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.

Mert Gulen

For me, purpose wasn’t something I stumbled upon in a single moment — it was something that revealed itself gradually, through experiences, challenges, and the quiet pull of intuition.

I’ve always been fascinated by human connection and transformation. Early in my career, I saw how people could walk into a space carrying the weight of the world and leave lighter, softer, more at peace. That was when I realised: my work wasn’t just about creating beautiful spas, it was about creating spaces where people could return to themselves. Read More>>

Estelle Underwood

This is a great question as earlier in my life I never knew this fitness business would become my purpose. But now I see that it comes down to teaching, which has always been my purpose ever since I was a young child. I began my career as a teacher in bilingual education. Loved it and was so inspired by it. I took a “break” (which is still going on 40 years later) to raise my two children–now 42 and 38 years old. As a former gymnast, exercise and fitness had always been a passion–and a necessity–for me. So that part of my life continued while child raising.  Read More>> 

Caitlin Elizabeth

I grew up thinking that being good at art is a talent you either have or you don’t. This limiting belief kept me from exploring being creative until I was almost 30 years old. Once I started a personal creative practice I discovered it had incredible therapeutic benefit. I found my purpose through the profound impact art had on my own healing and growth. Experiencing how transformative and restorative the creative process can be, I realized I wanted to share that gift with others. Read More>> 

Christina Decker

I don’t think there was one specific moment when I “found” my purpose. It’s been a culmination of all the roles I’ve had and my experiences in life, both personally and professionally. Over time, I started to see a common thread. Simply put, I love using what I know and what I’ve learned over the years to help others find, realign with, or amplify their purpose. That’s when I feel I’m most in alignment and fulfilling my own purpose. I’ve often thought I should change my job description to “realignment specialist”! Haha! Read More>> 

Chantelle Wallace

I found my purpose through significant trial and error. I always knew I wanted to help other lives, and spent much of my teens and 20’s volunteering at food pantries, orphanages in Africa and China, tutoring under-resourced kids, and many other aid-oriented activities. They were all wonderful, but didn’t hit the overlap of my passions matching my skills. Read More>> 

Sanatan Kadakia

While I was pursuing my master’s degree in the UK, I had the unique experience of working as a projectionist at one of the world’s largest cinema chains. This role not only deepened my appreciation for film but also allowed me to witness the intricate processes involved in bringing stories to the big screen. Read More>> 

Paul White

Almost two decades ago, a book came out that seemed to suggest that each of our lives needed to be purpose-driven. The book, written by a Christian Pastor, targeted the Christian community and created an urgency for everyone to find their individual purpose in life and make sure it had significant meaning. I admit that after reading the book with a group of friends, and all of us becoming maniacal about finding our true purpose in life, it felt like none of us were even close to finding any sense of real purpose.  Read More>> 

Diana

In my teens and twenties, my father would ask me a question that filled me with dread:
“What is your purpose? Do you have any purpose in life?”

It unsettled me every time. Inside, I felt the answer was obvious—I didn’t have one.
Still, I’d respond with something vague like, “I want to help people. To make them happy.”
He’d push: “Why?”
I’d say, “Because it makes me happy.”
But the truth I never said out loud was: So they might love me. Read More>>

Danielle Moore

I found my purpose by being rear-ended by irresponsible drivers- twice.

In 2019, I raced my first triathlon. I loved it, and immediately signed up for a second. Less than 24 hours from the start of that second tri, I was helping my parents with some chores at their shore house. We arrived slightly early, and decided to drive around the block before headed in for between-renter cleanup. At a four-way stop sign, the woman behind us was texting and driving and hit my dad’s car. I felt the impact before I saw what happened; my head slammed into the car seat, my body at the mercy of someone else’s actions. It took me eight months to recover from my third concussion. Read More>> 

Cierra Seay

I can’t say I’ve reached a point where I know without a doubt that I’ve fully ‘found’ my purpose at least not in the definitive, tied-up-in-a-bow way people sometimes describe it. What I do know is that a consistent theme in my life has been my ability to recognize, utilize, and continually develop my gifts in ways that open doors and create opportunities. Read More>> 

Lisa Petz

I was bullied growing up by people in my high school. Like many who experience that, I spent a lot of time feeling unseen, unheard, and like I didn’t quite belong. That experience shaped me more than I realized at the time. It made me hyper-aware of how others feel, how they carry themselves, and what it truly means to be seen. I’ve always been an artist and an empath. I feel everything deeply. So when I found photography, it quickly became more than just a creative outlet. It was a way to connect, to express, and eventually, to heal. Read More>> 

