Everyday we meet business owners, professionals, artists and creatives. Photographers, florists, realtors and more. They might come from different backgrounds, work in different industries, have varying personalities, and have vastly different income and educational profiles, but the one thing we’ve seen over and over again is that most people have a unique and special reason for why they do what they do. From a realtor helping families afford the first home he always wished for as a kid to a photographer using her skills to give a voice and face to victims who feel voiceless, we have been blown away by what happens when you just ask people a simple question – why do you do what you do?

Gerald Fletcher

My mission as a dog trainer is to keep dogs in happy homes and to develop well informed dog owners. I believe that with more educated owners, less dogs would be in shelters. Once my clients know exactly how to handle their dog, they’ll be able to handle every dog after and that’s what drives me. The journey of solidifying the relationship between a dog and their parents! Read more>>

Ansel Firmalan

Our unique environment affords the opportunity to showcase the mental and physical discipline that it takes to be a dancer, while promoting the extraordinary confidence it takes to be a performer. With over 80 Regional competitions and 6 National Finals, our team is ready to inspire dancers and create lifelong memories. Read more>>

The Purp Studio

The Purp Studio offers a creative space for artists, producers, engineers, songwriters and musicians, to indulge in their passion(s). The story behind our mission is to create a safe space for artists to dive into their craft and bring to life all that envisioned and more. The owners of The Purp Studio are creatives so we collectively wanted to open a space we could share with others to enjoy. Read more>>

Tammy Hall

My mission in my industry is to make functional and strength training important as we age. I don”t want to be just your average trainer that just makes you sweat. My mission is to make you more functional in life. I want people to workout for a purpose. Tammy’s Fitness Lab, strive on mobility and stability. Read more>>

Jamey Flaccavento

My name is Jamey Flaccavento and I am the sole operator of sncrly,me. LLC. I am a school teacher and yoga teacher who is passionate about positive social emotional learning and growth for everyone. The mission of sncrly,me. Is to provide guidance on the path to knowing, loving, and expressing your authentic self through positive affirmation cards, guided journals, workshops, and social media content. The story behind this mission is a personal one. For most of my life, I had spent many moments absorbing the emotions and opinions of others and molding my actions, words, and personality to make sure everyone around me was comfortable. Read more>>

Ali Borowsky

Find Your Anchor (FYA) was born out of lived experience. I created FYA as a direct response to every other mental health resource being so sterile, corporate, and cold. In my darkest moments, I didn’t want a white hospital brochure with a number to call. I wanted – needed – to know someone cared. FYA was created by someone who gets it. By someone who’s been there. By a stranger who cares. Read more>>

Pauly Jackson

What does plugging Power to Purpose look like? Well, we believe last year showed us the cheat code for political organizing, community investment and mutual aid. 2020 was traumatic, exhausting and surreal, but one real inspiring thing did go down. 2020 summer delivered us one of the most awesome and unprecedented displays of racial solidarity in our lifetime. It was also a dramatic moment in American labor history. We’re talking about the NBA’s work stoppage during their playoff bubble in Orlando. It all began with the grisly Kenosha police shooting of Jacob Blake — an entrepreneur, a father from Evanston, IL…and my brother. Protests in his name broke out around the world. Jake survived the attack, to an entire nation’s relief, and he emerged as a symbol of strength in the contemporary civil rights movement. Read more>>

Michelle Jericevich

Life will lead you down many paths. I never dreamt I would be running a program for the developmentally disabled but here I am. Life was simple when Indya was in the school system but when it came time to transition out and we started looking my life came to a halt! There was absolutely nothing in 2000 that I would even consider. Perhaps this is my greatest accomplishment even though I have been in the ballet world since I was 5 years old. To see the friendships forming, peer support and just the fun they have being together doing things gives me pure joy. Read more>>

Lydia Carter

At Celene’s Confections, our mission is to transform moments into memories by crafting exquisite confections that delight the senses and captivate the heart. With over 22 years of unwavering dedication to the artistry of baking, we take pride in offering a diverse range of meticulously crafted cakes, cupcakes, treats, and custom cake toppers along with any other component, each a unique masterpiece that reflects our passion for creativity and precision. We believe in the power of sweet indulgence to bring joy and celebration to life’s special occasions. Beyond the delectable taste of our confections, our mission extends to fostering a welcoming environment where individuals of all ages can unleash their creativity through our cake and cupcake decorating classes. At Celene’s Confections, we don’t just create confections; we curate experiences that leave a lasting impression, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. Read more>>

