Below you’ll find the stories and lessons of some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs, artists and creatives in the community and how they found their purpose.

Leah Kral

I love the concept of Ikigai (prounounced Ee-kee-guy). This is the Japanese concept of having direction or purpose in your life, a reason for being. When I think back over my career journey and how I found this for myself, a key moment was my two-year service in the U.S. Peace Corps in Jamaica. It was profound and life changing. While we do have poverty in the U.S., I had never seen extreme poverty like what I saw in Jamaica. Read more>>

Jocelyn Stuart

As someone who has always been independent and loving the feeling of helping others, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. From the start of my career until now, I have found a true calling in being able to help others better their lives. From my career as a hair stylist, there was nothing better than having your client say “Thank you for making me feel beautiful” or “I feel as good as new!” Those small compliments mean the most to business owners. Read more>>

Boryana Popova

I was drawn to the violin since young age – its tone, brilliance, expressive voice, and various colours were fascinating to me. I was constantly exposed to art and music. It was a rough path at first. Looking back now, even though there were plenty of moments of desperation and uncertainty, my inner voice was always there telling me to keep going and not to give up. I was recently asked by a mother of a young child, whether it is hard or easy to learn how to play the violin. Read more>>

Jessica Garcia

I found my purpose while being lost about myself. I was sent to more than 20 behavioral facilities and grew up being sent into residential facilities due to mental health problems I faced during my elementary and teen years. I coped and tried to find myself through my journaling and poetry it later grew and turned into music making and learning how to put my feelings into my sound. That was my purpose my voice. Being the voice others might not have. Read more>>

Paola Baldion

I’ve found my purpose by trial and error. When I was a kid I knew that I wanted to be an artist. Both of my parents are artists and they introduced me to painting, sculpting, dancing and performing at a very young age. As a teenager I started working as an actress in a tv show in Colombia for a couple of years and after that I moved to New York and enrolled myself in acting classes, directing workshops and silk screening courses.  Read more>>

Chamar Latanja

I believe that we find our purpose when we begin to think outside of ourselves and serve. As a faith-based speaker, Christian life coach and human rights advocate (as you can see these all align with helping people) I have always been big on helping other people. Your purpose is something that is inward yes, but it always works it way out. Read more>>

Juan Solano

I found my purpose through having a genuine, undying passion for art. I never lost my hunger for learning and evolving at both my lowest and highest points. I think it’s important that whatever you like to do the most that you do it for the love and not the money. If you have the authentic desire to pursue a certain path; the economical benefits will eventually come. Even when the future was not looking good at all for me; I didn’t lose hope. Read more>>

Dr. Theresa A Moseley

I went to a masters class and went through a process to identify my gift passion and purpose. When I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree from Georgia State University, my father was there. He had terminal lung cancer. When I handed him my diploma he told me how proud he was of me and to go live in my purpose. My dad had an 8th-grade education but the wisdom of a sage. Six months later he passed and I crashed. I could not eat, sleep, drink, work…. nothing. Read more>>

James Harper

I’m a puppet to purpose. I’m not driven by a sole reason I do things, but there is something in me that says I have to make something every day. I don’t care if it’s a breakfast burrito, a tangible thing like a book, a suite of social media designs, or roasting coffee; I have to make something.  Read more>>

Ceitci Demirkova-Harper

In the tapestry of my life, the thread of purpose was woven from the heartache of loss and the determination to bring love and hope to others. At seven years of age, I eagerly anticipated the arrival of my little sister, only to witness her passing at the hospital due to premature birth complications. Alone on the balcony that night, gazing at the stars, I felt an unseen presence. Read more>>

Spencer Doepel

I didn’t always have reptiles but grew fondly of them quickly. In early 2018 I got my first reptile. It was a Leopard Gecko and I named him Banana (I ended up getting a more yellow leopard gecko down the line so the name wasn’t the best choice).  Read more>>

Alexandra Bassett

My purpose of working with dogs was always calling to me but I did a bunch of other things like working in restaurants, teaching yoga, and copywriting before I became a dog trainer. I was a “weekend warrior” for a long time and volunteered at animal shelters before I realized I should try to find a way to work with dogs professionally. Read more>>

JD Gonzales

On March 6, 2015 I was working as a police officer in Central California. I was responding to an emergency call when my patrol car was broadsided (T-boned) in a major intersection by an SUV traveling 55 mph. The impact broke my pelvis on each side, several vertebrae, numerous ribs, collapsed lung, etc.  Read more>>

