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.

Christine Morrow

Curiosity and creativity are two personal traits that I recognized I possessed at an early age. These two traits are vital for guiding me in identifying my sense of purpose. As each decade of my life passes like chapters in a book, both curiosity and creativity have guided me when I confront change such as in career pivots or personal relationships. Read More>> 

Gina Fuentes

Growing up a devout Catholic, I basically learned that our purpose is to “love your neighbor as yourself,” but when you’re a kid, that kind of doesn’t register. You just live your own little selfish kid like and then when it was time to go to confession, you tried to remember mean things you did so you could do some rosaries and Our Fathers and be absolved. Fast-forward to . . . maybe late last year (2024) or early this year and I came across a TED Talk given by Emily Esfahani Smith. Read More>> 

Lori Hruska

I found my purpose in one of the hardest seasons of my life. After my divorce, I was a single mom with twins, staring at a future I wasn’t sure how to navigate. I had to find a way to create stability for my kids and independence for myself. That’s when I discovered laser aesthetics.

I didn’t have an easy start… there were licensing setbacks, slow days where I earned nothing, and the constant pressure of keeping the lights on while raising two kids on my own. But something happened in those early days that shaped my purpose: I realized my work wasn’t just about beauty treatments. Read More>> 

Lisa Kaszubski

I found my purpose by listening to myself rather than the external noise or societal expectations that surrounded me for most of my life. I have relied heavily on my intuition, and instead of ignoring it, I’ve become skilled at tuning in even when it means getting uncomfortable. I also have a strong moral compass, and if something didn’t feel aligned with my core values, I recognized that it wasn’t serving me or moving me closer to my purpose. I don’t believe purpose is static; I believe it evolves, just as we do. Read More>> 

Mia Soto

To clarify: I am still seeking purpose in life – simply because I believe that the development of purpose is an infinite process. As you continue to experience new places and people, you naturally enhance your foundation of purpose, and that builds character and humanity.

In my story, the foundation of my purpose comes from this overwhelming need to validate that little voice that remains buried in my heart. Be a beacon of hope to those who grew up/are like me. Be a representation for my ancestors. Read More>> 

Perry Aston

I don’t think there was one single “lightbulb” moment when I found my purpose—it was more like a series of lessons that kept pointing me in the same direction. Growing up, I was always taught to value people first. My family put a big emphasis on relationships, and that’s stuck with me. Whether it was school, sports, or my first jobs, I naturally gravitated toward connecting with people, listening, and finding common ground. Over time, I realized that building those bonds wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was the foundation for how I wanted to approach life and business. Read More>> 

Da’Shawn Catron

I discovered my purpose by leaning into my passion for youth development and realizing how much I wanted to inspire the next generation. Over time, I saw that storytelling could be a powerful way to encourage, guide, and uplift young people. That passion eventually led me to write my book, creating something that not only reflects my creativity but also serves as a tool to empower youth to see their own potential. Read More>> 

Caroline Carleton

I found my purpose through my own wedding. My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and watching his illness unfold gave me a profound understanding of how important it is to preserve memories — not just the posed portraits, but the fleeting, unscripted moments that can never be recreated. After my wedding, I realized how much I longed to relive those in-between moments, and that help create Carleton Socials. Read More>> 

Samantha Eller

I discovered my purpose through capturing the moments of friends and family. The way their eyes light up when they see their children glowing in photographs is what fuels my passion. Children grow and change so quickly—whether it’s their tiny toes, a sweet smile with a missing tooth, or the sparkle in their eyes when Momma tells a joke. Freezing those fleeting moments in time is truly something special. Read More>> 

Kat Collins

I didn’t find my purpose in creating art all at once—it was something that unfolded gradually, almost like following a trail of breadcrumbs back to myself. Art has been with me since I was young, but there were stretches of my life where I put it aside, either because life demanded other things of me or because I wasn’t sure if it mattered enough. But whenever I returned to it, especially during difficult seasons, I realized that creating was the one place I could truly process what I was feeling. Painting became a way to sit with emotions that felt too big or too tangled for words. Read More>> 

Rebecca Harris

In the fall of 2022, my father came to live with me. He was quite unwell after struggling with cancer, neuropathy, and a very difficult surgery for a ruptured appendix. It quickly became clear that Dad was much sicker than I had anticipated and that he would need more care than I could provide alone. With the help of a wonderful physician, we secured approval for him to receive hospice services while staying in my home. When we first made these arrangements, we had no idea how long it would last.  Read More>> 

Hannah Underwood

I’ve found my purpose in the people around me. I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason, and my story is living proof of that.

