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.

Valerie O’dell

The legacy I hope to build is one that reflects my values as a Christian, a builder, a wife, and a mother. In my career as a builder of high-end, luxury custom homes, I want to be remembered for the quality and craftsmanship of the homes I create—homes that are not only stunning in design but strong in their construction. I want people to look at the homes I’ve built and say, “Valerie O’Dell built this. It’s not only beautiful, but it will last for generations.” In an industry where shortcuts are sometimes tempting, I’ve always prioritized doing things the right way. I want my legacy to be one where people can say, “She built homes with integrity and skill, with a commitment to quality that sets her apart.” That’s incredibly important to me—knowing that my work speaks for itself in terms of durability, elegance, and attention to detail. Read more>>

Elizabeth Vega

I hope when I’m gone, people remember me as a positive light in their life. Someone who would go out of their way to make the new kid feel welcomed. Someone who was not afraid to be raw and vulnerable with her emotions even in the face of rejection. I hope people remember me for my loud laugh and crazy dance moves. I hope I can influence people to move with love and gratuity, and understanding. To remember that it’s always better to give than to receive. I hope I can inspire people to not be ashamed of their failures but to know that it’s all a part of the journey. I learned that last one through skateboarding & I think skateboarding in general teaches far beyond what you see in the bowl. I hope I can inspire little girls everywhere to pick up a skateboard, to be fearless amidst judgment, and to try new things outside their comfort zone. Read more>>

Wayne Hawthorne

That’s a question I’ve asked myself numerous times. I would like my legacy to be remembered for being one that wasn’t afraid to swing the bat. One of my favorite baseball player is Reggie Jackson. His MLB career lasted for 21 years. He holds multiple records, The one that stands out the most to me is that he has the most strikeouts in MLB history. That didn’t stop him from being extremely successful and holding multiple records. I’ve tried multiple businesses and I’m not ashamed to say that some didn’t work out the way I planned. The one thing that I never did was to quit or give up. Being an inspiration to my sons was always the thing that motivated me to never stop swinging the bat. Read more>>

Dylan Djoenadi

I used to be really interested in legacy after listening to the Hamilton soundtrack, because of that one song where Hamilton ponders his legacy. As a 15 year-old that hit. As a 23 year old, I want to make the stories from my community heard and documented. I’d like to be known as someone who documented important things in the world too. I’ve really enjoyed getting to film interviews for friends’ documentaries and capture moments in life. I hope that I’m remembered as an impactful actor-director-producer who created a lot of opportunities for people to tell their stories along with my own stories that I’d like to get out there. Read more>>

Tracy Zumwalt

I’d hope to be remembered for being a true professional that always put the needs of the client first. I’d also want to be acknowledged for having my ego in check and not getting lost in the “star games” that go on in my profession. What I do, (tattooing) is no different than a plumber or electrician. Though tattooing obviously has an artistic component, I’ve always considered myself more of a ‘craftsperson’ than an ‘artist’. Read more>>

Jacqueline Baker

When its all said and done, I want my life to be a reflection of assisting leaders with becoming better leaders and helping people start the things that they want to do! While none of us can be sure that what we want said about us is what is truly said, I certainly hope that my actions and commitments are strong contributors to how I impact people and environments around me. Read more>>

Dawn Fowlkes

I truly believe that at heart, we’re all ‘kinfolk’, connected by our diverse backgrounds. ‘Kinfolk” can easily be defined as individuals or groups that one feels a deep connection, whether through shared experiences, cultures, or mutual support. A community. It’s amazing how much we discover we have in common once we start talking and really connecting with one another. I hope my legacy reflects that sense of connection. I live everyday with the mantra ‘we all have the power to create the greatness we want for our lives’. I want my legacy to build a community with this understanding, and as kinfolk, to support one another and stay KINctd. (family connecting through diversity). Read more>>

Carter Cundiff

It’s interesting you ask this specifically. In our studio we start talking about legacy with our clients as early as our first phone consultation with them. We ask about who they are. Ask them to paint us this vivid picture of what their journey has looked like thus far and how this portrait experience can bring the essence of their story to life, giving them the visual legacy they deserve. Not only for themself, but for those who love them. I want to give humans a space to feel seen, heard and understood. Whether in the studio, in my community or networking with them I want them to feel noticed. It’s interesting the best way I can get to know a person is through stories. These stories say so much more about their journey, their character and their soul than a title ever could. It’s a moving visual in my mind to get to know how they want to feel loved as a human or recognized for what they’d been through or accomplished. That’s why I feel it’s so incredibly important to share the journey’s of those around me. Sometimes that looks like a session with me, maybe a connection to another business owner or when I speak for a group or podcast. Read more>>

Jerry Cooley

The legacy I am hoping to build is one of kindness. In the industry I’m working in a lot of people believe the only way to succeed is to look out for yourself but I would love to be in the position to influence the end of that kind of thinking and promote a work environment where we help each other succeed and praise our friends or coworkers for their success instead of having resentment or thinking “why not me, I’m better” when I’m gone I want to be remembered as the guy others loved to work with as the guy who helped others succeed and brought smiles and joy to those around me. Read more>>

Jhené Stoute

When I’m gone I want people to remember how kind I was , I know that sounds cliché but I want people to remember how good my heart was. My business runs off of passion and my love for the art and I just want people to see that. I want people to talk about my dedication, being a business owner isn’t easy so I just want to know that it paid off and made a difference even if it was just by pouring into someone for 45 mins. Read more>>

Harrison Lee

Something that I’ve come to notice and really enjoy about seeing new fans listening to my music is how many other artists are a part of the audience. To know that my music is influencing and helping other people to create new ideas of their own is the most beautiful thing about making art. I try to make the concepts around my music centered around an idea, but be ambiguous enough for people to make their own connections as to what it means to them. I’ve found the most fulfillment in knowing that my music is helping others to imagine and create their own craft and hope that the legacy of BrokinPaper is just that — a vessel of inspiration for people to create. Read more>>

Julia Kusayeva

I’ve faced numerous challenges, both personally and professionally. My goal is to inspire my daughters and those facing hardships to rise above life’s challenge’s, push forward, and pursue their dreams. Although, I’m still writing my life’s chapters, I aspire to be remembered as a mother who embodied strength, a woman who inspired others to be strong, confident and self-reliant and an entrepreneur who wanted to change the world. Read more>>

Tiara Cash

I hope to build a legacy that underscores how import being mindful, restful, and loving is to justice, activism, and liberatory practices. With my work in multiple domains, I hope that people remember me as someone who cared so much about humanity and our collective communities. I have worked hard to bridge academia, practice, and activism to focus on people-centered work, where I hope I leave a legacy of an embodied and deep dedication to creating inclusive spaces where individuals and communities can thrive. Read more>>