Dane Eissler

It took a long time and a lot of self reflection to find my “purpose.” Even using the word itself feels odd to me, as I believe I contain an immeasurable amount of purposes for every occasion. But no matter what field of purpose, be it art, career, hobbies, family, friends, or whatever, it feels like my essential purpose is to help others find joy in their authentic selves.  Read more>>

Paul Orama Cruz

In the fall of 2015, my wife and I were expecting our first child together and I was a few months away from losing my job. I was working in the world of politics for almost ten years and a realization hit me hard—I wasn’t doing something that truly made me happy. So, I decided to make a straightforward list. On the left, I jotted down my interests; on the right, my perceived skills. Read more>>

Elena Maro

I was born in Turin, Piedmont, Italy and grew up in a little town in the suburbs and when I was a kid there wasn’t Internet and there weren’t many places to go or things to do in my town, so I spent my time between school and home, where I loved being in the garden and I often sat on a cherry three reading a book (hence my love for storytelling) ; and then there were my favorite: my ballet classes, where I was immersed in beautiful classical music.  Read more>>

Neetu Rishi

I discovered my purpose amidst my challenges. Despite being told that my height is 5’1″, my age is over 40, and my dress size is 8—making me seemingly incompatible with the fashion world—I responded by emphasizing that while my height may be 5’1″, my confidence stands tall at 6’2″. Regardless of being in my 40s, I possess a vibrant bucket list, and despite wearing a size 8, I confidently walk with grace. Instead of conforming, I choose to stand out. Read more>>

Dave Fulson

Growing up, I watched my dad succeed in business because he was truly passionate about the company he worked for and he believed in the product he sold. I also saw a lot of men that were committing their entire professional lives to nothing more than “a job’ that neither inspired them or satisfied them. I said, in my teens actually, that I wanted to work in a field I was passionate about, and for me that meant a career somewhere in the hunting, outdoors and conservation industry. Read more>>

Elaine Unzicker

Finding my purpose came to me while pursuing my Master of Fine Arts degree from Illinois State University. Dennis French, my professor at the time, suggested I learn other techniques. My workshop on chainmail was all it took. I loved the soft, fluid quality of metal in a chainmail format or “Metal Lace” as I like to call it. Even in the beginning workshop, I was creating patterns of various colors of metal which the instructor did not do. I would say it spoke to me on many levels.

Evie Kevish

Discovering my purpose became clear during a profound spiritual awakening. Many individuals operate on autopilot, unaware of their actions and choices due to deep programming. Through a conscious effort to eliminate low vibrational elements such as processed foods, alcohol, and pharmaceuticals, a shift occurred. It’s akin to awakening from the matrix, observing people merely surviving rather than living with purpose. Read more>>

Peter Hlavin

In 2017, I had reached a low point in my life – emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Determined to turn things around, I leaned on a higher power and heard a calling to walk Camino Francés, the most famous of all Camino de Santiago routes in Spain, a 500-mile trek. Upon reaching the Camino’s final destination, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, I felt inspired, rejuvenated, and reawakened spiritually. Read more>>

Janell Burgess

I remember vividly, it was around age twelve, when I decided, all I wanted to do was dance. The dance teachers of my youth had taken me to watch a performance at the Robert B. Moore Theater in Costa Mesa, CA and it was there I saw a piece of choreography by my soon-to-be mentor, Christine Baltes, that ignited my passion for dance. After that night, I refused to participate in other non-art-based activities.  Read more>>

Margalena Lepore

What a deep question. One that doesn’t have a direct answer. I think first defining purpose (at least the way I see it) will help. I believe purpose is something bigger than me that I am invited into while I walk this earth. My purpose should affect others. It should inspire others. It should also be the guidepost to the decisions I make. For me, my purpose has always been to love others, and hopefully love them well.  Read more>>

Christopher ‘C-Ray’ Roberts

I honestly believe my purpose found me. Music has always been an instinctive love since I could walk. My Dad always shares a story of seeing me knocking the phone off the hook until the “off-hook” tone would start playing and I would move my head in perfect rhythm to it. He knew at that point that I would fall into a career with music. But, I was always shy about singing in front of people.  Read more>>

Chel Isabella

Back in 2021, I had lost 3 of the closest relationships and it turned out to be the biggest blessing I never knew I needed. When you’re forced to face yourself and redirect the energy you give to everyone else back into yourself that’s when you get to really see your strengths and weaknesses, It was in this time that I formed my business, Chill X Chel. Read more>>

Beverly Black Johnson

Finding my purpose came with finding my inner soul and connecting with the passion that drives my desires the most! I became a writer. I grew up writing commercial jingles and poems with my brother. Read more>>

