Stories & Lessons for Finding Your Purpose

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.

Ariella Nelson

From a young age, I always knew my purpose in life would be rooted in music. Ive always felt a deep, intrinsic pull towards it; It’s been the constant thread weaving through my experiences, connecting me to my family and friends, and guiding me through both the best and the worst times. Music has always defined the different phases of my life, shaping who I am today. It has been more than just a passion; my identity. There was never any debate or hesitation about my career path—I was destined to work in the music industry. This connection to music has driven me to pursue a career where I can not only express myself, but also share this profound connection with others. Read more>>

Caitlin Demarest, Md, Phd

I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a doctor. When I started medical school, I thought I would do family practice, but as soon as I started my surgery rotation, I knew surgery was what I was meant to do. I then managed into my first choice of general surgery residency at Columbia University Medical Center. When I first rotated on the thoracic surgery service and during residency, I fell in love. Thoracic surgery is an incredible specialty where you take care of very sick patients and have the ability to change their lives. Read more>>

Stephanie Byich

Ever since I was a child, I loved making people laugh and feel good. Growing up in a small town on a quiet back street, I was surrounded by other kids. The girls in the neighborhood often hung out together, and I started doing their hairstyles, pouring my heart and soul into the craft even at a young age. What began as a hobby grew into a passion and eventually my career.
After high school, I planned to go straight to cosmetology school, but life took a different turn. Instead, I ended up earning an associate degree in business, not fully understanding why at the time. I worked various administrative jobs for a while before finally deciding to follow my true calling and enroll in cosmetology school. Read more>>

Cheryl Pennington

I began teaching swimming @ age 12 in my Uncles Motel swimming pool. That continued into lifeguarding and working with kids through High School. After graduating from High School I attended college and got a degree in physical education. I began my first teaching position in Kansas City @ an inner city ghetto school in the 60’s and 7o’s. I then traveled to Colorado where I have lived since 1971. I went to CU and got my masters degree as a teaching assistant. I then began my 30 year career in teaching high school physical education, establishing programs for girl’s sports, and coaching sports. After retiring from high school teaching, I taught skiing @ Eldora Ski area. I taught in the special needs program. My students included blind students, autistic students, and many other types of special needs students. Read more>>

Sherry Whidby

Personally, it took quite a while throughout my professional career to discover what shape my life’s purpose would take.

My professional career for more than 30 years, included roles with prestigious firms, including Deloitte, AIG, Williams Financial Group, and Bluecrest Financial Alliances, formerly MassMutual Dallas-Fort Worth. The expertise gained through each role, enabled me to expand my knowledge base in a myriad of ways. I learned all aspects of business, including operations, marketing, administration, human resources, accounting, and most importantly human relations and strong communication. Throughout my journey, I was surrounded by wonderful colleagues and strong leadership. The corporate world and these large organizations are so important to the state of our country, and I am blessed to have learned so much that would forge a strong foundation for what would ultimately pave the way for my true passion. Read more>>

Rebekah Francis

As a team it is hard to single out each persons individual purpose when working together as a collective. However we have found by being of service we thrive. After 6 years of being in business and feedback from our clients and surrounding community, our team thrives when we assist people who are in need or a problem solved. We know that life has many challenges and transitions we are able to adapt our services to be able to assist persons with various circumstances. We recently encountered a client who had recently moved back to Chatham County and their child with special needs was turning 18, which made the child legally an adult. Being unable to care for themselves and in need of 24 hour care , we were able to assist the family to get their documents notarized, but also ensure that any supplemental attestation forms required were provided at the time of the appointment. For us knowing that we were able to help during that life transition we felt as a team fulfilled. Read more>>

Leonard Jackson

This was instilled in me from an early age. I knew I always wanted to help others. This happened in my humble beginnings in the church. I found my purpose when asked to step up and start teaching a youth bible study class. It always brought joy to my heart and soul to help reach back and teach the young people; almost like providing them with a road map or blueprint. So, I was able to find my purpose in life. It became a personal and subjective journey that required self-reflection, exploration, and discovery on my part. It was during this process that I began reflecting on values, exploring passions and strengths, seeking feedback from others, and trying new things. It also involved practicing mindfulness, journaling, meditating, and being patient and persistent. However, I was never too proud to, seek guidance from others, which was always helpful. Read more>>

Cam Floyd

Truthfully, I never found my purpose in the culinary industry alone. At the time of needing to find work, I was a single father, still in high school, and my life was not going in the direction it needed to raise a child. I was 17 years old when I rented my first house, but before then, I lived with my older brother for majority of my teenage years. I was not raised by my parents and my brother Scott was the only person there for me in my life at the time. I finally moved out of his house and into my own and just needed a job. My first job was on a horse farm when I was 12, at Blue Moon Stables in Newnan, Georgia. I knew that I had work ethic since then and could find sustainable revenue in any career field I tried my hand at. So, that’s what I did. I applied for over 40 jobs in a variety of fields from maintenance technician jobs, hotels, landscaping, hospital janitorial job, restaurants in Atlanta, etc. I even applied with the local schools to work in the lunchroom. My intense focus was just finding any source of income that was legal and honest. Read more>>

