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.

Shannon Roane

At J & J Journals, our mission is to guide women through grief, faith, and self-care using journaling as a tool for emotional healing and rediscovery. J & J Journals was born after I experienced a traumatic ectopic pregnancy loss that nearly took my life. In the weeks that followed, I didn’t have the words to explain my pain, but I had a pen and a journal. Read more>>

Dominique Leach

Our mission is to establish inclusive spaces within the food industry. To represent woman, especially woman of color. The mission is to be an ally to our fellow business owner community. Be resourceful to them & ideally them to us in return. The mission is to represent for the culture. Read more>>

Taylor McCall

Our company is more of an incubator of sorts. We have started multiple businesses as well as charitable works within our city that, in a sense, act as an interconnected network. Imagine both a decentralized and distributed web of good works within a local area, with a goal to tell good news through all aspects of life and living. Whether food, drink, housing, fitness, athletics, live music, night life, family centered spaces, education and so on … what makes our mission meaningful, is that we believe in the art of subtle subversion of entities and structures that are setup to limit the options of those who are stuck in a cycle of poverty both practically and mentally. Our goal is not to fix people or places, but simply to provide options of blessing and prosperity. We think those options are good news. Read more>>

Keyshawn Gilbert

Through building an overall brand you learn many things, not just about business.
You learn a lot about business yes, the ins and outs, but you learn even more about yourself more than anything. Read more>>

Anakaren Ramirez

I’m a mother of two and an entrepreneur carving out space for myself—and others like me—in the cannabis industry. My journey began not just with a passion for the plant, but with a deeper purpose: to break the stigma around cannabis and help normalize its presence in our everyday lives. Read more>>

Kenneth Owens

Hello, my name is Kenneth Owens. Owner of The Paradigm Dance Complex in Omaha, Nebraska. At The Paradigm Dance Complex, we don’t just train dancers — we empower dreamers. My mission is to cultivate artists who are not only skilled in movement but unstoppable in spirit. I believe dance is more than an art form — it’s a voice, a power, a path to self-discovery. Read more>>

TYLER KING

My dad loves a good burger. He doesn’t eat them often—maybe two or three a year—but when he does, it’s an experience. He talks about it. He savors it. He remembers it. After us kids grew up and moved out, he finally made good on a long-held dream: he and my stepmom packed up and moved to Miami. He’d always been drawn to the art and culture there—so different from anywhere else in  the country—and decided it was time to live in the thick of it. Read more>>

Pavielle Babai-Pirouz

At High Tech Hippie Pedicabs, our mission is to move people — through the streets of Austin, through memorable experiences, and through the kind of connection that only happens when you slow down and share a ride I started in this industry in 2008, pedaling through the nightlife of downtown Austin while juggling four jobs. But it was pedicabbing that showed me how far my natural sales skills could really go — not just closing deals, but building relationships, reading people, and creating joy on the fly. Read more>>

Grace Grossmann

The meaning behind my mission is what makes me a multidisciplinary, passion-led mentor. Altruism: simple as. I am here to help, as we all are, in my opinion. Since the passing of my best friend at 21 due to mental health issues, I have made it my mission to spread my sunshine mindset to help others heal themselves from within. Going through mental health issues myself now, too, has refined and reattuned my work to a holistic healing approach: we can heal ourselves from anything and everything when we take the mind, body, soul, and gut into account. Read more>>

Claire Wang

I came up with the idea of Future Female Scholars with my friend Vivian Liu in July 2024, the summer before sophomore year. We were both really pleased with our results on the AP exams, particularly in STEM courses such as AP Computer Science A. However, we realized that not everyone experienced success, and many of our friends—girls in particular—lacked resources to learn these subjects and did not have access to a free tutor or mentor to clarify specific concepts. We felt it was unfair that students who were just as capable were falling behind simply because of a lack of support. That realization really pushed us to take action and do something about it. Read more>>

