We’ve always tried to ask the questions that matter but that are too awkward for people to ask their friends, family and coworkers without seeming dramatic. One of those questions is about mission and purpose – when’s the last time you asked a friend what their mission was? Too often we don’t talk about our own missions and don’t ask those close to us about theirs with the result being that our missions remain secret. Are you just a doctor or are you a doctor who wants to be there for patients in the way you wished your father’s doctor had been? People have incredible and meaningful missions, and we hope our conversations asking folks about their mission can inspire more such conversations in your life.

O’brian Calahan

Only Basketball Elite (OBE) was born out of a deeply personal mission that began with my non-profit, the Forever Young Foundation. It all started in my neighborhood, where I offered free mentorship to kids because I understood the profound importance of being seen and heard. Growing up, many of the kids around me didn’t have role models they could admire—someone who “made it out” but still felt relatable and approachable. I wanted to be that person for them. Read more>>

Chris Bianchi

Our mission from day 1 has always been to serve the art. That is what each human has inside of them that is unique and special. Their own thoughts and creations. Our goal at hand is to help that art be seen and or heard around the world. While doing so, teaching, helping, and protecting our artists as a family along the way. Give them a voice. Read more>>

Virgil Kere

My mission is to serve and help people view themselves how God does, in His image, beautiful inside and out, imperfectly perfect, and to help tell the stories of those people one image at a time. I fell in love with photography as a means to freeze time and create lasting memories. However it has become even deeper than that because we live in times where a lot of us struggle with doubt, figuring out who we are, our purpose and even with love. Loving ourselves, loving others. Chasing ever changing societal standards is a battle that doesn’t yield lasting results. If only people could see themselves the way God does and believe His words, a lot of us would be much better of. And this is part of my overall mission as a photographer, to bring out the beauty in everyone and everything. This is why I photograph from the heart, I photograph how it feels, not just how it looks. Read more>>

Shreena Patel

At It’s My Blueprint!, our mission is to craft unforgettable moments that bring joy and happiness to every special occasion. Born from a deep love of event design and a passion for spreading smiles, we transform celebrations into extraordinary experiences. Whether it’s a milestone birthday, a cherished anniversary, or a corporate event, our environment friendly, high-quality, creative balloon decor turns your vision into reality. Read more>>

Michelle White

The mission of Texas Mama Musts is multifaceted and contrived from my own life experience. “The objective of Texas Mama Musts is to inspire awe, strengthen relationships, and support businesses.” 1. Inspire awe: As a child I recall feeling rushed. A lot. I needed to rush to school, sports, church, appointments, etc. Life seemed to be always in a hurry. As I entered adulthood, I observed patterns of anxiety. I have since done a lot of research on managing anxiety and what can help to overcome/manage it. One principle that I have personally seen benefits from is slowing down and taking in the surroundings. There is so much beauty all around us, and we are often too rushed to see it. My hope with the Texas Mama Musts content, is that people will intentionally seek and experience both the natural and manmade art available to us. And that I can play a small part in shifting our culture more towards awe and wonder. Read more>>

Vanezza Reyes

I am a Venezuelan immigrant who arrived in this country six and a half years ago. I left behind a successful academic career due to the political crisis in my home country. From that point on, I set out to create my personal brand in order to foster my own growth and support other immigrant women who are going through a process of reinvention. My passion for design and academia inspired me to develop an educational, aesthetic, and functional model for adapting residential and commercial spaces. This is how VR Decordesign was born. Read more>>

Ashley Fritsche

Let me share the story of Petal & Bloom – a 100% woman-owned and operated website development firm dedicated to serving women-owned businesses. Several compelling reasons led me to structure my business this way. Working in corporate America while raising young children simply didn’t align with my priority of putting family first. I vividly remember the moment that changed everything – watching tears stream down my daughter Sayley’s face at before-school care when she was in first grade as I left for work. My heart knew then that balancing corporate life as a single mom wasn’t the path for me. Read more>>

Nancy Torres

BWG Jewelry’s mission is deeply personal and faith-driven. It’s about offering women more than just jewelry—it’s about reminding them of their inherent beauty and worth, inspired by my journey of overcoming struggles with self-image. Rooted in Christian faith, BWG Jewelry is dedicated to spreading love, encouragement, and the Word of God. Every piece serves as a tangible reminder that we are all “bellissima” and glamorous in our unique way. Read more>>

