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.
FOR3ST HILLS
Music has always been something the members of our band have found purpose and motivation in. Whether it’s been through listening to songs that we can relate to, or writing music that we think can help others; music has always been a natural driver for FOR3ST HILLS, and we can’t imagine our lives without it. Read More>>
Meredith Zahorsky
I have always enjoyed walking with others in community. I knew at a young age that I wanted to help others. When I was 30 years old and found myself pregnant with a little girl who was given a terminal diagnosis I was changed. I had become a Christian in my teenage years and lived in a way that would reflect that. However, there had never been a time in my life where I needed God to be near more than then. Read More>>
Tohko Nishimoto
The first time I touched “Nails” was when I was in kindergarten. I remember well that my mother painted my tiny nails with colorful nail polish to make them pretty. I looked forward to the time when my mother would apply nail polish on my nails. Read More>>
Liz Jordan
Purpose for me is something that is ever evolving-I know the wisdom I have today will be deepened by tomorrow’s experiences, so I practice keeping an open heart and mind, knowing there is always space to grow. An essential part that is steadfast is acting in service to humanity while inspiring others to do the same. I believe our evolution depends on our ability to empathize with and support one another. I learned that from personal struggles with my physical health from a young age. The support I received from close family and friends was amplified by a new community of friends I met from being honest and vulnerable about my experiences. When you reach into the abyss and are greeted with love and support, it activates a switch you can’t deactivate, you are compelled to pay it forward. Read More>>
Kenneth Ortiz
I originally started photography as a coping mechanism primarily focused on Street photography. After a few years I found myself wanting more out of my work and my community. I felt it was important that people receive the proper representation while working in a comfortable and safe environment. Primarily most of my clients are all from the LGBTQ community and POC. I feel like I found my real purpose during the George Floyd protest after being named one of the top 300 Photographers to follow, and one of the top 40 list as well. Read More>>
Karrick Adams
I found my purpose by being true to ME. Knowing who I am, and always focusing on my gifts-instead of trying to fit in. I pretty much grew up not caring what my peers thought of me-which may seem somewhat abnormal for any average teenager. I’ve always knew I wanted to be an artist, since the age of 5 or 6. I didn’t find my purpose, I was born with my purpose. That pretty much sums it up. Read More>>
Chelsea Blackwell
In my case I don’t think I found my purpose; it’s more so my purpose found me. Since as long as I can remember creativity has always been something I had an eye for but, I never thought much about it. Quite honestly I first thought my only gift was singing. It wasn’t until the pandemic that my purpose found me when the world seemingly stood still. Being called on to do graphic designs for Youtube channels, various churches and apparel designs for businesses was when the light bulb went off and I knew what my purpose was. Read More>>
Gena Heelz
I genuinely believe that purpose has always been there for me, waiting for me to grow into it, but because of my life’s journey and levels of experience, it is taking me a little bit longer. I believe that Purpose is the outcome of how we represent ourselves on each level of our lives and the effects that purpose has on others. The purpose is the outcome of the cause and effect of one’s ambitions and aspirations. So in a sense, My purpose is still being defined because I am still learning and evolving. Read More>>
Kelsey Johns
I am very fortunate to have a lot of strong women in my life. Before my sister in laws wedding, my mother in law and I went to pick up the glassware rentals for the tablescaping. I mentioned to her that I might be interested in creating a business of event and wedding rentals. She encouraged me from the start and told me I should pursue it. When I was in an antique store with my mother later that week, I mentioned the idea to her. She didn’t give it much thought and immediately started picking up items I could rent. Throughout everything I did in life, my mom was always my number one supporter and her support for my dream of doing event rentals was no different. I am very lucky to have their support and encouragement. Read More>>
Dr. Chana Campbell
Finding my purpose was definitely a process. I knew I liked to help others. I was a good listener and others enjoyed talking to me although I was very shy and reserved. When I was in elementary school, I told my parents I wanted to be a doctor. So, parts of my story were coming together then. I went to college to become a pediatrician, but I did not feel like that was my calling. I took a break after a year and a half for six months. I returned to school after that and eventually graduated with my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Although I obtained my degree, I continue to work in the field of finance for several years, Read More>>
Lauren Witherspoon
