Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly, but so often folks live life without thinking about their purpose. We believe that thinking about your purpose and trying to identify what it might be is one of the most impactful things you can do to level up your life, career, and general level of happiness and fulfillment. Having a sense of what your why is will help you become a better decision maker which inevitably will improve your life. Below, you’ll find some interesting discussions, stories and perspectives around find your purpose.
Laurie Moulton
My purpose has always been firmly planted in creating a legacy for my family. My childhood experiences played a large role in framing that, watching and listening as my parents worked so hard to provide for my brother and I without a strong foundation or plan for what that meant for our future. There was a level of uncertainty and desperation, which felt profound, and shaped my thinking and decision making later in life. I knew at a very young age that building the framework for creating a legacy would give me a clear path in my life, a purpose, and ultimately allow me to create something truly special that I could share with people I adore and love. It would as well allow us a sense of freedom while fostering a deeper connection to one another. Something exceptional happened along my journey of crafting and creating a legacy for my own family: my definition of family evolved in the most incredible way through my experiences working alongside the amazing humans that I have had the pleasure to collaborate with, mentor and learn from. Read more>>
Mable Bullock
I found my purpose back in 1996 when I organize my first group cruise to Hawaii, it wasn’t until then that I realized that I enjoyed organizing and planning travel, every aspect of that trip just fell in place from start to finish, from then I went on to obtain my certificate in the travel industry as well as obtain certified certificates of specialty from various cruise lines, destinations and resorts and hotels. Read more>>
Natalie Bell
Finding my purpose has been an ongoing journey that evolved from my own personal experiences and the desire to create meaningful connections in a world that has become increasingly digital. Growing up and into my adulthood, I always cherished the moments of genuine human interaction. The idea for The City Social sparked when I realized how many people around me, including friends and family, struggled with the impersonal nature of online dating. We’ve become so accustomed to swiping left or right that we’ve lost touch with the beauty of face-to-face conversations and spontaneous connections. I saw a gap and felt a strong pull to fill it by creating events where singles could meet in real life, free from the constraints of screens and algorithms. My Instagram (@nataliebell9) reflects this passion for authentic connections. It’s a space where I share moments that matter to me and different perspectives and thoughts about love, dating, and relationships. I love to talk about love! The response I’ve received from my community has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming that there was a need for what I envisioned. Each event we host with The City Social reaffirms my purpose: to help people find love and friendship in the most organic and human way possible. Read more>>
Marissa Olberding
Finding your purpose can be about aligning your passions with your work. As the Director of Marketing for Golf Ranch and Blue Jeans Golf, I get to blend my passions of creativity and golf into a career that not only promotes a cool company but also makes the sport of golf more accessible and fun for everyone. It’s about using my skills to create a vibrant community and memorable experiences for people who are just starting to pick up the game as well as golf enthusiasts. By driving innovative marketing strategies and engaging campaigns, not only do we elevate the brand, but we also inspire others to discover the joy and camaraderie of golf. I know my role is pivotal in shaping the way people perceive and experience the sport, making it a rewarding journey both personally and professionally. Read more>>
Nicole Lynn
I can’t say that I found my purpose so much as my purpose found me. I’ve always been good with kids and have mentored girls in my family, so that was my gift. My purpose, however, found me through one of the most challenging times in my life. I entered the nonprofit sector because I wanted to be part of the change in my community. Unfortunately, I encountered an ugly truth about philanthropy that is rarely spoken of: implicit bias and racism. I experienced targeted racism from a manager. It wasn’t the typical microaggressions we often hear about, but a direct and targeted form of misogynoir that was extremely difficult for me to handle. During this traumatic experience, which caused my hair to fall out and led to the development of hand eczema—an autoimmune disease brought on by stress—I sought mentors to help me navigate this labyrinth of hatred while still finding a way to thrive. When I could not find a Black woman to mentor and help me through this, I realized the need for an organization that mentors Black girls and helps them develop the skills necessary for future success. This realization was the catalyst for founding The Collective Identity. Read more>>
Elle Horton
I found my purpose through life experiences and professional environments, realizing early on that helping others gave me immense emotional fulfillment. As an empath and intuitive person, I easily identify people’s needs and concerns, often before they do. My journey began as a wardrobe stylist in Atlanta while working in retail management. Over the past 20 years, I honed my listening skills and the ability to offer bold, non-judgmental advice. This led to being sought after for my guidance, turning one-on-one styling sessions and managing former staff members into clients. My purpose is to help others ignite the spark within them to find their own purpose. I am deeply committed to personal development and knowledge. In recent years, I have focused on emotional intelligence in leadership, realizing that leading with purpose is more effective than simply coaching for compliance. This understanding has been pivotal in my journey to discovering my purpose as a transformation coach and personal brand strategist and entrepreneur. Read more>>
Ghyda Helou
I found my purpose when I looked back at one of my childhood memories.
