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.
Vanessa F. Garcia

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always had a natural tendency to play and act. I would recreate famous movie and TV scenes as if I were those actors/characters in real life. I would study their mannerisms and emotions. I was instantly hooked on imitating these characters and making them my own without even realizing it. Read more>>
Jen Tone

When I was around 11, my dad had a friend who produced for Nickelodeon, we visited the show one day during a live recording. I watched him produce, coordinate and handle every aspect and detail of the show that day, and I was hooked. I went to Radio/Television/Film school at University of North Texas, and I never looked back. I have worked in some form of production ever since, making my way up the chain from a Production Assistant, to a Production Manager and finally a Producer, of which I have been for almost 28 years now, and I still love every single detail of Producing. Read more>>
Mike Wilson

When I was just a little boy I can remember climbing up to the piano and plucking out chords. I knew then and there that music would be the center of my life. There was something so magical about how multiple notes played together would generate crazy emotions from my soul. I was hooked and I have been in love ever since! Read more>>
James Fox

Growing up, I was that kid you’d find up a tree with a backpack full of books and snacks, utterly absorbed in other worlds. Stories weren’t just entertainment; they moved inside of me, shaping my thoughts and feelings and offering new perspectives I hadn’t considered before. Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” series was more than just a set of books to me—it was a gateway to a world as vivid and real as any I could physically explore. The characters in those pages were like friends, each with lessons to impart. Read more>>
Dee Smith

I discovered my purpose by noticing what people often turned to me for, what felt natural and effortless, and where I truly felt I could make a difference. I also believe that our purpose isn’t set in stone; it grows and evolves as we do. With every new experience and stage in life, our purpose can shift and blossom in beautiful ways, always keeping us aligned with who we are becoming. Read more>>
Chris Burgess

There are two stories to how I found my purpose. A long one and a short one. To start with the long one: it took a lot of trial and error.
Finding purpose is a near life-long journey of trying things and seeing what sticks. Since high-school, potentially even before, I was trying different things to see what I found fun/purpose in. There were a few false starts. Soccer referee? Sure why not. Improv comedy? Yeah, I’ll give it a shot. Film production? That’s pretty fun. Read more>>
Tamekis Williams, Lcsw, Cctp, Cgip

I’ve always been a creative person, and that creativity ultimately led me to discover my true purpose. But none of this would have been possible without God’s guidance. My journey began as a cosmetologist, a profession I dedicated 15 years to. However, becoming a mother at 24 sparked a desire for a more stable life and a deeper understanding of my life’s purpose, which I knew wasn’t in cosmetology. Read more>>
Chang Liu

As a visual designer and a curator, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of art and technology, challenging traditional notions of art as a static and isolated entity. My journey began since I studied at Central Saint Martins College and the Royal College of Art, where I started to explore the transformative potential of art—how it can foster dialogue, spark curiosity, and invite contemplation. Read more>>
John Akinboyewa

I’ve often said, “Engineering isn’t a career choice—it’s a personality trait.” Reflecting on my journey, that statement rings truer than ever. Every project I’ve tackled has been more than just a technical challenge; it’s been a manifestation of who I am at my core—a relentless problem-solver. My path, marked by both blessings of resources, but also with struggles of food insecurity, has led me to this moment—the moment I realized there was a glaring gap in how we address hunger, food waste, and social isolation. And I knew I could fill it. Read more>>
Andrea Binetti

It’s only been recently that I’ve truly found my purpose. Four years ago I moved into a unique little community called Stoudtburg Village. The village is a ‘mixed-use’ community designed for residents to have a business or shop in their home if they choose. The Bavarian architecture and esthetics attract visitors, photographers and film crews from both near and far; moving to the village provided an opportunity for me to have a ‘brick and mortar’ shop. It was a welcomed change after 30 years of traveling to art festivals while working full time as a school psychologist. Read more>>
Deneisha Phillips

Finding my purpose was a journey rooted in my natural inclination towards organization. Even as a child, I enjoyed sorting my toys and neatly arranging my books on the shelf. As I grew older and started my own family, I recognized the value of having effective systems in place to maintain order. It became clear to me that sharing my expertise and experiences with others was where I found my true calling. Read more>>
Nick L. Torres, Esq.