It took me years to realize what my purpose was. Over time, I realized that I had been working in my purpose all along. As a believer, I receive all of my answers that I require from God himself. He is my guide, and he orchestrates my steps on my life path accordingly. I have had many conversations with him about this topic. At times, it was frustrating to not receive an immediate answer. However, I have realized that sometimes he will provide his answers through experiences. Read More>>
Ruth Catchen
Finding your purpose is key to creating a satisfying, balanced life, and I believe loving what you do. There can be more than one way or one career to manifest your purpose. It always benefits you to be purpose driven. Also, it relates to “What’s my Why,” the fundamental question about finding your purpose from the book by Simon Sinek. Read More>>
Gerald Jefferson Jr
Well sports help me find my purpose, because sports gives you life skills and I believe all kids should be involved with some type of sport, so I created the Men of Loyalty Youth Boxing Training Program so I can help youth experience boxing in a non contact way. Our teaches them the fundamentals of boxing and focuses on building the youth up to be a successful human beings with the ability to make good decisions in life. I know my purpose is to assist youth and be the best coach I can. Read More>>
Christian Reyes
I was lost for a little in life not knowing what I wanted to do. I had dreams of wanting to go play college football but I had gotten sick and ended up getting diagnosed with Pan Ulcerative Colitis . I thought my dreams were over. I stumbled across a video on instagram showing Aarod Milly doing some phenomenal haircuts and designs. That was when I realized I wanted to cut hair and specialize in doing designs. I felt like this was my purpose I really love what I do and it’s like therapy for anyone to come get a haircut and talk . You look good you feel good you do good ! Read More>>
Christine Williams
Like many of us, I was raised to be goal-oriented based on a strong work ethic and advanced education. From early in life, I wanted to be a psychologist. I wanted to help people get through their hardships and sadness and setbacks and disappointments. I declared my major in college without any exploration of other careers. I decided to move to Florida from my native North Carolina at the age of 23, with the intention of establishing residency and getting my advanced degree. In the meantime, I applied for jobs and soon had a career in property management. Read More>>
Nancy Curtin
You know, I usually have to sum up my experience in just a few sentences to people, which makes it sound much simpler than it really was. The truth is that it’s been a real journey to get to where I am now, even if there were clues along the way. Read More>>
Katrina Kubicina
To be completely honest, I found my purpose in a few ways. For a long time I worked unfulfilling and downright depressing jobs just to make ends meet. I settled, and did what I could to pay bills, but was extremely unsatisfied and knew I needed more out of life. I absolutely love people, I love meeting new people, I love working with people, I love learning about their lives and what makes them who they are, and these past environments didn’t allow me to do that or feel as if I could offer anything to them. Read More>>
Acie McMillan
Being accepted to and attending Michigan State is an accomplishment on its own but what is more amazing is the journey it took to get there. By the time I was 18, I had lived the life of someone 3 times my age. Outside of normal 90’s working class living, I had been in a gang, sold drugs, and been incarcerated several times. I could literally tell you some stories that would have you on the edge of your seat but also wanting more. Read More>>
Kaleeaha Harden
That’s a great question! I found my purpose with this business by just fulfilling the needs of my customers with a little of my vision added. Merging the two together have had great results and it is definitely helping the pole community. I am very excited. Read More>>
JArthur (JayG) Grubbs, III
I continue to find my purpose through my life experiences. But the early development of my purpose started when I found myself singing in my church choir. I went on to play drums and later moved to piano. Before I knew it I was writing my own songs and recording them. This fueled a sense of creativity inside of me. I developed the ability to create an idea in my head and use what was in front of me to bring it to life. Now, through my business, I am able to do that for others in various ways. Some of those ways include writing songs, producing videos, creating websites, or executing marketing plans. It all comes back to creativity. Read More>>
Maria Zarate
I was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago. I have been a surgical technologist for about eight years now. After having to quit twice now because of treatment, I thought to myself why do I keep going back to something that life keeps kicking me out of. I started to brain storm what I was going to do with my life once treatment was over. I needed to do something. My friend suggested we get permanent jewelry and I started looking up locations. I quickly realized there weren’t any locations for that and that’s where the idea came from. Read More>>
Jae Graham
I used to believe that my purpose in life was to take care of my ailing parents and manage our family business. However, life had a different plan in store for me, and it took an unexpected turn. While working as a buyer for an adult shop’s smoke shops section, I found myself falling in love with something unexpected. Read More>>
