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.
Daniel Sukara
I found my purpose from a feeling of having no purpose. As far back as I can remember, I knew I always wanted to work in movies and TV. I hopped around from different passions, from acting to filmmaking to screenwriting, but the one that was always at the back of my mind, the first real love, was special effects make up. When I was a kid, I watched so many horror movies and they never scared me. They just made me wonder “how did they do that?” I got my hands on any video or book I could find that would give me an insight to that world, from Dick Smith, to Rick Baker, to Tom Savini. I think the whole reason I wanted to get into movies was so that I could do my own effects in them. All throughout high school I was the go-to guy for blood and bruises and such for all of my friends’ student films. And I was good for what I had. Read more>>
Kristal Mallookis
From a young age, I knew I was destined to move to NYC. The accents, the fast-paced lifestyle, and the incredible mix of cultures fascinated me. When I started to get serious about dance and my future, the plan was simple: I’d move to NYC from Colorado and become a dancer. Easy, right?! Well, it didn’t take long after arriving to realize that while I loved dance, my skills were pretty average. I couldn’t act, and I definitely couldn’t sing. But that didn’t stop me from going to auditions and having a blast. I’d come home thinking about all the fun I had and the new friends I made.
At the time, I was living with professional dancers who were insanely talented, and their audition stories were a little different. They’d come home brimming with confidence, sure they’d nailed it and ready to book the job (whether they got it or not). That’s when I started to notice our mindsets were worlds apart. Read more>>
Lauren Richeson
Finding my purpose was one of the biggest challenges in my adult life. I spent many years living in a comfort zone and wasn’t feeling the joy and happiness I longed to feel inside my heart, mind, body, and soul. I knew there was something for me, but I could not figure it out on my own. I was feeling very stuck and lost in the wilderness. I had put myself “in a box,” holding myself in a place of “I’m not worthy of…” or to become anything I dreamed of for my life. On the outside, a flawless public facade masked private despair. I was entirely behind the walls of limiting beliefs, and I knew I needed to break free to find my true purpose and passion for my life. Read more>>
Jerry Kirk
I’m not sure that it’s my “purpose,” but I’m pretty sure that my reason for being is to make art. At a very young age, I discovered that making art and the joy that my creations gave others brought me happiness. Even as a child, I needed an outlet, a way to express myself, and being an artist provided that. I was fortunate to have been born with some skills and a vibrant imagination, and these offered me a path forward toward the kind of work that offered a mental sanctuary and escape from the mundane. Read more>>
Dominique Saint Malo
I’ve always been really interested in exploring the gray area of things and people. And I used to want to be an actor; I always thought that was such an exciting, personal way to connect with and explore humanity. My high school had a pretty intense performing arts program and I attended on an acting scholarship. I was certain acting professionally was what I was meant to do and that I was going to do it no matter what. When the time came to audition for colleges, I had a handful of decent auditions, but ultimately my family couldn’t afford the colleges I was admitted to for acting, namely NYU (my “reach” and also my dream school). I realized I’d probably have to switch majors if I wanted to pursue acting, which meant going to college with another major and working on starting college auditions from scratch. Read more>>
Janna Fackrell
While in Los Angeles, I immersed myself in acting gigs and any odd jobs to make ends meet, resorting to paying rent with my credit card. Unknowingly, I fell in with the wrong crowd, finding myself entangled in some murky situations. Before I knew it, I was under the control of the mob. I became a victim of sex trafficking right in broad daylight. Feeling trapped, I struggled to break free from this situation that was now my life. Enduring a year and a half of torment took a heavy toll on my spirit. My light wasn’t just dim; it was completely extinguished as I hit rock bottom. Realizing the need for change, I made a pivotal decision while scrubbing away sins in the shower. Read more>>
Emberstorm Spiral Sojourner
Even as a young child I have always danced (and painted) to the “beat of my own drum.” Despite being raised Catholic (sixteen years of Catholic education), my spiritual quest remained unique and a driving force in my life. I have always sought out spiritual truth which earned me the labels “intelligent,” “creative,” and “strange” at a young age. Since psychic gifts and mediumship were frowned upon, my younger self hungrily read books on ancient cultures, mythology, and works by Edgar Cayce and Ruth Montgomery. Read more>>
Conner Floyd
Growing up, my parents told me to shoot for the stars. They taught me that I could do anything I wanted, as long as I worked really hard and really committed myself to it. For me, that was football. It was my life, my first true love. I am a big believer in “Everything happens for a reason” and a lot happened in my football career. I battled just about everything a college football player can come across. Injuries, coaching changes, terrible seasons, you name it. I broke my leg in high school my senior year – tore my AC joint and cracked my collar bone in college and had at least 2 -3 concussions in college. At a certain point I saw the light at the end of the football tunnel and the thought of pivoting popped into my head. Read more>>
