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.
Latoya Lee
I found my purpose through a combination of passion, personal experiences, and the desire to make a positive impact. From a young age, I had a deep love for hairstyling. It was more than just a hobby; it was a way for me to express creativity and help people feel confident and beautiful. Read more>>
Meg Mueller
From the day that I started my first job at 16, I knew that I didn’t want to work for someone else for the rest of my life. I remember thinking, “I have to do this for 50+ more years?” It was a little disheartening at 16 to be looking forward to retirement already, but I realized within a few years that I could harness the things I enjoy doing and help others at the same time. I knew I wanted to work doing something I love and that it was possible to make that happen. I also came to realize that not everyone likes to untangle cables and wires and that not everyone grew up taking everything out of their closet just to organize it for fun. I started helping friends and family with those things because I liked doing it and they hated it! This was a great hobby, but it would be a few more years before I realized that these were skills that I could actually use to make a living. Read more>>
Nikki Gardner
Most of us are brought up thinking we need to pick one thing to be when we grow up, and that can feel daunting. Some people know all along what they want to do for a career. I think for many artists and creatives, it isn’t that easy. While most of us can say we have been artists since we were children, and this is likely true, many of us were steered in different directions by our families, in favor of more stable fields. Read more>>
Tonie Marie Cantu
All of my life I have dreamed of being a woman who could give back to women like me. As a teenager, my dream was to become a juvenile probation officer. I wanted to be able to give children and young adults what I lacked…love and protection. I imagined growing up and sitting in an office talking to a troubled teen who just needed someone to love on them, someone that would listen to them and make them feel heard and safe. I dreamed of giving them hope to overcome whatever circumstances that had lead them into a juvenile detention center. I wanted to be someone who could plant seeds of hope for a better future. I lived a life of abuse being sexually abused throughout my childhood from the age of four up to the age of 11. Read more>>
Meredith Heller
I started writing poetry and songs as a young teen, living on my own and struggling with issues of identity and meaning, like who am I, why am I here, and what really matters to me. I suffered with depression, overwhelmed by the intensity of my emotions, and I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere. Writing gave me a medium through which I could express everything I held inside, all the feelings that were too big, too heavy, the ones that were consuming me. I found that when I wrote, the act of naming my feelings, exploring every nuance and texture of what I was going through freed me and helped me to belong to myself. I found that I could write myself through my pain and confusion into clarity and acceptance. As I committed to a poem or song, and immersed myself in the creative process, the writing gave me something bigger than myself to live for. It held me like a lifeline. I wanted to share this lifeline with others. Read more>>
Monica Gross
I used to be a full-time accountant and I felt as though I was doing everything society expected of me in my 20s. Once I reached the ‘goals’ of my industry and young professional life, I realized how unfulfilled I felt. I was chasing what I had been told to chase and ‘made it’ in many ways (I received my CPA designation, worked at a big four accounting firm and got a well-paying job) yet felt so unhappy. I then went through a breakup, and when I felt as though I was at my lowest low, I knew I had to reevaluate what I wanted in life and what would make me happy. Read more>>
Davone “day” Madison
Finding my purpose has been a journey shaped by my personal experiences, aspirations, and the communities I am deeply passionate about. Growing up as a Black woman, I have always been driven to advocate for racial equality, social justice, and the LGBTQIA+ community. These values have guided me in every path I have taken. Read more>>
Layla Rose Bugeja
I was both fortunately and unfortunately blessed with having found my purpose at a very young age, so young that I don’t even remember how old I was. Music has always been my purpose, deeply woven into the fabric of who I am. Growing up, the melodies and rhythms were never just background noise — they were the heartbeat of my childhood. My dad, a musician himself, was my first mentor and the one who showed me how music could tell stories, evoke emotions, and bridge worlds. I remember watching him play, and feeling the power of every note. It was in those moments that I understood music wasn’t just something you did; it was something you lived. For me, it became a language of connection, a way to express what words couldn’t capture, and ultimately, a purpose that guides me through every chapter of my life. Read more>>
Amore’ Dear
Finding my purpose has been quite a journey, and I can honestly say it wasn’t easy. Music has always been my passion, especially growing up in Memphis, TN. Memphis features a great amount of history for music and the arts.