Cheryl Bischoff

As the owner of Here I Go Travel Co., I earned my Certified Autism Travel Professional designation in 2023. That milestone was more than a credential. It was the beginning of a deeper partnership with the unique needs community. I began working closely with families and individuals who faced travel challenges, listening to their stories and understanding their obstacles. Many told me about leaving loved ones behind in the care of others because travel felt too overwhelming or their needs would not be supported. I knew I wanted to change that narrative. Read More>> 

Vanessa Luutran

I thought that finding my purpose, or something that felt immensely fulfilling, would come from deep, meaningful conversations with the people closest to me. Maybe on a hike up a mountain in Colorado. Or on the way down from a beautiful cliff jump in Hawaii. However, it came a little more quietly (shocker)—through loss, love, and digging through old iPhone 4s photos. Read More>> 

Gloria Bali

I was a child actor at the age of 5 all the way to 16 and I found out that I want to be a director. Read More>> 

Marcus Gladney

My Purpose actually found me. I’ve had many jobs in my life. Read More>> 

Nancy Ostrovsky

I knew around 8 years old I wanted to draw and paint. Read More>> 

Haifa Baptiste

Completely by accident. I was always very attuned to concepts of fairness and justice. When I graduated from college, I had plans to work in the healthcare field, perhaps in management and eventually as a hospital administrator. It wasn’t until a volunteer position at a community health organization in Miami turned into an internship that I realized what I wanted to do. Read More>> 

Krista Hatton

I found my purpose in my struggle. It was through my adversity that I found my passions and my identity. Read More>> 

Sarah Ernhart

I didn’t set out to be a pet photographer. I was always an artsy kid, and the only “career” that I was interested in and seemed plausible was graphic design, so that’s what I pursued. I always had film cameras and took pictures for fun, going on photo adventures with my roommate and taking pictures of flowers or abandoned houses. Read More>> 

Evonne Glenn

I found my purpose through a combination of life experiences, faith, and reflection. For years, I went through seasons of hardship and trauma that I didn’t fully understand at the time. Those challenges shaped me in ways I couldn’t see while I was going through them, but over time, I realized they had equipped me to connect deeply with others, especially those who are hurting. Read More>> 

Claire Louise Huder

I found my purpose through living and making mistakes. Essentially, I thought that I had a distinct idea about what I wanted to do in life and, while I am certainly doing something related to the arts like I always envisioned, I found myself finding my specific calling in regards to communicating through artistic expression—particularly fighting for mental & emotional health and telling important such stories—through the experiences I have accumulated thus far in my life. Experiencing things can be the best teacher, and despite some of the pain and suffering that has accompanied some of those life lessons, they have helped guide me to my purpose. Read More>> 

Anita Lerche

I’m a Danish-American singer-songwriter, and for as long as I can remember, music has been my way of connecting with the world. I’ve always believed in its power to bring people together—across borders, cultures, and beliefs. My own journey has taken me from Denmark to the UK, where I studied musical theatre, and then all the way to India. That’s where something truly life-changing happened: I became the first non-Asian woman to release a solo album in Punjabi, ‘Heer from Denmark’. That milestone opened doors to an international career that’s now spanned two decades, filled with performances around the world and a deep, ongoing connection to Punjabi music and culture. Read More>> 

Donna Jenson

I found the seed to my purpose at age thirty-three. In the decade leading up to that awakening I was building grassroots women’s centers within the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 70’s and ‘80’s. A defining moment was ignited in a customer line of a local delicatessen. Several steps ahead of me was a large swaying, obviously inebriated, middle-aged man. I was overtaken with the need to turn around and leave without placing my order. Read More>> 

Jaime Dee

I found my purpose by not being afraid to try. I took the time to map out my interests and followed what felt right in the moment, even if it meant stepping into the unknown. I’ve always believed in giving things a shot—trying something at least once—because you never know what doors it might open. That fearless curiosity led me to where I am today: I’m Jaime Dee—a Live Morning Radio Personality and 5-time Viral Recording Artist. My purpose revealed itself through exploration, persistence, and a willingness to bet on myself. Read More>>

Johanna Filgueira

For years I traveled with my family and discovered that I could transform into a job what I love most about doing, which is traveling. Read More>> 

Shakeyla Randall

I discovered my purpose through a deep connection with God and by understanding my unique gifts. My passion for children ignited long before I became a parent myself, and writing my children’s book became a profound journey for me. It was more than just becoming an author; it was a heartfelt mission to remind not only my kids but all children that their worth isn’t defined by their mistakes. This message serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement, guiding young minds to embrace their potential. Read More>> 

Donna Collins-Yamini

How did you find your purpose?

