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.
Rhiannon Hansen
From a very young age, I always knew I wanted to be an actress. There was something about stepping into a new role that just felt right, like it was in my DNA. I started dancing at five, then moved into singing and performed in many country music competitions. Eventually, I found musical theater in high school, and it clicked—it felt like home. Read More>>
Marianna Martino
From a young age, I always knew that my purpose was in the arts. I was fortunate to have two musicians as parents who introduced me to numerous artistic opportunities and encouraged my creativity. My childhood was filled with visits to museums, orchestras, theatres, and libraries, and it’s no wonder that I found joy and meaning in so many forms of artistic expression. Read More>>
Linda Brandt
I grew up with my mom taking care of ten daycare children, my two brothers and myself in our family home daycare. Thus, from a young age I was constantly thinking about the group around me.
When I eventually found my way to public health, my epidemiology study group had two other members who grew up in daycare homes. Until then, I hadn’t met anyone else with that aspect of my background. Read More>>
Leydi Suarez
I have discovered my true purpose in helping others within my community. Through sponsoring women in a twelve-step program, I not only offer support to those in need but also receive invaluable growth in my own journey. Also, my work with adolescents in prevention has reignited my sense of meaning and fulfillment, reminding me daily of how far I’ve come. Read More>>
Alex Delgado
Finding my purpose wasn’t some big “aha” moment, it’s been a messy, bumpy road, and honestly, it still is. I’ve always loved creating things, working with my hands, and bringing ideas to life to express myself. But let’s be real, making a living off that isn’t easy.
In my 20s, I ended up in a job I hated, one that didn’t align with my values. I stuck with it for five years because I needed the money. Then, I got lucky and was invited to join a custom shoe project, where I discovered the art (and science) of shoemaking. It felt good, and for the first time, I thought, this could be it. Read More>>
Yoko Tarrant
I grew up in Kyoto, Japan and I moved to Vermont in 2009 with my husband. He’s a Vermonter, and we had lived together in Japan for several years prior to moving here. When I got here, there were some restaurants where I could find Japanese food and some stores selling Japanese food products; however, it was often hard to find that precise taste of home and it is still hard to this day. While some of it was acceptable, it was rarely right on. One of the most challenging things for me, personally, was finding good miso paste. Read More>>
Sm6
Ooh, great question right off the bat! I think from an early age our entire family just loved to entertain people. Our sisters would put on little plays and force our parents to sit and watch whereas my brothers and I would steal our parents camcorder and make films – and then also force our family to watch. So that need to get people laughing or dancing or clapping was something that came at an early age and we are very fortunate to have figured that out so young and have parents that fostered that desire. Read More>>
A.m. “hupp” Huppmann
Sometimes it happens quite by accident. I believe you can’t be so focused on one thing you are doing that you don’t allow other purposes to present themselves to you.
Over the last 20 years some of my greatest purpose (self and for others) driven work has happened with no prior planning. You must have the courage to accept being uncomfortable to see where something might lead you. Read More>>
Maiana Rose
Purpose has always been a driving force in my life. To me, it exists somewhere between the fantasy of what could be and the discipline, diligence, and clarity needed to make that vision a reality. Finding purpose can often feel like an unattainable goal, but I prefer to see it as a lifelong journey—a guiding force that continues to evolve, refine, and clarify over time. Read More>>
Emilio Warwar
I found my purpose through exploring and my passion. I always appreciated traveling but wanted more from these experiences and decided to get into photography. Through this step in my life, I decided to explore Art, and Production. In doing so, I began printing my work on the photography side, together with investments in production equipment for a rental company startup. Read More>>
Grace Ruble
For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to be part of some kind of creative storytelling. I read constantly as a child, and then eventually became interested in music, and then musical theatre, which lead to me finding my purpose in acting and film. When my family started moving around when I was a teenager, I realized that my theatre and music classes were where I felt most at home. Read More>>
Jayne Wilkinson
Growing up, as kids we feel that we have a sense of purpose, something special about ourselves. However, as we grow into adulthood, we believe that we are in charge of what our purpose will be. Such as, we study in school to be a veterinarian, businessperson, or a teacher. Subsequently, this is not true. We are not in charge of our purpose because sometimes it is given to us by life situations and events. Read More>>
Erinn Budd
I believe that everyone knows exactly who they are at 8 years old. You tend to have an idea of what you love, what you would like to do for work and you traditionally have immense self confidence. After 8 years old, your peers, society and the world really starts to have a big influence on your self value, self image and self esteem. With that being said, your purpose is always with you – but as you get older we place ourselves, most times, in roles that feed that purpose. Read More>>
Amanda Dimonda
Finding my purpose has been a gradual unfolding, a gentle remembrance of who I’ve always been at my core. It wasn’t a single “aha” moment but a series of life’s lessons, interlaced together through both joy and heartbreak. Each experience, each challenge, and each moment of stillness revealed a new piece of the puzzle, helping me see the beauty in the process of becoming. Read More>>
Jasmine Meadows
I love this question, but it also prompts deep reflection. My purpose is still being defined, so I can’t say I’ve fully “found” it—it’s very much a process of becoming. However, I can share that my understanding of my purpose began to emerge after my cancer diagnosis.
