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.
Karim Mowatt
I would say my purpose found me. I started as a artist drawing with pencil, which gradually transitioned to colors, then the urge to make the images move, which pushed me into filmmaking. Read more>>
Jay Zeballos
I discovered my passion at a very young age when I enrolled in my first martial arts academy. I was initially drawn to the aesthetics and beauty of the movements and spent years honing my craft. I aspired to become a black belt, a champion and an instructor. Although the martial arts was an endeavor that I was passionate about, life dictated that I was to take a more traditional and stable path. Read more>>
Jules Andersen
My purpose found me by my life events that unfolded from the time that I was born – from my mom giving birth to me in 1963 on a picnic table brought into our home for the delivery, to my first near death experience when they found me face down in the pool and brought me back to life, has brought me to be a demonstration of overcoming obstacles that would take most people out. Read more>>
Cheryl Ann Jones-Allie
Life… Life is interesting. No matter the start, the path of journeys are always interesting. As with anyone, I did not know the path journey life planned for me to walk on. For years, I walked paths that changed directions, that led me to ask many questions about my “Why” with many lessons to learn. Hard lessons. Memorable lessons. All of my lessons leading me to my purpose. Read more>>
Julia Knox
I discovered my purpose as an actor and storyteller when I was a kid playing pretend with barbie dolls with my best friend and found my love for singing and acting whenever I learned how to walk and talk. I always gravitated toward creative extra curricular activities in school such as acting, dance, and art classes and I pursued and studied visual and performing arts growing up. Read more>>
Melissa McClendon
In my opinion, Purpose is when you align with what inspires you. Often times, we find our purpose in challenging times. I was newly divorced and a single mom of 2 daughters. I wanted to start fresh in a new home to close the chapter on old memories. I decided to study to get my real estate license to sell my home myself to save on real estate commission. Read more>>
Alison Joseph
As a foster parent for over 15 years, I recognized the lack of resources for older children and teens in foster care. While talking with some fellow foster parents of teens and hearing them talk about sending them to prom, a light bulb when on in my head and the idea for Ali’s Prom Project was born. It started with the idea of just a small collection of dresses to lend, but the universe has a different plan. Read more>>
Andie Robbins
When I think about my purpose, I think about supporting and encouraging others. My purpose originally led me to be an elementary school teacher here in Athens. Teaching and inspiring my students over the years has 100% been my passion. I have given my all to teaching, and though it is something I love, I feel like it is time to pursue my purpose outside of education. Read more>>
Cindy Bostick
a. When I was 15 years old, I worked as a “candy stripper” volunteer at a local hospital, and I knew even before then that I had a heart for serving others. I loved working in the hospital and thought my career would be in the medical field. I especially enjoyed spending time in the pediatric department with the sick children. Read more>>
Kate Obert
My purpose is still evolving and I believe it always does if we’re staying in alignment, but how I went from telling myself the uncertainty of ‘What do I want to do with my life?’ to a fulfilling and exciting career was by engaging in two key exercises. First, I listed everything I was good at, especially those unique, seemingly ‘unpayable’ skills, along with what I loved doing. Read more>>
LaToya Sutton
Discovering my purpose has been a journey influenced by my natural inclination to help others. From a young age, I found joy in supporting those in need, whether by sharing food with less fortunate children or offering a listening ear to friends facing challenges. Read more>>
Christophe Cevasco
Like a lot of young people, my “purpose” sort of found me, rather than the other way around. I grew up in kitchens, first my grandfather’s and later, my own father’s. My whole upbringing seemed to revolve around food: shopping for it, preparing it, and then sharing it with family. I watched the elders doing this, and then, when my parents divorced, my mom didn’t cook and so I would do the cooking for us. Read more>>
Caila ‘Lala’ Holsapple
I am continuously finding my “purpose”. I think that we continue to refine our purpose and find it over and over again. Just one passion or job doesn’t define what we set out to do in life. I am very purposeful about placing myself in diverse environments filled with individuals who come from all walks of life, passions, and perspectives as well as always saying yes to trying something new hobby-wise. Read more>>
Cristina Pop
I believe that our purpose is having this human experience, We don’t need “greater” purpose than that. So our purpose, we have it already, just by living here on this Planet. I was sitting at my desk in a skyscraper in Paris. It was early in the morning, the sun was raising up slowly and the beautiful Parisian light was coming through the window. I was hearing the noise of the air-conditioning in the background and the rhythmic tap of my pen on the desk. Read more>>
Patrice Shumate
To find my purpose, I kept looking. I am still looking. Feeling like you are living your purpose is an evolution in understanding yourself and your place in the world. You change. The world changes. It is hard to feel confident in it all. Read more>>
Ahman Thurston
I found my passion in solitude and through exploration. I was going through a very chaotic point in my life; as a way of coping I decided to spend a lot of my time in my room, thinking and researching. This state of solitude turned into self reflection and then into evolution. Read more>>
Michael Clark
My purpose is helping people . When I started chasing after a dream of photography. I didn’t know where to start .Through all the experiences in life that I went through . From music school, traveling the USA for music to working a the Playboy Mansion . I got to see and experience some of the best photography and videography. Read more>>
Rhonda Mancini
Discovering my purpose as an artist has been an ongoing and evolving process for me. Initially, my interest in art was sparked by my love of color and glitter. As I delved deeper into the creative realm, I found that my purpose was tied to expressing my unique perspective and emotions through my artwork. I find the most joy when someone experiences the sparkle, color shifts and glow of my art in person. Read more>>
Julia Ranson Mooney
