How did you find your purpose?

Core to our mission is helping our audience and community reach their full potential and the most important part of reaching your full potential is starting to find your purpose. Below, we’ve shared stories and insights from the community around how various folks found their purpose and we hope it helps you in your journey.

Anabel Dollente

At a young age I had a unique gift to sense and understand the emotions of both people and animals. Whenever someone was treated unfairly or subjected to pain, I felt it deep within my soul. I remember watching infomercials that would support children in need and call the 1-800 numbers to donate money, but I didn’t have any money because I was just a child, so I would cry because I wanted to help so badly. Read more>>

Ella Sky

I found my purpose when I began to see the happiness and smile I brought back to many of my friends and family as I began to do their makeup. It felt good at that moment I realized m life purpose is to help others see their beauty from inside and out. Read more>>

Meko Bowden

God put me here to inform everyone the importance of health and since I love fitness and taking care of myself I wanted to spread the knowledge how health is the new wealth. Read more>>

stephanie hoyte

Finding my purpose was a life journey. I had to reflect on my past life and what i love to do and what makes me happy. Being a single mom and going through a very toxic relationship i had to find me again and my purpose in life, because at one point in my life i had lost me and i had to find me again.
Listening to myself even when friends said No, I said yes and did it anyways. Read more>>

Nannette Prevost

I found my purpose after the loss of my husband to suicide. Hello, my name is Nannette Prevost, I’m an RN, CEO and Founder of a nonprofit called Remember Me NFP. I am a surgical nurse of 37 years and a widowed mother to two boys. I have been a surgical nurse my entire career in the operating room of an urban hospital right here in Pinellas County, Florida. Life-Changing Event
Families often wonder why their loved ones take their own life; I know why. Read more>>

Dr. Jonathan Haynes

I found my purpose after overcoming multiple suicide attempts at age 14,18,20 I’m 27 years old now and when you go through something so traumatic like that you start to realize it’s a reason you’re still here and so I found my purpose after my third try and I haven’t looked back. Read more>>

Luci Long

Throughout my journey as a college student, I often struggled with knowing what my purpose was. I always felt that I had to follow a certain path that I had planned for myself at a young age. I quickly realized that finding your purpose can take a lot longer and a lot more experience than you imagined. I also came to the realization that your purpose doesn’t have to be just one thing and it doesn’t have to be something that stays the same forever.  Read more>>

Laurel Baker

Finding my purpose as a business owner and jewelry designer is a story that starts with my dad. A Vietnam special forces veteran who used his skills in diving to treasure hunt along the coast of Florida, South America, Costa Rica, Mexico as he collected gemstones and learned jewelry-making along the way. Read more>>

Eleftheria Karakatsina

As the owner of Greek Superherbs, I am often asked about how I found my purpose in creating this herbal tea business. It’s a story that resonates deeply with my personal journey and the values that drive me. Read more>>

Christeena Burks

Believe it or not, I discovered my purpose while navigating through a rough time in my life. I had always wondered what I was purposed to do, but I had no idea that the discovery would come while I was making the difficult decisions that were necessary at the time. I had a business that I loved that I needed to set aside to focus on some personal aspects of my life. I never realized how hard it would be and how it would affect me.  Read more>>

KC Williams

Growing up a PK (preacher’s kid), I learned quickly how to multitask and/or wear multiple hats. In wearing multiple hats, I had to sing in the choir and on the praise team, usher, play the drums occasionally, help clean up the church, work on events etc. Being a ‘busy body’ and always in ‘grown folks business,’ what was given to me as a task became fun. Read more>>

Kamilla Silina-Fayz

Discovering my purpose became a transformative journey as I wholeheartedly embraced every aspect of myself, including my insecurities. Instead of shying away from them, I recognized their potential and harnessed them as a powerful tool to authentically share something that holds profound meaning for me. Read more>>

Carleeka Basnight-Menendez

Purpose is a journey that is continuously evolving everyday. I always had a heart to serve and empower people. Excited to see them win and accomplish their goals. My purpose was discovered after sharing my story of one moment, one surgery that changed my life forever. I was only 30 years old when I was told the only option I had was to have a total hysterectomy.  Read more>>

Shunderia Thomas-Knox

My purpose didn’t come easy, I grew up in a family of hard workers and entrepreneurs. I always had some creativity in me you know. I remember as an adolescent I thought I would be an artist or maybe even a teacher. I had a natural talent for creating and designing things as well as working with people. It took me a while to put my passion and purpose together. Read more>>

Aneesah skinner

At Media Ink, our purpose was discovered through a journey of passion and exploration. We have always had a deep love for photography, videography, and graphic design, recognizing the power of visuals in storytelling. Read more>>

Bettina Grzeskowiak

I have always had an internal desire to help others even as a child. As a young adult, I was struggling with health, finances and family situations. I noticed that many people around me also had their own struggles in different areas of their lives. I also noticed that there were not many organizations or individuals to turn to in times of need. I made a decision that I could reach out to families in need. Read more>>

Genesis Gonzalez

Discovering my purpose has been a transformative journey filled with challenges and deep introspection. Instead of allowing obstacles to discourage me, I consciously chose to prioritize fulfillment and purpose above all else. I came to understand that true fulfillment stems from aligning our passions with our actions, rather than solely chasing monetary success. Read more>>

PRE$HA

I found my purpose the day I quit working at AT&T . Last year I thought it would be best if I went into a field where my marketing degree would come into use. I was only there for a month and as I’m doing the training and learning more about the company , something hit me. They hired me to sale for them, to market for them, to make their customers feel special every time they came into the store, yet I realized that I was helping them build their dreams and putting mine on hold.  Read more>>