Don Starnes

As a child, well before I had adequate language to describe it, I wondered why people are so often disassociated from actual, real life and from each other. After I began making movies as a teenager and later went to film school, I literally wrote a manifesto: by drawing a rectangle around glimpses of reality, movies can connect us to life, to ourselves, and to each other. They can reveal our common humanity and sometimes ennoble us. This belief has had subtle influence on every frame that I’ve photographed ever since. Read more>>

Linda Aldrich

I was a kid that fell between the cracks. Even though I had lovely parents, I struggled to fit it in at school, at home, and in life. I ended up with an eating disorder at a very young age long before we had a label for it. At the time, I did not have a therapist, but I did have a horse. She saved my life and from that point on, horses and my love for them has guided me every step of my way. In high school, my favorite teacher told me I went to school to eat my lunch. He was right, but he also saw my love for horses. Read more>>

Carmen Olsen

Almost every precious memory in my life including my wedding, family camping trips, making maple syrup, breathtaking views, traveling, and adventure took place in nature. The nature around us is so beautiful, rich, and precious, a pure marvel that brings joy to so many. We can keep it clean and beautiful through simple changes. When I learned that 11 million tons of textiles go to the landfill each year I knew we could do better. Park + Coop is one way to do that, by keeping textiles out of the landfill and making use of the raw materials we already have rather than generating new. Changing how we do business is really powerful and rewarding. Read more>>

Vanessa Green

My mission is to give others what I was not given. It is my mission to reach women of all ages and stages in life who are seeking personal change in their mindset through self-discovery, intentional healing work, and personal growth as they discover or re-discover their passion, clarity of direction and purpose through practical application, empowerment, inspiration, and mindset transformation. Read more>>

Missoni Lanza

At the age of 27, I felt like a prisoner in my own body. I subscribed to the lifestyle of no pain, no gain and pushed my body to its breaking point. My history of injuries from poor training and a head-on-collision only exasperated the severity of my experience. It got to the point where I struggled lifting a glass of water and needed assistance from my partner to get out of bed in the morning. I went from exercising 2-4 hours a day to not being able to move without pain. Read more>>

Carrie Freshour

At my core, I’m driven by an unquenchable thirst for understanding, with a mission encapsulated as “Seeking to find meaning in the hard.” My journey commenced in the crucible of adversity; as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I know the intimate contours of pain, unworthiness, and their enduring impacts. Read more>>

Miranda Oden

Leaf & Luxe is a joint venture (adventure) my sister and I created together to share not only our interests/hobbies, but also to create a space in our community that is inviting, inclusive, engaging, and exciting. We wanted to promote positivity with “feel good greenery” and show people how plants can promote wellness and have many health benefits. We want to help people create their own space to be welcoming, comfortable, happy, and beautiful. We believe that plant care is self-care and have experienced the joy that plant keeping can bring to our lives. Our mission came from our own experiences as plant keepers, and we wanted to share that with the community. Coupled with our knowledge of houseplants and home decor, Leaf & Luxe was born. Read more>>

Olga Belikova

In essence, my mission is to provide spiritual guidance and support, fostering hope for those who feel like they have no control over their “reality” and who are really struggling as a result of their limiting beliefs instead of realizing how powerful their mind is and how much their life could change once they start owning this power. Read more>>

Carla Dykstra

WilcoHR is an affiliate of the Society of Human Resource Management, the world’s largest human resource management and professional organization, WilcoHR members enjoy many benefits. WilcoHR’s mission is to serve the Professional, Advance the Profession. Members of Williamson County Human Resource Management Association (WilcoHR) play a strategic role in the leadership, management, and success of their respective Williamson and North Travis County (and in most cases throughout Texas and/or nationwide) businesses and organizations. Read more>>

 Erin Scaia

My mission is to show people how they can use art-making as a way to improve their relationship with their emotions. I used to suppress negative feelings and ignore them. Eventually this led to debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. It got so bad that I was losing my will to live. I realized in order to be healthy physically, spiritually and mentally, I had to make a commitment to check in with my emotions instead of ignoring them. Read more>>

Michelle Johnson

For many of us, life is stressful and may be a little chaotic at times. I firmly believe that our home can be our sanctuary. A place where we can come to unwind and relax. However, most of us have a busy life and a lot of stuff going on. Sometimes our house can get out of control. When those times happen, we sometimes are lost of where to start to get a handle of the chaos we’ve acquired. I love helping people find their way to create that sanctuary feel in their own home. It might mean downsizing, it might mean new organization methods, and changing some habits. But in the end, I would like someone to feel like they are on top of their home instead of the home on top of them is rewarding. Read more>>

