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.
Chazelle Owens
Six years ago I was in the hospital for a pretty big surgery to remove parts of me that were covered in bad cells. The day after the surgery everything seemed fine until it wasn’t. As I was spending the day in recovery I began to get very dizzy. My breath had become shallow more and more throughout the day but that was one of the side affects from the surgery so I did not think anything of it. As I began to loose consciousness I was still in awareness that something was not right and I might not be waking up again. I was completely at peace of the fact that maybe I would not make it. Read more>>
Matteocci Tha Don
Music. If it wasn’t for music I would be dead or doing life in prison. The feeling and satisfaction I get from recording performing and listening to my own music as well as others bumping my music is what gives me true satisfaction. I was born to be an artist music is my passion and my purpose. I want to touch as many people as I can through my music. Read more>>
Allie Branham
I would have to say that I find my purpose through constantly and continually discerning the best ways to live out my vocation. It is my belief that God has called me to my vocation as a wife and mother, and, in order to participate in that discovery, I, of course, must pray and have a relationship with my creator. My purpose has never changed and will never change, but my life circumstances will always be in flux. Read more>>
Toni Pitruzzello
in their world, shaped by their rules. I showed signs early in life of being a “rule breaker” or an “outlaw”… a “rebel”… the rules and expectations, the implicit pressure to conform didn’t feel right. As I entered the workforce, I tried on many different roles and archetypes including those of Insurance Agent, and Fitness Instructor… and I met a man who would end up being my biggest curse and toughest blessing. Read more>>
Megan Deboer
This question haunted me well into my mid-thirties. I wanted to find work that felt purposeful, work beyond raising my two daughters. I was an independent bookkeeper at the time, doing the finances for over 20 small businesses where I had front row seats to people’s relationship with money. Read more>>
Mr Dark
I found my purpose in the depths of my own pain. Losing the people I loved and trusted broke me in ways I didn’t think I could survive. But it was in those darkest moments that I realized I had two choices: let the pain consume me, or use it to fuel my fight. I chose to fight.
My purpose came from understanding that if I could survive my battles, I could help others survive theirs. I’ve been through hell, and I’m still here. That’s when I knew my purpose was to turn my pain into strength…not just for me, but for anyone who needs to know they’re not alone. Read more>>
Andrea Ackerly
My purpose comes from helping kids find their purpose. I have been inspired by the story of Viktor Frankl, the Jewish psychiatrist and neurologist who survived the Holocaust and wrote the life changing book, Man Search for Meaning. I wrote a children’s book; The Dove Who Inspired Beyond Barbed Wire, with my co-author; Kimberly JB Smith, about his life and messages on finding meaning and purpose. My purpose has always been to help uplift others. I used to get discouraged by life’s obstacles but I learned from Viktor Frankl and others who overcame adversity and challenges and this is what gives your life meaning. Read more>>
Brandon Francis
I never knew what I wanted to do in life, but I have undoubtedly found a purpose in audiobook narration, and it is the last career I should have. I am the most fidgety, restless, spaz of a person. So, obviously the infamous SSR (“sit down, shut up, and read” – remember that, fellow millennials?) time in school was very enjoyable for me. I loathed reading. In fact, I also despised feeling trapped in a tiny space…and now I make a living being trapped in a tiny space, narrating aloud for hours at a time, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Read more>>
Lauren Korda
For many years, I was fortunate to have a successful corporate career and in that chapter a very fulfilling life. I had achieved many of the goals I set for myself, surrounded by accomplishments both personally and professionally, that brought me both pride and a sense of fulfillment. I was the jet-setting, corporate ladder climber with everything I could want at my fingers tips. I was driven by the dollar. Life was good, and I felt content with the path I was on because that was the life I had dreamt of or so I thought. But when I lost my mother, everything changed in a way I never anticipated. Read more>>
Karen Mayer
I found my purpose by responding to my inner longing that was calling me back to focus on my innate creativity. There was a time when I wasn’t listening to my inner desires. I had a full-time job with a daily commute and managed two active daughters while my husband travelled for work. Read more>>
Cece Wheeler
I’ve really been all over the map in terms of interests; prior to film school, I studied Biology at Middlebury College in Vermont and ended up doing a thesis in octopus camouflage. But I also studied studio art for years, played guitar in a garage band in middle school (we learned one Radiohead cover and then disbanded), attended the Iowa Young Writers Program as a teen for short-story writing, and was at one point expelled from high school. I can’t even remember what I wrote my personal statement about when I applied to college, which is in theory when you’re supposed to be narrowing down what your life is going to be all about. Read more>>
Weston Woodward
Growing up, we moved every two to three years due to my father’s job as a pastor. Eating at the lunch table by yourself is quite miserable so I got pretty good at making friends and adapting to the local culture. This continued into adulthood as I began to travel internationally and bounce around into various careers. Three pivotal moments became the catalysts for me finding my purpose. Read more>>
Christine Lalonde
