We asked some of the most generous entrepreneurs, artists and creatives we know to talk to us about where they think their generosity comes from.

Eric Burgess

Directly from my mother. She had an exceptional ability to turn pain into love, and cruelty into kindness. While she suffered from child abuse as a young girl, she became a staunch defender of her family and friends, always advocating for being a good person and treating the meek and poor with generosity and respect. She had a perfect partner in my father, a noble man who protected her and built a home and family that made them both proud. Read more>>

Jared Still

Growing up in a household that we did not have much. My parents always would give back to others. They would always say we have what we need God would provide and if someone needed our help we would do what we could. My father was a big part of this as well. He was a master plumber by trade and worked at the local hospital in his field. He would always do side jobs and help others even if he did not get paid, but would always share that he is helping others keep there house in working order and was fortunate that he was able to do this. Also having an upbringing in pathfinders and helping in the church for a can food drive or other things where it leaned heavily on giving back to others in need. This has always stuck with me and has always been something that I live by is how can I help others or how can I make my community a better place and leave it better than it started. Read more>>

Fernando Torres

Without even thinking, my generosity comes from my mother. She taught me at a young age to humble myself and work hard for what I want from life and really drove home the importance of family. We didn’t always have the easiest life but I always remembered my mom worked hard and provided for me when I needed something…….whether it be a new toy, a pup that I would beg for as a Christmas present to the next pair of air Jordan’s. It’s a joke that I tell people but I let them know Michael Jordan got me through school, as long as I made the honor roll…..I had a fresh pair of J’s!!! In reality it was mother and father that kept me motivated and taught me the importance of an Education. Not many people can say they had a childhood like mine or a parent that cared. As I grew older family would tell me stories of how much they love my mom and how big her heart is. She was always there to help. As soon as I was given a puppy I feel like my life became more responsible and I had purpose to take care of this animal, I grew up loving animals and wanted to be a vet but when I learned you couldn’t save them all the decision became easy to figure out another journey. My current journey has led me into the collectible world where I get to talk with like minded people which led to the development of my podcast, I promise I’m getting back to the generosity. In the collector world little groups were getting started in communities so I decided to start my own which took me down the path of donating!!! Our first mission was raising money for school supplies which was a success. I knew for a long time that I wanted to donate and help in some way for animals. One day as I was driving I met a homeless man who had two dogs with him and I asked if money or food would be better so that I can get it for him, his response hit home with me as he asked for blankets to keep his dog warm as the weather was getting colder. I was able to get him blankets, when I drove away the wheels were turning and the mission had become clear. I was determined to purchase blankets for shelters. The last 4 years have been successful, each year I’ve been able to purchase hundreds of blankets to give to our east side and west side shelters in New Mexico. The feeling to donate is surreal and the message means so much more to me!!! Read more>>

 Jahlisa Murphy

My generosity comes from my grandmother, my grandma B who was my first caregiver, love, and true nurturer. I was fortunate to witness her incredible generosity, not only towards me and our family but to everyone she encountered. She opened her home to all, feeding anyone in need, and creating a safe haven for so many. She had a servant’s heart in every imaginable way, showing love, compassion, and care despite the hardships life threw her way. Her unwavering generosity in her love, presence, protection, and energy continues to inspire me daily. Read more>>

Matt Maceachern

My generosity comes from my parents.
My mom was a single mom who raised 4 of us as a Waitress in Chicago.
Everyday, she would get up and go to work, come home, and take care of us.
Yet our house was the one our friends would come to play and mom always had something for them. Read more>>

Tripp Twyman

“Pay it forward” is a principle that I prioritize. I feel an immense gratitude for the life that I get to live and I know it didn’t have to be like this. I am where I am because people chose to invest in me. This started with my parents prioritizing my education – they believed this would enable me to reach new heights as I got older. They were right. Along the way, countless mentors and role models invested time to teach me valuable lessons about responsibility, leadership, hard work and politics. I’ve always suspected these champions were advocating for me behind closed doors. Once, a talent manager at BCG mentioned that I had more advocates than anyone she had seen in our region. People were conspiring for my success. Read more>>

