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.

Tianna Mamalick

I believe in slow, long-term growth and like my beliefs, I came into my passion the same way.

I was not a quiet kid. I talked a lot—a lot—and exuded big energy, but I didn’t always feel seen.

I had a few major moves growing up, and those moves meant starting over. My brother also got a lot of attention (but not the good kind), so I became the one who had to handle everything. I got good grades, made sure my parents were supported, and got a job to make my own money. Read More>>

Kimberly & Scott Horn

For myself, (Kim), It took years of being resilient against all types of traumas and set backs. It started at a young age, I knew that I was different when I saw things that others couldn’t see and felt with such deep empathy that made me a very sensitive child whose heart would break for others easily. I had to hide this side of myself growing up so that I would fit in. As a teen, I went through a very traumatic time suffering from being beaten and raped that led to my first suicide attempt when I was around 16.  Read More>>

Lara Jean

As often happens, I think that my purpose found me. At the end of the day, our purpose is just to be and experience life, but we all end up with that something that feels special and gets us excited. For me that something is storytelling, written and visual. I was raised to appreciate nature and books, and after years of practice and encouragement it felt like the obvious thing to start telling stories myself! Humans are natural storytellers, and when you read enough you find yourself wanting to write your own tales. My experiences in life shaped me into the artist and writer I am today. Read More>>

Dr. K. Shelette Stewart

I found my purpose by way of Coca-Cola! I was blessed to serve in leadership roles with The Coca-Cola Company for many years. It is a wonderful organization and one that I highly recommend! I found myself in a great role, six-figure salary, stock options, company car, and traveling around the country managing the Company’s strategic partnerships. But, after a few years, I started feeling a sense of disengagement, dissatisfaction, disconnection. I had this yearning, this calling to write a book.  Read More>>

 Sharyn Anderson-Campbell

I found my purpose through the pain I endured as a survivor of child physical and sexual abuse and the healing that I embraced. As a result of the abuse, my spirit was broken, and this led to feelings of depression for which I saw no way of escape. The physical and emotional pain that I suffered had impacted my walk with the Lord and my spirituality thereof. I sought the Lord Jesus Christ, with whom I have had a personal relationship since age eleven. Read More>>

 Laura Mays

My purpose found me. At the age of 5 I was diagnosed with dysplastic nevi syndrome (genetic condition of people who have multiple abnormal moles and increased risk of melanoma) and had my first abnormal mole removed surgically. At a young age I learned the importance of checking my moles and protecting myself from the sun’s harmful rays. But it wasn’t until I was 20 years old, that I learned the severity of melanoma. Read More>>

Joey Madison

I found my purpose outside of a thrift store in the summer of 2021.

It was my first summer back home without a plan—just a notebook, some melodies, and a lot of feelings I hadn’t figured out how to say out loud. That’s where I wrote ‘Empty Pockets’, the first song I ever released. I didn’t expect it to resonate with anyone but me, but suddenly people were messaging me to say, “This is exactly how I feel.” It was the first time I realized the power of putting my truth to music—that I could write something raw and personal and have it become a mirror for someone else. Read More>>

Brandon Gowey

When I was a kid, my parents couldn’t afford daycare outside of school, so my dad would take me to work with him after school and on weekends. He was self-employed, running his own auto body shop where he repaired collision damage on race cars. It was just him in the shop, and even though I was only five years old, I did everything I could to help. By the time I was eight, I had already learned how to prep cars for paint.  Read More>>

Kasey Rogers

I never thought my journey would be so far from my goals when I was younger. I started out to write a musical for the Broadway stage. I ended up as a founding member of an organization called I Know Why She Stayed, which educates others about the connection between domestic and financial abuse. Using my personal experiences to help others avoid the challenges I faced as a victim of domestic abuse has been so rewarding. I genuinely believe the challenges I faced gave me a purpose-driven existence. Read More>>

Gabriel Rueda

We found our purpose by taking the time to identify what truly made us feel alive—what we loved doing the most. We paid attention to the things that brought us joy, fulfillment, and a deep sense of energy. When we noticed that certain activities made us feel happy, motivated, and fully engaged, we realized that those were not just hobbies—they were signs of our true passion. That clarity is what helped us discover our purpose and gave us the drive to keep moving forward, even through challenges.  Read More>>

Christina Kizer

My purpose found me in a way, I always knew it was something inside of me different but i couldn’t put my finger on it. I remember being so drawn to the arts, entertainment and also being an introvert at the same time. I know now because of the environment i was born into and grew up in those gifts were being some what blocked and it did take me moving to NYC away from my comfort zone to realize what actually was becoming of me. Read More>>

Gastón D’Amico

I gradually discovered my purpose in a very organic way. From the outset, life led me down the path of music. While my parents have other occupations, both are passionate music enthusiasts. There was always a piano in our home, as my mother had studied it some time ago. I began studying piano as a child and have never stopped since. Additionally, I’ve always played the drums. I remember when I was six years old, I was asked if I wanted to play drums for a rock band in my town; I sat down and began playing as if I had been doing it forever.  Read More>>

Beth Bigler

I didn’t find my purpose when my soulmate cat Arnie died. It crystallized.
I already had purpose. I was a storyteller, an educator, someone who helped people make meaning out of what they saw and felt. When Arnie died, it became clear that the world didn’t understand how sacred and devastating pet loss grief is. And I couldn’t look away. Everything I had been doing – writing, connecting, helping people feel seen – had been preparing me for this work. I didn’t need to start over. I needed to show up and change how we talk about, support, and honor the grief of a beloved animal’s transition. Read More>>

Bela Fidel

I believe that although we believe we ourselves have found our purpose in life, more often than not it is our purpose that finds us. The still small voice when one is growing up, a veering towards what brings us joy, a deep interest in a specific field that found an echo in us – these are some of the veins that carry blood to our hearts and often shape our lives. Read More>>

 Jessica Anne Renfeldt

I didn’t find my purpose all at once—it revealed itself little by little, in the cracks of heartbreak, healing, and hope. For years, I chased success the way I thought I was supposed to: building a career, raising a family, checking the boxes. But behind the smile was a woman quietly asking, “Is this all there is?” It wasn’t until my world unraveled—through profound loss, serious illness, and life-altering change—that I was forced to stop running and start listening.  Read More>>

Graham Hulbert

Is the plural of purpose “purpi”, or “porpoise”? I joke but I do think I have multiple paths of purpose, and I am in the midst of building a life that will allow me to indulge in those pathways.

