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.
Sener Korkusuz
After having built a succesful tech business, I began looking for my next opportunity. I wanted to leverage all that I learned at Earth Skater personally working with hundreds small business owners, helping them to realize the business of their dreams. Along the way, I tackled many difficult programming problems, as well as navigating a few difficult to work with clients, and quickly began to find confidence in my ability to overcome the obstacles standing in my clients way, while gaining invaluable experience working with different business owners across the country. Read more>>
Steven VanDyke
It was November 8, 2011, when my pastor at the time Dr. Joseph L. Williams of Salem Bible Church sent me an email inviting me to a private dinner to consider joining a men’s group that he called “12.” His email said the following “I see a lot in you Steven, and a lot of what I see in you, you are unable to see in yourself. God has many great things in you and they are just waiting to come out and forth! I think this group will help you in and with that. It is my desire that you are receiving what I am saying because I say it with love, respect and admiration.” Read more>>
Qathryn Brehm
Growing up in Northern Wisconsin in the 1950’s, my family always had art projects that helped pass time during the long winters. My father worked in the photo department at the local newspaper and helped me set up a makeshift photo darkroom. I loved taking photos and entering in competitions were my first exhibits. Read more>>
Nicholas Jandora
I think I really found my purpose in life by continuing to do what I have loved since I was a kid. I always enjoyed movies and creating stories, and I was fortunate enough to be able to turn that into a career. I always looked up to certain directors and creators when I was starting out and they inspired me to pursue my passion in film. So being able to reach the level they have and become one of their peers really solidified that anything is possible. And now getting messages from people who say that I have inspired them to pursue a path in film really brings it full circle. Being able to leave a legacy no matter how small , is really the thing that drives me to continue doing what I do and bring a huge sense of purpose to my life. Read more>>
Tony Wright
It’s funny that you would ask me about purpose. I started in my career mindset very late in life. I knew from a young age I loved television and music but I realized where I come from in South Carolina there are not a lot of people who make it in the industry. At 25 years old I had to ask myself a question how would I become successful after the military? See I was taught to survive and not live in my dreams. I found my purpose when going back to college I knew I could be successful in the streaming services industry. Read more>>
Rsvpicnics
We are three close friends who bonded over the love of traveling and luxury experiences. RSVPicnics was born out of the isolation and trying difficulty that the pandemic brought to everyone worldwide! We decided that wasn’t going to halt our fun during this time. So by being “extra” on the beach, we would create “bougie on a budget” picnics for ourselves and soon realized the setups we created were something that people walking by looked on in desire. Everyone deserves a little luxury. We decided to create an exclusive service that would bring people together, creating cherished memories, by curating luxury picnic experiences. Read more>>
Sarah West
Growing up and throughout my time at school, I was always drawn to the arts. It took me several years after college to figure out how to best channel my artistic abilities into a career, but as soon as I got into interior design I knew it was my true calling. I love helping my clients bring their vision to life by transforming their home through custom furnishings and creating a design that is personalized to their life style. Read more>>
Jose Carlos
My purpose as a creative came from years of honing my craft, and constantly searching for meaning in my work. I’ve only recently discovered the true meaning in my path as a portrait photographer, It took a lot of fortitude in overcoming all the obstacles I came across just to get to where I am now. Some of those obstacles being feelings of unworthiness, indecisiveness, overthinking, social awkwardness, self doubt, amongst other personal mindset blocks that hindered my growth. On top of that, learning how to manage a business has been no small feat. Read more>>
Camry Reese
It’s really a full round story! My mother was a hairstylist, so the salon was like home number 2 and being in the salon all my life I made up in my mind that I didn’t want to be a Hairstylist. That’s what everyone wanted or expected me to be but little did I know it was going to be a passion of mine. Becoming I hairstylist was the plan that if all else fails that’s what I’ll do. I actually went to school for something that wasn’t even on my list then went straight into Cosmetology school and fell in love! The creativity, the science behind it all, the business, everything about hair! Read more>>
Olivia Simpson
As young as age 16 I can remember being a teenage mother. Even back then I was told I would be great! I wondered how I could still be great after this? All I’ve ever heard was getting pregnant at an early age makes all of your dreams impossible, Boy, were they wrong! As I grew as a young woman and new mom I began to think very hard about my future and what our life would be like. I knew I wanted the world for my son and I knew it would not be easy to obtain my dream life. Read more>>
