Turn your passion into action
“What are you passionate about?” my boss would ask. I had no idea how to answer without a sarcastic “I’m passionate about getting a paycheck every Friday so that I can enjoy a beer at Outback.” But she asked me so many times that eventually I had to ask myself.
“I don’t know what I want, but I know it ain’t this.”
Here’s what it felt like. It’s a beautiful summer afternoon in your neighborhood park, and you’re six-years-old. You kick off your shoes and feel the soft grass between your toes. Then out of nowhere, and it hits you! The sudden urge to spin uncontrollably, so you spin like crazy! Then finally, you stop and thud onto the grass. You stare up into the sky, but the world’s still spinning.
That’s what it felt like! “Err. What am I passionate about? Because this beer belly ain’t cute.” *thud* Blocking out the noise and closing my eyes. I found my balance. “I don’t know what I want, but I know it ain’t this.”
Discovering your purpose takes action. Permit yourself to fall, then ask yourself, “what am I passionate about?” Those five words will force you to reflect on your experiences. And the more you do so, the clearer your why.
“We educate young women on Dating Violence, preventative techniques.”
Creating a meaningful life and biz means you’re fighting for something bigger than yourself. Or in Juliet Lighter’s case, a nonprofit that’s striving to empower female adolescents.
Juliet Lighter is the founder of the local nonprofit organization, Women Speaking Out. In 2008 she started WSO as a resource for young women to be educated on Dating Violence, learn preventative techniques, promote self-love, and create community awareness.
Michelle: Why did you start Women Speaking Out (WSO)?
Juliet: I was 14 years old and in my first abusive relationship that later turned violent and almost took my life. Sadly, I found myself in a cycle of violence that led to other physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. As a former Miss Hawaii USA, I was given the opportunity to have a public podium to speak out about my past and be a voice for other women who have endured the pain I have. I realized my purpose was bigger than just one year of holding a title but I could impact change on a bigger level.
Michelle: How does your company mission connect with you as a founder?
Juliet: WSO is focused on education, empowerment, and prevention. Our mission statement is about empowering young women and helping them find their voices. Looking back at my life as an adolescent, there were for a lack of resources for young women to learn about issues such as dating violence and sexual assault. Knowledge is powerful but more importantly it will help young women to make healthy choices for themselves and relationships.
“WSO is focused on education, empowerment, and prevention.”
Michelle: What’s the impact that you want to have on the younger generation?
Juliet: Helping young women find their voices, to inspire them to create change about things they are passionate about , and the importance of self-love.
Michelle: How does WSO give back?
Juliet: In June we launched our Speak Love Box virtual fundraiser. Due to COVID, we needed to pivot and be created in how we would fundraiser as a smaller nonprofit.
Our Speak Love boxes allow people to be intentional with their shopping and give back. The boxes are only $60 and include some of our most popular WSO swag. In addition, we partners with local bake shop A Cake Life to include a 4 pack of Girl Power themed cookies. Two ways to donate are to purchase a box to gift to someone or simply donate and your box will be given to a woman in one of the local domestic violence shelters.
Funding raised will be used to create educational materials that will be distributed to high schools this fall as well as FREE monthly workshops focused on dating violence, sexual assault & self love techniques.
Michelle: Where do you plan on taking WSO in the next 5 years?
Juliet: We’d like to offer innovative educational programs that include yearly conferences and workshops to young women in middle school, high school, and college. Young women between the ages of 16 - 24 have the highest rate of dating violence nationally. We are focused on preventative measures rather than reactive behaviors.
“Knowledge is powerful but more importantly it will help young women to make healthy choices for themselves and relationships.”
Waiting for a biz to motivate is like trying to manifest your dream co-working space with your hopes and dreams. It doesn’t work, I tried. Self-motivation is the hardest thing about entrepreneurship. So be that naggy six-year-old who asks “why” all the time and spins uncontrollably. Design a meaningful life and biz.
Click here to get your Speak Love boxes and support Women Speaking Out.
The Oak + Pine Society is opening a few seats next month. Click here to book a 1:1 with me. Let’s talk about how our community supports purpose-driven businesses—taking our members from early entrepreneurs to CEOs living their best lives.