I remember cutting papers at school and I had a big smile on my face. I cut the perfect shapes, and noticed everyone else was struggling. Then I looked at my parent’s faces and they were so proud of me. Everything fell into place at that moment and during this phase I was finishing my masters degree in architecture, developing my artistic style and discovering whom I am as a creative person. What I noticed was that we are all cutouts, from a certain setting, environment, culture, background, and somehow we ended up being within a particular setting, during a particular time frame. And my love for paper cutouts and collage, became bigger and wider in range. I became interested in collaging moments, with diverse people in them. It felt like a bigger composition on a larger canvas. I have this phrase I always say to myself: My life is a collage, it’s the composition that makes it worthwhile. Read more>>
Chandy Vang
My desire to help others comes from a deep, dark, and sad place in my soul. I believe this to be an ancestral wounding that I’ve carried my whole life that has never been healed through an orphan wound from my father and of my people. My Hmong lineage is from a people who have been displaced for centuries from Chinese ancient civilization to the mountainous regions of Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and all over Southeast Asia. Therefore, this lifetime I have endured a very troublesome childhood and have been searching and yearning for a deep desire to heal myself and those around me who have endured generational trauma and ancestral wounding but it had to start with me, first. Read more>>
Margaret Coons
Food preparation and production has been a long-time passion of mine. Having been a vegetarian since the age of 12, and vegan since the age of 19, creating delicious, whole food alternatives to more conventionally available food products was a hobby that turned into a career. I didn’t grow up in a vegetarian family. So, I started to cook for myself at a pretty young age and got really interested in making vegetarian and vegan dishes. I attended Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario and pursued a degree in English Language and Literature. After completing my undergraduate degree, I shifted my focus to preparing plant-based foods and sharing my passion for vegan cooking with others. At the time, there weren’t a ton of products available for vegetarians or vegans in the market, and while the lack of products was obvious, the demand for vegan and dairy-free options has increasingly grown over time. This was when I combined my passion for food and the art of culinary experiences with my commitment to my dietary choices to create Nuts For Cheese™. Read more>>
Victoria Weddle
Modern Arc Wellness’ purpose started as an idea many years ago with two friends wanting to work together to create an environment of support, understanding, and healing for our clients. This started becoming more realistic over the years and feeling ready to take that next step. We both shared experiences throughout the years of burnout, hitting that glass ceiling, and powerlessness in our professional growth. That was a tipping point for us to decide to take this leap. Founding Modern Arc Wellness provided us an opportunity to create an environment that helped meet our passions for women while also helping others heal and grow. Both professionally with clients and other clinicians alike, we wanted to be a place where others could flourish individually even when we were no longer a part of their journey. Modern Arc is a place to help women thrive but it started with us giving ourself the permission to do that same! Read more>>
Devord J. Allen
I found my purpose through my spiritual connection. My faith helped me to establish the core values I live by and the principles of servitude through leadership. The core values are (Character, Integrity, and courage). One of the greatest things we can do is be of service to someone less fortunate. Showing empathy and compassion for what another human is experiencing is priceless Read more>>
Joe McGee
Life happens and often without your permission. The road to becoming a professional Santa and director of The Santa David Children’s Fund was a long and winding one. My half-brother, David Fordham, and I were born in a small cotton mill town in middle Georgia. Being five and a half years older than me his journey was somewhat different than mine, and as I reflect on it, he made sure it was. You see, he started working when he was only 10 years old by mowing lawns around our town in the summer, and bagging groceries at a local mom-and-pop grocery store in the winters. His efforts were to help our single parent mom feed and clothe us. He bought our first bedroom suite when he was only 11 years old. My first bicycle, a Western Auto Red Flyer, was the fruit of his labors. Needless to say, David and I were as close as any two brothers have ever been. Though he was the hardest working human I have ever met, his younger years were wrought with illness, yellow jaundice, rheumatic fever, and a heart murmur rendered him sidelined when it came to organized sports. Though he was blessed with athletic ability the doctors would not allow him to play. Read more>>
Dr. Emily Jacobs
