Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristin Tomasello. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kristin, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Purpose is often talked about as if it arrives in a single moment, an awakening, a sign, or a sudden clarity. But in truth, purpose usually reveals itself slowly, woven through the experiences that shape us the most. It’s found in the places where life hurt us, stretched us, or transformed us. It rises from the battles we didn’t expect and the moments that forced us to grow.
For many people, purpose is not discovered in comfort. It is discovered in the valleys.
We rarely recognize it at the time, but our hardest seasons have a way of preparing us for the very work we’re meant to do. The illnesses we overcome, the losses we witness, the journeys that test our faith, these experiences plant seeds of compassion that later grow into a calling.
My own story is no exception.
Walking through an autoimmune illness that left me fighting for my life changed not only my body, but my heart. Watching my family battle cancer, my father with AML and my mother through her own diagnosis, reshaped the way I see resilience, health, and the sacredness of time. And from the time I was young, serving those with special needs became a natural part of who I am, long before I understood it as a purpose. These pieces of my life are not coincidences; they are threads of a larger design.
Purpose often becomes visible when we look back and realize that the places where we were broken open are the very places where compassion took root. What once hurt us becomes the foundation of what we are called to heal in others.
It is from struggle that empathy grows.
It is from survival that strength emerges.
And it is from healing that purpose takes form.
When we rise from what we’ve walked through, we don’t rise for ourselves alone. We rise so we can extend a hand to someone who is still in the battle. We rise so our testimony can become someone else’s hope. We rise because our story carries power that can encourage, uplift, and remind others that they aren’t alone.
Purpose is not something you find once. It evolves as you do. It expands as your heart expands. It deepens as your faith deepens. And it becomes clearer every time you choose to turn your pain into compassion and your healing into service.
In the end, purpose is not about what happened to you.
It’s about what God can do through you because of it.
If we are brave enough to embrace both our wounds and our healing, we find that purpose was never lost. It was simply waiting for us to recognize it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My work is a blend of entrepreneurship, creativity, and service, all rooted in faith and the belief that our hardest seasons can become our greatest purpose. I’ve built my career across several passions, authoring books, founding businesses, and creating programs for individuals with special needs. Each piece is connected to the mission of bringing hope, kindness, and light into the world.
Professionally, I am the founder of Costa Sea Suncare, a clean, ocean-friendly sunscreen line inspired by my family’s fight against cancer. As a nurse, I witnessed firsthand how essential sun protection is, and after my father survived AML and my mother battled basal cell cancer, I felt called to create a product that truly protects families. Costa Sea is made in the USA, gentle on the skin, and designed to promote sun safety in a way that feels positive, empowering, and protective. We’re currently expanding into community partnerships, beach dispenser programs, and preparing for new product launches aligned with skin health and wellness.
I am also the founder of The Kristin Tomasello Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with special needs through art, creative expression, and inclusive programming. My passion for this community began when I was 15 years old and started volunteering with individuals with disabilities. Today, the foundation continues to grow, and we recently launched our Creating Hearts program. This arts-based experience gives children and adults with special needs a place to be seen, celebrated, and creatively free. We are also planning expansions, community partnerships, and fundraising initiatives that will widen our impact across the Tampa Bay area.
In addition to my entrepreneurial and nonprofit work, I am an author and creative storyteller. My books, including Diamond Defender, God Enlightened Me, and my upcoming title Pray, Give, Laugh: Life Through God’s Lens, share deeply personal experiences of faith, healing, resilience, and God’s miracles. Writing has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey, and I’m currently working toward becoming a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author.
What makes my work special is that everything I do is tied to purpose, whether helping families protect their skin, giving individuals with special needs a space to shine, or speaking life and hope through my writing. I believe our stories have power, and my mission is to use mine to uplift others.
Above all, I want people to know that everything I do comes from a heart of service. My brands and projects aren’t just businesses—they’re extensions of my faith, my story, and my desire to bring healing, joy, and hope to others.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, the three qualities and skills that have been most impactful are compassion, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.
Compassion – Growing up, I learned the importance of empathy and service, especially through volunteering with individuals with special needs and fundraising for causes like the American Cancer Society. Compassion allows you to truly understand the people you serve, and it makes your work meaningful. Advice: Seek out opportunities to serve others regularly. Listen actively, and let empathy guide your decisions—it will always create lasting impact.
Resilience Life inevitably brings challenges, whether personal health struggles, family hardships, or professional obstacles. My own experiences with health challenges and witnessing my family face serious illnesses taught me to persevere with grace and strength. Advice: Embrace challenges as lessons, not setbacks. Build resilience by facing difficulties head-on, staying patient, and maintaining faith in your vision.
Purpose Driven Leadership Leading the Kristin Tomasello Foundation (The Grateful Hearts) and other initiatives has taught me that true leadership comes from aligning your actions with your values and mission. Leadership is about inspiring others, serving your community, and staying focused on your “why.” Advice: Define your purpose clearly, stay consistent, and lead with integrity. When your work reflects your deepest values, people will follow and support you naturally.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Organizations serving individuals with special needs to expand arts, educational, and creative programming through The Grateful Hearts Foundation.
Faith-based and community organizations that align with my mission of inspiring hope, compassion, and resilience.
Business and wellness partners for my Costa Sea Suncare line, which focuses on clean, family-friendly, and ocean-safe skincare.
Music and creative collaborators who want to bring uplifting, faith-based music and experiences to the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kristintomasello.com / Kristintomasellofoundation.org / Costaseasuncare.com
- Instagram: kristintomasello
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kristintomasellofoundation?si=bXaoi54pNRiWH7Qx
Image Credits
Kristin Tomasello Foundation Sponsors– Florida Cargo, Ana Iraheta Martinez and Her Family, Simon Canasi, CTN, Eco Channel, Carter Ridge Strategic Advisors, Aqua Beato, Jets Pizza, Source By Lou
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