I fell in love with music in the fifth grade, which set me on a path of playing in the orchestra for over ten years. During my time at Overton High School in Memphis, TN, I was part of the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) program. While this program allowed us to express ourselves through various art forms, it only permitted one arts focus at a time. Read more>>
Katherine Mccrackin
My purpose has always largely come from my personal challenges and how I ultimately overcame (or am still overcoming) them. As a disabled woman, I have always faced a variety of obstacles ranging from lack of diagnosis to misogyny in more systems than I can count. Each time, anger at these unnecessary obstacles has morphed into a determination to change the world around me. Though the topic and methods for change have evolved over the years, my desire to make a difference has remained steady, and it is the thing that has brought me back to myself when life has become too complicated to make sense of. Read more>>
Francine Apy
I discovered my purpose as a “Beacon” for shaping a modern, 2024 conversation around adoption—and beyond—through moments of quiet reflection on the word SoulFilling. This journey began when a dear friend lovingly referred to me as her “SoulFilling friend, Fran.” That heartfelt comment sparked deep introspection about what truly fills my soul. Read more>>
Nancy Bruce
I found true love in my 50s – after two decades of dating after divorce – and the transformative power of it changed everything. I realized I wanted to share my stories and what I learned with as many people as I could. My message is that you are not too old, and it is never too late to find the love of your life.
I believe that purpose comes from understanding how you want to be of service. I launched my brand, Finding Love, to help people in midlife find connection, romance, and lasting love. It gives me so much happiness to encourage them to not give up until they get the love they want and deserve. Read more>>
Leon Agee Iii
People always ask how you find your purpose. It’s always a long story but I’m going to keep it short. I found my purpose the day my grandmother shared one of her favorite books with me. We talked about how good it was, and it started my journey. Not too long after my mom and I went to the movies. We watched horror movie, and it wasn’t the best. I told her I could do something better. She challenged me and desire to be an author cultivated. I started writing horror book which then extended to writing an anime and a tv show. My purpose opened a world that I never thought about tapping. One thing led to another, and my first book was finished before I knew it. I stayed determined on making my wishes come to and got lucky that the right people believed in me. Read more>>
Cyd Muri
Visual language has always been essential to my way of life. As a child, even before grade school and long before I learned to write, I had a severe speech impediment. Often, no one—including my own mother—could understand what I was trying to communicate. So, I turned to drawing. Through drawing, I expressed what I wanted, what I needed, and how I felt. Art allowed me to bridge the gap where words had failed me. Even now, after years of speech therapy have enabled me to communicate effectively with words, I continue to rely on art as a means of expressing my internal dialogue and emotions. My purpose as an artist revealed itself to me during a time when I felt completely misunderstood. Over the years, I’ve grown alongside my art, eventually reaching a point where traditional drawing could no longer fully convey what I wanted to express. This realization drew me to sculpture—a medium that allows me to manifest my emotions conceptually within the physical realm. I wanted my art to exist in the same plane of being as I do. Read more>>
Heather Redisch
I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior—how people think, what motivates them, and how they connect with others. That curiosity started back in college and led me into a career in recruitment and talent management. I loved helping people find roles where they could thrive, but what I found even more fulfilling was shaping workplace cultures that allowed them to truly succeed. Read more>>
Ryan Janz
Before working finance and insurance, I spent many years in food and beverage. Working as a chef, I had lived the typical lifestyle of working long hours, physical and mental stress, and the attitude of, “work hard, play harder.” It was all I knew, as it was the only career in my adult life. But as time went on, I just felt empty. What once was exciting for me to use ingredients to overcome the daunting consistency of high-quality meals in volume, had just turned into a monotonous task. The spark of food and flavor became so bland, and the prospects of my future became worrisome. I had seen the outcome of many chefs who I considered “made it,” and none of their jobs had interested me. I had searched for something more, but didn’t know what it was. I wanted to do something else, but the plan was missing. Read more>>
Marina Rain
In actuality, my purpose found me when I was a little girl. I always enjoyed drawing as a child, and I still remember the smell of my first oil paints that my parents bought me. That’s when I knew I wanted to be an artist. Read more>>
Pauline Sylvain-lewis
Max Candle’s purpose is to provide holistic healing through affordable aromatherapy. As well as provide a unique product which will continue to attract and maintain customers. In 2020, we employed 13 youth workers and provided entrepreneurship training to them. Under the leadership of an active advisory committee, our goal is to support our local community youth programs. Read more>>
Corey Simon
Blacksmithing is a skill that has fascinated me since I was a teenager and while I didn’t get the opportunity to begin the journey in learning the skill until I was well into adulthood, the thought of it was something that tickled at the back of my mind, reminding me again and again how much I wanted to give it a go.