Gavin Icy

My mission is to be big on YouTube and put my name out there so I can start earning big time from sponsors and collaborations. I want to be able to take care of my family and make sure everyone that is surrounded by me taken care of and doesn’t have to worry about anything. I love helping people in need and people that are close to me but I can’t help if I don’t have anything to my name. Read more>>

Schapiro Kalu

At Cravvn, our mission is to “Transform the Way People Interact with Food, Making Sustainable Choices Accessible to All.” But this mission isn’t just a statement; it’s the culmination of personal experiences, industry insights, and a deep-seated desire to drive positive change. The Genesis: Our founding team’s journey began with a common frustration: the overwhelming paradox of choice in the food industry. We’d find ourselves, like many others, standing in front of open fridges or scrolling through endless restaurant menus, unsure of what to eat. This indecision wasn’t just about personal preference; it reflected broader issues – food waste, unsustainable production practices, and the inaccessibility of healthy options for many. Read more>>

Savannah-lin Rosa

The story behind my mission started when I became a mother. I knew I wanted to do something I enjoyed and support my family at the same time. I honestly can’t take all the credit. My husband is my main supporter through it all. I’ve done so many things throughout my career and he never thought I was crazy. Okay maybe a little… ha! My dark past is what keeps me motivated. It is a reminder to keep doing what I love and to keep going even on the toughest days! My mission is to continue helping others that relate to me and building new friendships. I am just a normal wife and mother trying to deal with life like everyone else. I am very thankful for all of you! Read more>>

Jessica Frew

My mission is to help others love themselves and other on a deeper, more fulfilling level so that they can make decisions that are in alignment with who they are and give others the space to do the same. I was just about to stand up and leave. I was tired and done with the day, but just as I was standing up, I turned to see an attractive young man standing at the end of the row looking down at me. ‘Hey! Can I sit here?’ he asked, motioning to the empty bench next to me. ‘Sure!’ I responded with a hit of excitement in my voice. This night just got better. Read more>>

Molly Lange

The mission of Arise Baking Co. is to create artisanal baked goods while empowering young people with barriers to employment to thrive through meaningful employment and training. I founded Arise Baking Co. in 2022 after 15 years of working with youth. It was a long-awaited dream found at the intersection of a love of baking, a passion for youth development and the desire to bring dignity to others through meaningful work. I have seen first hand how a supportive work environment can bring out the talents, gifts and passions of young people, especially those who face barriers to traditional pathways to employment. These barriers can include a history of homelessness, parenting at a young age, mental health challenges, experience in the child welfare system and involvement. When people are shown dignity and given a change to contribute to the world, possibilities open up. Read more>>

Kimberly Shoulars

I started writing stories in second grade. I wasn’t writing for school or anyone but myself. I enjoyed the books my mom read to me, mostly because she performed the stories more than read them. I wanted to discover what went into writing stories that evoked such excitement in readers that they would want to perform the text. I received my first diary in third grade; it was a gift from my uncle for a good report card. It had a soft yellow laminate cover with an image of the California Raisins and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in bold black letters. I wrote in it sporadically but recognized early on that I felt relieved after putting my thoughts inside and closing the cover. I loved that feeling and the feeling of expressing myself without worrying about who would read it because the diary had a lock—a precarious lock, but still. I kept a journal throughout my school years, including college. It was necessary for me as a person who didn’t talk much or find much comfort in sharing my innermost self with those around me. I’ve always had really good friendships, but there was still something about writing down my experiences rather than merely sharing them with others that brought me peace and comfort. The intimacy of writing for myself was a gift. Read more>>

Christopher Maselli

We started off as a freelance writing business, offering ghostwriting services, book writing, direct mail writing, SEO writing, editing, and more. As we grew, we started meeting other talented writers that wanted to publish their own books or start a freelance writing career–but were making the same rookie mistakes we made when we began. We decided to form an offshoot of our freelance business geared at training up-and-coming writers and authors on how to write, publish, and market their books–without having to start from scratch. That’s when we become Writing Momentum, helping put writers on the fast-track to success. Read more>>

Daeun Lim

My work explores the relationship between objects and humans, aiming to propose new possibilities that go beyond societal expectations that is given to object-human relationship. Central to my practice is questioning the given norm and embracing the value of failure. I make my objects with a belief that objects are not just functional or utilitarian but hold the power to reflect our lives and identities, opening up new perspectives. This mission is meaningful to me because I believe it tells a story that hasn’t been represented much by being deeply connected to my personal experiences. My work often delves into the imperfections and insecurities that I face living everyday life as living in a body of myself-woman, asian, and so on. Read more>>

