Our stories are often hard to understand until folks understand our true motivations, our true drivers and the stories behind why our mission or purpose truly matters to us. We’ve asked some inspiring folks from the community to talk to us about why they do what they do and have shared some of our favorite responses below.

Jennifer McNeil

“Growth Zone” is a practical guide to help you not only accelerate growth, but to grow intentionally. My journey towards writing “Growth Zone” has been shaped by a series of transformative experiences. Read more>>

Blair Devereaux

This question definitely hits close to home as someone who considers themselves a ‘Vibrancy Vigilante.’ My mission is straightforward: leave the world more vibrant than I found it. Read more>>

Rick Ornelas

Our mission is to help others Live Better, Longer. We seek to increase longevity and health span, improve the lives of everyone within our community, and optimize health naturally through science and technology. Read more>>

Cheryle Brown-Williamson

My mission is to have as many people as I can have the knowledge to get into homeownership and pass it on to the generations after them. Read more>>

Michelle Robertson

When I started my photography business, my goal was to create beautiful images for my clients. I never thought much about what that would mean to people though. Read more>>

Tiffany Mercer-Robbins

The story behind radiantHUE™’s mission is one of resilience, determination, and a deep-seated desire for authentic representation. Read more>>

Elisabeth White

I struggled with over consuming and loved fashion, have a fashion degree. Learned to balance what I owned with appreciation of what I already have in my life. Read more>>

Asha Reaves

Oh, where do I even begin? The journey behind More Life Brand isn’t just a story; it’s a piece of my heart and a true resonance of my identity. Read more>>

Jessica Pickett

At Backstage Beauty & Ink, our mission is to provide a sanctuary where individuals can embrace a ‘rockstar’ experience with confidence and safety. Read more>>

Brianna Paauwe

I run the Wheel With Me Foundation Nonprofit, an organization that supports the independence of wheelchair users through peer education, online and in-person events, and our Wheel Together Retreat summer camp for adult wheelchair users. Read more>>

Dan Handler

There are a number of things going on work-wise: a F/T job as a graphic designer, plus i maintain existing clients from the design and logo days. Read more>>

Jordan Tracy

For many years I believed my future to be in academia, teaching literature courses at a 4-year university. This belief took me through a B.A., an M.A., and a Ph.D. in Literature. Read more>>

Jereme D

The story behind Axios Investigations Firm’s and Axios Security Group’s mission is rooted in our time serving the nation as military servicemembers. Read more>>

Chamiya Brown

The story behind Faith in Mind Business Services is deeply personal and reflects a transformative journey in my own life. A few years ago, I found myself grappling with challenges during the home-buying process due to poor credit scores and other setbacks. Read more>>

Elena Reznikova

The mission of my company, DTPerfect Book Design, is to help make independent publishing more accessible and affordable to new authors and indie publishers. Read more>>

Qingyue li

I’m a UX designer based in Seattle, deeply passionate about data visualization. My mission for data viz creation is to inspire the next generation of data community to think more creatively and enjoy creating visualizations. Read more>> 

Paula Whittle

People are my mission. I believe that I’m not successful unless I help someone else become successful. My heart is with the community and it starts with building people. Read more>>

Dani Simone Singerman

One of the main goals of my business is to create a training program for BIPOC women and people who have survived great challenges in their lives and need a “Second Act”. Read more>>

Vanessa Bellan

V.BELLAN’s story is one of resilience and artistry, rooted in a deeply personal narrative. As a jewelry designer, my journey began in 2011, working with various designers and companies to hone my craft. Read more>>

Nathaniel McGhee

Title: “Empowering Young Men: The Origin of DominateSTL’s Mission” In the heart of St. Louis, a city pulsating with energy, promise, and yet, challenges, there was Nathaniel McGhee an individual with a shared vision:  Read more>>

Iya Efuru Simon

My mission and company, Royalty Reigns, stem from a deeply personal and profound journey marked by the loss of my twin sister in a tragic car accident on her way to New York Fashion Week. Read more>>

Monique Hutson

At Dom Productions, we are committed to saving small businesses time by producing high quality content for marketing purposes in a way that aligns with your business goals. Read more>>

Jessica Sowyrda

Our mission is to provide a safe and supportive space for women to take care of their bodies through movement, nutrition, and self-care. Read more>>

Christopher McCullough

My love for cooking started as a child. I would go in the kitchen and mix different seasonings to eventually create something special. Read more>>

Alexzia Harvin

At the heart of my work as a Style Architect lies a deeply personal journey—one defined by the highs and lows of my own relationship with fashion, body confidence, and self-love. Read more>>

John Christian Phifer

Larkspur was founded on a mission of conserving land through a revival of natural burial practices that heal the earth and offer sanctuary. Read more>>

Laura Early

WISE’s mission is to enable the military-connected community and small business owners to have the life, family and career they have always dreamed of. Read more>>

Shavontana “Starr” Davis

Our mission is deeply personal to me. Surviving a tumultuous upbringing riddled with s*xual abuse, a drug-addicted parent and domestic violence made me resilient and passionate about the care and treatment of people, especially youth, within the criminal legal system and beyond. Read more>>