My journey to find my purpose in life dates back to my teenage years. I was a high school student with sub-par academic performance clueless on who I wanted to be when I grew up, as the majority of high school students are. My journey to devote my life to the practice of law began to form when I found myself in need of an attorney myself. When I was 16 years old, I found myself in the back of a police car for traffic infractions. Read more>>
Eno Eka

Finding my purpose has been a journey marked by both challenges and revelations. Initially, I embarked on my professional path with a focus on accounting. However, it soon became clear that while I was proficient with numbers, the monotonous nature of the work didn’t align with my aspirations for a fulfilling career. Read more>>
Corey Emry ( 5:16 )

I found my purpose when God found me. When God showed me I am loved and cherished he also showed me that I can use my exact story to help others that feel they do not have a voice. Also, I found a lot of purpose through my children. When I open my eyes until I close them I am always thinking about my children. The purpose they have instilled in me through watching them grow has brought a light to my life I never had. Read more>>
Shelby Elaine Gowin

As a child & young adult I was very head-strong and stubborn. I didn’t like math or science, because exact answers to problems didn’t seem complex enough for me. Because it was so finate, it was hard for me to understand. I never wanted to take “no” as an answer if someone told me I couldn’t do something or didn’t have the aptitude for it. I knew early on that academics was not my strong suit and that I would always work with people doing something creative. I love social concepts, the gathering and hosting of people, and generally anything that made the people around me happy. Read more>>
Vladislav Litvak

I started gravitating toward the Film/TV industry while studying journalism at university. I was comfortable with a camera and genuinely interested in the craft, so I started my journey by filming interviews and doing coverage for news outlets. Read more>>
Kirstin Leigh

My purpose was born out of my pain. I’m originally from a tiny town in KY. I never fit in, was constantly bullied, had a very turbulent relationship with my dad, and as a teenager, I developed an eating disorder that I managed to keep a secret. But despite this, I had big dreams! I was going to be a singer and an actress. I practiced all the time, got a job when I was 12 (you can do that in KY!), and moved to New York City when I was 18. I was ready to conquer the world. Read more>>
Anastasia Nikitina

I came to the United States when I was 23 years old. A few years prior, I graduated from university in my home country of Belarus, where I studied accounting. Although I was never interested in accounting, my parents insisted because my dad had a dream for me to work at PWC or Deloitte. After graduation, I found a job at Carnival Cruise Line and worked there for 2 years before deciding to stay in the US. I had various jobs, including working as a waitress, at a warehouse, and at Avis car rental. However, coming from an entrepreneurial family, I always knew I wanted to be my own boss, and I was determined to make it happen. Read more>>
Mavis Cloyde

For a long time I didn’t feel like I belonged. I wanted a place to feel at home, but not in a living situation- something more. When I was 14 I started to explore more of the fandoms I like, things I enjoyed, and what nots. I discovered cosplay, voice acting, and a new love for theater along the way. It’s carried me a long way now, obviously. Read more>>
Antoinette Koval

Through my personal journey, customer impact, and professional goals, I was able to find and define my purpose. I have been in the beauty industry for 12 years. I started my journey as a makeup artist until I found my passion for nails in 2016. I picked up a gig as a receptionist in a salon that focused heavily on nail art. I immediately fell in love and knew I wanted to work with clients and create. Read more>>
Jonique’ Pharr

I found my purpose on a youth retreat. During the retreat I had been praying and asking God to reveal to me what my purpose was/is. We were attending an evening service and it was then in the midst of worship when I heard that my purpose was/is to help the youth. So I begin by mentoring and volunteering at youth/young adult facilities and then begin branching out to girls and women of all ages. It begin with putting together a clothing drive for youth girls in need, to hosting a series of workshops on self esteem and awareness, to now collaborating with Cots for the past two years and most recently hosting my very first Public workshop for women. It’s been a fulfilling journey and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Read more>>
Caitlin Eliza

My life’s purpose has always been to be a good wife, daughter, sister, and friend. Career wise however, my purpose hasn’t always been that easy to figure out. The simple answer is: I followed what brought me joy. Before becoming a full-time Content Creator, I was working a 9 to 5 job and found that I wasn’t able to use my creativity, my ideas weren’t being listened to, and the job wasn’t bringing any real fulfillment. Read more>>
Shanna Machi

