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.
Renee Dawn

I took the chance on myself on that scary yet brave day in April of 2022, the universe has had my back. I can’t even believe I’m writing this, honestly. I’m living my dream. It took 40 years to get here. But I finally did it. It’s not to say I have everything figured out, I do not. But I’ve learned a hell of a lot on my journey and I’m so grateful that I get to share what I’ve learned in my career now. Seeing the value my experience has provided in other people’s lives is extremely rewarding and humbling and for that I am so grateful. Read more>>
Quintan Johnson

My journey to finding my purpose started in 2012 when I began blogging under the name “Out Of The Box Fashion.” I shared my styling ideas, shopping tips, lifestyle, and beauty advice, along with words meant to inspire women to step outside the box. As I continued to blog, opportunities opened up for me to style others, work on fashion projects, and even contribute to local movie sets. Read more>>
Sean Grand

I believe that finding purpose is an ongoing journey throughout our lives. The curiosity I’ve had towards my purpose has been alive since I was a teenager more or less. I’ve always wondered why we exist. For many years, life’s miracle was very confusing to me, and, while I grew up Christian, eventually I fell away from God for a period of time because I wasn’t sure if a higher power existed. Without faith in the present & future, all we have is our past. Read more>>
Veronica Tsai

I don’t know if I’ve found my purpose yet, or if there even is such a thing as a
singular purpose in life. However, one thing I know for sure ever since I was much younger is that I would spend this lifetime doing creative work. I was drawn to the arts and crafts since I was a child, and that passion has never faded away. A mentor of mine once said that life is very much a journey; we exist in liminal spaces, and there are no final destinations. Read more>>
Starli

I found my purpose as an artist through my personal journey of self discovery by tapping into my inner child and really honing in on honoring and celebrating the things I never got to experience or explore as a child. This process empowered me to own my creative aspects and flow freely through the process of painting. Read more>>
Josh Blanaru

I’m a sensory person who enjoys the experience of taking in my environment and staying as present as possible. Along with this openness comes a strong curiosity to understand more about other people and the world around me. I try to absorb many types of things, but prefer to let the important ones inspire me, such as great music, vivid colors, ocean air, magical sunsets, and deep connections with ancient souls. Read more>>
Caitlin Rose

Becoming a mom, and then a working-mom, helped me to find my purpose. I was always satisfied with my jobs prior to having my daughters but I wasn’t overly passionate about any of them. When my oldest was born in 2019, I decided to pursue a new solution that would work better for our family and started my business. It gave me new purpose – allowing me the time and flexibility to care for my baby and myself, while still using my adult brain and contributing financially to our household. Growing my business and continuing to go after my dream of becoming a published children’s book author is so important to me – I want my daughters to see that women can do it all, even if it looks a little different sometimes. Read more>>
Maribeth Romslo

Eleven years ago, after the birth of my daughter, I experienced a very rare postpartum condition that led to my brain swelling. For three months I had terrible headaches, I had trouble recalling words, and my balance was totally off. My neurologist assured me that the swelling would subside and I would return to normal. Medically, that happened, but the experience was a big wake up call for me and led me down a path that changed me forever. Read more>>
Angel Theodore

Believe it or not, I found purpose in my dyslexia. I struggled through most of school and it was because I was dyslexic but, didn’t know it until I was 26 and by then I had already finished college. It was a revelation that not only explained certain struggles I had faced in school but also opened up a new world of creativity and innovative thinking for me. In the absence of accessibility modes more than ten years ago, I turned to tools like Google Translate to assist me in my writing and reading tasks, finding ways to overcome obstacles. Read more>>
Abdel Malek Belghiti Alaoui

After obtaining my college degree and working for a reputable American bank, I found myself feeling unfulfilled despite having a stable career. I realized that I was still searching for something that aligned more closely with my desire to serve humanity. This led me to explore different paths, and eventually, I found my true purpose in the food industry. Read more>>
Neshat Mirzaei

I’ve often reflected on my purpose in life and the impact we, as humans, have on the world around us. For a long time, I wasn’t sure what I was searching for. Then, one day, it dawned on me—I had been living my purpose all along. What I do, my work, is exactly what I’m meant to be doing. My purpose has been with me ever since I started my journey in Taekwondo. Read more>>
Jean Marie Mckee

