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.

Mika Reyes

In essence, the loss of my grandmother helped me discover a deeper sense of purpose. It reminded me of the impact one person can have and motivated me to make a positive difference in my life. That’s when I began to go inward. Through deep meditation I began to rediscover myself. Read more>>

Penny Husted-Gamm

I think my purpose developed out of interest and God-given passion, that thing that makes your heart beat just a little faster. As a post-graduate adult, I found myself very interested in the power of photography to transport a person to a different place, and its power to tell a story in one single image. Read more>>

Jaylon Deion

I found my purpose as a Creative by putting my faith and trust in Jesus Christ. By allowing him to use the gifts and talents he placed in my life. It’s hard to find your purpose when you lean on your own understanding, it’s so much better when you follow Jesus’ will for your life and he will show you your purpose and how to walk in it! Read more>>

Tales Ordakji

For the incessant search for utopia for a better world through art. Through art, which is a powerful tool for transformation, it is possible to generate reflection and understanding about other points of view on the same subject, making human beings see the complexity of human relationships and the complexity of what it means to live in a society with all its rules, mistakes and successes. Read more>>

Paulina Noemi Bylard

When I think of purpose, I picture my long-term career goals since it took me a very long time to feel courageous enough to take a step towards the one thing I wanted to do, which was writing. Unfortunately, a career in the arts was not viewed in a pleasant way in my household, which led me to feeling pressured into doing something I did not care for whatsoever. Read more>>

Emily Barnes

My purpose has been something that has changed overtime but one key factor has stayed the same and that is my love for community. Finding purpose can be as simple as doing something that brings you happiness. My love for community started as a teenager volunteering in various programs then to an adult leading a donation drive. Read more>>

Los Angeles Facials

We both loved skin care as early as 12. Both suffering from acne as teenagers propelled our interest, but we knew from a young age that we loved making people feel better about their appearance because we both knew what it was like to feel self conscious about your skin. Read more>>

Bryley Michael Bell

I found my overall true purpose through many different chapters of my life. But firstly, starting at a young age, I felt like I wasn’t quite normal. Something inside of me was different than most. Coming from an acting family, with both my parents and cousin being in the Entertainment Industry in Hollywood in their prime days, acting in both Television & Film, I felt the blood flowing through my veins growing up in a household of actors, a fire burned within me, I couldn’t help but want to create art and follow in the direction they all went. Read more>>

Francesca Escarraga`

I’ve always known at a young age that I wanted to become an artist and work in the entertainment industry. I grew up watching a wide array of films – from Hollywood classics to animated films to international films, all of which have profoundly shaped the way I see myself and the world.  Read more>>

Delvin Barnes

I’ve always been an avid anime fan ever 1996. I wanted the latest merchandise of my favorite anime series and shows, but they were only sold oversees and not in the sizes for their U.S. fans. So, I’ve decided to do something about it. The name of my business is Kidd’s Playground, and it is an Anime T-shirt and Apparel store.  Read more>>

Jack Druffel

I would not say I found my purpose; my purpose has always been staring at me in the face. With time, I connected the dots of my passions and carved my path to where I am now. Ever since I was a kid, I had an inkling I would do something creative. Always imagining new wacky inventions, such as daydreaming about having a rocket-powered bicycle or having the power of telekinesis. Read more>>

Alissa Olmos

Baking has always been a passion of mine. I turned to it in times of stress, happiness and sadness. Something about baking has always been so comforting to me. Most of the time it wasn’t the outcome that I was satisfied with but the process of it all. During my twenties, I was in and out of college but never completed a degree. Read more>>

Lital Meloul

My purpose actually found me. Hi, I’m Lital – an herbalist, lightworker, Usui Reiki practitioner, sound healing facilitator, guided meditation and chakra alignment instructor, and the creator of moonlightREMEDIES. I founded my company during a personal struggle with anxiety and persistent headaches. Read more>>

Payal Sharma

Growing up in India, the pressure to pursue a career in IT or another technical field was undeniable. The pressure to follow the well-trodden path of IT loomed large, a constant hum in the background. It was like everyone around me had a pre-written script for their lives, and mine felt frustratingly blank.  Read more>>