One year after publishing my book, Life Your Life For You (Not Your Mom) January 2023, my life completely transformed. First, let me rewind. It all started around the birth of my first child in 2017. I was 38 years old, stable nursing career, new marriage, and new house. Life was good. And then….my ultimate longest dream came true, I became a mom! It was everything I could have hoped for! And yet, my heart felt torn. Am I done dreaming? Is that it? I felt selfish even thinking of another desire. If I voiced it out loud to loved ones, I was asked if I was ungrateful. And yet, I couldn’t quite my heart. That desire to dream and make an impact in this world (while being a mom) kept growing stronger. I just knew that dreams don’t have to end at motherhood. For years, I shared stories about the experiences and life lessons I learned from my challenging mother-daughter relationship. My mom constantly kept saying, “I gave up my life for my kids” (first with pride and later sounded resentful). I knew it would be my obligation to write a different story for myself. The strangest thing happened in my mid-thirties, people told me…“you should write a book about it.” That little nudge lasted seven years. Read more>>
Kathomi Maorwe
From a young age, I knew my calling lay in the creative arts. Whether it was performing arts, drawing, or painting, I was consistently drawn to expression through creativity. Growing up in Kenya, however, art was not widely considered a viable career path. Fortunately, my parents always had a camera handy, and I frequently used it to capture memories during school trips. During my college years studying Arts and Design, I specialized in product design, focusing on crafts such as pottery, leatherwork, and jewelry making. After graduating, I became a parent almost immediately and chose to dedicate myself to raising my three children over pursuing a career. It wasn’t until I turned 26 and received a camera as a birthday gift that I rediscovered my passion for photography. Capturing people’s expressions and emotions brought me immense joy, allowing me to explore new concepts and express myself artistically. The turning point came when I embarked on a mental health project during a period of severe postpartum depression. This project became a lifeline, not just for me but for others who resonated deeply with its message. By sharing my own struggles through photography, I sparked a meaningful dialogue on topics like depression, anxiety, and suicide. Connecting with others who found solace and empowerment in my project illuminated my path forward, revealing my purpose: to use photography as a tool for advocacy and empathy, fostering understanding and support through visual storytelling. Read more>>
Diamond Alessandra
Finding my purpose was a journey that began with an avid urge to do something that was outside of my environment’s norm. Whenever I tried to share my vision, it seemed too vast for others to grasp. This isolation from family and friends led me to discover parts of my heart and mind that I never knew existed. In this solitude, I began to hear my true thoughts and feel my genuine emotions with clarity. At the time, I was working at a job that felt like a dead end. Life seemed to offer nothing beyond this, and I felt trapped. One night, after coming home from work, I took a nap and woke up around midnight. I was overwhelmed with unhappiness and couldn’t stop crying. In that moment of despair, I felt a profound shift within me. I asked myself, “What is my purpose?”, and I distinctly heard God’s voice in my right ear saying, “Trust Me.” It was a surreal experience, but it made me realize that to discover my true purpose, I had to trust in both the God within me and the God above Since that moment, my journey has been challenging but enlightening. I have learned so much about myself and my purpose. The key to finding my purpose was to have deep understanding of myself, and allowing myself to fall in love with who I am. This required self-analysis and implementation of change in all aspects of my life, in particular, changing the environment I had outgrown, releasing the emotional traumas I was holding onto, and identifying and releasing the fears or belief systems that were hindering my growth. Read more>>
Wendie Taylor
As a former fat loss dietitian who underwent a significant transformation in my approach to nutrition and wellness, finding my purpose was a pivotal moment in my life. It all started when I reached the age of 40 and had a profound realization – I didn’t want to spend the rest of my days fixating on food and missing out on the joys of life. This epiphany sparked a shift in my philosophy, leading me to transition from prescribing strict plans to focusing on overall health and promoting a positive relationship with food for women in perimenopause. My path as a dietitian has evolved into one that prioritizes adding variety, never restricting nutrients, and embracing intuitive eating as the cornerstone of my teachings. I am passionate about helping women heal their relationship with food and their bodies, guiding them towards a more holistic and sustainable approach to wellness. My journey from a place of restriction to one of empowerment has not only transformed my own life but also allowed me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I work with. Embracing this new perspective has brought me immense joy and fulfillment, and I am honored to walk alongside women on their journey to feeling good in their bodies. Read more>>
Alicia Gordon