Alexandria Higgs
I found my purpose because I didn’t see someone who looked like me growing up in my career field. I work in the music industry specifically behind the scenes an artist manager and consultant and although we exist we need more of us. Read more>>
Candy McBride
My purpose found me many years ago but I didn’t pursue it. That purpose has always been to be an entrepreneur. No matter how successful I was in my careers, I was never truly fulfilled. There was always something missing. I would dream of this life that I knew I couldn’t attain unless I had freedom. And for me that freedom was entrepreneurship. To have control over my own schedule, salary and location is heaven on Earth for me. Read more>>
Molly McCormick
I found my purpose simply by picking up my camera. It was truly love at first sight (no pun intended). My very first camera was a Polaroid that my mom gave me, I still remember the sweet sound of the film popping out. I was instantly hooked on capturing moments. My love for photography grew in college, when I would spent hours in the darkroom trying to get the right exposures. When I graduated in 2008, I volunteered at children’s village in rural Tanzania, and my purpose grew even deeper. I fell in love with the people, culture, and the wildlife. Read more>>
Tawnya cline
I have always had a desire to be a servant and help others. This started when I was a little girl. I thrive to see others succeed,, especially when I could play a part in helping them find things in themselves they never thought possible. I own two Nutrition Bars., Charged Up Nutrition Bar in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Nutrition Head 2 Toe in Scottsdale. AZ. Along with my husband Vince we have also helped many others to open similar facilities around the world. Read more>>
Mr. Darius L. Tigner-Jackson
God has given me several talents some I know of and some are there but yet to know what they are. There are two I will discuss off the top of my head. One, having the instrument of voice – I’ve been singing in my church choir since I was ten years old. Currently I sing with Big Bethel AME Church and Vincent Bohanan & The Victorious Army Atlanta Choir. I enjoy spreading God’s word and ministering to his people. Second, having the knowledge to help others thrive in today’s economic environment with employment, education, and lifestyle resources. In all of the my purpose would be helping and serving others and God helps and serves me. Read more>>
Nicole Navarro
Growing up on a thirty-acre horse farm in Western Pennsylvania, I learned to appreciate and respect animals, both wild and domestic from a very early age. My surroundings and environment nurtured that love and I was encouraged to explore the woods surrounding the farm and local parks. Read more>>
Stephanie Dreyer
Every since I was a precocious 8 year-old, I’ve had a sense that my life held greater meaning…I just didn’t know for what. I remember asking my parents about the meaning of life, and this feeling that there was “more”. All through my teen years and college, I recall having this nagging feeling about what I was meant to do with my life. In my early twenties, I had a fulfilling career, doing my “dream job” and still felt like I hadn’t nailed my purpose. Read more>>
La La Musiq
I knew at a very young age that I loved to sing and write songs. However, I was very shy when it came to singing in the public. My mother didn’t even know that I could sing as I always did it when no one was around. As I got older, I begin focusing more on music and songwriting but still didn’t have the courage to sing publicly. Read more>>
LisaMichelle Zega
Grieving my marriage of 23 years, the loss of relationship with my boys, and later the death of my fiancé’ all helped me discover my purpose. Allowing my losses to receive love continues to influence, motivate and shape my calling to reach out in a giant hug to heal both individuals and communities. One arm extends to individuals 1-1 and in group settings, helping people identify, name, and heal grief. Read more>>
Jonte’ Koonce
My purpose is all around me. It’s life itself. Every day is different so every day is an opportunity to tell a new or reoccurring story. I’ve seen so much and as a filmmaker, I feel like it’s my duty to tell these stories and share them with the world. Read more>>
Monique Russell
I was literally sitting in a therapy session and realized I was becoming whole. Right then is when I promised myself that I was going to assist others who maybe dealing with similar issues such as the traumatic identity crisis I was facing. Read more>>
Stephanie Gisondi-Little
From an early age I enjoyed interacting with people immensely and in elementary school, I loved helping my grandparents with their seasonal garage sales. They let me keep the money from everything I helped rehome and taught me to negotiate with fairness, that ultimately it was more important that a person should have the item than charge them more for it. Read more>>
CJ (Carlishia) Johnson
I found my purpose when I started trusting God and myself more. It’s one thing for others to believe in you, but believing in yourself is the key to your true happiness and success. I remember when I started doing hair professionally, all I could think of was “My Products” being on all shelves all across the word and I believe the world is about to witness it. Read more>>
Jacqui Lauko
