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.
Kim Taylor
Finding one’s purpose in life has been a deeply personal and spiritual journey. While I don’t have specific information about your individual circumstances, I can provide some general guidance on how I discovered my purpose. Here are a few steps that might help you find your purpose in life: Read more>>
Mona Elyafi
I didn’t find my purpose, it found me. I think all the signs had been there for a while, I just never really paid attention. It took me a few years to put two and two together and realize that early on, I was essentially predestined to work in the field of Public Relations. As a child I paid very close attention to presentation and image. I spent hours crafting the perfect letter to Santa. I would start with my “pitch” explaining how good I had behaved all year long, and how well I thought I was doing at school, which (in my mind) justified the “Wish List” that ultimately was to follow. Read more>>
Jaden Wright
I found my purpose as an esthetician because of my strong desire to help others feel confident in their skin. Nothing is more powerful than a confident person. It affects all areas of life– work, relationships, productivity, everything! My greatest satisfaction is helping my clients see the beauty in their skin, no matter where they are in their journey or how close they are to their goals. And seeing their confidence grow at each appointment gives me so much joy and reminds me of my purpose as a skin revision therapist. Read more>>
Adam DiMarco
Finding your purpose is all about intuition, feeling. You may know your purpose and be working towards it one day at a time, or still be looking for it. Waking up everyday with a fresh mindset is immensely important, taking time to sit with yourself and reflect on if your day to day actions are truly leading you closer to your purpose. One day might be resting and recovering, while another is checking off our to-do lists, both lead us closer in the right direction. Read more>>
James Jackson
I feel like finding my purpose is a daily activity that I do better at some days than others. I find purpose in connecting with people and especially through being creative with friends and other artists. I find purpose when I reflect on the lessons and wisdom I’ve received from the people in my life and by learning to count my blessings and appreciate every moment I get to spend with the people I love. Read more>>
Nadia Kaminskaya
When I was 16 years old, I started my own tutoring service. As I saw my business growing, I soon recognized the crucial role of branding in attracting new clients. Yet, to my dismay, most companies I approached regarding website creation disregarded me entirely, citing my age and budget as limiting factors. This experience inspired me to learn about marketing and the intricacies of branding. Read more>>
Jezelle Araiza
I honestly woke up one day and I realized all I wanted to do was to live a happy life, make people feel good and never dread another work day ever again. When entering the beauty industry I had no idea what I wanted to do. I thought I needed to be good at everything, I quickly realized for myself that I could find ONE thing I was really good at and as long as I was passionate about it, I would let my passion fuel me. Connecting with my clients is the most important thing I can do, brows just comes second. My purpose is to connect, build relationships and make people feel confident and beautiful. Read more>>
Bianca Shane’
It’s funny how we can search high and low for something that was in our faces the entire time. I searched high and low for clues that would lead to the person I was meant to be. Who was I? What would be my legacy? Where do I discover it? What will I do with it? There was no yellow brick road that led me to the land where purposes are born. It was right in the palm of my hand: a pen. Read more>>
Brandi Johnson
I found my purpose by deeply opening my heart to Christ & God giving me the vision to help single parent families like myself. Being a single parent can get really hard at times. When I really went through a rough time of raising my daughter, God was the ONLY person I could turn to. I immediately went into deep prayer and asked God, “what is the purpose of me going through this situation?”, so God really showed me my purpose over the years of being a single mother. Read more>>
Erica Russell
I discovered my love for accounting when I took a class in high school. That’s when the light bulb came on and that’s when knew I wanted this to be my career. I’ve always had a fascination with numbers and have always done well in math, so accounting seemed like a perfect fit. I went to school for accounting and business and have worked in the industry for over 25 years. Read more>>
Aly Modleski
Finding my purpose as an artist has been a transformative journey filled with challenges and moments of clarity. From the earliest days of my life, I have been drawn to the world of art, expressing myself through painting since I could hold a pencil and later markers and brushes. However, growing up in Ukraine, an economically struggling country in the 1990s, I harbored concerns about the uncertain path of a “starving” artist. To address these concerns, I pursued a “real” profession and obtained a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance, diligently climbing the corporate ladder for a while. Despite pursuing a different career path, my passion for art never wavered. Read more>>
Nicky Pitman
I have always longed to be in community; to be part of something bigger than myself. Summer camp was where I first found connection, meaning, and the desire to make the world a better place. That may sound a little hokey, but it made this only child feel like I belonged. My professional background began in theatre. I’ve worked as an actress, director, writer, producer, and educator. Read more>>
Gavin Larsen
I really didn’t find my purpose– it was there from the day I was born. I became aware of it gradually, as I began my discovery of ballet. The more I learned about the world of dance and theater, the more I was exposed to it, the deeper became my fascination with it. It was my world; I just knew it. Read more>>
Sonia Petecka
First let’s start with defining what purpose means. Read more>>
Kristin Revere