Ashlyn Prendergast & Paige Farrington

Our mission unexpectedly began on a pristine and perfect Colorado summer morning in 2008. Out of nowhere like a lightning strike from a clear blue sky, the trajectory of our lives forever changed when the words Love Ignites Peace unexpectedly arrived. That morning the sights and sounds of nature and the romance novel that I (Paige) was reading (now now that’s a different kind of love than we are talking about here) had saturated my mind and my body with complete relaxation. Read more>>

Tajae Jones

Our mission’s story is deeply personal and closely tied to my own journey. I’ve always had a passion for people and a calling to share my faith. Creating apparel with encouraging messages has become the intersection where I do both. However, when it came to sharing my “WHY,” I often found myself at a loss for words. Read more>>

Ana Maria Gaona

At Two Peacocks Travel, we focus on creating unforgettable travel experiences that empower students and women to explore the world and grow personally. Founded in August 2022, we started with an international student program focused on cultural immersion. We also designed special travel adventures tailored to women, promoting a slower, more meaningful way of traveling. Read more>>

AnnaLise Hoopes

I started The Changemaker Project because I believe in the power of young people to change the world. Youth today are passionate about making the world a better place, but they don’t always know where to begin. We provide a pathway where youth (and now—in our new Visionaries Institute—adults!) can take their ideas and passion and create a meaningful impact on an issue they care about. We provide the tools, mentorship, and funding that changemakers need to make a difference. Read more>>

Michael Stallworth

At an early age, I discovered my passion for helping others. I grew up in a faith-based, Christian family. My mother always stressed the importance of being selfless, helping others, and that giving back to your community was the right thing to do. These principles and values instilled in me have always been foundational to my character. Being passionate about helping others led me to apply to various organizations, pursue a social justice education in college, and give back to build underrepresented communities through service and advocacy. Read more>>

Nicole Craven and Alexis Smith

Driven by a passion for espresso martinis, we [Nicole and Alexis] recognized an opportunity to create a delicious product while celebrating women in a mostly male-dominated spirits industry. We launched Après Hours, a canned espresso martini line, with the tagline ‘It’s time to shake things up’. Our mission is not only a play on words, but rooted in our personal experiences and desire to create a more inclusive and diverse brand. Read more>>

 Janet Cesarini

Pupology came into existence out of a deep love for my five dogs – specifically, a drive and subsequent passion to help one of my Australian Shepherds (Hank) heal from some of the most common challenges almost all dogs will face in their lifetime. The day I told Hank’s veterinarian, “Let me research these options, and get back to you,” I didn’t realize the direction my life was about to take. My research unveiled the many side effects that Hank (all dogs and cats, actually) would be subjected to if I chose to follow the only plan presented by his healthcare provider. Read more>>

Monica Pena

Our mission is to provide babies & toddlers with a fun and safe entertainment option for their parties, all while ensuring that moms can relax and enjoy the celebration without worry. We also take pride in making these experiences aesthetically pleasing and beautiful, leaving a lasting impression on our clients’ guests. Read more>>

Gwendolyn Buchanan

The mission of Journey with Divine Travel is to inspire and support women to connect with their divine essence (soul); awaken to their inner wisdom, as the foundation to create, embrace, nourish and sustain & well-being. We do this through curating solo and small group retreats, culturally immersive journeys and getaways that allow women to engage, experience and evolve. Our motto, your Journey begins within…choose your destination speaks to this. Read more>>

 Mel Alston

Our mission has become the REBEL eco-system. REBEL stands for Relinquishing Erratic Behavior Enhancing Life. One of the prongs in our eco-system is the Cosmicality. Brand, which is our food service branch. It is the one of many that will come from the REBEL system. A system built exclusively for our young people who come from backgrounds of impoverishment and underserved communities. REBEL aims to prevent, reduce and combat juvenile recidivism. REBEL will help youth achieve their goals and aspirations through resources, advocating, opportunities, and mentorship. Read more>>

Trudean Haye

As I ventured into my own entrepreneurial journey, I encountered many individuals with brilliant ideas and boundless passion, but often lacking the foundational knowledge and resources to turn those dreams into sustainable businesses. This realization struck a chord within me. Read more>>

Green Room Creative Studios

At Green Room Creative Studios our mission is to unite photographers, business owners, and creators in a professional and playful environment. Our goal is to remove limits by providing a fully equipped working space, empowering creativity and enabling the growth of our community. Read more>>