Christine Frey

My generosity comes from a strong desire to help as many people as I can before I leave this life. I believe that life is way too short, and I have experienced this life lesson many times within the last ten years of my life. When people close to me died unexpectedly, and when some died slowly while suffering, my eyes opened to the fact that life is more precious than most people realize. Strongly believing that the last half of my life is about spreading generosity, compassion, kindness and the honor to truly listen to people, is my passion. Time is the most precious gift we have and the desire to create safe space for someone so they can share their heartache, grief, traumas, joys and passions with me is an unbelievable gift that I do not take lightly. Every person I meet is a survivor and it is most definitely a pleasure and an honor to listen to someone without trying to fix them, judge them or evaluate them. I am truly blessed in my life and I have a burning desire to pay it forward to help others and to begin to create change in the world. Change begins with each and everyone of us, and I am standing in my power, truths and convictions so I can be light for others when they are enveloped in darkness. Read more>>

Linda Dancer

My generosity comes from growing up poor, and never forgetting where I came from, being blessed and working hard to create a career spanning more than thirty years that I still love as much today as when I started. I understand with each client and destination wedding group, that not everyone is a world traveler or can afford the vacation they originally inquire about, so being able to share some of my life experiences I am able to assist clients without them feeling I am judging one way or the other or trying to force them to book something they really can’t afford, but instead find ways to provide service but in a price point they are comfortable with whenever possible. Read more>>

 Bill Guyther

While I never give for the purpose of receiving its a universal law that in order to receive you must first give. Understanding this I adopted the philosophy that if you help enough people get what they want, you’ll get everything you want so I wake up every day asking myself how I can help make someone else’s life better or easier today. These understandings and actions have proven to be lucrative in all areas of my life for more than 2 decades now. Read more>>

Jeremy Bryant

My cousin and business partner, Andrew, and I grew up spending every holiday at our Nan and Pop’s house. We’d have big family dinners and there would always be tons of food and laughter. The kid’s table was separate from where the adults ate, so it would be Andrew and I, and our other cousins eating together. We’d always eat the meat and mashed potatoes and buns first, and most often we’d be left with boiled brussel spouts on our plates. We hated brussel sprouts. And then the same thing would happen each time – Nan would come in and tell us the same thing each time “You boys, eat your vegetables – there are starving kids in Africa”. Read more>>

Shloob Lawson

My generosity comes lots of humbling realities i’ve faced as a kid. Lots of times ive been in situations where all i could do was wonder why the outcome seemed to disadvantage me. Luckily i have a mother & an older brother that have gone out of their way to support me emotionally and mentally whenever i needed it. My generosity comes from having good examples & standards set for me as i came to adult hood. I was tough to be empathetic and compassionate to not only those that you love but anyone you come across. I believe this humility has made me one of the more genuine people all of my friends know. Read more>>

 Bryan Bishop

When I was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 30, so many incredible people came to my aid. It left a lasting impression on me as to the inherent generosity of people. It also left me with an unplayable spiritual debt that I’m constantly trying to repay, so whenever I’m provided with an opportunity to give back, I take it. Read more>>

Leslie Woodward

My childhood played a pivotal role in the creation of Edenesque. As a child, I faced significant challenges in a difficult and turbulent home environment, which affected me both physically and mentally. I experienced various health issues, including anorexia, I struggled with low self-esteem. There were moments when I didn’t know if I was going to make it and questioned the desire to persevere. Read more>>

Sonia Tovar

Coming from a modest background in a developing country, my journey in California has been profoundly transformative. I’ve had the fortune of meeting incredible people whom I consider to be my angels. From a supportive PE teacher, Mr. Moore, in 8th grade who inspired me to work hard and believe in my potential, to a cherished college friend who always offered the perfect advice when I needed it most, I’ve been surrounded by remarkable individuals who have guided and encouraged me. Read more>>

Tom Mclaughlin

A hugely impactful aspect of my identity is rooted in my being a survivor of Catholic clergy sexual abuse. At the age of 16, an Irish Christian brother assaulted me. He was a religion teacher and administrator at my all-boys Catholic high school in Seattle, and I had asked him to be my sponsor for the Catholic Sacrament of Confirmation. Weighed down by shame and fearful of being judged, I kept this dark secret for four years. Nevertheless, I managed to excel in academics, sports, and student leadership, eventually earning an Air Force ROTC scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. Read more>>

Macy Summer Punzalan

My family taught me what it means to give relentlessly to others. Growing up as a child of first and second-generation immigrants, it was instilled in me that everything in my life was a blessing, not to be taken for granted. That our situation in life could have been drastically different. My family often volunteered to serve at soup kitchens where we were able to build relationships with those in our community who often do not receive much care or attention. My desire to continue to uplift underserved communities stems from the generosity that my family continues to demonstrate to this day. Read more>>