My purpose was always about supporting women. I pivoted from my focus on supporting women in politics to supporting women during pregnancy and as they navigate early parenting. As a planner, I thought that by taking childbirth classes, reading books, and hiring a nurse midwife I could have the pregnancy and birth I envisioned. That didn’t happen when I developed preeclampsia at 37 weeks and was put on bed rest. I was induced at 39 weeks and ended up with a baby in the NICU. My kids both had trouble breastfeeding and I had to seek out lactation support. Read more>>
Elisha Ashford
In all honesty, I believe my purpose divinely snatched me by the hand! I’ve always been the “advice friend” and passionate about all things beauty. I believe that God’s simple hints in my past revealed His purpose for my life which came with further confirmations. As a child and well into my adolescence, it was my responsibility to groom myself. I found peace and joy in trying elaborate hairstyles and new mascaras. I found myself enwrapped in the beauty world, especially in middle school. Read more>>
Elijah Patchen
I keep finding my purpose with each new day that I embrace. I think that there are many facets to one’s purpose and that they develop and change over time. The more time I spend with God whether that is in prayer, in his word, talking to him, worshiping him, or admiring his beauty and creation which includes not only nature but also those around me like my family and friends, the clearer my purpose is. My purpose is to love God, love others, and live out what MOYLOM stands for. Read more>>
Douglas Kenney
So, I found my purpose during the global pandemic in 2020. My name is Douglas Kenney, by the way. I’m based in Phoenix, in Arizona, but I’m originally from the mountains of Colorado. I lived in Estes Park for most of my childhood, from birth until I was 14 years old. While living in Estes, I was diagnosed at age 4 with autism spectrum disorder and unspecified mood disorder that was later re-diagnosed as Bipolar II. Read more>>
Matthew Stuart Piper
Hello! I believe the meaningfulness of our lives derives from our influence on other lives. But the happiness of our lives comes from the happiness we bring to others. That is the source of my purpose: to make people happy. The truest joys in life are a result of what we give, and not receive. Given what many seem to think, this might strike some as paradoxical, but I couldn’t be more convinced of its validity. Read more>>
Minnie Erickson
Minnieology®️ Gifts started accidentally several years ago when Minnie wrapped gifts for close friends with milestone birthdays. The project ended on the back burner, with her event planning corporate job demanding the focus. When she left her corporate job in August 2018 to focus on her health and building a family, she was inspired to start Minnieology®️ up again when putting together gifts for two best girlfriends turning 40. They are busy working moms, and she wanted to make them feel loved and special on their birthdays. Organically, she started to decorate the interior box flaps to add a personal touch. Read more>>
Julie & Jon Hamm
Jon and Julie have always loved animals. Jon started breeding fish when he was a young boy. Julie has always loved working with animals and has a deep passion for riding horses. Neither of us could have imagined we would be breeding French Bulldogs. Jon is a PhD and works in Toxicology. Julie has a Masters in International Development and has spent years working with non-profits abroad. Read more>>
Tamara Nelson
Had someone told me during my childhood that I would become a mental health therapist, I would have never believed them. Growing up I first wanted to be a veterinarian because of my love for animals. However, as I got older, I found myself wanting to follow in the footsteps of my mother, who was an English professor. My first major in college was English literature. After a while, I discovered that I wasn’t interested in pursuing a career related to my major; it was merely an academic field in which I excelled. Read more>>
Faizah S. Carr
I’m not sure we actually “find” our purpose, but I believe we create it. I believe we design it in some way, day by day, by engaging in the things we enjoy putting effort into. Read more>>
Julie Smith
I grew up completely oblivious to environmental problems, in an oil industry family that didn’t really see a problem with that. In my late 20’s and early 30’s, I began to learn about our environmental problems, mainly out of a concern for running out of resources as our population continued to grow. I became fanatical about recycling and at least keeping everything in a circular economy. Read more>>
Dr. Valencia Moses
I just had a major breakthrough about whether or not to stay in school to finish my degree when I saw an opportunity to volunteer for a location non-profit. I met great people and connected with their cause. The director apologetically shared that they wanted to be able to pay me for the workshops I would lead for them, but they did not have any grant money. I loved the chance to create customized content so much that it did not mind that I would not get paid. Read more>>
Jose Calabres
I think this question has many answers, not just one. Perhaps the answer is millions, because “a purpose” doesn’t exist as a general rule, but rather each person has a different purpose that we often confuse with other more social things, like the responsibility of having a job, a family, or any other things that are actually measured by others and not by ourselves. I suppose that as social animals, we always try to belong to the herd and be accepted by it, which always leads us to seek acceptance in any way we can. But that doesn’t give us purpose. Read more>>
Dr. Lauren Leiva
Dr. Leiva is a multidimensional Doctor of Physical Therapy who merges ancient divine wisdom with modern medicine. Dr. Leiva connects mind, body, spirit, and heart, and truly embodies sacred healing; healing that addresses and pinpoints every patient need. Dr. Leiva identifies both the physical and energetic forces of the human anatomy in her Physical Therapy work. Combining both physical and energetic medicine has supported her large variety of patients, from hometown families to NFL players. Read more>>
Danny Kievit