Discovering my purpose has been a continuous journey, and I find myself still navigating this path. As we undergo personal growth, our purpose also evolves. I firmly believe that my overarching life’s purpose is to embody a spirit of love, to radiate positivity in this turbulent world, and to extend unwavering support to my family and friends. The significance of understanding my purpose became palpable approximately three years ago, following the passing of my mother. This pivotal event prompted me to take a hiatus, relocate to a different state, and undertake a process of self-reinvention, including redefining my professional endeavors, in order to gain a profound insight into my purpose. Read more>>
Sissy Castillo
I’m a yoga teacher and studio owner by trade, but my passion and purpose is helping people feel empowered and make positive transformations in their lives through the yoga practice. I found yoga at a time when I was struggling with my own mental health and thought it was a losing battle. An inspiring woman taught me the yoga practice, and I learned I was worth fighting for. I found something that was too good not to share- and so my purpose became teaching and sharing the same practice that helped save me. The more involved I get the more I want to share. The more I learn, the more I can help others grow, transform, and get through their hard times as well. Read more>>
Tameka Anderson
I remember the first time I was introduced to the idea of purpose. I was watching an interview with Maya Angelou and she shared her mission statement, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” I was captivated by her words. I felt compelled to lean in and ask myself the question, ‘What is my purpose? What cause am I willing to pursue with passion, compassion, humor, and style I began researching information on how to find your purpose. I came across a book titled, “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren and I must say it changed my life. I took the 40-day challenge and I was hooked. I learned more about myself in that timeframe than I ever had before. My purpose is the help others learn how to hack disruptive behaviors faster so ironically enough, after spending 40 days reading and writing in this book, I realized that I could help others identify their purpose by asking one question ‘What has caused you the most pain in life?’ I realized that my purpose was at the center of what I found the most painful. Read more>>
Arlene Abundis
Thank you immensely for having me—it’s truly an honor and joy. The following quote by one of my favorite authors truly embodies how I found my purpose. All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was. ~Toni Morrison After staying home for over a decade to be the full-time caregiver of my children, I decided to go back to college. Initially to finish up my child development degree so I can teach again, but while taking a children’s literature class, I started a blog that connected motherhood and children’s books. Something so powerful ignited within me and a dream was born. Penning my own stories with a desire to not only see my culture and childhood experiences represented in traditional publishing, but heal wounds of never quite belonging. I became the first in my family to not only write a children’s book but also start therapy and heal generational trauma due to oppression, migration, and diaspora. Read more>>
Adam Bresina
Purpose comes from understanding what you want your life to look like; how you want to live your day to day. I found my purpose in hospitality at a young age. Something about the comradery, fast pace, and ever changing environment drew me in. From there it’s been a leveraging game, taking what I learned from the last restaurant and building upon it. I’ve been fortunate enough to work at a wide variety of establishments from fine dinning, to bar & grills. Each opened my eyes to new opportunities, until eventually the idea for Egg on a Roll was born. A new style of fast food that puts all of its focus on a singular, quality product. In this case, the humble egg sandwich. My purpose is to be a new style of hospitality where the employees feel a sense of ownership, our guests connect with us on more human basis, and our business partners get to share in the joys of an inclusive, innovative brand. Egg on a Roll was born from developing my own dream job that fit with my lifestyle. Taking inspiration from the gig economy, and giving it some more structure, we’ve been able to provide flexible work schedules, ample time off, and a great compensation package that allows us all to not only thrive in the work place, but also in our personal endeavors. I found my purpose by connecting with people through approachable, fun food. Read more>>
Daniel Coonrod
Purpose is a funny thing. I think too often people get very specific with their purpose. They want to be the best at something, or they want to find or create something. They seek to do something that will leave a lasting legacy. I too wanted to be the best at something, I was in my 20’s when I realized I wanted to be the best at Table Top Roleplaying games. the newest entry in a lone line of things I knew that if I just applied myself to I would be the best. I had created a new Table-Top Roleplaying game, and had even gone to a convention to run it for others and the feedback was all pretty decent. I told my wife that “this was it!” I had finally found my thing. Two weeks later, I would be in the hospital, recovering from a severe anaphylactic shock. Another discovery I made on the way to finding my purpose was my incredible allergy to Yellow Jacket Hornets. My wife, new born baby and grandmother had kicked up a ground nest of them, and I as a young man knew I had to take care of it. I found the nest and plugged the hole with a water hose. It was shortly after that I discovered that yellow jackets sometimes build two holes into their hive, incase lumbering giants arrive with a water hose pipe. The resulting swarm stung me over a dozen times. One even managing to sting me in my eye. Like the actual eyeball, in case you are wondering, yes it hurt, but not as much as you would expect. Read more>>
