revisit my desire to work in the beauty industry. I’ve always enjoyed how beauty services boost your confidence. With my savings, I invested in myself by pursuing my esthetician license. Read more>>
Jean McSwain
Your purpose in life is as unique to you as your fingerprint. We all have a particular set of talents, experiences, skill sets, and interests that light us up. Purpose is related to these, but it is your reason for being here. It is why I get out of bed in the morning, even when the day is dreary, you’re tired, and you know the tasks and challenges ahead are going to be hard, challenging but rewarding and exciting. Read more>>
Jennifer Lee
My father passed away when I was 11. Honestly speaking, it was a downward spiral of emotions. I couldn’t grasp the concept of what happened and lived my life in a haze. My mother couldn’t take care of us so she sent us to bounce around living with multiple family members. Some showed unconditional love, while others showed conditional love and were physically and mentally abusive. I suffered from severe depression and abandonment issues and did not get the help I needed. I grew up with the mentality that I will always be depressed. Why couldn’t I be fully happy? Would I ever be able to be loved? Read more>>
Dr.Sehrish Ali
I think I would say I found it when I most lacked one. Growing up with an autoimmune disorder and struggling personally with mental health I became drawn to the field perhaps before even recognizing what it fully was but simply recognizing the effect and power a nonjudgmental safe place can bring and how much change and growth can be brought upon from it. Read more>>
Jeannette Eason-Mayfield
Starting a nonprofit wasn’t my first career choice, but it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. Looking back at my journey, I can now see all of my past intentional encounters and how they connected me to my purpose. Everything I felt forced to accomplished in life gave me tools that I needed to position me into my purpose of starting JTK Youth Empowerment Services. Every job I applied for that I didn’t get, every house, car and all of the other no’s” in my life were all a part of keeping me where I needed to be to walk in my purpose. Read more>>
Leshandra Armour
My purpose found me in the midst of experiencing a dark night of the soul! I was in a place where I lost all hope and any belief in God! And as I was in this space I could feel the pull to release the older version of myself! And when I decided to lean into the very energy that kept me going “God” my purpose to help others see the truth of who they are was birth! Read more>>
April Young
Being a mother of 4 raising my children on my own having job after job, and then my health started to decline. It started to become harder and harder for me to work certain jobs I was later on diagnosed with fibromyalgia and sjogren disease so I had to think of something that not only I could benefit from but my children as well. I have always love crafting and I’ve always been interested in candles so I decided to make unique candles something that would be fun for my children as well. I enjoy bringing something different something that’s a eye catcher. Read more>>
Denitris Harris
I realize now my purpose came through my past experience of Domestic Violence/Dating relationship. My pain led to my purpose. To encourage, educate, and empower women who have gone through or going through DV. I’m using my pain and not wasting it. It took many years to work on my internal self. The process was uncomfortable, scary, risky, and painful, but I went through it courageously. I’m not who or what I used to be. Read more>>
Gavin Crusoe
Finding my purpose wasn’t easy, it took a lot of experimental ideas and trying new things till I finally found out what makes me happy and I could see myself doing for the rest of my life for money or even for free. The love I have for film and photography comes from, watching dozens of movies when I was younger with my mom, thinking about how id love to make something like. Seeing album covers and magazine covers and thinking about recreating those from my point of view its crazy but always felt meant to be. Read more>>
Enjoli Lauderdale
My purpose is building up women of color to build the lives of their dreams. The journey to finding my purpose first began with finding myself. Having to deal with several hardships in life, I lost sight of who I was. I defined myself by my mistakes and misfortunes. I had to take the necessary steps to heal and bring myself back to who I truly am: a strong, successful woman who is capable of achieving big things. After getting to this point of healing I got the desire to do what I can to help other women go from their lowest valleys to highest peaks. From this moment, my purpose and Aye Yo Sis was born. Read more>>