Trinket

MoreLyfe was inspired by a personal health journey that began twelve years ago. Doctors had told me I wouldn’t be able to carry a pregnancy to term. After having fibroids removed in 2010, along with facing other uterine challenges, I stopped eating chicken and limited my diary intake to cheese. By 2012, my fibroids returned with a vengeance. In 2013, my then-boyfriend and I traveled to South Africa for 30 days and experienced the benefits of a non-processed, mostly plant-based diet. Back in NYC, we adopted a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables to replicate what we experienced in South Africa. Read more>>

Kayleigh Kimble

What drove my passion for doing hair replacement is my mom who had brain cancer when I was younger. She sadly passed away when I was eleven. During her years of treatment they had shaved half her head and gave her a wig. The wig did not make her look like herself at all. Later after high school I also experienced hair loss due to health issues. I started wearing extensions and it allowed me to feel more confident and beautiful about myself. Hair is something a lot of people take for granted till they no longer have it. I want to be able to help men and women get their confidence back and be able to live their lives without their hair being a worry. Read more>>

Kirsten Maiwald

At the heart of my company, Inspired by Optimism, lies an unwavering and optimistic belief: Art is for Everyone. This mission is not just a statement; it is a heartfelt commitment to bring art into the lives of as many people as possible, transforming communities and enriching lives for generations to come.
Art has the power to transcend boundaries, connect people, and inspire change. We are thrilled to witness a growing movement that values art as an essential part of community life. My mission is to make art accessible to everyone, breaking down barriers and inviting all to experience the beauty and inspiration that art offers. Read more>>

Rejoice Anusi

JoiceMedia was born from more than just a love for design and digital storytelling—it came from a deep desire to help people show up with confidence and clarity in a noisy online world.

When I started, I didn’t have it all figured out— I’’m still figuring it out.
I was just someone with a passion for creativity, a heart to serve, and the determination to grow. Over time, I realized that so many individuals, brands, and small businesses had amazing stories, but struggled to present them well—visually, strategically, and consistently. That’s where JoiceMedia came in. Read more>>

Rachel Marquez

The Story Behind the Mission of ABQ Beauty Lounge
At ABQ Beauty Lounge, our mission is to deliver natural, confidence-boosting aesthetic results with integrity, clinical excellence, and a deeply personal touch. But the “why” behind that mission runs much deeper than flawless skin or smooth contours. This journey began with a simple but powerful truth: confidence changes lives. Read more>>

Teniecka Drake

My mission has always been to share my faith in Jesus Christ to others. This mission entails utlizing my personal testimonies in my life to showcase how he has always been there. In the world today there is so much hatred and anger. When I listen or watch the news on the occasions that I d o. The world needs more love. I do my part to share inspiration and encouragement on my podcast. The podcast is called ” God’s Gift Through His Word.” This has been my mission and I continue to stay focused on sharing that gift. Read more>>

Emily Mervis

Local Canvas started from a really personal place for me. I have always loved art, but it wasn’t until I started painting myself that I truly discovered the beauty and talent within my own community. It opened my eyes to this incredible, often unseen world of emerging artists who pour their hearts into their work and don’t always have access to a platform to share it. My background is in business, and I felt comfortable helping market these artists so they could have more time to do what they do best, create. I was inspired by my art teacher to create Local Canvas as a space where original affordable art is accessible to everyone while also giving local artists the recognition and support they deserve. I am passionate about this because it’s not just about selling art, it’s also about creating a community where artists feel valued and people can experience art in a more personal and relatable way. Read more>>

Jools Sinclair

I started writing about the afterlife long ago, when I was in elementary school. I remember one story in particular, back in 4th grade. I wrote about a woman who wakes up in an unfamiliar bed, then gets up and starts walking around an unfamiliar house. Guess what? She soon finds out she is… dead! Read more>>

Cintia Listenbee

When I arrived in the U.S. to attend college, I had two suitcases and $200 in my pocket. I can say God has blessed me abundantly since that day. My goal is to spread hope online (and in person), one word at a time. This is what I am moved to do. Read more>>