I think I found my purpose the moment I realized that everything I love—nurturing people, feeding them, creating beauty, honoring stories—wasn’t random. It was a calling that had been quietly humming beneath everything I’d done in life. Read More>> 

Christine Janelle “CJ” Osbrink

Living and loving with purpose, on purpose, has always been a big part of my journey, especially, as a person who places my faith in Jesus. Growing up as the daughter of lead pastors who gave 27 years of their dedication to full-time ministry service, made me desire to be a minister in my own capacity, from the time I was a little girl. I believe we are all created with the purpose of worshipping the True Magic and Creative Creator: Father God, Son (Jesus/Yeshua) and Holy Spirit, through the generous use and stewardship of the gifts and talents He has given us uniquely!  Read More>> 

Yasmeen Duncan

For me, it started in my childhood living room, sitting across from my mother, who would often ask me who I wanted to be. She challenged me to see myself clearly, to dream in vivid detail. I would describe the woman I imagined: strong, impactful, someone who used her voice to make things better for others. These conversations became the earliest seeds of my purpose, even if I didn’t fully understand it yet.  Read More>> 

Hannah Le

Over time, I’ve learned in more ways than one that you should always do more of what you love – It’s the key to happiness, in my opinion. As a multi-hobby, million-interests person, I have always loved to try new things and have had problems finding just one or two hobbies to stick to. When I started The Gorls Club, I realized I could not only do anything and everything without committing to just one hobby, but that I could do it for and with others. Read More>> 

Anastasiya Harney

Hi, my name is Ana Harney. I was born in Ukraine and I lived there with my sister until we were adopted to the U.S. when I was ten years old.

Growing up, my sister and I lived in a home that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. There was constant use of alcohol and other substances, our apartment was filled with rats and mice, we didn’t have a clean beds to sleep in, the walls and doors were falling apart, and our dogs and cats were never taken outside to use the restroom so you can imagine the smell.  Read More>> 

Lisa Halub

Finding my purpose has been a continually unfolding process. All my life I’ve been interested in metaphysical topics and personal growth although I never had any goals around that. I really just wanted to get married and raise kids…which came to pass and has been a wonderful part of my life, but as my kids finally grew up, I found myself bored beyond reason in spite of having a full life between family, work, friends and volunteering. Read More>>  

Jacqueline Meza

Personally, I found purpose through seeking God. Realizing that I am deeply loved and have always been loved by Him gave my life direction and meaning. My purpose is also rooted in the relationships I cherish most: my husband and children. Knowing that we support and uplift one another brings me strength. Read More>> 

Leann Herron

My journey to becoming a Kink and BDSM coach and educator began with a deeply personal transformation following the end of a twenty-year marriage. I had been raised with traditional values, modeled after the 1950s housewife archetype, where self-sacrifice was expected, and my own needs were always secondary. For much of my life, I didn’t know how to advocate for myself. I knew how to take care of others, but I had never been taught how to communicate my own needs, wants, or desires. Read More>> 

Kayleigh KAnn

I found my purpose through following that deeper sense inside of myself which told me music was always meant for me. My favorite part of life from my earliest memory was easy for me to identify because it was music, always music. Music was my favorite part of every single day. My mom told me when she would hold me in her arms as a baby, that she would watch the tv show sex and the city and when the theme song would come on I would be dancing.  Read More>> 

Maho Tachibana

I am MAHO TACHIBANA, a Japanese actress. After working in Japan, I moved to Hollywood to take on new challenges in the global film industry. Overcoming language and cultural barriers in a foreign land, I have been auditioning and securing roles in films and TV dramas. Recently, I had the honor of starring in projects recognized at international film festivals, and my work has been featured not only in the U.S. but also in Korean and French media. Read More>> 

Gail Root

The path to finding my current purpose as a business coach.

God placed me in places and situations in my life, that when I looked back, were the bread crumbs He used to guide me to my purpose.

I grew up in a family who believed in direct sales and the opportunity. I watched my father champion women, help them to believe in themselves. Help them to increase their skills and bless their families with additional income. It was inspiring and exciting.  Read More>>