Darlene Valle

I found my purpose by following my heart and the opportunities that presented themselves to me. Finding our purpose can be a very challenging thing but it became easier for me more recently when a wise person said ‘The purpose of life is to live’. Which to me means do everything with purpose because it all matters. It’s our life. It’s the story that we create. My purpose therefore is to live my life with purpose and an important part of my purpose the past years has been focused on giving back through teaching and volunteering. Read more>>

Batya Friedman

I’ve always been driven by a strong work ethic and desire to succeed. I began my career in advertising during the peak of the 2009 recession and worked for what now seems like pennies. However, I believed if I worked hard, put in my time and proved my worth I would eventually move up.
I was lucky enough to land at a few different organizations where I found incredible mentors who took an interest in me and my future. I really enjoyed what my job and the work I did. I had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients and industries and every day was exciting (sometimes grueling) as deadlines are almost synonymous with advertising/marketing.
I was promoted several times and eventually became a VP at an incredible Advertising/Marketing agency in Dallas (The Infinite Agency). There, I worked for Jonathan Ogle, an incredible leader, entrepreneur, marketer and friend. He often times noted that there were no glass ceilings for me at The Infinite Agency, and he allowed me the opportunity to spread my wings, fly and lead a wonderful team. Read more>>

David Diaz

When I was younger, I used to think that my purpose was solely in my gift (music). I thought that I could only be fulfilled by finding success with and through my gift. As I’ve grown older, I’ve chosen to have a deeper relationship with God. The closer I become to Him, the more it is unveiled to me that there are levels and layers to purpose. Although my gift is a large part of my purpose, I’ve come to realize that in reality, it is only part of how my purpose is expressed. Ultimately, my purpose is to love God and aspire to love people the way that He has loved me on a daily basis. Read more>>

Sara Campos

I’ve worked as a lawyer, writer, and currently as a program officer for a philanthropy. Immigration is a through-line of much of my work. It is definitely a major theme in my life. But purpose is more than a job; it is a reason for being.

I came to my purpose obliquely, the way a lot of things become clear in life. It began with Marge Piercy’s poem, “To Be of Service.” I don’t remember when I first read it; I just know that I immediately loved it. Once, while working on a fictional story, it occurred to me that the poem completely captured my protagonist. She took care of things, did things that needed to be done, regardless of pay or the difficulty involved. She didn’t fear getting her hands dirty. I admired her. I met so many immigrant women like her. Read more>>

Meinda Wood Allen

This is very related to the question about developing empathy, since that is the most important thing (besides love) that I bring to my life and ministry.

Short version (which is long):
Adopted into complex family of 4 adopted chirldren–some with deep emotional problems,

Brother was physically and emotionally abusive and parents did not protect the girl children from the golden boy;.

Battled all my life with self esteem due to feeling unacceptable, because of my weight, (joined weight watchers at age 8),

Father (army officer, war veteran, sometime fundamentalist preacher) began drinking when I was around age 7, and within a few short years was a full-blown alcoholic. Read more>>

Rebecca West

While this essay frequently uses terms such as “women” and “mothers” to discuss caregiving and domestic labor, it is important to acknowledge that caregiving transcends gender. The historical context of caregiving has often been linked to women due to societal expectations, but people of all genders—men, nonbinary individuals, and others—play critical roles in caregiving today. The terms used here reflect historical and cultural patterns rather than a limitation on who can or does provide care.
Furthermore, the word “mother” is used to represent a caregiving figure, but caregiving is provided by individuals across the spectrum of gender identities. Read more>>

Enzo Compañ Badillo

I was diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorderder) not so long ago and it has made such a difference in he way I understand myself.

Suddenly, most of my frustations in different aspects of my life had an unified and more tangible explanation. I started to see my life less like a neverending series of unrelated tumbles and fall-backs and more as an unavoidable struggle toward a better situation.

