Successful? Sure. Happy? That's the real question.

We hustle for money, telling ourselves fulfillment can come later. But then one day, we look up, deep into our careers with titles to match, and realize something’s missing. That was me—a Black female VP in advertising, navigating a world where only about 2% of peers looked like me. After years in that role, I moved into a promising position in tech, hoping it might be the answer. Yet even there, I couldn’t shake the feeling that all the success on paper wasn’t adding up to real fulfillment. I started to see cracks in the path I thought would lead to a meaningful career.

For years, I kept pushing, believing that moving up in influence and salary would be enough. Hustle culture—the notion that success comes from always doing more, always going harder—seemed like the way forward. But eventually, I hit a wall. I found myself wondering if there was something deeper I should be working toward. I wanted my work to connect with something beyond titles and paychecks. The recognition that I earnestly needed a greater sense of fulfillment didn’t happen overnight. It took time, reflection, and a willingness to take a few detours before I began to understand what truly mattered.

Eventually, this journey led me to channel my drive and experience into something of my own. For me, starting a business felt like the right choice, which is not to say that’s the best path for everyone. But more that there are many ways to fill what feels like a void of meaning in our careers—whether through new projects, a shift in roles, or leaning into interests that resonate. What matters most is finding a direction that feels like yours.

It’s not that my past work lacked meaning—I had many fulfilling moments. But this new path brought a level of joy that stays with me day to day, even in the small things. Now, the effort I put in feels more like an investment in something that reflects who I am and what I care about. I still work hard—anyone who starts something from scratch does—but these days, that effort goes toward something I’m building for myself, something I want to see grow and endure.

If you’re in a place where you feel successful on the surface but sense something is missing underneath, you’re not alone. Purpose doesn’t always arrive in a lightning-bolt moment. Often, it’s more of a slow build, something that takes shape gradually as you follow what feels meaningful, even if you’re not entirely clear where it’s leading. My shift has meant focusing on small choices that aligned with what I valued most. Sometimes, it was simply a matter of asking myself, What feels worth the effort? What do I want to look back on and feel proud of?

I’m learning that success isn’t about a single moment of validation; it’s more about direction. It’s something you build one small step at a time. The real, lasting work comes from moving forward with intention, creating something genuine, even if it’s still evolving.

So if you’re on a path that brings you closer to the work and life you want, know that’s valuable—even if it doesn’t fit a traditional mold. And if you’re still searching, trust that each intentional choice, each question, brings you closer to what’s truly yours to build. Purpose isn’t always obvious or immediate, but each step can be meaningful in its own way.

It’s a journey I’m grateful for and one that feels more meaningful with every step.