Dionisia Hatzis
My father was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer when he was 63 and journeyed through chemo and radiation for 2 years. I was beside him for most of this time and was, fortunately, right beside him as he passed away. He had been in the hospital for a week and we knew the end was near. My mother, sister and I held him, talked to him, and sang to him as his body started to shut down. And in that very moment, as we death doula’d him through his last breath, my spiritual rebirth occurred. I witnessed him no longer in his body, and I knew that his spirit, his soul, had moved into the ethers all around me. And, in witnessing this, my own inner transformation took place. Read more>>
Renee Johnson
I think our purpose in life can change over time, and we are successful when we accept that those changes are occurring and are open to readjusting our navigation to accept where we are now. I, for example, was able to be a stay-at-home mom while my children were in school, and raising them during that time was my purpose. Read more>>
Christian Chico
Purpose… this is one of the many questions that continues to have an ever-changing answer depending on the circumstance. In the 2008 Sci-fi film WALL-E, Captain B. McCrea is talking to the main antagonist, AUTO, and McCrea exclaims “I don’t want to survive. I want to live!” Upon watching that scene, the Captain’s words echo in my brain with a surge of motivation that lifts my spirits and inspire me to achieve something… that is… what? While working in film I have found this same feeling in the art of grip! Cutting light, shaping light, diffusing light, changing the quality of light, bouncing light, rigging camera, creating rig points, moving camera in particular ways, solving problems on the fly… it is so exciting and I look forward to doing these things whenever I am on set! Read more>>
Joseph Cordova
I spent the first 10 years of my adult working life with a series of nonprofit organizations. During my senior year of college I worked for the America Reads program through DePaul University, tutoring elementary aged students in the south and west side neighborhoods of Chicago. Inspired to keep going about this type of community engagement and hoping to contribute whatever I could to people and families in need, I went on to work for homeless shelters, community employment programs, disability advocacy organizations, and community colleges. While I am very proud of the work I did during these years and even more proud of and inspired by the people with whom I worked, I took some time to reflect and came to the realization that I wanted more ‘teeth to my bite’. Meaning, I wanted to explore a different type of advocacy, one where the communities I would serve could realize a different kind of impact and sustainability. Read more>>
Analaura Devary
Finding my purpose has been a journey shaped by my personal experiences and the desire to help others. Witnessing my family members navigate the challenges of aging, health and independence inspired me to combine my entrepreneurial spirit into starting a business that makes a difference in people’s lives. I found purpose in providing compassionate care and support to seniors and their families. It is very rewarding to offer practical solutions, resources and emotional encouragement to families while also building a meaningful business that positively impacts the community. Read more>>
Eric Dahl
I believe that all of us have many purposes, but how I found my work or career purpose was purely by accident. Working in Media most of life I had moved around to different cities and states across the US for the company I work for. When I landed in Nashville, TN I realized that no media outlets in the market were interviewing music artists at a deeper level and discussing their favorite music gear with them. So, I pitched the idea to the News Director at the time and she said that it sounded like a great idea, but if I wanted it done, I would need to do it. That certainly wasn’t the goal as I was hoping that a reporter or anchor would take up the cause and fulfill my vision. Instead, I launched the Rock & Review and started the show by myself discussing new music gear that was being released. Read more>>
Sydney St. Fleur
An American author, Robert Greene, wrote in his book Mastery that each person possesses an inner force guiding them toward their life’s task. This inner force often reveals itself in childhood. In my early years, that force continuously led me to filmmaking, as well as writing and modeling. I didn’t have the resources I do now, but that didn’t matter — the magic still manifested. Read more>>
Jamie Mcnamara
I have always been drawn to the arts and sciences throughout my life. As a child, I wanted to be an art teacher or a surgeon. I grew up in a family that heavily abused drugs and alcohol. Seeing my loved ones poison and destroy their bodies was one of the main reasons I became interested in working in healthcare and helping people. I went to college and studied Public Health with a large focus in Sexual Health and drug education. I then went on to complete my nursing degree and currently work as a bedside nurse in different hospitals. I have always dabbled in different art mediums throughout my life for fun and to calm my chaotic mind. Once the pandemic came around and I was working as a nurse, I needed a major stress relief. Read more>>