I would say my optimism and a sense of purpose comes from there. Read more>>

Diego Leiva

For me, purpose comes from aligning my life with my faith and values. As a traditional Catholic, I find meaning in serving others, whether it’s through my work in HVAC or in acting, where I can connect with audiences. Purpose isn’t just one thing. It’s bringing intention and God into whatever I’m doing. Read more>>

Archana Yadav

Finding one’s purpose is often a journey that involves self-reflection, exploration, and personal growth. For me, it was a process of trial and error, seeking out experiences and opportunities that aligned with my values, interests, and strengths. I found my purpose through introspection, identifying what truly mattered to me and what I was passionate about. This led me to pursue avenues that allowed me to make a meaningful impact and contribute to something greater than myself. It also involved seeking guidance from mentors, learning from others’ experiences, and being open to new possibilities. Ultimately, finding my purpose required patience, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace change. It’s an ongoing process, but the clarity and fulfillment that come with aligning with one’s purpose make the journey worthwhile. Read more>>

Brandon Clevenger

I never really knew where I belonged..fit in or my purpose..even as a child..I eventually used drugs and partying to create an identity that I felt would give me a place to fit it in..I still didn’t know my purpose..until I became a father..then I knew..I wanted to lead a family/household..be a good parent husband employee leader..but I struggled with addiction..then I found narcotics anonymous and found a new way to live and achieve these dreams..I know not only have my 2 sons full time..I’ve grown in my career and am a regional supervisor..found the love of my life..good coping skills..and am an actual productive member of society..I am 10 years clean..I also sponsor other men in the program and take meetings to the jail..I have a very fulfilling life and love who I see in the mirror..life is good. Read more>>

Isa Meir

It took me a while to discover creative writing even though I’ve been doing it since before I knew how. One of my earliest memories is scribbling in a notebook with a red marker, pages and pages of loops and swirls. I knew what writing was, couldn’t do it yet, but hoped that my imitation would suffice in capturing the story in my head. I remember the story as being world-changing, but of course I forgot it by the next day. Read more>>

Maya Koshaba

I believe purpose is a higher calling. It’s both greater than us, and the one thing that aligns us with the universe. We all have our own unique gifts, and it’s our responsibility not only to cultivate them but to share them with the world. My gift feels like a sacred offering—a contribution that belongs to humanity as a whole. It’s a journey of self-discovery and service, where purpose becomes the bridge between who we are and what we give. Read more>>

Emma Maxwell

I’ve always known that I want to help people, I just didn’t know how. That was until my health declined, and I felt so incredibly isolated. I found my purpose by becoming more vulnerable and vocal about my experiences that come with being a young person living with chronic illnesses. For so long I kept so much of my life hidden from the world. I’m someone who for the most part, looks “healthy” to the outside world, and hiding and masking my pain only brought more confusion and invalidation to myself, and those around me. I share my day-to-day while highlighting the conditions that have changed the trajectory of my life. By owning my experiences, and sharing them with the world to raise awareness and create community, I feel like I’ve taken back some power. I want to be the person I needed so desperately growing up. Read more>>

Dan Tanksley

I found purpose once I started working in the environmental field. I saw the need to be part of the change to help create and manage our local ecosystems. I wanted to help combat against climate change and educate future generations of just simple actions can go a long way to making a difference. Read more>>

Yevhen Shekera

I dare to conjecture that asking general and specific questions in regard to one’s profession is very important. Developing curiosity towards the subject of interest and its different facets one may find very helpful. At least, I found it crucial in moments of being perplexed and not having a stable fulcrum. Something as simple as just asking those questions without necessary answering them or operating within a critical analysis may be very helpful to sort things out logically and find a purpose. I know many people have a diverse number of ways to cope with such matters. Therefore, I also found quite exciting to often leave my field and reach out to professionals in other fascinating disciplines to inquire them about their experience. Most importantly, a sense of one’s purpose should bring joy, interest, and a sense of path. Questions are very helpful. Acknowledging the fluidity of goals and of purpose and that they may change – asking questions perpetually and continuing the search I found very helpful. Read more>>

Samina Martens

My first love was always novels. I was a voracious reader as a kid, and felt so viscerally the impact of a well-told story. When I was in high school I developed a passion for photography and filmmaking, but it wasn’t until much later that a greater sense of purpose really clicked into place. It was a lot of little things that led to finding this – leaving a movie theater and feeling buzzy with inspiration because of what I’d just watched. Watching a scene come alive on a movie set. Sitting down with a family member and watching their favorite movie, and understanding more about them. Meeting my industry heroes and mentors. Returning again and again to a comfort TV show, or a worn, dog-eared favorite book, or the umpteenth watch of a great film. Read more>>

Adriahnna Curry, Cedric Holloway

Adriahnna Curry: My interest in music and art started in high school—I was always drawn to different types of mediums and felt that even though I was talented artistically and musically, I wanted to be part of the creative world in a unique way. It began with a small blog featuring written interviews with friends in high school and quickly grew as I started meeting other creative people around Florida. That’s when I created Mieux Magazine. After COVID, I decided to pivot toward a stronger focus on visual media, which led to the creation of Arkive. The goal since the beginning hasn’t changed—my purpose is to highlight artists’ stories in ways that are both educational and entertaining. Read more>>

