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.

Ilona Seddik

How I Found My Purpose (Hint: I’m Still Searching, and That’s the Beauty of It)

The idea of “finding your purpose” often feels like a treasure hunt with a single grand prize waiting at the end. But my journey has been less about finding and more about continuously searching, evolving, and embracing the unknown. Let me show you how I’ve turned this search into something fabulous. Read More>>

Zara Silver

How did I find my purpose? Honestly, it’s always been inside me. Dance has just always felt natural—it’s something I’ve known would be a huge part of my life since I was little. But beyond dance, I think my purpose comes from love—loving my family, my passions, and the career I’ve chosen to pursue. And most importantly, loving myself enough to wake up every day and keep pushing forward, doing what I love, and creating my own path. Read More>>

Chris Montana

That is a big question, and it presumes I have found my purpose. I think that, like anyone, I am a product of my time on earth, and in that time I have been lucky enough to meet people from various social strata and racial backgrounds and failed to see any material difference between any of them. If we all are basically the same, then there is no reason why anyone of us should be denied the ability to be who they want to be. Read More>>

Nadia Zueva

Honestly, finding my purpose wasn’t some big dramatic moment—it just kind of unfolded as I lived my life. A couple of years ago, I was traveling a lot—like, over 20 countries in two years—with just two suitcases and no permanent residence. One of them, hilariously, was full of clothes I never wore. I’d pack these beautiful pieces, but they just sat there because I didn’t know how to mix and match them. Read More>>

Amita Chandekar

Finding my purpose has been a journey of discovery, shaped by my diverse experiences across different fields. From my early years in Mumbai, I was always drawn to the creative arts—whether it was through painting, acting, singing, or dancing. As a child, I loved performing and being on stage, and it was during this time that I decided I was going to be an actor.  Read More>>

Anita Reale

My journey into the food and farming industry began in the late 90s, when I started exploring a vegetarian lifestyle. This journey opened my eyes to how much of our food is compromised by chemical regulations and industrial practices that harm the environment and animals. I wanted to understand what it truly meant to grow food in a way that is both healthy for people and respectful to the planet. Read More>>

Nick Hughes

Growing up I felt invisible and overlooked. My teachers didn’t see anything exceptional in me, and my family didn’t really understand me. This was my reality until I had a life-changing moment while studying Art at the University of Colorado, Boulder. During a critique I literally had a teacher tell me that my work “belongs in a dumpster in some alley somewhere.” And after overachieving with no acknowledgement for so long, Read More>>

Ian Paget

From a young age, I’ve always enjoyed being creative. I was constantly drawing, making things, and entering competitions. One of my early highlights was having my ITV weather picture shown on TV. I also frequently won competitions, like designing tickets for my school’s pantomime. Those experiences brought me so much excitement, and the compliments I received gave me a sense of pride and validation in my creativity. Read More>>

Charisse Gibbons

At the tender age of 14, my journey to finding my purpose began. What started as a simple love for cooking quickly blossomed into a deep curiosity about desserts. I was mesmerized by the creativity involved in pastry arts—how a simple cake could be transformed into a breathtaking masterpiece by the skilled hands of a pastry chef. Read More>>

Sam Brown

I grew up in a small town of rural Missouri. At a young age I had an awareness of not fitting in the “box” given to me. I didn’t know exactly where it was I would feel more accepted, not until much later in my life. I did gravitate towards people who were known as “oddballs” or “challenging”. This was some of the first impressions of purpose for me.  Read More>>

Gunel Krishnan

Finding my purpose was a journey that took 16 years. Back in Azerbaijan, I was a TV host, a role that allowed me to connect with people, share stories, and be a voice in my community. When I moved to the United States, I faced the challenge of redefining my path in a new country. It wasn’t an easy transition, but over time, Read More>>

Mele Marchesseault

I volunteered in the emergency room during high school alongside my mom that was an ER nurse – this experience was very intense and heartbreaking to see so much tragedy all at once. It really takes a certain soul to help people in this capacity and I deeply respect every single person that works in this field.  Read More>>

Shelly Floyd

I found my purpose through a combination of personal loss and a deep connection to my family history. When I lost my mom in 2020, everything shifted, including my art. Creating textured, tactile works became a way for me to process my emotions and reconnect with myself. At the same time, I drew inspiration from my grandmother, who was a baker and crafted intricate wedding cakes using palette knives and piping bags.  Read More>>