At the same time, my becoming a pastor spurred me down the path of nonviolent resistance, towards making some sort of statement and symbol that would serve a purpose and offer inspiration to others. I went on to learn about the ongoing work of an organization called RAWtools (as they remind us, raw is war spelled backward) in transforming guns into garden tools and other pieces of art. Through this act of transformation, the idea is to both model words from the Hebrew Bible which speaks of the day when the people of the world will “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Read more>>
John Cowan
Growing up in Michigan, I was surrounded by the wonders of the natural world—rolling fields, deep forests, and the kind of quiet that lets you hear your own thoughts. My parents instilled in me an appreciation for simplicity, balance, and the idea that the best things in life are often the most grounded: fresh produce from a local farm stand, the aroma of something homemade, and the satisfaction of doing work that you can see and touch. Read more>>
Chelsea Silva
Finding my purpose didn’t happen overnight. Oh so Chelsea started as a creative outlet—a way to make something I enjoyed for myself. I loved creating headbands that were unique, comfortable, and reflected my style. It was something small that made my day better, and I wanted to share that with others. Read more>>
Dr. Reggie Lewis
The fear of failure, the fear of not knowing where to start, and the lack of resources held me back. But as painstaking as the process of self-reflection was, it wasn’t until I was willing to peel back the layers of my life—examining my childhood, culture, and disappointments—that I began to face the true barrier: myself. Read more>>
Give Em Soul
I believe that your purpose finds you after you’ve found yourself and its usually intangible and in some form of service. I thought my purpose was to be just a musician/producer, until I started to pay attention to the qualities it took to do the job at a high level. What you see on stage or hear on a record is but a small portion of what my purpose is. Read more>>
Lisa Loop
My purpose found me. Being a writer involves being told no a lot. I wasted a lot of time taking rejection as proof I was not meant to write.
The actor Nick Offerman talks about how cultivating patience helped him continue auditioning until he got his big break. He is onto something important.
