In our experience, talking about legacy is often subtly discouraged by society and we find this to be deeply unfortunate. Thinking about the legacy you would like to build can help you better align your work, life, time – your sweat and tears – with your values. Below, we’ve tried to create a space for folks to start conversations about they legacies they are hoping to build.

Katrina Eileen

My mission is not to be the best in the industry. In fact, it’s to be the most influential, uplifting & supportive. A lot of people think that leaving a legacy means everybody knew of you and you left money for future generations. Although that is a part of it, a legacy is what someone leaves behind like their character and reputation. What did this person do to leave a positive impact in society? Setting an example for others and guiding their futures is the end goal of mine. Whether it’s giving advice or simply putting out encouraging words. I want people to look at me or speak with me and get inspired. As an entrepreneur, full time mother, pre-law student, model & employee; I want to influence other women and men to go after anything they desire. Anything is achievable when you have discipline and determination. Read more>>

Domonique appleby

I started this business in 2017, my legacy will be leaving wealth to my heirs. I have written and published a permanent makeup training manual actually the first black artist to do so. Not only does my brand offer services, we provide training classes to our community and people all over the world. I want to continue to be an educator and to bring aware people that look like me can be successful and have longevity. This is what my legacy will stand on Read more>>

Sonya Peacocke | Photographer

When my husband died I got the opportunity to see firsthand what it meant to leave a legacy. Daniel was a cinematographer and left the world with beautiful memories and perfectly preserved moments through his work. He challenged the rules and was a constant encouragement to everyone around him. For my legacy, I want to embody the best of my experiences through the loss of my husband at a young age. I believe that becoming a widow at 25 is an honor bestowed upon me an I hold the experience with great responsibility. Read more>>

Rhea Rose

Picasso said “ The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away .” One of the greatest obstacles I have had to overcome is insecurity. Gaining confidence changed my relationships, my dress and my business. I would like to encourage as many people as I can that they are perfectly and intentionally made. I would like to see people free to be themselves. I reveal my own experience with confidence and resilience in my art and use my art to help others express theirs as well , in addition to building positive relationships them of encouragement. Read more>>

Philip Ortiz

The legacy I hope to leave behind as a photographer would be to have my work known by the world. Growing up I would go to the museums and see several pieces that would spark some emotional responses in me; whether it be happiness or sadness I would want to invoke something in them. I also would want to open various studios to not only help clients but also inspire and coach other photographers to pursue their dreams. Read more>>

Terri Leidich

My wish is that I will be remembered for creating a publishing company and approach that has given a lot of unknown but talented writers an opportunity to get their work out into the marketplace in a way that combines traditional publishing with author involvement and that I lived up to our motto “publishing with a heart.” Read more>>

Michael Scruggs

My hope is that my legacy will be one of community service and community impact. I want the youth and families of my community to be successful an always maximize their potential. My hope is that my legacy of change will inspire my mentees and youth to make a greater impact into other lives. If I can just help somebody, then my living shall not be in vain. Read more>>

Michelle Roberts

I am building so that my children and childrens , children can have a solid foundation of business and fiancés for years to come, investments, property , charitable gifts and giving back to humanity. Read more>>

Tracy Johnson

Apart of my purpose in this life is showing people the beauty and resilience in themselves through narrative photography. The pictures that I enjoy taking and the stories I love sharing are typically the ones of deeply moving accounts of resilient milestones in people’s lives. I treasure opportunities to celebrate others, giving them a glimpse of how beautiful their evolution in growth days can be. Read more>>

Kayla Jones

I have always said, “The more you help others succeed, the more you will succeed personally and professionally”. Legacy is different for each and everyone one of us, but to me it means leaving an impression in the hearts of others. I live life to the fullest and I just love to spread happiness wherever I go. I want to be known for inspiring others, giving others hope that no matter your struggles life is full of so much more. When I meet you for that first time I want to hear what you do, what encourages you to wake each day. I want to learn your strengths and weaknesses. No matter our weaknesses, there is someone around us with a powerful voice. Read more>>

Keith Jackson

I hope my legacy will be continuing and ever long lasting. I would say timeless. I am my mother and fathers legacy, so I am trying to build from that foundation in my own way. More knowledge and technology at our generations disposal, taking advantage of that with my kids is a plus. Starting businesses outside of the normal 9-5 model. We all have to start somewhere, but investing building outside of a ‘job’ to be more stable in the future. Teaching that to my kids, most of all showing them is a great feeling. Read more>>

Danielle Medlock

Everything I do in life is to set an example for my children. My legacy is teaching them that you can truly achieve your dreams and that hardwork does go a long way. I have a chronic illness called Multiple Sclerosis. For so many years I allowed the illness to keep me from pursuing my dreams. Read more>>

José Francisco Montes

From the first moment that I founded my company, I knew that I wanted to leave a seed so that in the future we would all transport ourselves by bicycle within cities and communities, thus generating more humane cities where we all greet each other, help each other, and where public spaces be quieter and cleaner. Today it is known that the bicycle pacifies the environment. I hope that my company transcends reaching everywhere and that all people move on my bikes. Read more>>

Jenée Humphrey

I hope that my children would know that they were deeply loved by their mother and that all of my hard work was so that they could have a bright future. That the legacy of my name would take them into spaces were they would be respected, valued, and loved. I hope that my legacy would be one of a faithful wife that gave my husband all the support, affirmation, and love he needed. That our marriage would be an example for generations to come. I hope that my legacy would be that I made a positive impact on the lives of those that I encountered. That I walked in love and compassion for my neighbor. I hope that the work of my hands would have inspired joy for my clients that received it and bystanders who viewed it. Above all, I hope that my life pointed people to Jesus Christ. Read more>>

Nikki Garcia

When I was younger, I wanted to be in a band. It was my dream up until probably after graduating high school. I never did anything to pursue it but I said it would happen, for sure. That would be my legacy. Now, similarly, I want my business to grow just as much. I would love to grow into a staple jewelry & home decor store. A business that not only is inclusive with jewelry sizes and styles for everyone, but helps design an important part in peoples lives, their homes. Although I haven’t gotten this far yet with my products, I will get there. With inspirations like Urban Outfitters, Studio McGee, and Earthbound, that is where I would like my legacy to lie. Read more>>

Mauricia Banks Martinez

Well, I hope my journey motivates and inspires people to take the necessary steps required to manifest their own dreams, even if it seems impossible or too far to obtain or just outside of the ordinary. I’m also expecting my legacy to create a sense of financial security, to ensure there’s money for the future generations after me, because I don’t want my kids, grandkids or even my great grandkids to want for nothing. Read more>>

Faith Hudgens

Greenville SC is my home. Growing up as a little girl in the 90’s I’ve witnessed first hand the growth of a small community. This growth is contagious and it makes you feel moved to add value to the culture. Like most small towns Greenville SC is working to achieve diversity one step at a time. I want to leave a legacy of belief. A culture that believes that minority women are entitled to creative titles and that they are innovative leaders. I hope to pave the way for brown girls like myself and propel societies value placed on brown Artist in their communities. Read more>>

Liz Winand

After almost 45 years in business, one can’t help but reflect on what our legacy will be. What have we done to make this world a better place? How have we influenced our customer base to be good stewards of the environment? Have we been successful in introducing young and old alike to an outdoor lifestyle or an adventure they may have thought out of reach for them? When we were celebrating our 40th year in business, I did a review of the numbers of programs and people we have reached over the years. Here are some of those statistics: Read more>>