We asked entrepreneurs, artists, creatives and folks from every walk of life to share stories of kindness with us because we believe that hearing about kindness inspires more kindness. Our world needs more kindness.

Steve Spiro

My dad, who was my hero, encouraged me to follow my dreams. He said if I failed I can always try again until I find what I want to in life. The kindest thing he did was to encourage me and believe in my dreams. I am forever grateful. Read more>>

Pachión Randle

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is show up. Each person that has showed up for me- whether it was attending a fashion show, sharing a post, liking a post, or even purchasing an item from my brand truly means a-lot to me. There were times that I felt as if the closest people to me never like or even repost anything of mine, but the Most High sent strangers and I will forever be grateful for that. Read more>>

Diana Olivares

My clients were the ones who urged me to open up my own salon. When I first opened, I had to buy a lot of the tools, supplies and appliances.
I was so surprised and happy when my clients began to show up with some of the things I needed as gifts. Some of the things they brought me was a towel warmer, an anti fatigue mat, a mini fridge, a pair of cutting shears and a Bose speaker. Read more>>

Jerry Taylor

In the quiet rural spaces of Shelby County, West Tennessee, where the boundaries between childhood and adulthood were often blurred by the freedom of the open road, lessons in responsibility and consequence came not only from our actions but from the reactions of those around us. Driving cars at a young age was more than just a rite of passage; it was a symbol of trust, a delicate balance between independence and the ever-present potential for error. My parents, like many in our community, entrusted me with their old ’63 Plymouth, allowing me the liberty to drive up to Pouncey Grocers. It was an implicit lesson in autonomy, where freedom was both a gift and a test. Read more>>

Shayda

This is going to maybe sound really silly, but helping me move-out of my first apartment after graduating from the acting academy in Hollywood. It was my last night to pack up everything, and I had been putting off a lot of it. I’m not good at packaging things. Ok, one time I put a bottle of multi-purpose cleaner in my suitcase without enough packaging that the top twisted off and spilled all over everything. Permanently stained my shorts! So anyways, I am often not good at asking for help when I need it as I feel ashamed for sometimes needing the help and time of others. These two neighbors, both of whom I’ve never really spoken to, came over for like 3 hours and helped me pack up my whole apartment. Read more>>

Alina Bannavong

The kindest thing someone has ever done for me was refuse to hire me for a job.

I was a backup dancer for drag queens and male entertainers in the LGBTQIA pageant circuit for 11 years.

I loved what I did.

I choreographed shows. I gave creative direction for productions.

Then, one day, as a new show was being announced, all of the drag queens that I had been performing with and dancing behind refused to let me back on stage with them. Read more>>

Paul Starosciak

In order to talk about kindness, I have to tell a sad story about my life first.

When I was an adolescent, my father made a lot bad decisions with drugs (opiates), gambling, and impulsive/disorderly behavior.

My family was poor. So, it wasn’t like we could just brush off his behavior as mistakes that he made with his own money.

His actions and inactions hurt the family to the point of affecting our food budget. He could never keep a good job and would never humble himself to do what he considered “low status work” like service or hospitality. Anything would have been fine if it meant helping your family. Read more>>

Paulla De Souza

I have many amazing stories that are all connected to my purpose-filled journey with complete strangers.

I lived in Georgetown, Guyana, and had this incredible opportunity to work on a project in Trinidad and Tobago. At that time, I didn’t know anyone there. I was introduced to someone through a mutual friend, and she extended an invitation for me to stay with her. Read more>>

Jeffrey Weber

I teach a unique contrary way of investing called AIM investing with long term options or LEAPS. Unfortunately, I have never been successful enough to hire any employees to help me despite making investors I help over $12,000,000 in my career – I’ve had to do all the work myself for my 33 clients. I’m 77 and really a little help because I work very long hours for very little pay. Read more>>