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.

Lauren Farrell

I would love to be remembered as a leader who truly valued and understood their team. In one of my many notebooks where you daydream about the type of culture you would like to create, I wrote, “I want to have the type of company people can’t wait to work for and those who do literally skip to work”. Work is so much a part of our lives, I think people deserve to like if not love when they do. People deserve to be happy and are owed a fair work/life balance. Far too often people are stuck in careers in which they are not valued, heard or understood. Read more>>

Zeinab Ghais

Community has always been very important to me. I desire to create a space for creative people to come together and feel safe in their environment. A place for people to heal and find peace. I am in the process of starting a non-profit so I may open a community art center with galleries and an art chapel. This will allow people to come together and express themselves. I think people will say that I had vivacious energy and exuded positivity and always lifted people up. I hope to be remembered for bringing the best out in people. Helping people to expand their minds and create art within. Read more>>

Brandon Lockhart

I hope to build a legacy of resilience and success. I grew up in mobile homes and public housing during my early years of life. Often times your value is determined at a young age, and the mental image you have of yourself and your self-worth is established during these years as well. For me, growing up in low-income households and being different from other kids my age was a devastating realization and something I ultimately decided I was going to change. Through resilience and grit, I have managed to crawl out of the dark psychological pit I was born into. This has become my life’s purpose—to change the trajectory for myself and my next generation through hard work and resilience. Read more>>

Amber Modena

On multiple occasions, my younger self would find herself lying awake, worrying if she would meet her potential. It became a God-given ambition of mine, charting a course for the days ahead. Potential is defined as, “Latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness.” (Oxford Languages) I believe every individual carries a unique purpose. Combining his or hers with others’ creates a dynamic force which can be used to create a beautiful impact on the world. Take colors, for example; green may have some beauty on its own, but combine it with the proper blues, reds, and oranges, and you simulate autumn leaves barely hanging on the trees on a sunny October day. Ireneaus once said, “The glory of God is man fully alive”. The legacy I desire to leave behind is that of fulfilled purpose; not only for myself, but also for others. Read more>>

Leah Jimenez

In the past 2 and half years my life has shifted quite dramatically. In March of 2021 I found out that I was pregnant with my daughter. At the time I was working a part time job as well as doing online social media marketing. However, over the next several months both of those careers began to shift. As I started to think more and more about the legacy I want to leave behind, I decided to become a stay at home Mom. For me, at this time there is nothing more important than being able to stay home and raise my daughter. Read more>>

Lachandra B. Baker

Building a legacy, for me, is rooted in my vision of a world where everyone feels as though they truly belong, irrespective of their backgrounds, challenges, or attributes. My vision for the future is deeply entrenched in my past, as I grew up in the rural south, witnessing first-hand the struggles faced by the marginalized communities I belonged to and befriended. These experiences ignited in me a fervor to be an agent of positive change, to be that force that consistently advocates for equity and inclusion. Read more>>

BRIAN BATES

Perseverance. Betting on myself to make the decision to relocate to San Diego for my family. It’s been an uphill battle but with prayer and the universe aligning with me, I’ve been able to preserve and get better every day. Just maintain integrity, faith and spirituality on point. Never give up! Keep marching to the sound of your own drum by any means necessary. Read more>>

Lexie Nause

I hope my legacy is that I was generous. Not just in a financial way but generous with my time, my effort and the quality of my work. I hope people remember that they could count on me; that I was there for my community, my family and organizations that I care about. Read more>>

Sharmaine Sommer

I hope to be remembered as someone who stuck to and nurtured their natural self, and also encouraged others to do the same. We often change many parts of ourselves in order to fit into the status quo, standard of beauty, etc. For many people, hair is just hair. They can’t imagine having hurdles around something as ‘simple’ as that. When you’re part of the Black community, you understand that it’s not simple. These hurdles can keep you from having a job, suspended from school, being judged more often and harshly. I am not going to fall for the stereotypes and judgement on my hair; how it grows from my scalp is beautiful and good enough as it is. Read more>>

Mercedes McElley

This was a question I started to really ponder in 2021 – the last year working for someone else. I spent 60-70 hours a week at work, experiencing little of my friends or family outside of work. I started to realize that I didn’t have much of a life, and wasn’t building any sort of legacy. I was a good person, but the only thing I did in life, was work. I didn’t have time for fun, or experiences, or vacations, or creating meaningful relationships with other humans. Which is when I realized I needed a big change. I needed an Identity outside of work, because at that moment my entire identity was wrapped up in being really good at my job, and by that, I truly just mean, spending every waking hour there. Read more>>

