How did you find your purpose?

Aglaya Shadrina

Propose. I love this word, and I honestly cannot imagine a human life without it. I’ve always loved making a difference. When I was little and started playing the piano, I immediately thought, ‘How great would it be if every person played the piano?’ What a relief, happiness, and joy not only listening but actually creating and playing music brings. Read more>>

Sharonda Reeves

5 years ago after a very challenging divorce, I was forced to raise my 3 year old son as a single Mother. I had no direction, no where to turn , no motivation and no hope! I began to lean on my spiritual and religious beliefs for help. My biggest motivation was my 3 year old son at the time. He shared with me that he wanted a house with a backyard, his own room and a doggie. Read more>>

Kori DaCosta

From my experience I have learned that as we evolve through our lives, our purpose can, and will change at different turns. To find it, you have to go looking for it. But purpose can also find you. And for that to happen, you have to make yourself known. Read more>>

Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight

When I was in college, I wrote my mission statement: “Improve the quality of life for others in their near and far environments.” Since then, it has grown with me along my career journey and guided each step of my path. Read more>>

Jose Portillo

I found my purpose after graduating highschool. I wanted to dedicate my life to art in some way, since it was something that came natural to me and I enjoyed doing, I figured becoming a tattoo artist would be the best for me. Read more>>

Erin Kowalski

I found my true calling and passion after navigating life and caring for Bialy. She was my first paralyzed and incontinent foster dog that I had the privilege of caring for and loving with all my heart. I did a lot of trial and error of how to best care for her figuring out how to bladder express, what diapers to use, and what therapy and training she best responded to. Read more>>

Keeper Catran-Whitney

In 1977, my family made Billboard Magazine’s Top 100 for both album and a single. After years of living in poverty and often being homeless, we finally found our way out when Motown Records called. Days before we were to sign our contract, my brothers and I learned a dark family secret. A secret kept in our home for years. The secret was that my stepfather had been sexually abusing my four sisters for years and that my mother knew all along. Read more>>

Katrina Luther

Let’s start at the beginning. I grew up on a farm outside of Colony, Kansas. Our small, but big hearted town has a population of around 300 people. You learn a lot in a small town. Everyone knows everyone, you get involved in all the sports and activities your heart desires. My parents instilled in me at a young age that I could do or be anything I set my mind to. Read more>> 

Tracey LaGuerre

We have all heard the story about the fish that tries to climb a tree like the monkeys but a fish can’t climb a tree. The fish it would just flop up and down very clumsy with little progress. The monkeys might think that fish has no skills no talent!! But tree climbing is not a fishes purpose, that not their natural skill. If you put that fish in a river on the other hand just watch him go !  Read more>>

Jolie Dopa

Honestly, I started out as a singer/songwriter. It’s a completely different energy than being a fashion designer. I was all over the place emotionally ( as most musicians are. We are channelers and can feel energy so strongly) and all the while, I had a lump in my breast. My son was about 2 years old at the time and I was soo focused on “grinding”, I felt i couldn’t stop my hustle. I was obviously struggling mentally. Read more>>

Mack Brosious

I was tired of working for someone else, decided that I wanted to create a brand that would solve but also do some good in the process, so I created Hell and Back Co. Read more>>

Chuck Roy, MBA

I was hosting a fundraiser for Elevating Connections, a non-profit that provides programs for youth separated from their siblings by foster care. One of the youth read a poem they wrote for the Poetry Jam, an event where youth share poems they wrote during writing workshops. They young person said something along the lines of, “You take me from my home but you never teach me to write a check.” Read more>>

Andres Gonzalez

A few years ago i was working on another industry (Fitness) completely apart from the spirits industry. I discovered my passion to create products that create experiences in people houses. At the same time i wanted to ensure that my work somehow could have a positive effect in the environment (WWW.VIVACASASOUL.ORG). Read more>>

Toni Frio

I found my purpose through a journey of self-discovery that followed a period of significant change and uncertainty in my life. For most of my life, I had primarily identified as a basketball player, but when I faced trials and tribulations that led me away from that path, I was forced to explore new avenues and interests. Read more>>