Finding one’s “purpose” is a personal value that seems to cross cultures. Akin to finding one’s calling, there is this idea that each of us may discover a singularly meaningful occupation into which we were meant to pour our skills, talents and energy. We search for this, often elusive, purpose while putting out life’s unexpected fires, absorbing losses, and managing relationships. Upon reaching middle age, I have concluded that, at least for this person, there should not be a single purpose in life. Read more>>
Amanda Breazeale
Unlocking my true purpose at Seabird Aromatics has been a transformative experience, where I discovered the power of Aromatherapy in nurturing my mental health. I started formulating Aromatherapy products 10 years ago and I have spent much of the last decade studying this beautiful practice. Read more>>
Neon
I find my purpose by acknowledging what makes me happy. Taking into consideration what I think about on a daily basis, and what percentage of that pertains to my dreams. Hearing music, whether it be mines or someone else’s excites me. I’ve had these emotions ever since I was a young Ladd. I’m inspired by music, and movement so my purpose is always clear to me. Read more>>
Jessica Allowski
For a while I did freelance editing on the side through a website that took a percentage of the earnings. Most of those jobs were quick, anonymous, and disconnected from the writer, and it didn’t feel like I was working toward anything meaningful. Read more>>
Jen Peterson
I was almost 40. I had established myself as a strong leader in the nonprofit field and felt satisfaction from being able to do work that aligned with my values around social justice and planetary health. I had two beautiful healthy kids who were 8 and 5 years old and beginning to develop their own social lives separate from our family. I owned a home in beautiful rural Vermont, a place I loved. Read more>>
Tom Gadsden
We found purpose in watching our customers heal after mitigating their environment and then going through the detox process. Read more>>
Betty Steele
In my journey to discovering my soul’s purpose as an astrologer, I found myself inexplicably drawn to the subject from a remarkably young age. Even as a child, I felt an internal resonance with astrology that went beyond mere curiosity; it felt like a deeply ingrained part of my being, a language of the cosmos that I intuitively understood. As I delved deeper into the study of astrology, I discovered its profound capacity to serve as a healing modality, both for myself and others. Read more>>
Danielle Doetsch
Finding my purpose was a journey marked by hardship, but ultimately, it led me to a profound realization of my passion for art. In my early thirties, I endured a life-altering car accident caused by a drunk driver. The recovery process was arduous, both physically and emotionally, plunging me into a deep sense of loss and despair. Read more>>
Eden Beaupain
Between the whirlwind of diaper changes and complete world-shifts that comprise the life of a first time mom in the throws of the newborn stage, I started working again. Soon after beginning my mom-preneur phase, I received two inquiries from past photography clients that wanted me to take their boudoir photos; something I had zero experience in and frankly, that scared me a little bit. Read more>>
Alison Eastland
I didn’t grow up knowing anyone who practised yoga or meditation, or even having much idea of the basics of how to keep my mind and body healthy. I was very ill in my early 20’s, and I also ended up with some spinal injuries. I had to start piecing together a healthier way of living. After gaining some strength at a rehabilitation gym, I knew I needed more than just physical exercise. Read more>>
Morgan Colwell
It’s interesting, actually, because a feeling of purpose is something that’s fairly new to me. I had spent most of my life doing what I thought I was “supposed” to do. I went to college, picked a safe major, got a job, got married, and had kids. And don’t get me wrong, having a family and being a mom was always my dream, and I live and breathe for them. But until recently, I had never had a feeling of purpose that was strictly for myself. Read more>>
Ben Cantwell
My purpose emerged from a blend of my time in Marine Corps as an Infantryman, passion for art, and dedication to supporting fellow veterans. Art became my therapy and a means to connect with others, bridging the gap between veterans and civilians. Through collaborative projects and shared experiences, I’ve witnessed the power of creativity in fostering healing and camaraderie. Read more>>
Alicia Sutton
I didn’t. It found me! When I was a kid there was a wishing tree at a local fair. You could write your dream on a piece of paper and tie it to one of the branches. There was something enchanting about all the pieces of paper dancing in the breeze. Read more>>
Pablo Antonio Alvarez
Growing up, i experience a lot of violence where i am from (Frank Pais, Cuba). When we migrated to South Florida, I befriended a group of young men who were the sons and siblings of older gang members (most of whom were dead or in prison). They became like brothers to me. I became addicted to certain chemistries at the age of 14. By the time I was 20, I had been in many, many fights. Read more>>
Melessa Sargent
I’ve always been in the entertainment industry since I was young starting as a dancer in Tap, Ballet and Jazz then moving into modeling, acting and singing. My family always found a way of giving back ever since I can remember. Read more>>
Pete Schreiner
I worked for years as a photojournalist for a small daily newspaper. In wanting to provide our daughter with better opportunities and allow my wife to go back to school, we picked up our family and moved to Alabama. I left my job at the newspaper and found work in the HVAC trade to help our family while my wife pursued her degree as a registered nurse. I woke up miserable and not enjoying my job every day. Read more>>
Amanda Kazzy Cryer
As a child, teen, and young adult, I faced incredibly painful and traumatic experiences in life – including poverty and homelessness, sexual abuse, sexual assault, bullying, domestic violence – and severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD as a result. Read more>>
Mariesa Moore-Gentry
I believe that we were all born for the same purpose–to glorify God and to bring others to Christ. The avenue through which we do this will vary. Whether you are a teacher, an electrician, a singer, a doctor, a spouse, a parent, or a friend, your purpose should be seen in who you are and through what you do. Read more>>
Linda Kozar
The best way to find your purpose is to discover your passion, what you love doing the most. For me, it was always writing. From an early age I read voraciously in multiple genres and age ranges, but often didn’t like the way some books ended. So, I wrote alternate endings and they were always satisfying to me. Not the sort of endings that leave you wondering what happened to the characters you’d come to know and love. The ending always had to be happy. I needed to know I’d left those characters content in their world. Read more>>