I will share what these are, but I think first I should answer the question right? The answer is actually related to another topic you write about often at Bold Journey, confidence and self-esteem. In order to find my purpose, I needed to build understanding and confidence in who I am. For me this began during the pandemic in 2020. Read More>>

Jeffrey Men

I’m a toy designer and the creator of Fancy Teddy, an art toy stuffed with healing crystals. I found myself lost in life at a crossroads. I had started a career in interior design, and in the past I’d done everything from acting, to modeling, to working at my family’s business in the travel and cargo industry. I was always into sound baths, meditation and crystals, so I went into a sound bath setting an intention to really listen to myself and let life show me where I needed to go.  Read More>>

Fangzi Luo

I discovered my purpose through a continuous process of learning and exploration. I have a deep passion for reading in my free time, especially works on sociology, psychology, business, and literature. I believe each book offers a profound opportunity to briefly yet intensely experience another person’s life—to understand and assimilate their experiences and wisdom, and then to synthesize those insights into my own unique perspective. The more I read, the more I feel endowed with a multitude of lives and diverse viewpoints for understanding the world. Read More>>

Courtney Elko

My purpose is giving women a voice. But I didn’t always know it was my purpose. Before entrepreneurship, I had a career in journalism where I told other people’s stories and was great at it. People easily open up to me and share their stories with me because I’m genuinely curious. I want to know everything! So after I was laid off for the third time in my corporate career, I knew I wanted to start my own business, but was unsure what type of business I could have as a writer and storyteller.  Read More>>

Matthew Mournian

I discovered I was a real psychic medium at the age of 40. It happened through overcoming trauma and addiction – as well as some very mystical aspects, including extra terrestrial contact which is always fun to discuss.

Nowadays my primary mission is helping other to develop the same skills. Since then I have worked with over 5000 people all over the world and many have gone into business for themselves. Read More>>

Lindsey Vidmar

Growing up, I always gravitated toward the arts and was determined to pursue my passion. I wasn’t sure what my niche was at that time, so I was generally painting to express my creativity. On January 22nd, 2020, I painted my first portrait of my dog Mila, and it lit a fire in me. I was extremely proud of the work I produced and I knew in my heart it was because my love for this dog was immense. Following this singular painting I had done, my community was overjoyed seeing my progress and wanted one of their own.  Read More>>

Ester Budek

I didn’t find my purpose in a moment—it was carved into me, slowly and painfully, by life itself.

I was born to Holocaust survivors in a tiny Muslim republic of the Soviet Union, on the border with China. Though I was Jewish only in name, I carried the weight of a painful legacy. In that world, being Jewish—especially non-practicing—meant being marked. The ruling Russian majority imposed discrimination with cruelty and precision. I learned early to make myself small, to hide, to survive. Read More>> 

Melissa Fors Shackelford

For me, purpose has always lived at the intersection of values and action. Early in my career, I saw how communication could build bridges or reinforce walls. Working in Japan right out of college, I learned the importance of dignity in connection. That experience stuck with me. It helped me see marketing not just as a tool for promotion but as a tool for respect. Read More>> 

Izzy Taylor

I don’t think I’ve found my complete purpose yet – and maybe that’s exactly the point.

For me, purpose hasn’t come as one singular “aha” moment. It’s something I’ve discovered gradually, in pieces, through the roles I’ve taken on and the people I’ve had the privilege to support along the way. Read More>> 

Tania Chomyk

After all these years, I can finally say, I have found mine.

I’ve always been in helping roles, guiding others through transitions and challenges. But today, my purpose feels clearer and deeper: I’m here to bring light to loss. To talk about a word I once shied away from; grief. In fact, I’ve redefined it in my book as:

Gratitude Reminds us of the Invaluable Essence from which growth Flourishes. Read More>> 

Montae Harris

Honestly, it took a lot of personal growth and reflection for me to figure out what I truly want to do. Growing up, my dream was to play in the NBA. But when I realized that path wasn’t meant for me, I found myself drawn to writing and communication. I started watching podcasts and bloggers and became inspired by the creativity behind it all. I’ve always loved connecting with people and hearing their stories. Over time, I’ve come to believe that this is my purpose to create a space where others can share their talents and express themselves freely. Read More>> 

Tracy McGee

Our ultimate purpose here on earth is to honor and glorify the Lord. (1 Corinthians 10:21) How I apply this in my own life is through homesteading and self-sufficiency. I never would have imagined that this would be my life. I was a beauty consultant with Mary Kay for 16 years but I went through a bit of an identity crisis and a health scare after we moved to this property in 2014. Both of those events led me to this path of healing, not just for myself and my family but for others as well. Read More>> 

Cheri Cimmarrusti

My core purpose had always been my family, but in 1997 when my son and daughter were done with school and all the things I had been doing with them; PTA, sports and everything else associated with raising children was gone, I was a little bit adrift. I was a “stay-at-home” mom, and I helped my husband with our small construction business. I hadn’t gone to college and for the most part I had never had a meaningful job, other than our family and our own business.  Read More>>