Kelley Coleman

I think we all have the same purpose: our purpose is love. We lean in to and support and elevate the things we love. I serve my purpose by doing things that I love and that serve the people and things I love. I write, I create, and I advocate. Read more>>

Tristan Knight

I found my purpose in middle school one day, watching one of my classmates write rhymes in his notebook. Read more>>

Tony Omotayo

My purpose didn’t come from a deliberate search; it actually found me through a series of experiences that shaped who I am today. Throughout my journey, especially including my time playing basketball overseas, I often found myself as the only one in the room who looked like me. Read more>>

Alshiminia Alexander

Honestly my purpose found me if that makes sense haha. I didn’t know my purpose honestly, opportunities just kept presenting itself and I just stayed humbled and appreciative. I was at an event almost 3 yrs ago my very good friend introduced me to her cousin who’s in the movie industry, at the time I was a model coordinator, Ms Deb asked me if I ever thought about being a wardrobe stylist, I chuckled and said not really, she stated Mimi I think you should give it a try. Read more>>

Valerie Hansen

I found my purpose by deciding to learn some new tech skills in blogging, content writing, digital mktg etc , while I was working as an educator. In the process I created a blog and my own brand. Fast forward almost 10 yrs later: I’ve worked with 150+ travel and lifestyle brands, tourism boards, PR agencies and fashion companies. Read more>>

Alejandro Aguilar

My purpose started And grew with the love of my family, specially with the expectation of a beautiful baby girl named Isabella. My older sister had complications in finding a place where pregnant women like her could enjoyed for themselves during their gestation, like massages and facials. Read more>>

Arletha Orr

When life throws you lemons, you make lemonade! Every obstacle we face is not to tear us down or put us in a sunken place. Sometimes when we go through things, it’s to reveal our purpose… to show us who we are and who’s we are. Going through things in life can be challenging but how you handle it, determines your outcome. Read more>>

Gena Kearn

Finding my purpose as an artist and art educator is something that has emerged and evolved over time. My love of art started when I was a child. Art was something that I just seemed to gravitate toward, but it was a love that was also inspired by my maternal grandmother who was a self-taught oil painter. I grew up admiring her work and hoping to be like her someday.  Read more>>

Collin Hoffman

Discovering my purpose has been a transformative journey, one that I love to reflect on. It was about two years ago when I found myself feeling unhappy and unfulfilled. This introspection led me to a profound realization about my purpose on this earth. Read more>>

Lynne Newton

I think finding purpose and even understanding what the word “purpose” means within the context of life is something that takes a long time to fully grasp. I never really understood the deeper meaning of what the word purpose meant until I was in my late 40’s. For me, purpose means, what can I do to make an impact within my daily routine? Read more>>

Kathy Taylor

I discovered my purpose through a journey of self-discovery, focusing on understanding myself and how to better serve others. I learned to recognize my triggers when dealing with leaders or authority figures who seemed cold, rude, or bothered when communicating. I was determined not to emulate their behavior. Read more>>

Dallas Sleeman

Finding my purpose and my passion has been a life long journey punctuated by multiple careers and an ability to tune into the realm of intuitive guidance. Landing in my current role as a holistic financial life coach was not something I ever could have imagined, and yet, I now can’t imagine doing anything different. Read more>>

Alison Elsberry

I began remembering my purpose at a very early age, when I realized the loving woman I clearly saw and played with everyday near my toy box was Mother Mary. Despite not growing up in any religion/church or being exposed to any spiritual practices or beliefs, I truly knew who she was in my heart. Read more>>

Ellen Craine

I find my purpose each day through intuition and the life experiences and connections that the universe puts before me. There is recognition that I have the choice of how to respond to each event that comes before me and that choice influences the outcome. An example of this is going through the cancer journeys that I have experienced: my 21-year-old son’s, at the age of 11; Read more>>

Cecilia Revan-Hernandez

My life purpose now is obvious, but it wasn’t always that way. I lived most of my life in survival mode, navigating an alcoholic father, abuse, food insecurity, numerous evictions, and ultimately homelessness. When I graduated from university and landed my first finance and accounting job at an advertising agency, my life slowly transformed for myself and my family. Read more>>