Hollywood Homecoming Weekend

The story of Hollywood Homecoming Weekend begins with a shared passion for education, a deep sense of community, and a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of underprivileged students in the Los Angeles area. It was through personal experiences, inspiration, and a commitment to inclusivity that our purpose came to fruition. Read more>>

Karen Lossing

My path to education started with one child – my son. He had learning challenges while younger and many of his earliest teachers were quick to say they couldn’t help him. My shock inspired me to do all I could to make sure he had the same tools as the other children to be successful in school. Read more>>

Lilie Morris

After completing several massage therapies along with specific techniques, to pregnant women especially those with underlying issues. I began to notice several women within my community, who needed pre and post natal help during some of their most vulnerable part of their lives; pregnancy. Various testimonies of successful births and symptom-free mamas, encouraged me to pursue a career in healing with massage therapy. Read more>>

Jessica Lenden-Holt

I found my “why” at an early age which has allowed me to align my career, hobbies, volunteer work, and passions with my purpose…making a positive impact on the lives of children.

Wether it is through my work as a speech-language pathologist, Read more>>

Shay OmyGod

I find my purpose in other people, I see there’s a need for good people. Good people have good vibes and they know how to make others feel good about themselves. Good energy is contagious! I am the modern day woman who loves, I want to win back my happiness & Joy! I want to Love without Fear & Live life to the Fullest! I love being an entrepreneur, I own a 360 Photobooth company called “Spotlight 360 Photobooth”, I am a Host that goes by the name “Shay OmyGod”.  Read more>>

Myron Roberson

I found my purpose in cooking. As a young boy, I grew up watching my grandmother cater for years. I still remember the day that she finally let me help. As I became older life happened. Then I started my own family. One day while cooking, my wife watched me, as I did my grandmother. Something inside of me sparked. My passion for food ignited once again. Read more>>

Jalia Pettis

I found that my purpose was tied to the things that I was passionate about. As an adolescent I knew that I always wanted to be an entrepreneur in fact that was something that was innate part of me being surrounded by strong women in seeing my mother and grandmother. The struggle that takes place in finding your purpose is because we have been taught as Gen X that work should feel like WORK and not be something that you enjoy doing. Read more>>

Kristine Drummond

I realize now it was always inside of me… from birth. I believe it’s inside of all of us. I ignored it for many, many years and it wasn’t until I was in my late 50’s that I actually picked up a paintbrush and started my painting career. I had no idea what I was doing or how to paint, but I did have an overwhelming desire to create through art, and the more paintings that I worked on, the more and more passionate I became about art.  Read more>>

Kendra Lewis

I’ve always know that my life has purpose, but up until a few years ago I didn’t know what it was. Finding my purpose has been a process that’s included anchoring my identity in Christ, knowing my worth in Christ, prayer, and allowing God to heal me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Several years ago, I heard Bishop T.D. Jakes say that your passion will lead you to your purpose. Read more>>

Jennifer Willen

I always thought we create our own purpose, but sometimes our purpose finds us. I t always believed my destiny was to be a journalist and help others tell their story.

After having children, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and my son was diagnosed with autism later that year. It took me some time to realize that this was all for a reason. I was really meant to share our story and help others who face the same challenges. Read more>>

Aimad Ajjane

Discovering my purpose came as a result of personal experiences and the challenges I faced as part of an interracial couple. Society often projected doubts and negativity onto our relationship, warning us about the potential hurdles we would face due to our cultural differences. However, instead of succumbing to these discouragements, we chose to forge ahead, determined to prove that love knows no boundaries. Read more>>

Debbie Chamberlain

I found my purpose by realizing that I wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of children who were experiencing similar challenges to what I had experienced. I knew that I wanted to create meaningful and effective tools that could teach kids how to manage their BIG emotions. This led me to start Myndfulness Matters, a company that focuses on creating books, and story kits that promote mindfulness, not only for the child but for their entire family. Read more>>

Savy The Creator

Finding your purpose at times can be very, difficult when you have a multitude of gifts that you would like to share with the world. It was a matter of choosing which gift to tackle first it becomes the purpose of why you are committed and can my purpose to others one day change the world. I found my purpose in my spiritual journey, and witness so many people asking and needing help. But was at times turned away, to witness this it formed a silent heart break for me.  Read more>>

LAUREN WILSON

My number one purpose will always be “mom” and “wife”. They are the most important jobs I will ever have. When my job a chef wasn’t working for anyone in the house it was time to figure it out. Covid had hit and I was working in a busy hospital as a chef. I knew I needed to get out as soon as possible and I was listening to Gary V stuff on TikTok, and he asked: what is one thing you can talk about for 30 minutes easily”. Plants, Landscapes, Shrubs, Perennials! Read more>>

Kristopher Ray Bolleter

I’ve always let my passion define my purpose. The obvious caveat being that my passion as a creative also needed to be capable of providing value to clients worth exchanging money for. I was very fortunate to have grown up in the dawn of the internet, circa 2000-2007. As a “Myspace Kid” I fell in love with customizing the web and the code that made it possible. That fortunately provided me with a number of “creative outlets” to explore as my career path, championed by what I loved doing, creating user experiences and the brands that shepherd them. Read more>>

Andrea Paquette

Andrea Paquette found her purpose in life and career through her personal experiences with bipolar disorder and the challenges she faced. Dealing with her own mental health condition from a young age, she went through periods of struggle and sought help and treatment. During her journey, she recognized the lack of awareness and understanding surrounding mental health, particularly bipolar disorder. Read more>>

Kaniya Lindsey

Since giving my life to Jesus Christ in 2020 I became curious about my purpose in life so I asked God through prayer and God revealed to me my purpose was to help others specifically help them grow closer to Him. Read more>>

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