Tamara Spence

The legacy I am hoping to build is not only one that impacts the multitudes, but one that changes the world, no matter what gender you are. I want people to always feel empowered. I want people to always know they have a voice, a voice that should never be silenced no matter what society says, no matter what even the people closest to them says. Mental health and mental wellness are real things. Unacknowledged trauma is a real thing. A thing that can truly hinder us from being the best versions of ourselves. I’ve spent most of my adulthood addressing trauma from my childhood. Read more>>

Yareni Alvarado

As a first generation Mexican-American woman, I hope to leave behind a life that is inspirational to other women that have a vision for growth and success. More importantly, that your current life circumstances do not define your future life. My parents were immigrants from Mexico, as a result, I come from humble beginnings. I grew up below the poverty line with low-income resources due to my parents being undocumented during my childhood. The odds were not in my favor due to the circumstances. Life was challenging growing up, but I had big dreams. I made it my life’s mission to become the woman that I am today by relentlessly persevering for the life that I wanted. Read more>>

Taylor Merritt

As a dedicated pre and postnatal trainer, my primary mission is to empower and support moms on their journey to motherhood. I aspire to leave behind a legacy of strength, resilience, and well-being among the women I work with. Through personalized fitness programs, nutritional guidance, and emotional support, I aim to help mothers not only regain their physical vitality both pre and postpartum but also boost their self-confidence and mental well-being. I hope to be remembered as a trusted ally in their pursuit of a healthy and balanced life during and after pregnancy. My legacy will be one of empowerment, where the moms I’ve had the privilege to train continue to thrive, inspire, and pass on the knowledge and positivity to future generations of mothers. Read more>>

Nicole Arguello

As the founder of Keep FL Clean, my hope is to leave behind a legacy centered in environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and a passion for positive change. When people reflect on my life’s work, I hope they will say that I was passionate about protecting Florida’s natural habitats and dedicated to spreading sustainability in our communities. I want to be remembered as a catalyst for positive change, someone who inspired and empowered others to take action, embodying our organization’s motto “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Read more>>

Gabe Whitney

More than anything else, I hope Noisemakers will be remembered for being a place where kids and adults could come to have fun while playing music. I feel like I have laughed and shared a lot of happy moments with the other teachers, as well as the students and their families. It gets said a lot, but our business really does feel like a family. I hope that some of the optimism and joy I feel spreads into the everyday lives of those around me. Music unites us. It brings people together from all different cultures and walks of life. Good music makes you feel something, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be well-played. I have just as much fun playing music with my students who are just starting out as I do with accomplished musicians. It’s that love of music that I hope to leave behind. Read more>>

Michael Dozier

My primary goal is to assist and provide valuable insights to individuals. and organizations in a wide range of areas, including nonprofit work. I hope my legacy in this field will be one of making a positive impact by helping clients succeed in their missions to make the world a better place. Whether it’s by providing strategic advice, identifying potential funding opportunities, or offering creative solutions to complex challenges, I aspire to be a trusted. partner in the nonprofit sector, contributing to the success and growth of organizations dedicated to making a difference in the world. Read more>>

Ryan O’Hara

Our biggest hope is the build a legacy of culture and hospitality. Though I am proud of the products we create, I hope that after we’re gone, we will be remembered by how treated and loved our people, both our own team and our guests. Read more>>

Lamar West

I want my legacy to be that I was a vessel. A vessel for God in multiple capacities. Rather I speak to people through writing, conversations, relationships, my actions, etc. I just want it to be evident that I was sent here with a greater purpose. The fleeting legacy desires that I once yearned for seem to hold less significance to me now. I dreamt of being the greatest author ever, or the greatest writer ever. And I do believe I am the best writer of my generation. But, I’ve found that many desires I had for myself turned out to be shallow things that change each time I reach a new level. Read more>>

Laura Wong

I want to leave behind things that support and inspire my future and fellow Witches and magical practitioners. Whether that’s a pin that makes then laugh, a podcast episode that makes them feel a little less alone, or a book they can pass on. I was put on this earth to support others who are called to live a magical life, and to educate others about it’s realities. Read more>>

Emily Roose

I am sure most people want to leave behind a legacy whether it is big or small. I want mine to be of helping others and making their life better any way that I can. It may be through my work as an interior designer or as a product designer or just a helping hand when someone needs it, and I am able to help. For my business I want to leave behind a brand that my family, friends, and especially my son will be proud of. With that being said not only do I want to leave behind a lasting brand that creates spaces and products that people love and brings joy to their lives, but I want to leave behind spaces and products that do no harm to the user/occupant, those removing and renovating the space in the future, or those that may have to respond to a structure fire and run the risk of a multitude of health problems after years of exposure. Read more>>