Tara Angeles

“What can I personally do to improve my chances of conceiving?” I heard this question over and over from patients during my time as an IVF nurse at one of the top 20 fertility clinics in the U.S. While I supported hundreds of couples through the IVF and IUI process as an IVF nurse, many couples still went home empty-handed and broken hearted and this question I received so frequently helped spur a new journey and purpose for me. Read more>>

Kalea Sanders Wright

My journey to discovering my purpose in social media management has been quite unique and fulfilling. After earning two Master’s degrees—one in Public Administration and the other in Criminal Justice—and spending several years working in Corrections, I realized that my true passion lay elsewhere. Read more>>

Rebecca van Bergen

Eighteen years ago, I embarked on a journey to found Nest, a nonprofit organization. Today, that organization is supporting artisans, makers and creative entrepreneurs in 127 countries bringing needed income to over 380,000 people and supporting more than 1.6 million family and community member beneficiaries. We have a staff of 32 and active partnerships with over 35 brands and retailers. Read more>>

Alison Prato

It’s widely known that 1 in 6 people experience infertility in their lifetime. Despite these high numbers, they feel ashamed and alone. It’s my passion to normalize infertility and help people feel supported through their journey. Because we had a relatively easy time having our first child (Ever), we were confused, devastated, angry–you name it, we felt it–when we experienced four miscarriages the second time around. Read more>>

Ambir Moore

I’ve always been a child of the Arts! At a young age I developed a love for literature, music, science and drama. I was always attending a summer camp that focused on those areas, I even attended one that focused on promoting girl leaders. Thanks to my Grandmothers influence I started speaking at various church and community events. She always supported me in everything I did and believed in my dreams.  Read more>>

Weston Fuller

Finding my purpose is still a part of my ongoing journey. With my experience on my path, there is not a finish line in life…. the line just keeps moving. I’ve had success and been acknowledged for my creativity, but the art world and creative industry is constantly changing and redefining the role of a creator. Read more>>

Madeline Eve Pregulman

I don’t believe we “find” our purpose… Our purpose is something that is inside of us all along, within our Soul. For a while, before I understood this, I would seek, and try to wrack my brain to figure out my purpose… This got me no where. Read more>>

Daisy Garza Jardine

I found my purpose after witnessing the struggles my Mexican immigrant parents faced in the real estate business. They had difficulty finding someone in the mortgage industry who spoke their language and could clearly explain the steps and process. This inspired me to join the business and become a financial guide, helping many others navigate the journey of purchasing a home. Read more>>

Srinjoy Gangopadhyay

As a fine artist, I cannot help but feel that this profession chose me rather than the other way around. From a tender age, my path has been intertwined with the art world, thanks to my father, a renowned artist himself. Read more>>

Sherrie Beckstead

Purpose. We do not have just one purpose in our lifetime. I believe that with each challenge in life, we have the ability to find purpose, as well, with each gift that we receive in life, we are given the ability to find the purpose of that gift, and how we are to share it with the world.  Read more>>

Kimberley Jeane

I found my purpose through a journey of exploration and connection. After feeling blocked and uninspired in my marketing career, I left it to travel and explore the world. I met people from various backgrounds and all walks of life who inspired me with their stories and showed me that there are no boundaries in life. Read more>>

Heatherlyn Music

Did I find my purpose or did my purpose find me? 😉 My sense of it is both intrinsic and extrinsic, but believe me, there have been many challenges along this journey of answering the call of music that have lead me to deeply doubting if I have purpose at all – even a reason to live. I love this question because it gets to the existential heartbeat of the everyday living of one’s purpose. Read more>>

MeShawn Churko

I found my purpose through crystal healing, meditation, and self-care rituals that involve somatic yoga, stretching, and bath soaks. By helping others along their crystal journey with Sage & Magic, I have been able to align my passions with my values and strengths, creating a fulfilling and meaningful life path. Read more>>

Amber Koko Allen

My name Amber Koko Allen, I am a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and educator born and raised in Central New Jersey. I knew at the young age of five that I wanted to be an artist and have lived my life pursing that dream. It was my kindergarten teacher that inspired the vision. ​ Read more>>

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