Michael Fleming
I think I found my purpose at an early age. My parents put me in music around 3rd grade and I started out with Tenor Sax. My mom was heavy into jazz and broadway musicals and my dad was into 60’s rock n’ roll so I was heavily influenced by that. Music made them happy. There wasn’t a cookout or birthday party that didn’t have a soundtrack to it so I think I knew early on music would be my purpose. So my parents put me in Alamo City Band Camp in the late 1990’s through middle school and I eventually joined the Central Catholic High School Mighty Button Band where I switched from Tenor Sax to Trumpet. Trumpet players had all the cool melodies and loud parts so I switched to that thinking it would be more fun. It was more fun but a lot harder to play. After High School I joined a local Ska band named Kevin Goes 2 College. We became locally famous and did 2 national tours. This is where I really knew I wanted to play for people on stage. Unfortunately the band broke up and we all went separate ways but I still wanted to do music professionally. The only place I could think to play professionally and get a steady paycheck was by joining on of the military bands. So I joined the United States Marine Corps Band in 2009. Now this was tough! One motto of the Marine Corps is every “Marine is a rifleman first”. So I had to go through Marine Corps bootcamp just like everyone else. I learned shooting, rappelling, hand to hand combat, and everything else needed to earn the title of U.S. Marine. After three long months I became a Marine and headed off to Virginia Beach, Virginia to train at the Naval Base Little Creek School of Music for 6 months. Read more>>
LaChanda F Ryans
I discovered my purpose by seeking guidance through prayer and the leading of Holy Spirit. My passion has always been to be used in the fullness of my purpose that God originated and intended for me to do here on the earth. To also be a beacon of light to help pull and push others towards their purpose and reach those that are lost and help them reach their full capacity in Christ. We all were meant to soar and be free. It’s a task, but definitely obtainable once you make up your mind. I get joy watching others find their purpose and helping them push through. I aim to always be reachable to share all of my resources, and connections that will continue to help others develop and keep pursuing their purpose while doing it all unapologetically. All you need is a yes and the will to move. Read more>>
Annick Thiombiano
I found my purpose in pain. Going through my deepest pain, sitting with it, feeling every bit of it, and then accepting it allowed me to find my purpose in life. At fifteen years old, I lived with my dad and stepmom. I had a biological mom and a stepmom, but my dad would not allow me to see them often. Sometimes, I was locked in the house alone, creating conversations with the rain, the wind, and the soil. I had one stepbrother and one stepsister from my dad’s side, but I felt different in the way my dad treated them compared to me. I felt unloved, unwanted, not good enough, and alone. This feeling grew when my dad got married, and my siblings were invited to the wedding, but not me. One particular period would change my life. This was one of the hardest and most painful times of my life. I was frequently punished physically and emotionally for things I believed I did not do by the person I loved the most: my dad. Walking two hours to school and back home was part of the punishment. Continuously hearing my dad tell me he would kill me was haunting. Feeling unloved, alone, and hopeless, I decided to commit suicide by taking medication. I swallowed a lot of pills, felt dizzy for some time, and vomited. The following day, I decided to try again, increasing the quantity of medication, but the same thing happened. Then, I decided to try once more, but I was interrupted by a voice that shouted to call my mom. Read more>>
Aly Bourne
Mostly Cloudy Paper Co. was born out of the feeling of clarity. It felt increasingly right to let my creative side fly. I don’t think that clarity comes easily, nor can it be forced. I had to experience all the jobs, feel all the discomforts, do all the thinking and take all the risks. I don’t feel like I’ve “arrived” at the answer yet, either. It’s constant learning, growing and feeling OK with the mistakes and the unknown. I’ve certainly arrived at my creative self, though, and that feels like a beautiful thing. On paper, my journey to where I am today may look disjointed and “lacking direction”, but the dots connect so clearly to me. I graduated from college in 2007 and it’s taken me from then until now to feel like I’m really on the path that feels the most fulfilling. Without all of the experiences in between, I truly would never be where I am today. Starting in fundraising for universities, to working as a pastry chef in bakeries, to designing my own greeting cards, it has been a wild ride. Not to mention, I moved from New York to Los Angeles, two cities that couldn’t be more different and started a family. Life in 2024 looks so different from life in 2015 or 2007! It has definitely felt like the harder way to go, but I’ve dreamed of working for myself ever since my first job out of college. I think we are all giant connect-the-dots pictures. We’re born a bunch of dots and as we grow, we connect them to form a beautiful picture of something more whole. It takes a lot of work and time and patience. I’m turning 40 this year and feel like this creative journey is still in its infancy. Read more>>