In the summer of 2024, my partner Leah and I moved to Clayton, NC. While we had talked about moving out of Raleigh eventually, it wasn’t on our immediate radar. But when Leah’s sister, Amber, found out she was pregnant that spring, everything shifted. Amber and her husband decided to buy their first home as they prepared for their little one.  Read More>> 

Joel Brown

This was one of the hardest parts for me. Understanding the why. Growing up I was always lost. Didn’t know who I was or what I liked doing.

Luckily for me I was introduced to a film production class in high school due to the counselor having a hard time placing me in classes due to my grades Read More>>

Payton Brianne

Honestly, I think my purpose sort of found me. I didn’t wake up one day and say, “I’m going to start an animal welfare nonprofit.” It was more like a series of experiences that slowly pulled me in.

It started with rescuing my own fur babies. Seeing where they came from and how just a little bit of love completely transformed them lit something up in me. Then I started fostering and volunteering with local rescues, and I couldn’t look away. After law school, I felt this deep sense of urgency and responsibility to do more. That’s when I co-founded Compassionate Canine Society, where we rescue euth list dogs and educate the public through our Empathy for Animals program. Read More>> 

Stoner Michael

As a musician, I discovered my purpose by first recognizing and understanding my unique gift. It wasn’t just about the music itself, but realizing how my talent could positively impact others that truly gave me a sense of direction. Seeing the joy and inspiration my music brought to people fueled my passion and gave my work deeper meaning. Read More>> 

Kale Batty

I grew up with parent’s who struggled with mental health and addiction. Naturally I fell into line. I used drugs with both my parent’s. Fast forward 15 Years 1 marriage and 5 kids and multiple incarcerations. I had just served 2 years and got out. I was mortified that I was going to go right back to what I was doing. I confided in my mother and had a breakdown with her about how absolutely upset I was with myself and where I was at in the world.  Read More>> 

Loki And Robin

For both of us here at The Trickster’s Apothecary, Loki and Robin, purpose comes from authenticity. As queer and pagan individuals, we were actively discouraged from pursuing our truth, in ways large and small. We made a deliberate choice to chase what spoke to the core of our hearts, whether or not it was the choice others would make for us. Nothing lights a fire in the heart like chasing your passions.  Read More>> 

Priya Sharma

Honestly, I found my purpose by constantly feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere else. I job-hopped constantly because I could never quite fit into the traditional agency mold.

I started my own creative marketing studio, Savera, because I kept meeting these kindred spirits who had cool ideas but felt like they couldn’t get people to pay attention to them. We were all trying to do something authentic in a world obsessed with vanity and formulas. Read More>> 

Skylar Shen

For me, purpose is never something fixed. It’s something to be uncovered gradually by paying attention to the quiet things that haunt me.

A lot of my creative work stems from a sense of absence: cultural disparities, silent confusions, personal stories that were never told out loud. I find purpose in excavating those spaces, by giving shape to the things that feel too complex, or too fractured to name, and theatre is the magic media that makes every part of me come alive.  Read More>> 

Jae Jung

I found my purpose in realizing that everything around us is a social construct shaped by those with power and platforms. Fashion is no exception and like many systems, it is controlled from the top down. This awareness drives me to create a world where marginalized voices, including my own, are free to express themselves on their own terms. Read More>> 

Amanda Overton

For a long time, I was searching for something that felt truly meaningful — a way to express myself while also connecting with others. When I picked up a camera, something just clicked. It wasn’t just about technique or aesthetics; it was about the feeling behind the image. The ability to transform how an image is captured and perceived—simply through subtle shifts in angle and lighting—is both fascinating and powerful. Read More>> 

Daniel Jackson

That’s a tough question. I think that we first need to establish what purpose is. Is it a mission someone gives you? A life’s goal you give yourself?

I’ve always wondered why people ask, “What’s your purpose?” I think the better question is, “What are your purposes?” Like why just limit your incredible self to one purpose? Sorry for getting nerdy and philosophical here (I can’t help it!), but humans aren’t one-dimensional.  Read More>>

Mikhail Brodovoi

I’ve been a tattoo artist for over 10 years, but the story began in my childhood. My mother, a designer, filled our home with art and inspired me to create. I spent my early years sketching, going to art classes, and later studying in an architecture college, where creativity was everywhere.