Christine Dziedzic

At 8 years old my grandmother died. Like many families, there was chaos and lack of sufficient funds. Watching my Mom and Aunt fighting and my Uncles trying to keep the peace. I became invisible and the man Jack from the cemetery made time to kneel down and make sure I was ok. He kept checking on me. I guess I grew up wanting to be like Jack. Over the years after my grandmother died. I would visit the cemetery and stop in the office. Jack would ask me how I was doing. And was very compassionate. He was the only one that recognized my grief. Read more>>

Jade Cao

Together, We Are Stronger! This is my personal belief. I founded Colab Space with a mission to create a collaborative workspace that encourages communities, businesses, and people to thrive together. I believe in sharing knowledge, resources and talent between people can propel our growth and make us so much stronger. Our space is designed to boost creativity, community and collaboration. Read more>>

Julissa Brown

I started my journey in 2015 after facing familial trauma & getting sucked into a very dark place. I knew I needed a vice that would help me start a healing journey but I was also aware that I was not ready for actual therapy, so I searched on YouTube for a leg workout (I used one from Whitney Simmons actually-she was my free trainer for a while LOL) & I threw myself into the gym. I was very consistent for years & then decided that I loved it so much that I wanted to share my passion & got certified as a personal trainer. Read more>>

Kristyn Rose Berland

In 2020, while road tripping around the country, I couldn’t find a pet crate that was adequate for my dog Bo, so I decided to do something about it. Crate Away is building the first ever smart crate. With a career in international business and law, I sketched everything I wanted for Bo’s crate, polled hundreds of pet parents and breeders across the country, enlisted biomedical and aerospace engineers, wrote her own patent and released prototypes of Crate Away to the public in mid 2023. The reaction was a resounding WOW! She has been noticed by Forbes and most recently Hello Sunshine for creating the future of pet parenting. With the addition of pet health tech integrations into the crate, you can get a full understanding of your pet’s habits and health metrics. The number 1 problem we are solving is pet obesity which shortens 56% of pet’s lives. Read more>>

Jayvone Paige

The story behind my mission is enlightenment and change. That is what art is to me, in a way almost anything pure and stimulating with a result of new found creation can be considered art in my eyes. Wether that’s cooking, drawing, architecture, dribbling a basketball, or in my case photography. My life had its ups and definitely had it’s downs, and in my experience, my imaginative mind and artistic ways kept me moving forward in the right direction. I advocate this for others through art now. The new generations and the old. Our parents, our friends, and our enemies. Read more>>

Kyle Krause

At Space Culture, our mission is deeply rooted in our commitment to helping people develop their relationship with God through reflection and truth. It’s not just about creating a prayer and meditation app; it’s about transforming lives and bringing individuals closer to the divine. Our mission goes far beyond the surface. It’s about redefining how people see God, see themselves, and see others. Read more>>

Graham Hancock

I have been involved in the automotive world since I was a child, growing up at the race track watching my mom race Porsches. I gravitated towards the customization side of the industry and have been engrained in it for almost 30 years. Read more>>

Crystal Heinemann

In today’s ever-changing times, no matter what professional field you are in or where you are in your personal life, metaphorically and figuratively, I find what fills my heart is to help others learn how best to step into the highest version of themself. By doing so, this automatically places anyone in a place of empowerment and within the divine flow of abundance. Read more>>

Anderson Smith

My mission story is to provide an entertaining and welcoming environment in my galley. I opened the gallery with this in mind, I wanted my aesthetic to fit my style and what I like and to share this with the public. Read more>>

Dr. Nicole Gates

Entrepreneurship saved my life, The She-EO Unlimited was birthed from my personal experience of being a single mother with many skills that could be shared, and I need to be able to make ends meet. Through The She-EO Unlimited, we provide the blueprint to help women pave the way to stop living paycheck to paycheck through start-up preparation, creative marketing and brand strategy. I provide a solution by encouraging women to use their marketable skills to build sustainable business enterprise’s. It’s time for womenpreneurs to do business on their own terms. Read more>>

Josh Guerra

The name of my Jiu Jitsu Academy is Refuge Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and we got the name from the Bible in the book of psalms. Specifically psalm 91:2 “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”” Read more>>

Debbie Popiel

The first time I did yoga was probably close to 30 years ago. I didn’t understand it. The whole class was in Sanskrit. I felt like I had arrived on the day of a test that everyone had studied for and I didn’t. It held no true meaning for me. I didn’t understand it and I didn’t enjoy it. Needless to say, I didn’t go back. I’ve always been an advent health enthusiast. a runner an athlete and enjoyed working out. Years later, a lovely yoga, teacher, and yoga studio owner was a parent at the school. I was the Director of and she suggested that we do yoga with the children. Read more>>