Valerie Carter
God gave me my purpose long ago. I always knew I was capable of doing something big, but God is always pushing me out of my comfort zone. After 30+ years in the healthcare field, I thought I was fully fulfilling my purpose; however, God was using that time to prepare me for this season I am in now. When my son came back from his third tour in Iraq, I was heartbroken. Let’s just say he went in one way and came back another way. His transformation broke me. Read More>>
Kristina Gent
On December 31st of 2018 my husband, Eric, and I threw a surprise wedding, NYE-birthday celebration and it was with that experience that we both knew our purpose is to connect people in meaningful, unique ways. We moved to San Diego during the pandemic, so I was still unemployed and searching for my new career. I met the owner of SIX°, was introduced to the Community and was instantly drawn in by the incredible people who were a part of it. I started working for the company and got to begin learning about all of these different professional services industries and how they all fit together like a puzzle. Read More>>
Dr. Benjamin Ritter
In a world filled with motivational quotes and success mantras, the concept of finding one’s purpose has become a widely discussed topic. We are often told that once we discover our purpose, everything will fall into place, and we will find eternal happiness and fulfillment. But what if finding your purpose is not the end-all-be-all solution? What if it’s just the beginning of a challenging and transformative journey? This is the realization I came to when I embarked on my own quest to find my purpose. Read More>>
Mommy’s Girl
Mommy’s girl came to light due to there being no outlets for girls and women who have lost their mothers to express their selves. Our organization is ran by 5 women who have lost their mothers and are dedicated to creating a safe haven for those who are on the same journey. Our purpose is driven by the ability to help girls and women who have lost their mothers. This is not a journey you have to be on alone and our drive is to ensure all Mommy’s girls have a home. Read More>>
Quynn Red Mountain
My purpose came to me with a head injury. 30 years ago, when I was 25 years old, I was hit on the head in a bizarre way, and in the days after it happened, I noticed that something had been shaken loose, or was beginning to be revealed. I began having profound and vivid night dreams, and I started hearing voices that were kind but firm, guiding me towards something about which I had no understanding. I had never heard inner voices before, and yet they were soothing, not scary. Read More>>
Ella Scaduto
Sense of purpose comes from being connected to others, thus using our gifts or talents in the service of our community can help find that purpose. Developing a growth mindset is essential for personal development and incredibly helpful in finding one’s purpose. Growing as a person spiritually, growing older in general, listening to stories of people that I have impacted, surrounding myself with people I look up to and being part of my community has helped me find my purpose. Read More>>
Sophia Kunju Herrera
Everyone has a purpose in life. I found my purpose through something I went through when I was two years old. In 1999, my family and I were in a car accident that changed our lives forever, I was left paralyzed from the waist down which caused me to be using a wheelchair to get around anywhere. All I knew pretty much my whole life was life in the wheelchair. Growing up with a disability definitely did have its ups and a lot of downs. I often questioned why me, why did this happened to me and not anyone else. Read More>>
Minnette Hudson
For many years, I drifted without direction or purpose. I was just living in the moment. I married young and had my son at an early age and after twenty years of marriage, I went through a divorce. That was the beginning of discovering what my purpose was in this life. What helped me the most was returning to my faith. I spent a lot of time building up my relationships with family, friends and, most importantly, with The Heavenly Father. It was life changing and in that process I began to see that I wanted my art to be a bigger part of my journey. Read More>>
Jordan Gaynor
So ever since I was young I have always been an artist I loved to draw and I would do it effortlessly. Been told that I need to do something with it so in middle school I started to draw portraits of friends and family and sell them. then as I got older I started seeing people make them on tablets and computers and was being informed that people would go take pictures of others and edit or take cartoon characters and edit them and I felt that that would be so fun for me to do. So I started to download apps to do edits from my phone in highschool which then transferred to college. Read More>>
Versell Motley III
I was able to find my purpose through the self love of everything I do in general, staying consistent with the skills that I excel with, and knowing that with those same skills I am able to help others in their paths of life as well. Some passions and purposes will just come to us as we are going about our days, but I believe its truly the things that continue to come back no matter how long they may be absent for that’s meant for us to live by. Read More>>
