We have had the good fortunate of connecting with Nobel Laureates, titans of industry, rockstars and rising stars across dozens of industries and we have always found their stories about who they were early on to be most fascinating. Below, you’ll find members of the community sharing their responses to this key aspect of their stories.
William Heartsil
Before I found my way into entrepreneurship, I was your typical college student working toward a business degree. At the same time, I was also working part-time at my family’s business, Tootsies— a clothing store. That experience gave me a real understanding of what it means to create lasting client relationships. Read more>>
Maryam Abdullahi
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a free spirit, happy and existing to please myself. As children, we don’t yet carry the weight of societal expectations; we live in our most authentic state. Read more>>
Mia Bailey
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a creator, a nurturer, and a visionary. I was someone who found joy in simple things — nature, feeding people, connecting souls, and dreaming without limits. I was curious, bold, and unafraid to lead with heart. I moved with purpose even before I had language for it. Read more>>
Melissa Rioux
I have never let anyone tell me what or who to be. I sometimes forget other people even have an opinion about me and what I’m doing. I consider it a blessing to have only been aware, and trusting of my own inner voice and I didn’t realize other people struggled with that until I was older. Read more>>
Brad Parker
The world profoundly shapes our beliefs, perspectives, and experiences through a complex interplay of environmental, cultural, educational and personal factors, and those forces have pinballed me from one version of myself to another in surprising and often unexpected ways. Read more>>
JOSLYN CURLEY
By God’s grace, my journey to becoming a clinical mental health private practice owner has been both purposeful and deeply personal. What began as a calling to help others through their emotional and spiritual pain gradually unfolded into a career rooted in compassion, faith, and service. Read more>>
Dana Currie
Before the world placed expectations on my shoulders and told me who I should become, I was a bold, intuitive, and imaginative soul. I moved through life with curiosity, creativity, and a deep sense of purpose even before I had the words to define it. I saw beauty in the details, believed in possibility, and led with heart. Read more>>
Nikita Amadi
Perfectionism is the part of me that I’ve had to release. Growing up in a minister’s family, I felt like I was always being watched, expected to move a certain way, and that pressure made me hold back parts of myself; my personality, my creativity, and even my voice out of fear of being misunderstood. Read more>>