It was a life long journey! I seem to have a meter in my body/mind that says it is time for new challenges. I think the first time I experienced it was at the age of 15 growing up in rural VA. I loved the country, loved exploring the woods and finding random wildlife but it hit me I wanted something new. I wanted to go to New York City, the place I had read about in books.. I worked and saved my pennies and got on a bus when I was 18. I found a job as a cashier at a tiny drugstore and was discovered there and went on to be a model and actor. Read more>>
Fabiola Desmont

My purpose has been shaped by a combination of my background, experiences, and the values instilled in me from an early age. Growing up as an immigrant of Haitian descent, I learned the importance of resilience, community, and perseverance. These values have been a guiding force throughout my life and my professional work, Read more>>
Perissa York

Finding my purpose has been a journey filled with many highs and lows. For me, it involved a lot of self-reflection and spending time alone. I had to tap into what truly makes me happy and what sets my soul on fire. A significant part of this journey involved traveling. The more I explored different countries, the more I felt myself gaining clarity and discovering my purpose. Read more>>
Tony Marinella

I have been a professional photographer most of my adult life and have chased a life long dream of doing what I love. But two years ago I was presented with a project to try and photograph a more than likely extinct wood pecker in the southern part of the country, the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. As I began preparing for the expedition into the swamps and forests of Louisana I began to realize that this was so much bigger than me. It was so much bigger than the chance at a National Geographic cover shot that I had always dreamed about. Read more>>
Gina Black

I have always been intrigued by the paranormal ever since I was a child. It wasn’t until my family moved to Florida until I experienced my first haunting. I have been searching for answers ever since. I co-founded a paranormal investigative team called the Afterlife Allstars, and I absolutely love exploring haunted locations around the state. I really enjoy helping people in need and investigating with my team. Read more>>
Ernesto Rosa

“Finding my purpose in the beauty industry was like discovering a hidden gem within myself. It all started with a passion for creativity and a desire to help others feel confident and beautiful. I realized that through beauty, I could make a tangible difference in people’s lives, empowering them to express their true selves. This journey has been about blending art with compassion, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the transformation and joy in my clients’ eyes.” Read more>>
Ryan Belk

It feels like I stumbled into my purpose; my grandfather put a 35mm camera in my hand when I was 13 years old, and ever since, photography has been the one thing in my life that I could use to make sense of this world. Even if I wasn’t being paid for my pictures, there’s no way I could ever stop. It’s just become my purpose because I can’t imagine doing anything else in life. It’s all I think about and obsess over. Read more>>
Scooter B

Purpose is not passed out like popsicle sticks, or assigned like chores. Theirs so much choice within your purpose because your purpose is the mission in which you agree to. Your purpose is the reason you exist. I found my purpose within my faith. When something doesn’t align with my faith, it typically doesn’t align with my purpose. Through my faith I am fed, I am guided and I am forgiven when i may not get it right. Read more>>
Erin Hassan

Reading a lot of books and being a hairstylist comes with meeting lots of different people from different background and thoughts so through that I learned and it became inspiring to lead me to finding what matters. I’m a believer in experiences & through life experiences you will find your purpose. Read more>>
Alison Lange

Opening Honey Mercantile was the biggest leap of faith I’ve ever taken. For years, I dreamed of owning a little shop that celebrated local artisans and brought our community together. But there was always a reason I couldn’t do it. Read more>>
Tracy Dawn Brewer

Finding my purpose as an artist was like assembling a puzzle without the box. At first, I just had a pile of colorful pieces—some marked “community,” others labeled “creativity,” and a few stray ones that just said, “Why not?” I started fitting them together, one by one, often backwards or upside down. But with each piece, I began to see a picture form. Read more>>
Umbreen Hasan

For an artist, life is often a journey of discovery, creation, and optimism
As a rheumatologist I see patients with deformities and I believe art is therapeutic for them. They can convey their emotions on a blank canvas. Recently art therapy has also been utilized in mental health disorders. Many patients with chronic conditions suffer from depression and anxiety, and art can be an adjuvant therapy
Art becomes a vehicle for spreading hope and positivity, not just me as an artist but for the audience as well. I hope one day to form a center where I can work with people with visible and invisible disabilities and use art as a therapeutic modality. Read more>>
Aly Bellicosii

I find my purpose in my passion for music. Music can change your whole mood. I love how a song can turn two total strangers into best friends just because they enjoy getting down to the same vibrations. I love bringing the energy to a room and helping a crowd of strangers connect. Sometimes it feels like casting a spell. I lose myself when I’m really in the zone behind the decks. It’s incredible to see a whole crowd all dancing on their own until the perfect next track drops and makes them all sway in unison. Read more>>
Regina Renaye