Naya Samuel

I’m the founder, owner, and lash artist behind Lashmeny, and my mission is simple: to enhance women’s natural beauty through custom, natural-style lash sets that make every woman feel confident, and uniquely beautiful. Read more>>

Maelia Dioulo

You know, I didn’t grow up knowing anyone in the industry but I knew I was obsessed with music and fashion and that I had the talent/will to make it out. As a Black girl from Ivory Coast, I didn’t really see people like me behind the scenes, so I picked up a camera and started figuring it out on my own. My mission came naturally. I started to create visuals that felt honest, stylish, and powerful, and to help shift how the world sees artists like us. At the end of the day I feel like this whole thing is about taking up space, telling real stories, and making sure we’re seen the way we deserve to be. Read more>>

DJ Zackery

At 18 I made terrible choices that ended me in prison for six years. Dedicating my life to barbering upon release allowed me to elevate and live a life not typically afforded to felons, or most people in general. From business ownership, to brand deals and opportunities to educate on the industries major platforms I now share my story to motivate and inspire others. Read more>>

Summer Lynn McDowell

I left a marriage in a country where I didn’t speak the language well, had no family nearby, no driver’s license, no money, no job, no personal bank account, and two young children to care for. I was starting over from scratch and needed to find a way to support us. Read more>>

Patrick Nuciforo And Lacey Nuciforo

After years spent climbing the corporate ladder at Verizon Telematics, Patrick made a courageous decision that many dream about but few dare to follow through with. He left his stable, successful corporate career to dive head-first into entrepreneurship by establishing Velocity Custom Golf Cars. Read more>>

Lya Peterson

The story of Willow Tree Coffee began one day in a coffee shop. I was sitting there, simply observing, and what I saw was beautiful—people. People laughing, chatting, studying together, reading, and sipping coffee. I saw real human connection, and that moment became the spark behind Willow Tree. Read more>>

Crystal McDowell

I haven’t quit my full-time job yet, because I love it. I work for One Voice, something like a sister organization to NAACP. Of course, the Mississippi NAACP is one of the most, if not the most, historically significant of them all. Since it leaves behind the legacy of Medger Evers. I’m the Communications Manager for One Voice. I help to spread information about voting rights, education, and policy changes. You name it. We fight for the marginalized. However, my business, Marketing Maven Management, was created to help companies and organizations promote their information while ensuring we include people of color to get the point across. Read more>>

Anca

In a world driven by overnight profit and accelerated production, our health too often becomes collateral damage. Eating out has devolved into choosing what is least harmful rather than enjoying a truly nutritious meal that fuels your day. At Kaia Bowls our goal is to make ordering out a clean healthy experience. We handcraft every bowl and smoothie with whole nutrient dense ingredients, avoiding cooking oils, fried foods and heavily processed items and featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, premium proteins and crave worthy flavors. All our offerings are fully customizable to suit your taste and support your wellness goals. Read more>>

Kara Vaval

My mission is to help women become financially and emotionally independent so they can create lives and businesses that bring them joy and fulfillment. My mission includes helping women create time freedom from themselves as well financial independence so they can have the choice to walk away from anything that doesn’t serve them, including unfulfilling work and unfulfilling relationships Read more>>

Steven Jiang

Our mission at Overture Games is to teach K-8 students the most human skills—creativity, expression, collaboration—in a digital and AI-driven world, preparing them to be the creative leaders of the future. This mission is deeply personal to me. I’ve played the clarinet since fourth grade, studied music performance and economics at Northwestern, and I know firsthand the transformative power of music education. But I also saw how traditional methods are outdated and uninspiring to today’s students. Music is a fundamentally human skill that AI can’t replicate, and yet the way we teach it hasn’t changed for centuries. Read more>>

Lizeth Zapp

The story behind my mission is simple yet profound , I live and breathe the art of documenting beautiful memories .My passion lies in capturing moments that will forever hold a special place in someone’s heart, mind, and soul moments that remind them of the beauty in their lives and the deep love they share with their loved ones. Every image I create is a tribute to connection, emotion, and timeless storytelling. Read more>>