Angelo Ray Martínez

I feel like I am still gradually finding my true purpose, but when I was in grad school for my Master of Fine Arts degree, I started praying for help to find a way of using my art as a means of serving God. Shortly after I graduated from the University of Illinois in 2016, I started teaching Visual Arts courses at Holy Cross College (HCC) at Notre Dame, IN, which is where I have been teaching since then. Read more>> 

Jasmine Peterson

I found my purpose by being my authentic self and identifying the things I care about. Purpose is all about applying your skills toward contributing to the greater good in a way that matters to you. As a child, I was able to embrace my innovative personality as a leader. I identified my excitement about hair, fashion and beauty at an early age, I always dreamed of being an Entrepreneur in the Beauty Industry. Read more>>

Michael Barbera

A 13-year old drummer in a rock band in New York City. Each year, our guitarist held a Halloween party in his backyard. Having a backyard in New York is kinda a big deal, so we took advantage of this real estate. One year, the guitarist’s parents were selling their home, so we couldn’t use the backyard for a party. Read more>>

Empress Heyward

I found my purpose while working with different women of all walks of life. I realized how positively I could impact them with makeup brushes and a listening ear. Not only am I boosting their confidence but I’m able to give encouragement for whatever situations they’re facing. Read more>>

Zhanrui Jerry Liu

My artistic journey began in my earliest years when I stumbled upon the sheer joy of doodling and experimenting with crayons. Those innocent creative adventures weren’t just fleeting moments of childhood fun; they ignited the flames of my artistic passion. As I continued to grow, my love for animation blossomed, though initially, I never thought of it as a potential career path. Read more>>

Dr Mary Welsh

After the loss of a child, you need to find a purpose in order to move forward. My daughter Susie loved life, kids, and helping others. Her positive demeanor and love of life enabled our family to find purpose by helping kids. Read more>>

Alexys Romo

My purpose is to take whatever knowledge I’ve gained, tools I’ve acquired, and gifts I’ve received and find a way to share these with my community. I learned this about myself at a young age, but it was deeply solidified once I began growing food. When volunteering overseas I lived in a small community with orphans and caregivers, and everyone on the property had to contribute to caring for each other. Read more>>

Olivia Farabaugh

I struggled with this topic for a long time. Often, we are under the impression that we were put on this earth for one specific purpose. We all have been given skill sets that allow us to participate in the divine plan for our lives, but I believe our purpose and how we can use those skills can change throughout our lives, even from day to day. For a while, I searched tirelessly to find my one true purpose. Read more>>

Kenisha Tiana

Through my inner child. During Covid-19, my employer at the time asked what was everyone’s purpose. Which is crazy because a week before this zoom call, I found myself saying “God, it’s unfair that ALL these people in the world have purpose… but I don’t” Foolish I know! Read more>>

Bria Harris

How I discovered my purpose and what I was meant for was actually by doing everything I didn’t enjoy and life lessons that were taught to me. Once I discovered to live life for what I wanted and not what everyone else thought that was best for me life became more simple and understandable. I now knew the path I been taking was my purpose in life. To become a teacher, and a inspirational leader. Read more>>

Mariana Monterrubio

Once upon a time, I was the person in school that people came to for advice. Friends, classmates, and even family sought my guidance, and I relished the role of the trusted confidant. Little did I know that my true calling was still hidden, waiting for the right time to emerge. Read more>>

Tarrance Johnson

That is a great question and I feel like I’m still somewhat finding my purpose. What is helping me figure it out is seeing how I react to certain situations or something in the media. I’m coming to the understanding that my purpose is to change lives. I’m not as fortunate but I know that there are people out there that are less fortunate than I am. Read more>>

Chris Scott

As life presents challenges, I’ve always been one to make it a point to keep in mind who I am, how I present myself, and the energy I give to others. With that sentiment, authenticity is of the utmost importance when I think of my purpose and whom I’m meant to be. At a time when I moved from NYC to SC, into a position where my competition became the people I served, I became the only source of information that allowed my counterparts to flourish in a commission based pay system. Read more>>

Rody Hawkins

I have always been excited about feeding people and meeting their needs. It became very real for me when the US military dropped ready-to-eat sandwich rations on the mountaintop to the Yezidis that were fleeing Isis. I knew that God provided me with expertise and opportunities to help others in a significant way. Read more>>