Jenny Garufi
I discovered my purpose through healing various aspects of my own life. The first area was my physical health. I was chronically ill for seven years, enduring constant pain. I had been told I would never recover and was diagnosed with four chronic conditions. However, I healed myself completely in just three weeks. That was 18 years ago, and since then, I have used similar techniques to heal all areas of my life. Read more>>
Matt Covington
Finding my purpose of educating my community on financial fundamentals and how accessible preparing your family financially can be, was not linear. My parents have always been hardworking, supportive and provided a stable upbringing for myself and my four siblings. Dad retired from over thirty years of working as an engineer and Mom always exemplified frugal responsibility. Before serving a mission for my church, I met the founder of our company, Mike Wilk, at a financial education event that we actually still host today. Read more>>
Eddie Obenauf
I found my purpose through a lot of failures, endless prayers and taking risks. Years of trying new things and learning new efficient ways to make my passion become better and easier. Surrendering my life to Christ and growing my Faith is the number 1 thing. Stepping out of my comfort zone and growing closer and trusting him is the key to it all. I have a very amazing support system from my amazing wife, that I have been with for 22 years. We share 3 beautiful children and 1 in Heaven, that we will see one day! Read more>>
Donald Jones
It’s not so much that I found my purpose, my purpose really found me … or rather, it was there, all the while. I just had to recognize it. Through law school and a career, I always enjoyed writing – expressing myself via language and the written word. I was only after a thirty year career in business, and the writing of my first book, did I realize that my calling was to tell stories and to help others do the same. Everyone has a story. And it’s so important to share those stories for the benefit of others. Read more>>
Steenz
Sometimes I think I found my purpose as a young person when I was reading instructions on how to play board games. There’s always someone who doesn’t want to play because they don’t want to spend time learning detailed instructions. I always felt like that was a barrier that I could help people cross easier. I thought there’s no need to miss out on fun because learning something new can be hard! Let me be the one to explain it to you in a easy to understand and concise way. Read more>>
Quiana A. Jackson
Discovering my purpose was far from an overnight revelation. It was a long, winding journey filled with self-reflection, deep prayer, and the resilience to persevere through life’s many challenges. As I navigated the highs and lows, it became clear that my purpose was intertwined with the very experiences that had shaped me—the good, the bad, and the painful. It wasn’t just about what I was passionate about; it was about listening to God, recognizing the unique gifts He had given me, and embracing the calling to use those gifts to make a lasting impact on the world. Read more>>
Mama Rainbow
My purpose found me. With every layer that unveils it self over time, it continues to “find me” rather than me “looking for it”. To be more specific, it was a series of events that occurred while working at a former job-Lush Cosmetics. It started with making a life-style blog, to using said blog to log the creation processes for a college art class, from interpreting dreams for co-workers, to a Rose Quartz gift that opened me to a new way of living, to a co-worker gifting me my first tarot deck, from connecting to Aztlan Aliens in a dream & at a music festival. The rest is her-story. Read more>>
Joel Alvarado
Greetings from Mayberry USA. My name is Joel Alvarado. I am the Coproducer and actor that plays Goober Pyle in The Andy Griffith Show Movie Mayberry Man which is now with Sony Entertainment. I also am on Warner Bros Worst Cooks In America:Spoiled Rotten Edition. I found my purpose through laughter. I believe that laughter is a feeling that can heal a person internally. For the longest time I did not even know what laughter was. I barely knew how to smile. The roads that led to Mayberry were rather dark and winding roads. I endured many moments that brought sorrow and despair. I was bullied for being myself and not following the hoard. My father abandoned and rejected me. As a child, I would take naps in front of a screen door at my grandparents house. My father and his family would speak of his return. Read more>>
Christina Matthew
About a decade ago, my pastor delivered a sermon series on discovering purpose. He urged us to ask: “What keeps you up at night?” I thought about it for weeks, examining issues such as world hunger, health, homelessness, education, children’s welfare, and disaster relief. While all these causes pulled on my heart, they didn’t keep me from sleeping. Read more>>
Chris Fason
Simple answer: experience. As I write this, today is my 48th birthday. As I’ve gotten older and experienced the hills and valleys of this life, I find myself searching more and more for purpose; I guess we all do as we get older. I’ve found that I feel more fulfilled doing things that I enjoy that also bring a positive message to people. Read more>>
Emma Lehman
