Legacies help us with our goals after we’ve passed because they have the power to inspire action and the give our ideals an chance to live on through others. Given the magical potential of legacies, we wanted to support and foster conversations around legacy building and below you’ll find some of those conversations.

Miriam Kraatz

Construct is made to be a place where people of any age and background can be free to express themselves and discover abilities and ideas within themselves. Life in a modern tech society is fast and we are still quite bound to the ideals of producing and efficiency of the industrial era. Construct is meant to provide a bit of a vacation from that and give the opportunity to slow down every now and then and seek happiness outside of material things and technological progress. …This kind of makes it sound like Construct is a think tank or spiritual center, and to me it is. Read more>>

Lacie Perry

I can only hope to one day leave a legacy behind that inspires people to love and support others. I want to be remembered as the person who always showed up for others and made them feel loved and supported no matter what. People don’t always remember the things you bought for them or made for them. Sometimes people don’t even remember the things you did for them, but people always remember how you made them feel. Read more>>

Dawn Gregory

The legacy that I am building lies within each and every words that is written. Every story that is tol. Every piece of poetry and affirmations that are written. And every book that is published. My mission statement is – I am here to help people speak love and live their truth.  That mission statement is all me and I hope that when I have passed to the next phase of life that people can reflect back to the words that have been written to being my authentic truth from the spiritual messages within me.  I will be remembered for kindness for love and life. For living life fully for being open to the full life experience. I will be known as a prolific author poet. That is universally loved by all.  Read more>>

Kyle Lampi

As a coach, my ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impact on the lives of the people I work with. Like most coaches, I got into this profession because I genuinely want to help people transform their lives. What sets my approach apart is the depth of the work I do. It’s not just about giving someone a plan for exercise or nutrition; it’s about diving deep into their lifestyle, their goals, and the “why” behind those goals. That level of commitment requires a lot of communication, collaboration, and trust. Because of this, I intentionally keep my client base small to ensure I can give each person the time and attention they need to succeed. Read more>>

Shirley Ellis, Pmp®

I am building a legacy rooted in lifting others to heights they never imagined possible. My vision is that people will remember me as someone who believed in their potential, even when they couldn’t see it themselves.Throughout my life, I have strived to be more than just a leader—I aim to be a source of hope, strength, and encouragement. My mission is to create an environment where people feel safe to be vulnerable, knowing they are valued not only for what they do but for who they are. By walking alongside others through life’s most challenging moments, listening without judgment, and sharing my own journey, I want to remind them that fear doesn’t have to hold them back. Instead, it can become a powerful catalyst for growth and success.My leadership is driven by the desire to leave a lasting impact, empowering people to live a life of success while feeling supported every step of the way. Read more>>

Elaine Williams

One of my mantras is that I use my story for good and that I show others how to do the same. I pray that God comes through me and says what needs to be said. Growing up in a highly dysfunctional family with trauma and addictions; and then getting sober and doing more healing work on myself; I hope that my life has shown that healing from anything is possible and that you don’t have to let your past lessons define you. My mission is to help heal the world, one story, one video, one joke at a time. I help the helpers get their work out. Read more>>

Trish Forsberg

Photographs are very special, tangible moments in time… something you can see, touch and put on display. They evoke nostalgic feelings. By documenting monumental events and milestones for couples and families, I have the opportunity to capture these memories for them to have and pass on from generation to generation. I am blessed with the opportunity to photograph a couple’s LOVE story on their wedding day, the special bonds shared in FAMILY and the unique personalities and expressions of HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS. I observe beautiful locations and backdrops, a variety of lighting conditions and the whole mood of the room (forest preserve, park or tall grassy field) in order to creatively capture and tell the story of a couple, family or senior. I feel completely honored to serve them in this way. Read more>>

Jonnie Helfrich

As I near retirement, I’m overwhelmed at times with memories of how this all started and my hopes for the business in the future. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the path to running my own whitewater rafting company started when I was just three-years-old. It was then that my family started canoeing. That led to my getting my own boat at age eleven and my first job in the whitewater rafting industry at age sixteen. I remember every company for which I worked and every river I guided from then until 2001 when, with my husband, we started A Helfrich Outfitter, a whitewater rafting and flyfishing business in Oregon. He is a third-generation guide and outfitter. Read more>>