A-Wake
From a young age all the members of A-Wake have loved to sing. We never would have guessed that it would take us this far but we are glad it did. Growing up we each found various inspirations leading us further along our journey. We came across J-pop idols and were inspired by their energy and dedication. K-pop idols also inspired us with their hard work and determination. Both these different types of music, culture, and inspiration gave us a fighting spirit. We admired idols but never originally imagined becoming one. We would sing karaoke and occasionally join some singing contests for fun. Several people complimented our voices and told us we should form a group. There weren’t a lot of local idols around at the time so we weren’t even sure where or how to really start. However we were passionate and it was decided to actually make it happen. It started with Rina at the head and then Katsumi, Angel, and Victorica joining. We each took our own unique taste of idols and brought it to life. It all started by being asked to be a small part of a halftime show during a cosplay competition. Whilst seemingly insignificant, it was like a mustard seed growing into a huge tree. It was a small spark that lit a fire. Snowballing to having the courage to perform at small anime conventions and applying to perform at many more. Now we have grown to being invited to larger events! You never know what the future holds if you never try. Read more>>
Emily Garee
From a young age, I struggled with my skin, consistently battling breakouts and a lack of self-confidence. This experience sparked a profound curiosity and drive within me to understand skincare on a deeper level—to uncover not just what products to use, but how they work and their impact on the skin. Through relentless research and experimentation, I began to develop a comprehensive understanding of skincare ingredients and practices. This journey wasn’t just about healing my skin, it was about reclaiming my confidence and self-worth. Simultaneously, I cultivated small, meaningful self-care rituals that contributed to my overall well-being and enhanced my self worth. Between the two, I was spending a lot of my time researching, experimenting, and implementing. I was able to truly transform not only how I see myself but what I am capable of as well. In my research, I learned about the esthetics industry and everything just felt aligned and exciting. I took the leap and have never looked back. My advice to anyone looking for their purpose would be to embrace the struggle. I have found that these lessons as well as the little things in life that you enjoy are important to pay attention to. You never know how the smallest things that you find yourself gravitating towards could be a whole career. Read more>>
Imogen Pickton
Throughout my education I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do in terms of my career. I’ve always been creative so knew I wanted that to play a role in my future but didn’t really know what options were out there. My sixth form experience was quite different to what I’d expected due to the pandemic but that gave me time to look into different career pathways. I’d say ultimately I’ve found my purpose through freelancing and gaining experience within marketing. For me personal branding has been genuinely life changing so being able to help others to do that is definitely where my passion lies. I also hope to be able to help new marketers who were in the position I was! I love what I do and I’m really happy to have found a career that encompasses my interests. Read more>>
Nikhaule Martin
Discovering my purpose in life involved quite a bit of trial and error. Growing up, I loved to read and was deeply involved in my community through school, church, and the public library. For a long time, I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to pour into my community the way my community poured into me. After high school, I went to college with the intention of becoming an OB/GYN, but I quickly realized that wasn’t my path. I considered majoring in sociology, psychology, business administration, and other fields. It wasn’t until a conversation with my college advisor that I considered Public Health. With their guidance and assistance, I applied to the Public Health program at my university and I was accepted. Although I felt closer to identifying my career path, I was still unsure about what I wanted to do. I volunteered with various organizations in Chicago, completed internships and mentorship programs, taught Community Health to high schoolers, and managed an HIV Case Management program. I genuinely enjoyed the work and the opportunity to connect with the communities I served. Read more>>