Leah Morse

As the owner of Atlanta Biomedical Clinical Research, it was important for us to bring ethical Clinical Research trials to the Atlanta area that were inclusive of people of color. History shows the negative impact of unethical and indecent research being conducted on people of color. This lack of ethics has caused skepticism and disinterest in taking part in clinical research trials. Our goal is to properly educate and include people of color in ethical research so that we are represented in medical and device trials. This will lead to better information, treatment and survival rates for people of color in the medical field. Our purpose is to ensure representation in research to ensure better treatment options for people of color in medicine. Read more>>

Chea Andrea

Honestly,I didn’t find my purpose—my purpose found me. I didn’t realize that my entire life I was walking in my purpose unintentionally. As a young girl I was using my light to inspire others through my talents. I was highly involved in my community through organizations such as Girl Scouts and my church. I was a high achiever in school. My parents instilled very important values in me at a young age and always supported all of my endeavors. All of this stuck with me through my adulthood. Read more>>

Daniel Schmidt

When I was around 9 years old, I watched the U.S. invade Iraq while lying on my grandparents’ living room floor. It was the first night, and grainy, green night vision footage of our military dropping bombs on Baghdad was on CNN. I remember thinking, in a much less refined way than this, how cool it would be to be the person to bear witness to these events and tell the world about it. Fast forward nearly 20 years, and I decided to put my writing skills and ability to talk to nearly anyone to good use and pursue a career in journalism. Read more>>

Shawna Mills

“I found my purpose through my own life experiences. As a thriver of a very toxic relationship, I chose to turn my pain into power and use my story to advocate for others. Being a domestic violence advocate allows me to create a platform where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported. My mission is to empower others to find their strength, reclaim their voices, and know that they are not alone. Together, we can transform our scars into symbols of resilience and hope.” Read more>>

Jason Brooks

For nearly two decades, I woke up every day with crystal-clear purpose. I was a teacher, finding joy and fulfillment in helping young people discover themselves and the world. But one day, that certainty shattered.

I’ll never forget walking into my Brooklyn classroom, doing a routine homework check, and feeling *off.* At first, I thought it was just a cold, the flu, or maybe seasonal depression. But that moment marked the start of a 12-year journey through profound loss, reinvention, and transformation. Read more>>

Freyja Inanna

In a way, I feel I’ve always known my purpose is to facilitate healing at a deep level….it just took a long time to fully realize and integrate (re-member) who i came here to be. Being born into a strict isolated religious culture where women are programmed to fit into a specific role as wives and mothers certainly delayed that process, but I felt the call so powerfully that I began to explore aromatherapy and other healing modalities as well as completing nursing school, herbalist certification and midwifery training while still in the religion, in spite of having a large family. After I finally left the religious community, having had twelve children before doing so, I really dove into the process of deeply healing and dicovering who I am (and releasing who/what I am not), which led to me having the experience and additional training I needed to act as a guide for others on their healing journeys. Read more>>

Dlacie Jeanne

I think it would be difficult to pinpoint an exact moment when I knew what my calling was, but a handful of events do standout.
I became interested in drawing as a child watching my grandmother draw and paint. We spent many hours creating art together as she slowly taught me how to make my drawings look more life-like. When I was 8 years old, I was in an accident that left a large scar on my body. This event had a cascade effect on the way that I viewed myself. My home life was also very difficult. My family’s traditional values led to lots of children and not a lot of income to support everyone. The scarcity in our home naturally led to disordered eating habits. As I matured into adulthood and moved away from my hometown, I began to learn about body dysmorphia and CPTSD. I continue to learn and soothe those parts of myself through therapy as an on-going practice of healing. Read more>>

The Winchester Brothers

I found my purpose through a variety of art forms. I’ve known my purpose as a creator for as long as I can remember. The reason I felt so strongly that filmmaking WAS my purpose was because everything else didn’t feel as vivid. This avenue gave me the opportunity to extract these eccentric ideas from my mind when nobody else wanted to listen. I believe that my purpose derived from my creative family and a fire inside me that I can’t quite explain. Read more>>

Ariel Beck

Despite growing up with a female entrepreneur as a mother, I never considered how entrepreneurship and leadership affected my interests. It wasn’t until August of 2016 that I experienced this passion begin to blossom. When I was 13 years old, my mother was invited to speak at Amazon’s First Women Entrepreneurs Conference and she invited my sister and I to join. At the event, I listened to female entrepreneurs detail the lack of representation and funding they received throughout their career. In this moment, I realized how fortunate I had been to be surrounded by female role models and entrepreneurs my entire life. It was then that I realized I owed it to other young women to help them gain this experience. As I became invested in promoting female entrepreneurship, the information I uncovered was startling. At the time, only 5% of all venture capital funding went to female led startups, whereas 95% of funding went to male founded startups. While I knew I wanted to change these statistics, I was unsure what a 13 year old could do to affect change. Read more>>