I’ve struggled most of my life to find my way, trying to figure out what my purpose was. In and out of abusive relationships, raising children and not knowing who I was. When covid came along, it destroyed my business that I had built for 15 years and wasn’t sure what to do. I started learning to meditate and to find out what the buzz around manifesting was about. I fell into the rabbit hole and find not only my purpose but I found myself. Learning the journey of how to manifest and what that entailed was life changing for me. Read more>>
Judith Henry
For me, life has always been about being of service to others. That’s my North Star, and my soul’s purpose. It began with helping my parents in the final phase of their lives, which felt a lot like a roller coaster ride in the dark. Dealing with our healthcare system, changing family dynamics, emergency situations, and anticipatory grief filled my days, but so did love, laughter, and deep connection. After both my parents passed, I spent time processing all that I’d learned over six years, and discovered a strong sense of purpose in helping other adult children in similar situations via my book, The Dutiful Daughter’s Guide to Caregiving. Read more>>
Valeria Haedo Divinorum
With my work, I explore interdimensional space using glass and mirrors. Working from the tangible physical world, glass, and metals, to the immaterial, light and shadows. How can I translate the complexity of the psychedelic and mysterious elements of our natural world by exposing magical and fantasy elements as parts contained within perceived normality? Read more>>
Elena Pulido Presa
How I became a naturopath working for myself and being able to do so wherever I want? By leaving my comfort zone. From 18 to 26, I started a career in cinema, in my home town, Madrid. Living at my parents flat, not taking many risks nor having travelled a lot in my life.
I had been living in the same city, in the same neighbourhood and even the same flat my entire life. Read more>>
Damario Walker-brown
My journey began in high school when I joined the Beta Club and volunteered at a local hospital, assisting patients receiving mental health care. This early experience ignited a passion for community service that continued through college, where I participated in various philanthropic activities, from street cleaning to after-school mentoring at a local community center. However, my true focus on my calling emerged when I unexpectedly lost my campus job. The struggle to pay rent and witnessing the hardships faced by precariously housed individuals around me made me realize how quickly circumstances can change. Read more>>
Jackson Schlekewey
Years of trial, error and looking in the mirror. Hell, I’m still not all the way there, but I’d like to think I’m making progress in figuring it out. I think purpose just comes down to what fulfills you. I grew up oblivious to the nagging feeling in my head that film and performance was what I really wanted to do. Through years or trying different “more practical” paths, I kept finding myself most enthusiastic about all things film: the artistry, the cultural impact, and most importantly the way it makes people feel. Read more>>
Alexander Manzoni
It all started in my youth. My mother, a painter, raised me with the idea that the arts as one of the most important things in life. Being that she was such a great artist, I knew that I wanted to do something creative but didn’t want to try to compete with her (as it would be no use). Read more>>
Dr. Vinod Prakash
I grew up in a lower-middle-class family in a small town in pre-independence India. My family was involved in the Freedom Movement and was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. His words “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” have been a constant inspiration for me growing up and perseverance, education, and a strong work ethic were my passport to a better life. I completed a master’s in math and followed it up with a master’s in statistics, thanks to my sisters, who pooled money to help me complete my second degree at the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkatta. Read more>>
Traci Freeman
When I reflect on my journey, I have lived a life of risks, chances, and the belief of those who supported me. As a child, I was fearless, always choosing “dare” in games and life alike. My family and friends had a lot of confidence in me, always urging me to chase my dreams. By my teens, I had a successful modeling career and landed the cover of a magazine at 13 years old. Life was a whirlwind of basketball games, social gatherings, and trips abroad, all fueled by a strong sense of self. Read more>>
Renee Gunn
From the time I was 16 years old, I had worked in an office environment and my formal education stopped when I graduated high school. Fast forward to my 40th birthday. I remember thinking how bored I was and that there had to be more to life than just existing. After some soul searching, I determined I was passionate about animals and traveling. I decided to make a big change in my life by going back to school and eventually receiving my Associates Degree in Applied Science, Veterinary Technology. Read more>>
Monica Miranda
That’s an interesting question, because I find that with each stage of my life, I’ve discovered a new purpose. As a person who is not afraid to try new things, I’ve always found that what makes my life fulfilling is helping others in the best way I know how. Whether it was as a therapist, consultant, in customer service, or as a teacher, my joy in life has always been to find solutions to the problems people may have. Read more>>
Christy Cashman
I found my purpose when I realized one of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is when my themes resonate with my readers. Not only does it give me a sense of purpose, the most fulfilling part of being creative lies in the paths it opens for self-expression, growth, impact, connection, and fulfillment. The deepest sense of fulfillment arises when something I’ve created deeply connects with them. Read more>>
Matt Gesualdi
There were many steps on the way to finding the purpose of my life and Proximity. I link the two because they affect each other in so many ways. Some of the steps were intentional and some took me by surprise.