Jorgonne Ellis

Life’s journey is filled with tribulations, traumas, pains, and trials that often test the very core of our being. Looking back in my life, my path has been one of profound struggle—yet also of profound transformation. From birth to adulthood, I have endured tribulations that many would find impossible to sustain because loving humanity at its best is very painful. But through every hurtful moment of pain, one truth remained steadfast: the divine intervention of Jesus Christ of Nazareth has the power to heal, restore, guide, and lead us to triumph. Read More>>

Niyh Love

As I navigated the challenges of adolescence, I noticed how beauty played a role in self-esteem and confidence. I observed friends and peers struggle with body image issues and insecurities. This led me to realize that beauty was not just about looking good; it was about feeling good and embracing one’s identity. This epiphany ignited a desire within me to use my passion to uplift others. Read More>>

Jill Hellman

It has taken me a lifetime of work on myself to find clarity on my purpose. I’ve had moments and inklings along the way, but it’s fairly recent that I feel I’ve put the whole thing together and understand how all I do is related. My goal is to live my life in the most intentional way I can, to be authentic and true to myself, and to pass that energy along to others. My work life now allows me to focus on healing, growth and transformation for myself and others. Read More>>

Graham Bmg

Finding my purpose wasn’t an overnight journey. Music found me first, growing up in church. It was part of my life’s rhythm, but over time, I realized it was more than just fun—I wanted to tell stories that inspire and create songs that resonate. That’s when I discovered my purpose: using music as a tool to reach the people and places I’d otherwise not be able to reach, to make people happy and spread joy. Read More>>

Giothaagoatt

Once I started to see that there was a need for a visual representation such as myself for myself, and those around me is when I realized that I needed to step up to the plate to be able to not only to carve a lane of my own and something that other people might be able to follow, and that they too can create their own and find something that works for them Read More>>

Vozz Rich

I was fortunate to discover my purpose as an artist after my 2nd child was born. Music became a much bigger part of our world as a family because I discovered how much sound and music impacted my daughter. There were songs that gave her energy, songs that helped her sleep, and songs that soothed and even sped up her learning.  Read More>>

Winter Love

I once held a limited view of my reason for being and what I was called to this earth to do, which kept me from seeing, feeling and sensing my purpose. And since there’s no instruction manual or purpose coordinates, I looked for it everywhere except within. Read More>>

Lilly

Growing up as an empathic child sensing the energies in my environment. I come from a lineage of psychic mediums, where spirit communication was a natural part of life. My grandmother, a gifted medium, shared stories that fascinated me. I admired her ability to connect with the other side and secretly wished to follow in her footsteps. Read More>>

Crystal Desai

Music has become throughline in my life without me ever knowing. It’s only recently when I’ve reflected on my life that I realized this. Since I was a kid, it was something that I was always curious about. Then in highschool, I finally look a leap of faith and decided to try at singing and be more involved in music. Read More>>

Dr Adriene Berkeley

Honestly, my purpose really started to take shape when I was 12 years old. I had bacterial meningitis, and it was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I was in and out of the hospital for six months, and there were moments when I almost did not make it. That experience opened my eyes to just how complex and fragile life is—especially when it comes to the brain and how it controls everything. Read More>>

Sebastian Schiff

I think I am at a point in my life now where I have a firm grasp on my purpose, and I am steadfast in that mission and dream. Along with being an artist, my day job is as a behavioral therapist for people with disabilities. I’ve been working with this population for over 8 years. I’ve ben a practicing artist for six years.  Read More>>

Carrie Wynkoop

all the time, right?” and I said “yes, is this an intervention?” She laughed and said no but did I know about an amazing wine school right in Portland that I might like to take classes at. I looked into the Wine & Spirit Archive, took one class and was hooked. I was already helping my partner with his business but it wasn’t my passion. About halfway through my first certification course I knew that I wanted to be in the wine industry. Read More>>

Phil Kendro

In two ways:

My parents divorced when I was five years old, and each summer my mom would send me down to my grandparents to “live in a normal life”, but I am sure also to have some time away without a kid. Spending my summers in Jacksonville, Florida with my grandma and grandpa (a Navy Veteran), they taught me about kindness, cooking, house maintenance, and lots of patriotism. It was grandfather who developed a sense of community and need to serve one’s country. Read More>>