From a young age, I had a persistent inner knowing that I was meant to help people in a profound yet practical way. Being highly intuitive and developing my spiritual gifts over the years, I felt destined to assist others in discovering their true authenticity and transforming their pain into power. Read More>>
Gisela Soto
I found my purpose through the most difficult time in my life, where I was a single mother, struggling with a 1 year old trying to make ends meet. It was a time of confusion, I was trying to finish school full-time while also looking for a job due to a situation I was in, It was difficult to find a job. I decided to use what I was going to school for — Graphic design, to start a little side business to make somewhat of an income. And that’s where it all began. I didn’t know at that point still that entrepreneurship would become a long, sometimes tiresome, but nonetheless rewarding journey. Read More>>
Steven Darius
My journey as an artist has been a series of discoveries, each one leading me closer to my true purpose. From an early age, two things shaped my creative path—photography and video games. My father, a photographer, introduced me to the camera, while video games immersed me in vibrant, imaginative worlds. Yet, for years, I saw photography only as a skill, a way to earn money alongside my father, rather than a means of personal expression. Read More>>
Forenzik Styles
From a very early age I became fascinated with, and enamored by, the idea of creative expression. I felt very moved and inspired by music and film and knew that I would like to find a way to share my own creative expressions with the World one day. I started playing Piano and writing poetry when I was around 10 years old. I used to close my eyes and play the keys for hours in an almost meditative state. Read More>>
Alonna Nicole
I found my purpose through trial and error and maybe some self reflection. I was an art major in college and tried to find various jobs in that field but nothing ever materialized for one reason or another. After that, I tried various fields looking for something that I could do well but also tapped into some things that interest me, but still nothing ever stuck. It wasn’t until I started making little social media videos that I realized what gets me going, the thing that lights my fire. Read More>>
Corlys Specter
The stories lived within me, a vibrant, bustling city of imagination I’d inhabited since childhood. Comics, movies, and TV weren’t just entertainment; they fueled the narratives constantly unfolding in my mind. I never thought to share these stories, to give them a voice, but I needed to write them down, at least for me. A writing career felt distant, a pinprick of light in the vast darkness of uncertainty. Read More>>
Shawn Mcgovern
I feel that finding your “purpose” is a challenging thing for most people because almost everyone thinks that purpose will be obvious in some way. Throughout my life, I have been part of many amazing things, all of which I now believe were part of my purpose here. I was in a touring band in my 20s and thought my purpose was to be a famous musician. I discovered meditation and yoga in my 30s and thought my purpose was to teach. Read More>>
Seth Clark
I don’t think we’re ever 100% certain of our purpose, but I believe that when something deeply resonates with you, it’s worth pursuing. If it brings you fulfillment and a sense of meaning, that’s a strong sign to take it and run with it.