Proximity, officially Proximity Studio, is the present state of an ongoing mission to bring touchable information to people with a spectrum of vision abilities, referred to as BVI (Blind/Vision Impaired), as well as reconnecting everyone with the idea that touching has always been one of the best ways to understand a 3D object. Read more>>
Hannah Swank
I’ve always had a deep connection to my faith and my family, both of which are what helped shape my purpose in life. I often say that God gives each person unique gifts, which in my case, used to seem like a mish-mash of random skills I possessed. But, as I went from working for a small company to starting my own businesses and homeschooling my kids, I realized that these were the exact things I needed in order to excel. Read more>>
Wendy Zook
First of all, I know a lot of people say this but it’s true 100% for me — I never imagined, even in my biggest and boldest dreams, that I would be doing what I’m doing now. Nurturing a community and leading a brand-new nonprofit organization in transition wasn’t even on my radar. Read more>>
Tanya Chasse
Discovering My Purpose as a Permanent Makeup Artist
My journey began when I faced the challenge of losing my brow hairs and sought a solution. Through my search, I came across “microblading” and decided to try it out. The excitement I felt after the appointment sparked an idea – I could master this art and provide various services like tattooed areolas for breast cancer survivors, eyebrow tattoos for those with alopecia or undergoing chemotherapy, eyeliner tattooing, lip tattooing, and scalp micropigmentation for thinning hair. Read more>>
Jenny Chavez
It was 2007, I was a junior in high school, and I was playing a soccer game with my school team. The game was so good and my teammates and I were very happy to be winning 2-0. I was on my way to scoring the third goal when suddenly the last defender from the opposing team shoved my body so hard to try to win the ball before it got to me. The push was so strong, my body went the opposite way of my knee. Read more>>
Quistona Glenn
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. My Italian/white mother played music everyday all day long. Rock music to be specific. From then on I understood music as majority of white musicians coming together with their electric guitars, strange lyrics with old soul voices, and painted faces. I love rock music! But, at such a young age I had never listened to anything else. Until I discovered artists on my own by surfing through Music Choice videos. Listening to artists like Rihanna and Beyonce was mesmerizing. Read more>>
Elizabeth Wilson
From a very early age, I knew I loved helping others. I was born and raised in Venezuela to Christian parents who were incredibly giving. I witnessed them feeding those in need, praying for the hurting, and actively participating in community events. Read more>>
Ana K. Cruz
Before finding my true passion, my purpose, I did a few other things along the way, which ended up being steps on my journey to finding what I am meant to do. I studied design and landscape architecture for a while, worked as a babysitter in Ibiza, traveled, got a degree in Corporate Communications, and did so many things I’m thankful for, had many exciting experiences and gathered valuable memories. Read more>>
Adrian Quintanar
I’ve always identified as a maker. This has been a constant aspect of my life. Whether it’s through playing the guitar, photography, or working with a pottery wheel, I have always been driven to create new things. I can’t simply say that my purpose is to make art though. It’s much broader than that. As an artist, what I desire most is to share my creative practice tangibly and pass on what I’ve learned to others. Read more>>
Rebecca Murdasova
I found my purpose through God’s guidance and the clear path He laid out for me. At a time when I was uncertain about my future, God provided everything I needed to make my business a reality. By pursuing what I love—making coffee—I discovered that my true calling is to serve others and be a light in their lives. Something as simple as coffee has allowed me to connect with countless people, share experiences, and bring a little joy into their days. This journey has shown me that my soul’s purpose is deeply intertwined with serving others and making a difference. Read more>>
Karina Mosqueda
I think we all have a natural sense of our purpose, even when we’re young. As kids, we’re not limited by rules, and our imaginations can freely explore what we really want. For me, that purpose has always been centered around helping others. As a child I dreamed of becoming a doctor, but as I grew older, I realized that medical school might not be the right path for me. However, my deep empathy and intuitive nature, where I could sense and understand the emotions of those around me, guided me towards a different kind of healing. Read more>>
Kayla Cannon