Jessenia Cosme

My biggest hope is that JCsArtDesigns leaves a legacy of both connection and inspiration. I want to be known for creating beautiful, personalized signage that helps people celebrate life’s special moments, but even more than that, I want to build genuine relationships with my clients and be a part of their cherished memories. I believe in the power of community and supporting one another, and I hope my business reflects that. And on a personal level, I want my journey to show others, especially women and moms, that with passion and hard work, they can truly achieve their dreams. Read more>>

Laura Cardona

Here’s the revised response with that addition: I want my legacy to be about impact and connection. I hope people will say I was someone who helped them believe in themselves, live with more joy and intention, and see a different way of life—one that’s honest, open, and kind while still being unafraid to call things out. I hope they feel I showed them that you can be both compassionate and a bit of an asshole when it comes to standing in your truth and helping others face theirs.  I want to be remembered for empowering women—especially Latinas—to step into their power, own their worth, and create a life that feels *theirs*. If my work inspires even a handful of people to live a little braver, love themselves a little harder, and prioritize their happiness unapologetically, then I’ve done my part. Read more>>

Ca Humer

Legacy is such an interesting word. As a noun, it is defined as ‘1. (law) Money or property bequeathed to someone in a will. 2. Something inherited from a predecessor, a heritage. 3.(university and society admissions) The descendant of an alumnus.’ As an adjective, it is defined as ‘Left over from the past; no longer current.’ Does the use of this word in the question portray what I truly hope will be the outcome of my writing and what does this question really ask? Read more>>

Angela Coffin

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I write. I write because I love words. I love that all the words in the world can be rearranged in a way that’s never been done before. I love rearranging them. I love piecing them together as a puzzle, linking them along in a melody. I love that my counterparts can do the same. I love that words build stories. I love that words build a bridge from one life to another. I love that words are that bridge. I love that my words will outlive me. I can leave behind stories and poems and letters and with carefully crafted words, I will always be. Read more>>

Evelyn O’reilly

Legacy seems like a lofty concept, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be as simple as living life in a way that leaves an impression on those around you. When I think about my legacy, I think of the lessons I would like to pass on to my son: surround yourself with people who lift you up; take risks; celebrate the success of others; be kind; pursue activities that bring you joy. In other words, legacy can be as simple as living a good life. Read more>>

Sofia Grille

I hope to be remembered as someone who helped open doors for people in my community. My goal is to inspire dancers from newer generations to dream big and believe that they can achieve their aspirations, no matter how difficult or impossible they may seem, and regardless of where they come from. Pursuing a professional dance career as someone from a South American country can feel incredibly discouraging at times. The opportunities often seem so far out of reach, and it’s easy to doubt whether you’ll ever make it. But I’m working to achieve those so-called ‘impossible’ goals, and I hope younger dancers will grow up knowing they can too. Read more>>

Chelsey Peat

I hope to build a legacy of empowerment, acceptance, and resilience. My life‘s work revolves around fostering, self love and confidence, particularly for individuals with differences and disabilities. I want to be remembered as someone who showed others that beauty, strength, and worth are found in authenticity, not superficial appearances. I envision people saying I was a tireless advocate for inclusion and equality. Someone who broke barriers and opened doors for those who often felt unseen, or unheard. Through my advocacy, coaching and writing I aim to inspire others to embrace their unique stories and find their voice in a world that can be sometimes overwhelming. Read more>>

Basil Edwards

I want my legacy to be one of authentic storytelling through photography and videography. I hope my work creates lasting impressions in people’s minds, images and moments that linger long after they’ve seen them. I want my art to inspire deeper thinking and evoke a range of emotions. Whether it’s joy, sadness, or introspection, I want my photos and videos to connect with people on a personal level. I strive to capture people as they truly are, the raw, unfiltered moments that show their beauty, strength, and even their vulnerabilities. I believe there is power in showing both the beautiful and the challenging aspects of life. By doing so, I hope to remind others of the humanity we all share, and perhaps even help them see the world, and themselves, through a different lens. Read more>>

Play Factory

We want to be remembered as a collective that creates meaningful art people can truly connect with. While our films are deeply important to us and we love making them, the real reward comes from seeing the impact they have on others. There’s something special about creating stories that not only entertain but feel like they could be the audience’s stories too. That relatability is what drives us to keep going and keep creating. Read more>>