Tina Williams

I’ve always believed that deep down, each of us has a purpose tied to the gifts we naturally share with the world. For me, I discovered mine when I was working in the banking industry and saw firsthand how many aspiring entrepreneurs—especially those from underserved communities—were getting turned down for loans and funding. Read More>>

Manisha Lad

2002 when I went to the doctor with our only son Akhil lad when he was 18 months old. The doctor gave the diagnosis of Autism and I was told there is no hope he might speak late or he will never speak . He will also live a dependent life that’s where I found my purpose as when my inner conscious mind told NO. That’s where our Autism Journey started. Read More>>

Dakri Lukowski

Finding My Purpose Through Shielded Hearts Clothing Co.
Life has a way of shaping us through experiences, challenges, and the people we love. For me, my journey to finding my purpose wasn’t a straight path—it was carved through faith, resilience, and the roles that define me: a military mom, a law enforcement mom, an epilepsy mom, and above all, a Christ follower. Shielded Hearts Clothing Co. wasn’t just a business idea; it was a calling, one that came in the midst of life’s biggest transitions. Read More>>

Symphonie Chanel

My purpose emerged through my journey with Multiple Sclerosis, which began at age 14. At first, I didn’t fully understand the diagnosis, so I didn’t feel its impact until my early twenties. At that point, it began to feel like a significant limitation—so many rules, medications, sensations, and seemingly no way forward. Read More>>

T. Francis

Purpose. A seven-letter word. It’s so simple in its stature. In real life, purpose is what carries you through deep terrain. One part of me would say that I stumbled upon my purpose, to a degree, and resisted my purpose. But another part of me would say that purpose found me. I accepted the assignment. In this human life, it’s so unfortunate that sometimes we have to break parts of our being to ignite our purpose. Read More>>

Adam Gabriel

My Purpose… that’s a strange concept, really. I guess I feel like my “purpose” Is still a mystery to me.
Music is my Passion, my obsession, my one constant love in this life. But the word “Purpose” implies that I was made to do something, like a shovel was made to dig, and it also implies a maker, and I m not sure that I believe in such a thing. Read More>>

 Stacey Blackwell

My purpose with writing was rooted in my vibrant imagination and my unique childhood experiences. Growing up as the only girl, I had to entertain myself, which sparked my creativity. Writing became my escape, a way to channel my thoughts, emotions, and ideas, while reading brought me comfort and clarity. It seemed like my passion for storytelling was always a part of me—something natural and therapeutic that evolved into a powerful purpose to create stories that connect with and entertain others. Read More>>

Paul Bestolarides

For me, purpose is an ongoing exploration with no definitive end. That said, every story I have delved into has reshaped my understanding of this question upon completion of the project. There’s a natural curiosity in exploring subjects that hold personal meaning, and any experience can shift your perspective. Read More>>

Lauren Brown

I discovered my purpose early in life, growing up in Chicago during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. My siblings and I watched our incredible mom manage our household while working as a teaching assistant and community advocate. She taught us that people are precious and that serving others is the right thing to do. She also showed us how to be the change we want to see in the world. Read More>>

Kendra Sharpe

I found my purpose by getting out in the world and DOING. I have always loved fashion and pop culture but never really saw it as a career until I started picking up freelance work styling I knew this was the job for me. It meshed everything together that I love to do. I love working with people and helping them feel good in their clothes, seeing a creative vision come together, and seeing art come to life.  Read More>>

Verana Bailowitz

I have always been drawn to the idea of searching for purpose. The quest for Truth and the hero’s journey have always been archetypal stories that have touched me and oriented me to the cosmology of the human soul seeking its highest path. Since I was very young I held these curiosities about purpose close to my heart and allowed the questions themselves to steer my path forward. Read More>>

Marlene Everhardt

I am a CODA (child of deaf adults). My first language is that of American Sign Language. Spoken language came later for me. Being a CODA gives me access to a community of other CODAS, one in which we bridge the communication gap between the hearing and deaf communities. This dual exposure has given me a deep appreciation and a strong sense of identity rooted in both the deaf and hearing worlds. Read More>>