From a very young age I wanted to put others first. I was raised by my mother along side with my brother. She was a single mom and she had many jobs that she worked to keep food on the table for my brother and I. One of them was as a respiratory therapist, and she worked the night shift. I, as she said, was the man of the house and I took that as my responsibility. With this I found my passion to serve and to lead. I wanted to make sure that we did the things that were needed to make her life easier because she was so good to my brother and I. My memories are of helping my younger brother with the chores and trying to make things good around the house. Read more>>
L. Dolphin Brown
I was persuaded to take television news as an elective, and while I didn’t enjoy being in front of the camera, I fell in love with the behind-the-scenes work. I went on to study video production and other visual arts at a magnet high school and then was accepted into Savannah College of Art and Design a year early where I got my BFA. I spent my time there honing my technical skills and being exposed to creative influences. Read more>>
Jaime Krueger
Throughout my life, I’ve struggled with taking risks. I’ve always wanted to play it safe when it comes to careers and other major life choices. My parents taught me that good choices and responsibility were top priority. That isn’t all wrong, but it also held me back at times. That feeling of needing to stay in a box of safe choices changed when I became a product of corporate healthcare burnout. Read more>>
MADALYN petit
I am a hairstylist and salon owner who has recently launched a revolutionary salon concept that seamlessly combines booth rentals and commission-based employment for our stylists. Our aim is to provide them with the freedom to run a successful business while still enjoying their craft. Read more>>
Donna Sidwell DeGracia
My parents were missionaries so I grew up believing that my purpose in life is to make a difference in the world, to leave it a little better than I found it. That doesn’t mean I am a missionary. Far from it. I have struggled to find my place, my voice for change. I have always been an outsider. Growing up, I did not look like the children around me. I lived in a place between cultures where I didn’t belong to either. Read more>>
Joshua Crump
My purpose first comes from God. I believe that there’s a calling on my life to lead. I realized a long time ago that people gravitate towards me. I can utilize that gift for something positive or negative, and I choose positive. At J Crump Productions, we capture visuals that last a lifetime and bring people together. Read more>>
Elizabeth Sloas
Firstly, I don’t believe that we are simply given one singular purpose in our lives. I think that we are given many and that branching out throughout can be something that actively brings more passion and purpose into our lives. But, how did I find my purpose? For now, I find that creating and painting is something that genuinely brings me joy. It brings fulfillment into my life. I think the one thing that made me realize that I wanted to pursue painting and art as a career was that I could not put it away. Read more>>
Kaila Yim
My purpose in life is really pretty simple; to love God and love others. Everything I do, say, and create flows from that. Read more>>
Tanisha Naughton
I found my purpose when my mom was diagnosed with having diabetes. She was taking a lot of different medications that were not working and I wanted to figure out a way to help her. I began looking into eastern medicine, more natural ways to get rid of her pain. I started making us herbal teas and incorporating vegan lifestyle. Read more>>
Kevin Williams Sr.
By attending a Historically Black College and University (Huston-Tillotson College) Read more>>
Sebastian Sanchez Cortes
Everything started with tennis. I was luck to have my parents support me to play tennis at a very young age and later become a professional tennis player. Being on the professional tour helped me develop discipline and resilience. Skills that allowed me to create a successful business that’s the favorite top rated pizza place in downtown Tampa. Read more>>
Kathleen Day Gomez
That’s a hard question to answer, but a very important question. I used to think my purpose was tied to my talents. It wasn’t until my late thirties that I realized my purpose is something more interwoven into my innate passion and interests. Underneath my writing and art and curious photographic eye has always been my obsession with the great human story, and I’ve always been happiest when I’ve focused on the beauty even amidst adversity. Read more>>
CJ Hoty
There has always been something really special about creating music and pushing that out to the world- even if it’s only a few people that find kinship with it. There is this inner need to create something creative and unique and then play it in front of as many people as possible to share a piece of yourself. Read more>>
Julie Garlejo
I believe I am still finding purpose but at least I know the direction where to go from here. I have always been in love with art, when I found out my passion for photography, it was a way to show the world the way I see everything. From a regular morning coffee table to weddings. Read more>>
Karina Sayler Toth
Ever since I was a young I have always had a close relationship with God. I believe my purpose in this life is to be a positive role model, uplift and inspire others whenever and wherever I can. I started out as a worship singer at age 7 which then evolved into modeling and having a social platform. I strive to present myself as a child of God. I want to make a difference in this world utilizing a variety of avenues. Read more>>
Jenny Wang
I was born and raised in Beijing. I immigrated to Houston in 1991. I graduated from Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership of University of Houston. I had always been working on the restaurant’s side of the business as a student, so naturally, I was offered a “restaurant’s manager” job after I graduated. It was different running a restaurant in the real-world compared to working at our “magic-kingdom-like” Hilton College. Instead of setting a goal to climb up the managerial ladder, I was only frizzled by the daily operational stress. Read more>>
$adflcko
I feel like I found my purpose when I was introduced into writing/rapping. I developed my skill by being really aware of my emotions and being able to put my emotions and experiences into poetry and into my songs. Also by overly obsessing about constantly wanting to be better and improve my craft. The point I am at now my work ethic is just embedded into my head, quitting is no longer an option. Read more>>