Growing up I always said I wanted to be a veterinarian. I have a big heart for animals, and I didn’t think I would be good at working with people. Then in my early 20’s I had the opportunity to work directly with animals and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. After coming to that realization, I tried many different job fields just to try and figure out where I fit in this world. It wasn’t until I got a job working at a local Credit Union as a Member Advisor that I realized what truly made me happy…. working with people. Read more>>
Jessica Nields
When entering senior year of high school I had no direction I wanted to go. I was thinking about going to cosmetology school but talked myself out of it and went to a small local college, Cabrini University. My priorities at that time were party and hang out with friends. After my first semester I had revisited the idea of cosmetology school with my parents. They were very against the idea and told me, “you started college, you will finish it” as I am the first generation in my immediate family to get a bachelor’s degree. Read more>>
Ebony Kunkle
Purpose is such a funny thing. From the time we are very young, we are told, we must find it. The question, ‘what do you want to be when you grow-up’, rings in our ears over and over with every year that passes. This phrase gives many a feeling of comfort, while others are left pondering until a late age, and more still, never quite find it. Read more>>
Katy Yurcheshen
I believe my purpose is cultivating compassion and empathy for myself and others. I don’t believe I ever found my purpose. It gradually revealed itself to me as I had more and more life experiences. I have deepened my compassion and empathy by going through challenging situations and simply sticking with them. Inevitably, I come out the other side, sometimes a little bruised, but with a deeper appreciation about how I can be more kind and empathetic to myself and others. Read more>>
Madison K
My purpose was actually a happy accident! I got sick in my early 20s and found myself at home a lot.. however I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing so I started baking! Then realized I can’t just be making baked goods all day and Stumbled upon cookie decorating! My first cookies were not cute but the more I decorated the better they became… and definitely think they were a major part of my healing process as well! Next thing I knew I completely fell in love with making decorated cookies and started gifting to family/friends then started an instagram and next thing you know I had a cookie business !! Read more>>
Lady Danni Morinich
When my father died, I was looking for a way to connect with him, since my only brother and my mother were dealing with their own grief. Because my dad had been a small game, hunter and a fisherman, I thought the woods would be the best place to reconnect with him. Being a city girl, without any experience, and here to for, no desire to go out in nature, I thought it might be a good idea to connect with some people who had experience. Read more>>
Shakia Singleton
My love for fashion has been a guiding force in finding my purpose. It started with an early fascination with how clothes and accessories could transform not just appearances but also confidence and self-expression. I remember flipping through fashion magazines as a teenager, watching runway shows, and experimenting with different styles, all of which fueled my passion for the industry. Read more>>
Sona Lewis
Thank you, for this opportunity! And thank you to the readers!
I waited for a long time to find my life’s single, main purpose. This idea is such a thief of time! It is not for everyone. If you feel strongly about a “life’s purpose”, good for you. But if you don’t, that is perfectly normal.
I did not find my life’s one purpose and I
have come to be comfortable with it. I have goals each year and I reflect how I improved my life and the life of others around me. Read more>>
Dev Dilemma
Not to sound cliche but I found my purpose through art. As a very young age, I was always very into creating art whether it was drawing, writing stories, singing, or dancing. As I got older, I practiced in all different fields until I realized music is what makes me feel more and feel alive. It can alter moods and even inspire on top of being able to create my own unique version of it that only myself can create. It’s something that has always made me happy and doesn’t feel like a job but a hobby. I can be authentic and myself to the fullest and express it in so many ways which is an amazing thing. Read more>>
Charity “holly” Haith
I fell in love with Entertainment for the first time when I was ten. That was the year that I noticed a new awakening of creative curiosity within myself. I would find myself many nights waking up from a dream I had, jotting down a rough draft script, and then acting out the dream with my barbie dolls and my best friend the next morning. Although I had been involved in dance for years prior to this moment, my mother took note to this new found talent and knew there was something very special happening. Read more>>