Brandon Sidney

My generosity comes from the values instilled in me by my grandparents, Walter and Frenchie Sidney. They were the embodiment of hospitality, always opening their home and hearts to anyone who needed it. Watching them treat everyone like family, regardless of who they were or where they came from, left a lasting impression on me. It taught me that true success isn’t just about what you achieve, but how you lift others up along the way. Read more>>

Emmanuel Dankyi

I give, because I was given to when I was in need. I love, because that is the greatest way I can reflect the image of God my father in Heaven. I share because I’ve been made a blessing not because I’m a special person, but because it gives me the ability to bless others. Read more>>

Jabaar Dugan

Not sure. I’ve always had a heart for people as long as I could remember. My heart is always full when it comes to people. Over the years I’ve learned to be selective in when and where I help though. Being that all people aren’t good people, I’m mindful of those who seek to take advantage as opposed to allowing you to give them the advantage. I definitely had to learn what I call “The Art of Saying No”. Read more>>

Derrick Florence Ii

My mother is the most giving person I know. You have to tell her to stop sacrificing sometimes and give that same love to herself and that’s where she really shines. I’m definitively my mother’s son and I struggled for a long time learning how to balance how much I give with how willing I am to receive. I didn’t need much and so I didn’t take much. I still lean towards giving because I’ve gotten so much and so many have given to my journey. I don’t know what to do with all of the excess, so why not give it out? Read more>>

Séamus Isaac Fey

So often, the most generous people I know are the people who came from adverse childhoods, or are people who have never had a lot of money. People who work long grueling hours in the service industry, making minimum wage. Those days are not so far behind me. Read more>>

Deborah Charnes

One chapter in my award-winning book, From the Boxing Ring to the Ashram: Wisdom for Mind, Body and Spirit, is all about what I call Karma Yoga. Some call it seva. In my family, it was rooted in tradition. Tzedakah. We were raised that we all have a moral obligation to care about, and for, those needing help or assistance. Even if that meant responding with a heartfelt smile or sharing a piece of bread. Read more>>

 Jj Wood

My generosity comes from being raised in a mountain town called Ruidoso, New Mexico—it’s such a beautiful place and full of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. A hidden gem really. People just say hi to strangers everyday. I’ve carried that trait with me everywhere I’ve lived since. Although it didn’t work out for me in NYC….you will get mugged there if you’re too nice. Read more>>

Dennis Hansbury

Wow, great question! I can start by stating the obvious – generosity is free – but despite that, it is not always offered. In the time that I’ve been a public figure, selling my artwork and meeting people over the years, I’ve developed a “sixth sense” for people who just may need a little pick-me-up, a little example of kindness in their day. In 2019 I was vending at a comic book convention in Tampa and had a pair of LGBTQ+ Pride Bat earrings on display, which a young woman kept looking at, and complimenting, but at the price I was asking, she stated she was unable to buy them. I grabbed the bats, handed them to her, and said “I donate the profits of my Pride Bats to good causes (like The Trevor Project for example), take these bats and do something good with the money you would have spent on them.” Well, she started crying, which triggered me, and now I’m standing there misty eyed as other attendees are watching this transaction. It only cost me a little time and some wood to create a really sweet moment, which I hope was paid forward. To this day, I enjoy having items at my shows that I fully intend on giving away to curious kids, sweet people, and the occasional stranger that just needs a little generosity. Read more>>

Lisa Pidge

My mother’s parents came to the United States in the late 1950s from the Philippines. They were sharing and generous with everything—food, advice, their home, their affection, and a ton of laughter. With eleven siblings, my mother has a large extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles, and even friends who are truly like family. My grandfather instilled a motto in all of us. He would say, Make everybody feel like somebody. I live by his words every day of my life, and I hold them in my heart. He encountered both generous and vicious people when he came to this country. There were no words to express how he felt about those who mistreated him; instead, they made him want to be good to others tenfold. He said you can see kindness in people’s eyes, and when he looked into the eyes of generous people, his heart just felt full, and it was so powerful that emotional tears would just come down his face, and that feeling was something that he just wanted to share with everyone he met. I wholeheartedly feel that way too. Read more>>