When I discovered tattooing, my family gave me more than just support — they gave me the first push. My grandmother gifted me my first tattoo machine, my parents helped me buy my first equipment, and my friends lined up saying, “Now you’re the one who’s going to tattoo us!” Read More>>

Shantal Garcia

I found my purpose in the beauty industry after years of working for both large corporations and small businesses where my hard work often went unrecognized and under paid. I decided to take a leap of faith and open my own business, where I could value my skills, knowledge, and dedication while creating the work environment I always wanted. Read More>> 

Daria Orlova

Finding your purpose is a personal process that comes through experience and reflection. For me, it was about understanding what brings joy and a sense of meaning, something that aligns with my values and interests. Often, it involves trying different things, learning from mistakes, and listening to yourself. Read More>> 

Catherine York

I discovered my purpose through a blend of faith, a deep love for art, and my own personal love story. My journey began when my mother gave me my first camera as a teenager. I was instantly captivated by the freedom it gave me to express myself and to capture moments exactly as I saw them. Read More>> 

Jiahn Kang

For me, purpose wasn’t a single moment of discovery — it was a gradual return to what’s always been in my heart. I’ve always been drawn to creating, but for years, I worked in other creative fields that, while beautiful, didn’t feel completely like home. When I finally allowed myself to slow down and listen, I realized my deepest joy came from making art that helps people pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves.  Read More>> 

Brian Smith

From the first day I can remember daydreaming, I knew I wanted to become a musician. It is a bit difficult to explain and it was hard to understand then, but looking back it is obviously clear.

Since elementary school my “shower-thoughts” were interviews and talk-shows, I processed my thoughts better through music than talking, and I felt most comfortable existing behind a soundtrack. I was told music should be nothing but a pastime or a passing distraction, but that always felt wrong to me.  Read More>> 

Dr. Polo Decano

I found my purpose through the realization that my childhood dreams were unattainable. However sad that may sound, that realization was coupled with an important recognition that has served as a distinct sense of purpose since I was 15 years old. My aspiration of being a professional athlete was unattainable because of a predisposition for dislocating my patella. The first time I subluxated my patella was in middle school (my left), which was more of an inconvenience that I worked through and did the physical therapy to recover from.  Read More>> 

Amber Garrett

I can confidently say I did not find my purpose. It absolutely found me. I was a shy kid who only sang in the church choir. I had more in me but only my mom would hear that. My mom even placed me in a parks and recreation voice class. I wouldn’t sing for that lady. Im sure she has no idea who I am to this day. It wasn’t until I was “accidentally “ placed in chorus my sophomore year of high school that my purpose started to chase me down. By senior year it was clear that my voice is the foundation of my purpose. I, now, flow in that. Knowing that my purpose is bigger than me, and it will have a long-lasting impact on others. I’m thankful for that! Read More>> 

Alexia Melocchi

I feel destiny brought me to my purpose. When I was a little girl in Italy I loved going to the movies and watching American television shows. I had a deep instinctual understanding of the power of storytelling and the effect it can have on individuals and society as whole. I got to move to America at the age of 16 and right after high school to work in Hollywood through a series of serendipities, synchronicities and my innate skill in recognizing the potential in an artist or story. Read More>> 

Angela Cooper

My colleague calls me the “Old Louisville Renaissance Woman,” because I live in Old Louisville and I am constantly adding to my toolbox of skills and hobbies. This is partly out of an innate hunger for learning and trying new things, but it’s aso born out of necessity.

I grew up with privilege. I am cis, white, and heterosexual, and I was raised in a nice, middle-class neighborhood. My purpose, as I see it today, is to use that privilege to help others. I found my purpose through lived experience, empathy, and a desire to make Kentucky, my home state and a place I love, a better place. Read More>> 

JB Hewell

How did I find my purpose? Honestly, I feel really lucky. I started a business called Development for Autism and Related Treatment—DART for short—and I get to do work that’s not only rewarding but also feels deeply connected to who I am. Working with children, especially those in the autism community, has certainly become a huge part of my life’s mission, or purpose, and I think when you have a certain skill set and genuinely enjoy using it, your purpose kind of finds you.  Read More>> 

James Lott Jr

I discovered my true career purpose later in life, after turning 40, and it was one of the most liberating realizations I’ve ever had. For years, I had been exploring different paths, trying to find work that resonated with me, but nothing ever felt like the right fit. It wasn’t until I embraced my own experiences, passions, and the unique skills I’d developed over time that clarity finally emerged. I realized that my purpose wasn’t about chasing what others expected of me or following a conventional path— Read More>> 

Trishawna Quincy

I spent years in corporate fashion, with most days sitting alone behind a computer. For my personality, this was not a great fit, and I was not thriving. My unhappiness pushed me toward deep soul searching. I wondered if I would have to abandon my fashion career altogether to find fulfilling work. Read More>>