The first podcast I produced, I began on a whim during COVID. I had finished all but the easiest classes for my degree, gotten laid off from my job, couldn’t really go anywhere, and generally had a lot of time on my hands. I had developed a fascination with the actor Shelley Duvall after a film GE had me analyze the film “Three Women,” and in this new free time, I fell down the rabbit hole of researching Shelley.Read more>>
Isabel Jenner Hernandez
I found my purpose through a long and difficult journey of battling addiction, mental health struggles, and suicidal thoughts. For years, I was lost in darkness, but I eventually reached a breaking point where I realized that I couldn’t keep living the way I was. I made the decision to seek help—through therapy, support groups, and the love of my husband and three amazing children. Slowly (and together) I began to heal. Read more>>
Alissa Montez
I’ve always known I was creative, but I never really fit into the traditional idea of what being creative looks like. I don’t play an instrument, paint, or draw, but I’ve always felt that creativity within me. It wasn’t until I found content creation that I felt an instant pull, like this was where I was supposed to be. As I explored creating content, I experimented with different niches, trying to find my little corner of the internet. Read more>>
R.h. Bird
Holy Cow! I wish I knew what my purpose was! Actually, I do. In college my purpose was to get a business degree. I read a book in school about Lee Iacocca, the creator of the Mustang at Ford and the Minivan at Chrysler. The way he described his journey up the corporate ladder sounded so exciting, I knew I wanted to enter the business world and follow in those footsteps. So, I became a Biz Admin major and was also a member of Sigma Tau Chi fraternity. My other goal in college was to have as much fun as possible. But what happens when my time as a student ends, what’s my purpose then? Read more>>
Nella
I don’t feel like I found my purpose as if it was something I didn’t have and needed to search for. I had it my whole life and one day the concept of my purpose was more so realized. There’s a thread throughout my life that connected so many things. I had no idea of this underlying connection or how any of it would play the role that it does today. I could outline each element in detail. Collectively they provide striking evidence that what I am doing now, is undoubtedly what I was always meant to do. Shaun Lether said at the last IANDS (International Association for Near Death Studies) conference I attended, “It was my path to go off my path” and that struck me deep. I believe everyone, whether they know it or not, is already living their purpose and hopefully one day it’ll be realized. Read more>>
Karen Lombardo
I am not sure how I found my purpose. I think my purpose found me. My husband, Chip, passed away suddenly in July 2021. I was thrust into running his two businesses and my own, and I had no time to grieve or really think ahead. There was too much to do. I eventually sold and closed Chip’s businesses and now left to my own devices; I built up my business and costing, catching my breath, and being open to what was ahead. Read more>>
Brian Douglas
This is a question I have spent a lot of time reflecting on over the past couple of years. I have always been someone who enjoys pursing different creative outlets be it music, photography or film making. I’ve been creating since I was a teenager because it has always filled me with a sense of joy and happiness that I have not been able to find in other parts of my life. I have always approached these outlets as something first and foremost for me; my own self-care. But, after my dad experienced his first stroke and subsequently died a couple of years later, the way I started thinking about purpose has taken on a much deeper meaning for me. Read more>>
Heather Plant
This is a question I truly love because it’s so deeply aligned with who I am. Finding my purpose was the main thing that was always on the forefront of my mind since I was really young, well that and finding a partner who loved and cherished me as much as I did them. Surprisingly, the love part came fairly soon, although there were quite a few painful hiccups before finding them. But discovering my purpose felt more elusive, especially since I’ve always been multi-passionate, and pulled in so many different directions by a deep curiosity and love for learning. Read more>>
Angelia Hubbard
I have always been a mover. I started dancing when I was 5 and have been doing it ever since. As I got older I started to explore other forms of movement and how I could use movement not just in an artistic expression but also a health and wellness way as well. I was introduced to Pilates when I was in my early 20’s when I moved from the states to Bermuda. It has literally helped keep me dancing still at age 45. I know the benefits it has given me in knowing how my body works and what I can do to keep it safely moving is something I love teaching other people how to do. Genuinely knowing how your body works from the inside out is a game changer in how you approach fitness and wellness. Read more>>
Sharon Falsetto Chapman
My purpose came out of tragedy (and continues to do so) as is the case for many. I started down the path as an aromatherapist when my husband died suddenly 20 years ago. He always said, “If something happens to me, go and do what you *really* want to do with your life.” So I did. I quit my “steady” job, retrained in aromatherapy and ended up half way round the world starting a new life. Read more>>