Chrystian Alvarado

I aim to emphasize the harmony between light and shadows. I use this contract to inspire and uplift people through visual expression of deep shadows being guided by light. In a time where depression is too common and emotional escapes are usual negative I stay to show them hope through art. Read more>>

Dina Valmon

We (Dina and Merve) met in 2014, in the heart of bustling Boston, while pursuing degrees in the polar opposite fields. I, Merve, am originally from Istanbul, Turkey, and I arrived in Boston to perfect my language studies. I sought to enhance my resume by adding language skills, aiming to pursue a more dynamic and ambitious career in international business. (Dina) From an early age, I was captivated by the complexities of global politics and the intricate dance of diplomacy. This fascination led me to pursue a career in the field of International Relations and Conflict Resolution. My ambition was clear: to assume a pivotal role at the epicenter of diplomatic relations, the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Read more>>

Jessica Jeanine

In 2017, after living across the country, I moved back home to the Philadelphia area to start over. My life had taken a turn, and I found myself in a difficult place with very little, both materially and emotionally. A breakup had led to a fresh start, but it was hard. I ended up moving my two dogs and myself in with a high school acquaintance, Jamie. We quickly dubbed the house “House of J” — and what started as just a place to stay, turned into a lasting friendship where we both began to rebuild through our own personal journeys. Read more>>

Tim Reitsma

Invisible Condition was born out of my own experience living with Crohn’s disease and the challenges I’ve faced navigating workplaces and society with an invisible condition. Too often, I’ve seen people like me hide their struggles out of fear or stigma, and it became clear to me that this silence, often relevant because of the fear, judgement, and stigma we face, doesn’t help the problem. My mission is deeply personal: to create a world where individuals with invisible conditions feel empowered to share their stories, ask for what they need, and be met with understanding and respect. Invisible Condition exists to educate, challenge biases, and open conversations so that no one has to feel like they’re fighting this battle alone. For me, this is more than work—it’s a calling to help build inclusive spaces where everyone belongs. Read more>>

Duane Gutierrez

The NYC Belize Parkfest is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization committed to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Belize. We focus on empowering and inspiring the Belizean diaspora in New York City and Belize to connect, thrive, and contribute to the vibrant future of both communities. Our mission is to foster a deep appreciation of Belizean culture and heritage within the Belizean diaspora in New York City, while creating meaningful connections between Belizeans locally and globally. Through cultural education, community engagement, and social empowerment, we aim to inspire future generations to embrace their Belizean identity, promote unity within the diaspora, and contribute to the sustainable development and cultural preservation of Belize. Read more>>

Markeith Jackson-jones

Well, my origin story in the legal field is sort of one of circumstance. I’ve pretty much always been involved or interested in social advocacy. Even while in grade school, I served as a student advocate in my own right. At the time, I had people in my life who were attorneys, so when something at school would occur, and a student would be unjustly reprimanded, students would come to me to confide in me but also so that I could utilize the connections I had to reverse suspensions or expulsions that should have never occurred. It worked. I am now 8-9 years out of high school, and I can’t remember exactly how many disciplinary actions we got overturned. Read more>>

Michaela Ullmann

Supporting Mayan Artisans by bringing their beautiful Textiles to the World At IXMUYAL (Maya for Woman in the Sky or Heavenly Woman), all products are handmade by indigenous Mayan women in Guatemala. Both Vanessa and I studied anthropology and we both have always been in love with Mayan textiles. When the Covid pandemic hit, many of our Mayan friends in Guatemala struggled to make a living as tourism was basically dead. It was around the same time that Vanessa and I had gotten very upset about many non-Guatemalan businesses claiming to support the indigenous women behind their products made in Guatemala, while when we looked into it closer, it turned out that they just took advantage of them to present their businesses as supporting a good cause. We decided to start our own small business but to be ethical, valuing the artisans input, craftmanship, and truly giving back to them while also operating in a sustainable way to present an alternative to fast fashion. Read more>>

Carlos Campero

The first line of our mission states, “to grow a greener future for Los Angeles.” I was hired as the new Executive Director of City Plants, a non-profit of the City of LA, nine months ago with the goal of fulfilling our mission. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, I had the privilege of having a Dad with a green thumb who loved having plants and trees at home. I “grew” to appreciate trees. As a teen, I worked part-time at my high school and often worked on landscaping my school and maintaining our green spaces. But that’s not the case for every young child in Los Angeles. Many of our communities were redlined. If you were to drive along Vermont Ave from Los Feliz blvd to the 105 freeway, you’d see the vast difference in tree canopy just along that one street. As ED of City Plants, it’s my mission to facilitate trees getting in the ground, engage the community in doing this, and thereby create more Tree stewards as we increase tree canopy. It’s about maintaining those trees and our existing tree canopy. It’s about offering more than just trees. It’s about engaging the public and providing the knowledge of what trees can give us. Cleaner air, shading our streets, cooling down our neighborhoods, and making a greener and healthier Los Angeles. Read more>>