Finding my purpose wasn’t a straightforward path. I never set out to become a mental health advocate. For a long time, I was just trying to survive. But through my struggles, I found a calling that was bigger than me—a mission to create spaces where Black women could prioritize their mental wellness without the burden of pretending to be strong all the time. Read more>>
Mei Liu

Looking back, I always knew what my purpose was but it never became clear until moments when I felt lost. There were two moments in life, that I recall, where I felt lost–during my last year of college and after 5 years of being a lawyer. During my last year of college, it felt like everyone had their next move lined up and I didn’t know what I wanted to do next in my life. Luckily, after some trial and errors, I stumbled upon the desire to become a lawyer because I realized I’ve always wanted to advocate for the underrepresented, the powerless, and the voiceless. Read more>>
Michelle Anthony, Ms, Cdfs®, Aif®

From a young age, I developed a deep passion for helping others. My parents frequently took my brother and me to volunteer at local nonprofits, instilling in us a strong sense of community and service. During college, I sought out internships at various companies to discover my true calling. It wasn’t until my final internship at Morgan Stanley, working alongside my father, who was a Financial Advisor, that everything clicked. Read more>>
Lital Gottlieb Destination Thrive Founder

Finding my purpose has been a wild ride, filled with twists and turns I never saw coming. Before becoming a mom, I was living my dream life in Hollywood. As an up-and-coming recording artist and actor, I performed on iconic stages, walked the red carpet, and soaked in the thrill of the spotlight. I had a clear vision of my future, and I chased my dreams with everything I had. Read more>>
Ashley Ratcliff Lundy

I believe my purpose found me when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). I know that might sound unusual, but let me explain. Receiving a diagnosis for a chronic illness with no cure (yet) is a life-altering moment. It’s a moment that forces you to confront your own vulnerability. After I got over the initial shock and grief of what my life had been and could have been, I realized something powerful. That diagnosis lit a fire inside me. It made me intentional with my time and pushed me to prioritize my wellness and joy like never before. Read more>>
Katie Teel

My parents knew what they wanted to do since they were in highschool as people of their generation often did. When I began college I wasn’t really sure, but I knew I loved horses, so I settled on Animal Science thinking maybe I would go to vet school. Midway through my first semester of my junior year I had a class that required me to go out at 3:00 am in the morning to milk cows. I remember saying to myself “I have no interest in this career path.” Read more>>
Jessie Treadway

This is such an interesting question to think about, because it makes you question yourself to levels that you aren’t usually comfortable with. For many years I have gone through the motions and done the things that I was “supposed” to do. I went to high school, got good grades, was extremely involved, played sports, and held a job. Then I went to college where I graduated with honors and a year early, while working full-time. Read more>>
Ethel + Carlo Zafranco

Our purpose began to take shape when we realized that the traditional paths we were on, working in corporate creative jobs, didn’t align with the deeper values we held. We both felt a growing disconnect between our work and the impact we wanted to have on the world. Art had always been a source of healing and therapy for us—a way to process emotions, connect with ourselves, and express our true selves. Yet, we saw how often art was treated as a luxury, something reserved for a select few. Read more>>
Sam Giles

Will and I both have fathers working in the field of business and finance and thus the topics have been a major part in our upbringing. Will’s father owns multiple businesses and properties while my father is an investment banker. Naturally, these ideals became core tenants in our households. In our most formative years, we learned the value of investing, budgeting, and planning for out financial futures. It was an empowering and liberating experience that gave us confidence in our life track. We want to give that same feeling of security and knowledge to everyone, especially minority youth. Read more>>
Daniela Moreno

I think I have always listened to and followed a lot what my inner girl said or did. Since I was very young, I have always had a great love and passion for everything related to art. I always remember me drawing, painting or experimenting with different forms of art. I even studied architecture for a while. But I think I was very fortunate to find my purpose and greatest passion from a very early age. At the age of 17 I entered the world of tattooing and that’s when I realized that being able to create and design something from scratch for a person and capture it in his body for life, would be one of my greatest purposes. Read more>>
Sabella Neal

