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?

Michelle Moulliet

MISSION: Breaking bread together breaks down barriers. At DMV Brunch Babes, we’re more than just a brunch club; we’re a movement of women building genuine connections across the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia). Our gatherings are about more than sharing a meal—they’re about sharing stories, laughter, and a sense of belonging that lasts beyond the table. Together, we toast to new beginnings, build bonds, and remind each other that no one has to explore the city alone. Read More>>

Kate Porter

I’ve been in the beauty and skincare industry for over 20 years. As a makeup artist, I worked on set for many years with a range of celebrity clients on commercials, TV shows and photoshoots. I started Beauty Katering in the year 2000 and haven’t looked back. I have always been passionate about helping people look and feel their best. Skincare and makeup are very powerful tools in achieving this. Read More>>

Rebecca Lubitsky

My mission with Grounded Essence is to connect people with consciously sourced, high-quality minerals by actively seeking out local miners to support. I also travel all over the country to gem shows each year, hand-selecting beautiful pieces from around the world, again directly from the source and as close to the source as possible. Reading More>>

Veronica Carrillo

THREE SIXTY was founded in 2017 by Veronica Carrillo, a Venezuelan entrepreneur with a background in Chemical Engineering and Food Science. Prior to starting her own business, she had already established a successful brand, “Viva la Vida,” and had been invited to create exclusive designs for a local modeling competition. In addition to running her own business, she also worked in marketing management roles in both Venezuela and Panama. Read More>>

Joanna Johnsen

At The Roasted Purpose, our mission is Good for You and Good for Others. This isn’t just a tagline—it’s the heart of why we do what we do.

The story begins with my own journey. In my 30s, I faced serious health challenges that made me re-evaluate my lifestyle. Read More>>

Brittany Peters

Our company, The Moons Dream, was born from a deep desire to create something meaningful not only for others but for my daughter and me. As a single mom, it’s important for me to demonstrate to my daughter the power of living with intention, gratitude, and hard work. These values are the foundation of our business and the way we approach our lives every day. Read More>>

Brittany Anderson

My husband, Geoff, and I have been married almost 17 years, but our 11th anniversary was almost our last. In 2019, shortly after Geoff had reached the peak of his career as a Presidential Pilot on Air Force One, I asked him for a divorce. Read More>>

Leslie Affeldt

Starting this journey into a photography business didn’t really start for me until my early 50’s. I have always had this passion burning inside me, it was just never the right time to set it free. As an adult you get busy with being a grown up and raising kids and working a “paying job”. Now is my time to show the world my god given talent. My mother always encouraged me to peruse my art of photography. She could see it in me, even when I couldn’t see it for myself. Read More>>

David Lonergan

The mission of Triple Threat Transformation is deeply personal and stems from my own experiences as a Marine Corps veteran and the struggles I faced after leaving service. After years of neglecting my health—both physically and mentally—I hit a breaking point and decided to take back control of my life. Through disciplined movement, a shift in mindset, and unwavering belief in manifesting a better future, I was able to transform not only my body but my entire outlook on life. This journey showed me the power of fitness as a catalyst for change, especially for those who feel stuck or lost. Read more>>

Sarey Thach

The mission is important to me because we grew up in poverty and had to work at an early age in conditions that were not suitable for anyone. Because our parents were refugees and came to America as a result of the Khmer Rouge genocide, they accepted any jobs given to them to make money to survive. With that lesson engrained in me, I accepted working over 12 hour days to make money to make ends meet. I didn’t want the same for this generation of artists and business owners, and therefore, created a CEO program that teaches people how to monetize their most valued skills, and to grow it into a business. I started my nail company in 2018 with $0 and just $63 to my name and grew it into a 6 figure earning business within a few years. My mission is to help other people, especially those in low income communities, to do the same. Read more>>

Trey Braheem

Our mission was to create an experience that we weren’t finding elsewhere in the social scenes in Los Angeles. One of my business partners and I were talking one night about how we wanted to go out somewhere where the music was good, where you could grab a good drink and a little bite to eat, where we could dance if we wanted to but also sit down someplace comfortable and meet some new people if we were feeling like socializing. Read More>>

Brittany Calahan

Here at Live Royally, our mission is deeply rooted in the belief that practicing social economics benefits communities in so many ways. We are on a mission to serve communities by offering a simple software solution that creates sustainable, circular economies by connecting local businesses with consumers and driving the circulation of dollars within communities. Read more>>

Rj Gottlieb

At Big Red Camaro, we are dedicated to redefining what a race car is expected to be while fostering a strong bond with our fans and supporters. My father and I ventured into the racing scene to share a hobby that would allow us to spend quality time together while taking part in something we both enjoyed. Read More>>