Xingyu(Yves) Lu
Finding my purpose was an unexpected journey. Growing up, I loved storytelling but never considered film as a career. It was only during high school in the US, inspired by my host dad’s advice to “do whatever you want,” that I realized I needed to pursue my passion. I moved to LA without resources or connections, feeling excited and overwhelmed. I immersed myself in the local film community, attending workshops, networking events, and cold-calling potential collaborators. It was tough, but I learned the value of perseverance and self-reliance. The turning point came when we completed our first independent project. Seeing our hard work on screen was a revelation. My purpose became clear: to tell impactful stories and bring together talented people to create meaningful films. Read more>>
Shyia Simmons
I found my purpose in 2018 when I spoke at a public speaking engagement for young girls. After I finished speaking, many young girls came to me in tears to share their stories and tell me how much they admired me. That day, I realized my purpose was to teach and inspire. Since then, I’ve incorporated this mission into everything I do, whether it’s doing or teaching makeup or creating and sharing content or simply living my life and sharing the benefits of what comes from the things I do. Read more>>
Paige Potter
After high school, unsure of my career path, I ended up following my passion for the ocean to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where I learned how to scuba dive at a school called SeaXP. Instantly captivated, I pursued over 20 certifications, including underwater videography, to document marine life so I could share my encounters with family and friends. As I continued on I eventually became a Scuba Instructor, I knew that this would open many opportunities for me in the dive industry. As a Scuba Instructor, I found fulfillment but later realized it was just a stepping stone in my career journey. Over the course of a couple winters I worked as a Scuba Instructor in Nassau, Bahamas, where I discovered a passion for underwater photography in the dive shop’s photo lab. Eager to learn, I exchanged my time and skills for knowledge, learning basic DSLR photography and videography, as well as how to prep underwater camera equipment. Soon, I was shooting professionally, delighting customers with memorable photos and videos. Inspired, I returned to Canada determined to pursue a career in photography. Read more>>
Emily Bartscher
I grew up with my best friend, Megan, who used a wheelchair and had multiple disabilities. Megan was non-speaking and relied on adults for all her daily life and self-care needs. Despite her challenges, Megan and I formed a deep bond. She taught me patience, commitment, and love. I loved caring for her and providing opportunities to enhance her quality of life. We were friends from age three until her unexpected passing at 23. When Megan passed away, I was working as a nanny for a boy with disabilities. His mother expressed a desire to attend a movie but had no one to watch her son. My deep passion for helping those with disabilities, inspired by my years caring for Megan, led me to launch “care nights” in 2013. These nights allowed children with disabilities to come to my house for fun while their parents enjoyed a much-needed break. Over the years, I moved from a handicap-accessible townhome to a ranch home. Read more>>
Nate Guerrero
I believe my purpose has always been orchestrated for me. It was truly when I was willing to step into what is called for me, putting myself first and allowing who I am to stand tall, that I was able to activate what God had in store for me and my future. Living through the highs and lows, and continuing to grow, has refined what my purpose is. I have always been a self-starter, hardworking, and I love being able to pour my heart and soul into all that I do. This has led me to operate and run many businesses, which has been an honor. Over the years, I have led in various industries such as fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, and restaurants, acquiring numerous skills and talents that bring me joy. Two specific areas that resonate deeply with me are florals and photography. Focusing on operations over the years has allowed me to understand that while I excel in many areas, I aspire to excel in the one thing that will continuously propel me forward, allow me to dream, and derive joy from serving my customers. This was the birth of “Elevate Agency,” an agency that focuses on elevating and bringing out the best in people through photography, videography, and discovering joy through florals. Read more>>
Glenn Lewis
The start of me being intentional on finding my purpose started in 2016 when I was in jail. Before jail I was operating frivolously working a warehouse job as well as trying to obtain what I thought I would need to be financially free, so that I wouldn’t have to work jobs that did not bring me fulfillment. So while I was in jail I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do upon my release. I started reading a book called the “Prosperity Bible” and it spoke a lot about how creating the life you want starts in the mind and being intentional. What I took from that thousand page book was that if it comes to mind then I can create it. So it sparked me to write a book centered around the journey of life using stories from my own life. Read more>>