Gayatri Roshan

The story behind Dashboard.Earth begins with my upbringing. I’m the child of a Sri Lankan revolutionary and a British ballerina who raised me without formal education, with the belief that you learn to think for yourself by questioning everything. That unconventional foundation shaped my worldview and sparked a lifelong curiosity about systems, interconnection, and our role within nature. Climate awareness became central to my life when I was seven, poking around my stepfather’s office and discovering that the Amazon was burning. I realized then that everything could go up in flames, how we humans respond to the loss of our life support system became my driving force. Read more>>

Amanda Calderon

At the heart of Tava Towers and Home Constructors lies a commitment to ethical, transparent, and community-focused construction practices. Home Constructors was born out of a vision to reshape the construction industry, sparked by witnessing the prevalence of unethical practices among contractors on Colorado’s Front Range. We believe in integrity, excellence, and sustainability, which is why Tava Towers reflects these values with its innovative design, solar-powered infrastructure, and inclusive spaces for living and leisure. Our mission is to elevate industry standards, foster trust, and create enduring, positive impacts for communities. Read more>>

Melanie Mckee

BV Consulting (BVC) was established after a decade of working in marketing agencies, where I saw a common trend: many agencies tailor their solutions based on their own specialties rather than the full needs of their clients. If you partner with a media-focused agency, you often receive ad-heavy solutions. If it’s a creative agency, the emphasis is typically on branding. While these approaches have their place, I realized that clients often needed something more comprehensive to achieve their business goals. At BVC, we take a different approach. Instead of limiting ourselves to a specific service offering, we focus on what truly matters to our clients by becoming an extension of their team. We offer full-service marketing and public relations solutions, custom-tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities of each business. Our team is made up of experts who collaborate to deliver results that go beyond just solving immediate needs: we look at the long-term impact. Read more>>

Antony Chang

“Our mission is to drive meaningful change by reducing CO₂ emissions and fostering a sustainable future for generations to come. We aim to tackle climate change by promoting renewable energy, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions that minimize environmental impact. This mission is personal to us because we believe in the power of collective action to protect our planet. Every decision we make reflects our commitment to reducing carbon footprints, empowering communities, and building a world where economic progress and environmental stewardship coexist harmoniously.” Read more>>

Janet Flores

We all come from different experiences and upbringings. We learn from these events and we grow from these moments. My experiences have driven me to create a safe place for stylists to have the ability to express themselves with no judgment and push them to be their best selves. During beauty school, I was told negative feedback from my educators. I would never become something. It made me feel less than. Their words had an impact on me. But, I didn’t let these actions stop me. It fueled me to become better and to show I was capable of doing what others thought I couldn’t. Read more>>

Katelyn Maylie

I run a boudoir studio in Hamilton, New Jersey, with one clear mission: to make boudoir photography for ALL bodies- not just the ones society labels as “beautiful.” For too long, boudoir has been treated as something only for thin women or brides-to-be, as if it’s off-limits to anyone outside of that mold. The idea of doing it just for yourself? That was seen as self-indulgent. And if you’re plus-size? Forget it-society tells us we don’t belong in spaces like this at all. Everywhere you look, women are being shamed for their weight or appearance. My studio is the antidote to that- a safe space for ALL women to show up exactly as they are, without judgment or pressure to conform. A place to take up space, be yourself and truly feel beautiful. Read more>>

Heather Malloy Davis

As a company, Indigo Station LLC ‘s Mission was originally to be the best PR firm in the nation. With my diverse background and almost 3 decades in the entertainment industry working behind the scenes of several major artists and movie studios throughout my career, I have learned every aspect of what it takes to be successful in the arts media and entertainment arena A few years ago, Indigo station was invited to collaborate with other arts professionals and a list celebrities across the country to take part in a grant from the presidents committee on the arts and the humanities call the turnaround arts grant this grant was put in place to help low performing students across the country in elementary schools to close achievement gaps by using arts integrated learning practices so as a art professional, I have the opportunity to utilize Entertainment and education in the same space to help close achievement, gaps lower behavioral incidents, and boost morale in communities of need. Read more>>