From a young age, I found myself in the role of a listener and a support system for others. Since middle school, my friends often came to me with their problems, and I would do my best to help them through whatever they were facing. Read More>>
Monica Connolly
How I Found My Purpose
I didn’t wake up one day with a clear vision of my purpose—it was uncovered through pain, loss, resilience, and transformation.
For years, I lived in survival mode—pouring everything into my family, my work, and the people who depended on me. Read More>>
Ali Ofstedal
My path to purpose emerged through my own healing journey. Like many, I moved through my early years – high school and college – feeling disconnected from my true calling. I knew there was something more, but couldn’t quite grasp what that was.
The turning point came through my personal transformation work. As I began to understand myself more deeply, I discovered a natural gift and passion for supporting others in their healing process. I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior and what makes each person uniquely themselves. Read More>>
Ayah Abulhasan
I’ve always been passionate about the arts and knew I wanted a career that allowed me to express my creativity. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my mom, making pastries and desserts—it was something that brought me both peace and joy. That love for baking eventually led me to pursue Advanced Pastry Arts and Business in college at just 17. Read More>>
Aubrienne Davis
I grew up in a strict religious household where the norm was to diminish all aspirations and authenticities. I experienced firsthand from a young age how bland life can become in absence of having dreams bigger than the bubble I had been raised in. For me, music was the one thing that I refused to let go of despite the judgement and discouragement from others. It was my safe space, and the dream of pursuing music professionally is what helped me to maintain hope and resilience. Read More>>
Willow Paule
Finding my purpose has been an evolving process. One thing that’s remained constant is my deep curiosity about people and their stories. Throughout my life and career, I’ve always been drawn to understanding what drives others, what motivates them, and how they see the world. This connection has made me value empathy, vulnerability, and deep listening as core components of everything I do. Read More>>
Anna Currie
I’ve always loved art. Except I didn’t know that was what I wanted to pursue until I was in middle school when my art teacher at the time looked at my work and told me I was talented and should continue making art. So throughout middle school and high school, I kept drawing pretty much everyday. Then when I was accepted into SCAD, I knew then it was my purpose to be an Artist. Read More>>
Lucie Totton
Growing up, my mom ran a garage art studio called “Hi Art Studio,” where she hosted a summer art camp for our neighborhood. Through painting, crafting, and experimenting with different techniques—like those swirly shaving cream prints and tempera paint animal hybrids—she built a tight-knit community. Art was always at the heart of those connections, and being part of it fueled my own creative spirit. Read More>>
Marie Mccarty
I have always dabbled in art. I started when I was young with the encouragement of my parents. My Dad was a creative and inventive soul, we often drew together and I would watch him paint. When I was in my later years of elementary school my art teacher approached me about painting the art room windows. The idea of painting these large street facing windows exited me more than I can explain. With my Mom’s permission I was allowed to stay after school and paint. Read More>>
Danielle Lutsky
To really know Plantidote is to know Cheryl, my mother in law and first experience with the healing power of food.
Cheryl was an incredible hostess and cook. From her smile, to the linens she used on the table, to her perfect preparation Chicken Marbella on an ordinary Tuesday – she was happiest in the kitchen (with a big glass of Decoy Cab). About 10 years ago she got sick, and I stayed back from work in order to cook for her – being Jews and Italians – this was the way to show you really care! We did a 100% plant-based diet, and created a ritual around food. Read More>>
Lance Weiss
Journal, journal, journal…and walking a TON. I feel like so many of us are on the go every second and we get caught up in so many things that we sometimes forget why we’re doing something.
Journaling is great, because it forces you to be honest with yourself. If you go in with the intention of nobody ever reading it, then it’s just you versus yourself and eventually you have to be honest with yourself. I think that’s a great tool to find out who you really are, what you’re doing here, why, etc. Read More>>
Frank Demith
I believe that a person’s sense of purpose is something that changes as we age and keep moving forward in our life. When I was in high school, I felt that my purpose was to become a professional musician, but as time went by, I eventually came to the conclusion that I needed to be a leader in the Army. I served on active duty in the Army for twenty-eight years. Once I had retired from the Army I worked as a civilian contractor for fourteen years before retiring. Read More>>
