When we think about what it means to pursue your purpose, few lives capture it better than the story of Wendy Borcherdt. Long before Ronald Reagan became a two-term governor of California and then one of America’s most consequential presidents, Wendy recognized something extraordinary in him. She saw a leader who could speak truth with clarity, connect with everyday people, and stand firm on values that mattered. Her encouragement and tireless work helped launch Reagan onto

In the age of overnight success and viral growth, there are still a few stories being written the old way. Stories where the land matters, where the work is quiet, and where the payoff is measured not in scale but in significance. Jim Law, the founder of Linden Vineyards, has been writing that kind of story for over four decades in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Long before the region was taken seriously by the national wine community, Jim saw potential in its hills a

When you meet someone who has genuinely gone big—not in one field, but in three—you pause. You take notes. You listen. Because leadership at that scale doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by conviction, consistency, and a deep belief in something bigger than yourself. Art Pope is that kind of leader. From growing a family retail business into a regional powerhouse, to shaping public policy at the state level, to giving back in ways that transform lives for generations—Ar

From Immigrant Roots to Entrepreneurial Success Alan Smolinisky’s story begins with his parents’ courageous journey from Argentina to the United States. His father arrived at 17 with little education, facing prejudice and hardship, yet driven by a dream of opportunity. Starting as a janitor in Los Angeles’ garment district, his father worked tirelessly to build a small business, embodying the immigrant spirit of hard work and perseverance. Alan’s mother also immigrated under

If you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for you, you’re not wrong. Todd Rose proves you don’t have to fit the mold to make an impact—you can break it wide open. Once a high school dropout working minimum-wage jobs, Todd’s story isn’t one of sudden brilliance or overnight success. It’s about choosing not to settle. It’s about deciding that life is too short to live someone else’s idea of what success should look like. Rather than play the game of averages, Todd chose

Spend Your Days Like Dollars, The Tom Smith Way to Going Big Some people make headlines with flashy moves. Others build lasting impact through quiet conviction, steady action, and a deep understanding of what truly matters. Tom Smith is the latter—proof that going big isn’t about chasing fame or fortune. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and living with clarity, courage, and humility. Tom grew up during the Depression in a small blue-collar town. His high school class h