I found my purpose in learning to love myself with the help of my animals. As I grew up friends would come and go but my animals were stable. They showed me, unconditional love, whether I was pretty, popular, successful or not. They were happy every time I saw them and they showed the most powerful affection toward me. That type of love is something I have rarely found in a human. I have many loved ones now but they just don’t know how to love as animals do. My favorite quote is “You’ll never love your dog even 1/2 as much as they love you.” -unknown. Read more>>
Tina Nguyen
Hello everyone, my name is Tina Nguyen. I’m a professional hairdresser and makeup artist located in Southlake, Texas. Thank you for having me and for giving me this opportunity to share my story with you all. How did I find my purpose? After I went through a dark time of almost 3 years. By the grace of God I realized that life is too short and is too precious to not embrace and live it to the fullest. I realized that God created us and put us on the earth, we all have our own mission and purpose. Read more>>
Nikki Santigati
How did I find my purpose? Honestly, through intense introspection of my life and one question. What does happiness to look like to me? The answer to this question may vary from person to person. Much like the definition of success, happiness looks different to each one of us. For me this question was never put in front of me. I had to be the one to ask this of myself. To truly sit with this perplex yet very simple question. Read more>>
Lisa D’Amico
Have you ever been to a place and it immediately felt like home? Wherever life takes me, I always want to come back to a small town in New York State. This is the place where I had my first art exhibit, where I sold my first painting, and where an awkward art student felt accepted. A quaint, little town on the Hudson River, that’s diverse, and welcoming, and where my purpose in life was first fostered. Read more>>
Jessica Sato
I love this question because I didn’t “find” my purpose. I figured out what I’m passionate about through a process of excavation and discovery. When you look at your life that’s still to be lived, it’s rare that you can see the through-line and what will be. But when you look back, that through-line becomes increasingly clear. Read more>>
D’Authentic Purpose
I always knew that I was meant for something great in life, I just did not know what it was. Hopping from job to job, from this career to that career. I was searching for my purpose. High and low. Years would pass me by. I was lost. I felt stuck in life. The beginning of 2018, I purchased a binder and began researching things on how to start a nonprofit, a clothing brand, how to become a motivational speaker, as well as how to set up pop-up shops. I started posting positive messages and quotes on my platform. Read more>>
Lathan Singleton
Well I found my purpose pretty early in the game. Growing up football was my life, I loved the game, the friends I gained from it and the identity it gave me. Playing football while living with Sickle Cell disease for as long as I did is not common or advised. My body began to break down, I was in the hospital more frequently and missing school, my ambition was strong but my body wasn’t, I ended up quitting football that year, I was 17 years old. Because of my life with Sickle Cell I was no stranger to adversity, overcoming obstacles and enduring pain was all I knew. Read more>>
EDWRDS
I think the beauty of a purpose is it’s constantly growing and morphing into something new and personalized for you. In the beginning of my life as an artist, i’d say the want to make the music that I witnessed bring people together fueled me. I honestly look back in awe of how many different tunes I was creating back then. As i grew up and experienced life as we all do, I experienced the highest of the highs and lowest of lows. Read more>>
Dr. Stacy Friedman
I think that finding your purpose for what you do in life and career is the recipe for success and happiness. It is what keeps you going every day when you love what you do and when it comes from a “why”. When I was younger, I was very open minded about sex and really enjoyed the subject so it allowed people to feel comfortable speaking with me about it all and they never felt judged so I knew I would want to do something in the future in this field. As I got older after having my first child, I had a very traumatic delivery, When I was trying to get back to myself and sex life post baby, I had horrible pain with sex where I could not have any penetration. Read more>>
Ebony Green
When I started working part time for a school as a certified speech therapist, my goal was to be able to make enough money in three days so that I could spend four days focused on being an amazing mom. But in just a few months, I realized that I’d been set up to fail. Not only did I need to work extra hours from home to get everything done, I was also only making about $20 an hour at the end of it all. Read more>>
Cynthia Ferngren
I always struggled with the idea of finding my purpose. I wasn’t someone born knowing what I wanted to do, nor did I have any natural talents. I was always someone who had to work hard for everything I got, whether it be ballet, school, art class — I was the one that had to work twice as hard as the rest of the group. Read more>>
Norris Dorsey
I found my purpose from my Dad because he spent his whole adult life in prison. When I was a young boy I was driven to be successful and being the best. I played basketball, but decided to go pro in education and get my doctorate degree. It took a great deal of reliance and great work ethic. I had a lot of self confidence and willingness to achieve my goals. My uncle Reggie had me write my goals down at 11 years and it allowed me to have internal success of achievement at an early age. Read more>>