April Richie

All my life I’ve wanted to inspire others. As far as I can remember. I loved to write. meaningful poems and stories. As a child it was always easy for me to keep myself busy and entertained. By writing stories and drawing stick people pictures of the characters and other fixtures in my story. I remember acting out scenes I’d created. Me and my cousin would watch movies and re-enact and perform them at our family functions. Read more>>

Joy Tirade

I realized I was an artist inside a James Turrell installation. Surrounded by his installation’s gorgeous, saturated light, I knew this was what I had to do with the rest of my life. My first significant introduction to Fine Art was in Houston. It was 2001, and I visited a friend’s family for the holidays. I visited the Museum of Fine Arts and encountered the James Turrell piece, The Light Inside. I stood inside the installation for ages, watching the light ebb from magenta to violet to blue. Read more>>

Alecia Wellen

I come from a middle-class family and am a first-generation college student. Having to navigate college on my own and working full-time encouraged me to put one foot in front of the other on a path that was built for me, by society. My approach was traditional: graduate high school, attend college, get a job that made money, and climb to the next opportunity or promotion. Read more>>

Tamika Lamison

Purpose is such an interesting word. It means: The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. When I reflect on finding my purpose from the standpoint of the reason I was created or the reason that I exist- it always gives me a more expansive view of myself and my journey. I would say I found my purpose by paying attention; being aware and conscious of my journey and how all the things along the way impacted me; through trial & error, through studying, through the inspiration of others, through soul searching, through failures and triumphs, through meditation, coaching and inner work-constantly checking in with myself- my spirit- to see if things felt right. Read more>>

Loren Smith

If I’m honest, my purpose has always been present, even evident. What took me years and is still a work in progress is separating myself from what others’ view of my purpose is. I’ve had YEARS of folks telling me inside and outside of my industry “THIS is who you are.” I’ve learned someone else’s version of me is none of my business, nor my concern. I had to get quiet. Be still.  Read more>>

Ally Gong

This question often seems central in the exploration of self-actualization and personal fulfillment. I’m excited to share my journey towards finding purpose, and some tips to help you navigate your own search. In a world that seems to be changing drastically without any standard guide, we’re all more confused than ever about what true purpose could or should look like. I think this topic is incredibly important. Read more>>

Andrés Porras Gutiérrez

A cousin told me: “It’s good that you chose Monterrey,” but Monterrey chose me. And so it received me, with a rainbow with which God re-seals his covenant of fidelity, with a lot of beloved family, with the kind of work I wanted (networking with organizations that help migrants), with a house that my good friend kindly lent me temporarily, which will allow me to save a good bit of rent while I find something, with a car lent by my brother… and a long series of reasons that accumulated like signs that made me see that this is where I should be for now. Read more>>

Angelica Gonzalez

There are times where you don’t realize that all the experiences in your life lead you step by step to find your purpose. As a young child I was always fascinated by friends who were not the most popular. I would see them and befriend them, these often included those who were adopted, depressed or hyper. I always wanted others to be happy and feel included, even within my own family. Read more>>

Rachel Roberts

You always see the food that fills the belly but you never really know the story behind the chef. I started cooking at the tender age of 9 because I was always just one of those curious children that loved to sit in the kitchen watching my mom cook and sometimes trying to help by either peeling vegetables or cleaning meat . My mother always let me go food shopping with her and eventually she said “Rachel go on and add the foods you like to eat into the cart!” Read more>> 

Deidra Kindred

Finding out what my purpose was not an overnight process but took years. When I graduated from high school, I thought I wanted to be a CPA. This stemmed from watching my mother as a single mom of 4 work and attend college at the same time. So, I started attending college to pursue my dream at the time. For me it was boring. Read more>> 

Jo Ivester

I was fortunate to be raised in a politically active family, one in which our dinner conversations often focused on social justice and how individuals can make a difference. My parents didn’t just the talk the talk, they walked the walk, to quote a phrase first used over a hundred years ago and made popular during the Civil Rights Movement.  Read more>> 

A Voice, LLC

Purpose was developed from working with the special needs population many years ago in case management and the passion continued to grow in years to follow. Seeing that they lacked the care and attention they needed was a driving force to want to advocate for them. Knowing they wanted the same things as everyone else, to date, to live in their own homes, basically all human rights and independence. Our mission then and still now is to ensure we do what is needed to offer support. Read more>> 

Anna Whigham

I have to go back over to over 30 years ago when I was laid off from my job at Eastern Airlines as a computer programmer. I decided I was gonna do something I always wanted to do. I always enjoyed helping people, so I decided that I would go back to school to become a nurse and it was the best decision I ever made. That’s when I found my purpose. Read more>>