It might sound strange, but I always had a sense that planning events was in my future. Growing up in rural British Columbia, Canada, where there wasn’t much to do, I naturally gravitated towards creating entertainment. I was that kid—choreographing plays and dance routines with friends, and then convincing our parents to be the audience. Read more>>
Darice Anderson

Finding my purpose has been a journey of both reflection and action. It started with my own experiences growing up in a community where opportunities were limited, and resources were often scarce. I saw firsthand the challenges that many people, especially young people, faced in trying to reach their potential. This sparked a passion in me to make a difference, to create pathways for others where there were none before. Through education, volunteer work, and eventually founding 3-N-1 Trinity Services, I realized that my purpose is to empower underrepresented communities by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive. Read more>>
Reggie Quinerly

I discovered my purpose through observing the strength and sacrifices my family made on a continual basis. Music is my passion, and at a very early age I received the message that if your work is rooted in your passion, you’ll never be afraid to go above and beyond what the situation calls for. My outlook immediately transformed the idea of work in the conventional understanding. The influence of my family values and their constant examples of dedication, determination, and perseverance empowered me to dream bigger while also focusing on the important details that contribute to the overall picture of success. Read more>>
Mackayla Johnson

From a young age I always knew I wanted to have a career of helping people. During my first few years of university everyone always told me it would get easier after the first year. That wasn’t the case for me, I would study for hours and hours and then would walk into an exam and remember nothing. I was having terrible brain fog along with other symptoms. It wasn’t until I started working with a Naturopathic Doctor that I was diagnosed with celiac disease. Seeing how they took the time to understand my concerns and got to the root cause of my issues intrigued me to look more into Naturopathic Medicine. Read more>>
Pooja Rathi

I found my purpose during the pandemic when I lost my job. It was a tough time, but it pushed me to explore new skills. I started with content design, using Canva, but soon i realized I enjoy writing and creating strategic content more than designing. So, I shifted towards content strategy, where I could help businesses grow and get leads by crafting the right messages. That’s when I knew I had found my purpose—to help others succeed through effective content. Read more>>
Natalya Velky

I spent 15 years of my adult life working in the advertising industry. I was informed that I was being laid off last year and instead of panicking and applying to another job in the same industry, I decided it was time to make a serious change. For most of my time in the industry, I was miserable and I always felt that I could be doing more- or that I was meant to do more. I had no idea what I was supposed to do though. I felt completely lost and didn’t know where to start. Read more>>
Tanisha Marshall

I didn’t have to find my purpose—it was already inside me all along. As you grow up, you start to figure out who you are and what you care about. A lot of us are searching for our purpose when it’s already there. I used to write a lot, and when I look back at what I wrote, my purpose was always showing up in those words. But it wasn’t until I was older that it all clicked. I’ve always been who I am, and my purpose has always been with me. Read more>>
Nita June

I have found purpose through the act of serving others. When I take the spotlight off of my self and place it on those around me, tasks become effortless and I find myself fueled by a deeper motivation. Having gone through substantially challenging times in my life that brought with them self doubt, fear, and anxiety, I ventured into some dark periods. During this time, I found myself wondering what was my one purpose, what was it that gave me value, what was it that gave me meaning. Read more>>
Mika Toolis

My purpose evolved over time. Initially, I pursued a career in the entertainment industry in Japan, working as a manager for TV personalities. It was a fulfilling experience but when I moved to Los Angeles, I faced challenges that led me to explore new paths. That’s when I discovered photography! I was captivated by the ability of photography to capture and preserve a moment in time forever. This allowed me to express my creativity in a way that resonated deeply with me. Read more>>
Zac Regan

I think finding your purpose is an over-romanticized idea.
You only find your purpose from trial and error. Too many of us think we need to find that thing we like right away. It’s just not true. I have forced my way to where I am at. Read more>>
Savannah James

I discovered my purpose during one of the lowest points in my life. The quote, “When I needed a hand, I found a paw,” perfectly captures my experience. As a young teenager without direction or ambition, I stumbled upon dog training, and it transformed everything for me. The dogs provided me with a sense of purpose, and now I strive to give back to them in every way I can. Read more>>