Finding my purpose has been a journey of deep self-discovery, resilience, and transformation. It began with confronting my past traumas and the personal challenges that came with them. I faced numerous hardships, including mental health struggles and addiction, but overcoming these obstacles sparked a profound sense of clarity and direction in my life. Read more>>
Josefina Rojas Gómez

For so many people dance is something they end up finding purpose in partly because they have been doing it their whole lives. Most people will start taking dance class when they are little, some as young as 3, and eventually as they grow up dance has been their love and passion ever since they can remember. That was not the case for me. Read more>>
Thais Sarmento

I believed that I had found my purpose when I was still a ballet student. I fell in love with this form of art and expression and started dreaming about being a professional ballerina. I pursued that dream and I did achieve it, but at times it wasn’t clear whether it was my true purpose in life. I felt a lack of fulfillment and questioned whether I was truly making a difference in the audience’s lives with my performances. Read more>>
Cordarious Kitchens

I found my purpose by finding GOD…
I found my purpose in loneliness and in every shadow that turned to mock me for what I felt like I wasn’t enough of or what I didn’t have enough of. In the stillness that comes with every wilderness moment, every pressing moment that pushes us past our strength, a still small voice comes to save you from the brink of catastrophe and ruin. Read more>>
Miesha Brundridge

I found purpose in writing journals which develop a prose then I would transform that into poetry–it became snippets of my pain transcribed into poetic narrations and because it was the only thing I could scream out loud in–through my frustrating childhood with a mother who suffered from mental health issues and drug abuse. Futhermore, whilst being raised by a strong community, grandmother Maggie, and her 2 sisters Doris & Carrie and an uncle, Horace. Even then, I couldn’t discuss the stuff that went on inside my grandma’s house as that would be a betrayal to her, and not at church or school- Read more>>
Maria Alejandra Quintanilla

My instinct is to say that purpose finds us as we navigate our unique paths, but our ability to recognize it is deeply tied to how well we tune in to ourselves, what we want, and what brings us joy. I am incredibly fortunate to have always known that creating art through singing is one of my life’s purposes. One of my earliest memories is cradling my little brother in my arms as a child, instinctively improvising a lullaby to soothe him to sleep. Read more>>
Heidi Forward-kraft

I think I have been looking for my “purpose” my whole life. As a girl, I always wondered “what I would be when I grew up” and “what was God’s plan for me”? Going through hard times in my life gave me a lot of opportunities to rely on God and my faith to get me through. I feel like each season or chapter of my life taught me the lessons that I needed that have led me to my purpose. Read more>>
Alex Rizzi

I felt different as a kid. While other children were busy running and playing sports, I preferred to explore my imagination. And while I did have friends, some adults labeled me as shy or withdrawn. All I knew was that I wasn’t like most of my peers. By the time I was in middle school, I noticed that my classmates would reach out to me in moments of distress or confusion or heartbreak. Read more>>
Barb Abbott

I’ve always taken an unconventional path and let my inner compass guide me, which has lead to some amazing life experiences. To me, living a life of purpose means being authentic and aligning actions and goals with a sense of meaning, achievement, and ideally, giving back. Read more>>
Dominique Garcia

I found my purpose after many years of losing myself to people, situations, and self-made choices that weren’t healthy. I grew up in a difficult home; my dad was a Marine and my mom was very religious. To say that my upbringing was strict is to put it lightly. I didn’t have a sense of self, or autonomy, during my childhood. I was a good girl who followed the rules and thrived on praise, molding me into the perfect candidate for not recognizing the red flags that come with abusive traits and behaviors. Read more>>
Mackynsie Mckedy

I found my purpose through the people who have poured into me throughout the years and have supported me every step of the way in chasing my music career dreams. When I first saw the fiddle at 6 years old my purpose in music began and now I have found purpose in using my love for music to help others which led me to majoring in Music Therapy in college! Read more>>
Morgan Kelly Moss

The path to finding my purpose was long and meandering, with many pit stops, roadblocks, and jumpstarts along the way. Being a woman in the field of composition and film score was not something I ever thought I would or COULD do, and I would not be where I am without the people and situations that have guided me. In many ways I have them to thank that I figured it out at all. Read more>>
Deborah J Fryer, Phd

In my 20s, I was trapped working dead end temp jobs to pay my rent. I was trading my time for dollars, working way too hard for way too little money and I was miserable. I’ve always had vivid dreams that are like headlights, illuminating the path before me. Studying them and trusting them has helped me find my purpose. Read more>>