When I understood that just because something is meaningful, that doesn’t make it easy, I could relax. Accepting obstacles is part of overcoming them. Resilience is the superpower that allows me to risk, and get to the yesses. Read more>>
Lindsay Brunner
I was not one of those people that always knew what they wanted to do in life. Though I have always enjoyed education, reading, and critical thinking, I didn’t see school as a direct pathway to a profession. I didn’t start working my way to physical therapy until my mid-20’s, after working in advertising and feeling that something was missing. It was then that I started reconnecting with my background in physical activity and athletics. I was a figure skater and dancer from a young age, but never thought of something more physical for a career. But in my mid-20’s I started doing yoga and decided to become an instructor. This made me realize how much I enjoyed helping others move and find strength in their bodies. I realized that I wanted to do this even more, and be able to help with injuries and physical issues. So I began my education to become a physical therapist. Read more>>
Misaki Matsuda Lagos
I was born in a rural town in Japan and moved to Tokyo in my early 20s, where I built my life. Eight years ago, I found my place in Los Angeles, and that’s where I truly began to feel at home. I’ve always been ambitious, constantly striving to level up and find new goals. When my son was born 13 years ago, I gained a new sense of responsibility and purpose. For me, finding purpose isn’t something you actively search for—it’s a journey that unfolds naturally over time. That’s how I approach life, and it’s been my guiding philosophy. Read more>>
Giselle Spratley
Finding my purpose was a journey of self-discovery that unfolded through life’s twists and turns. When I first moved to LA, I pursued modeling, which made me great money, but left me feeling unfulfilled, as though something essential was missing. My love for skincare, however, had been a constant since I was 8 years old, when my sister first introduced me to exfoliating with a pink rag I still treasure today. A pivotal moment came when my mom took me to a Mary Kay seminar, and I became fascinated by product formulations and their effects on the skin. I would steal her skincare products off her vanity, experimenting with retinol before I was old enough to need it! One night out with friends, when we had no way to remove our makeup, I improvised with kitchen ingredients to create a cleansing oil and it worked flawlessly. Read more>>
Michelle Marie
I was so fortunate to learn my purpose when I was quite young. I always knew I wanted to work for myself and throughout college I was realized I was a healer after working for a Chiropractor in Westwood, CA. I was always excited to go to work, it never felt like a chore… When clients tell me their tension has melted away or their mobility increases, it is so incredibly gratifying for me. Read more>>
Annika Baylis
In all aspects of life, my purpose alone is in Jesus! At Prickly Pear Coffee Co. specifically, it means that this business is my ministry! In Colossians 3:23, we’re reminded, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Every action you take—whether it’s brewing coffee, cleaning, serving, or talking with a customer—can be done as an offering to God. My work, no matter how “mundane” it may feel, is an opportunity to honor God. When I approach it with the mindset that it is for Jesus, I find purpose in every task because I am doing it as part of my calling! Read more>>
Randall Vaughn
I believe everyone receives a God-given talent, at the moment of conception- our job is to discover what that special talent is, and then uncover its potential. I am a creative first and foremost; every venture that I engage in must align with my creative desire, or else it won’t work for me! Read more>>
Sebra Debrecht
My path here has definitely not been a straight line. I’ve tested out many hats, but a driving force for me has always been making a positive environmental impact, even in my small way, and building something of my own. My love for gardening and my past experience as a floral designer kept calling me back, and I craved a creative outlet aligned with my values. This combination is something I couldn’t completely find in the corporate world, or elsewhere, so I decided I needed to create it myself. Read more>>
Laura Harstad
Growing up, the most important moments and experiences centered around the people in my life. For me, photography is so much more than capturing a great photo, it is about seeing people for who they truly are and celebrating the amazing journey that brought them to where they are today!
Through my virtual photography business, I’ve had the joy of connecting with people on all seven continents, and many of them have become friends. Read more>>
Hongsheng Jin
Finding my purpose has been a journey shaped by my passions and the unique opportunities I’ve embraced. From my early days as a model to my work in fashion and entrepreneurship, I’ve always been drawn to fields where creativity, discipline, and connection intersect. Read more>>
Rutger
Growing up, I never really knew what I wanted to do. I wasn’t bad at school—I went to a good high school in the mid to late 80s—but it just didn’t excite me. By the time I graduated, college didn’t feel like the right path. Instead, I decided to take some time off and explore. I traveled and spent about six months living on Mallorca and Ibiza and enjoyed the incredible energy of those islands. When I eventually came back to Amsterdam, however, I still had no real direction.
One day, I met this guy on the street. He was a couple of years older than me and worked in a hair salon. At the time, I had quite an eccentric look—a mohawk—and he asked if I’d be his hair model so he could dye it in different colors. We hit it off, became friends, and that friendship ended up changing my life. Read more>>
