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.

Donna Wescott

At Wonder and Whimsy Photography, my mission is to capture and create moments of pure joy, especially when happiness feels hard to find. I aim to provide a space where I can tap into my childlike wonder, inspiring others to see the beauty that still exists in the world if they only start looking for it, and to help make happy memories that last a lifetime.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wrestled with the weight of anxiety and depression, and the loss of a dear friend to suicide left a profound mark on my heart. In a world where news cycles and voices often amplify sadness and division, it’s all too easy to be consumed by the negative. But I made a choice to seek out the moments that spark joy, the ones that make my soul come alive. Read more>>

Cat Scanlan

At Mountain Cat Media, our mission is to help small businesses and nonprofits show up confidently online through intentional strategy, storytelling, and creative content.

I grew up in my hometown of Summit County, and starting this business was my way of giving back to the place that shaped me. I’ve seen how much heart and hustle goes into local businesses, and I wanted to create something that helps them shine without sacrificing their authenticity. Read more>>

Cody Bellec

My mission is to help guide, educate, motivate, and inspire others to achieve a happy, fulfilling, abundant, and authentic life.

But this mission wasn’t born from success. It was born from some of the hardest moments of my life. I started my career as an engineer, and on the side, I launched a business because I wanted more for myself and for others. But things didn’t go as planned. I ended up losing my job and falling into thousands of dollars of debt in that business. I felt completely lost. Every day felt heavy, and I woke up wondering if I had ruined my life. Read more>>

Brooke Bledsoe

I didn’t write these books because I had it all figured out.
I wrote them because I was trying to find my way out of the dark.
There was a time in my life when I felt like I was disappearing.
I was in an abusive relationship that slowly drained the life out of me—emotionally, mentally, spiritually. I became a version of myself I didn’t recognize: quiet, anxious, constantly questioning my worth. I was walking on eggshells, trying to keep the peace while losing pieces of myself. Read more>>

John Eros

The story behind my mission is to create authority. For a long time I struggled with impersonator syndrome I felt like I was never adequate or capable enough of things I was doing in work when I was knew until I got the hang of things and became an authority figure that the newer people would come asking questions too. The whole purpose behind Ourtalentnow is to help creators who struggle gaining control over an audience or community’s and help them become an authority figure in their niche. Read more>>

Nick Villeneuve
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As an artist and DJ, my mission is to create raw, high energy music that empowers people to release their emotions, break through limits, and connect through sound. I’m not just here to make noise. I’m here to move people, mentally and physically. This mission matters to me because I know what it’s like to feel unseen, unheard, or overwhelmed by the chaos of life. Music was the one thing that helped me process it all, it gave me a place to exist unapologetically. Now, I want to give that same experience back to others. Read more>>

Carolina Torres Costa

When I started my esthetics business, I knew I wanted it to be more than just about beauty. For me, it was always about the experience… how someone feels when they walk into my space, and more importantly, how they feel when they walk out. My mission is simple but rooted in intention: To create a safe, welcoming space where beauty meets care and where clients feel not just confident, but seen, valued, and empowered. Read more>>

Yerika Carrizales

I’m Yerika — a teacher, a mom of two, and someone who’s always looking to create meaningful memories with my family. My husband and I moved to the U.S. nearly 10 years ago, first settling in Florida, where we had our two children. About four years ago, we relocated to Indiana.

As a young family, we were always searching for fun, kid-friendly places to visit, eat, and explore — but most of the resources we found were only in English. With a growing Spanish-speaking population in the area, I saw the need for something bilingual, something more inclusive. That’s when I started Happy Kids Indy, a platform dedicated to sharing fun, family-oriented activities, places, and events in both English and Spanish. Read more>>

Olajuwan Lewis

As an exceptional individual and unique character, I am eager to elevate my presence in this industry. With a background in fashion, I have participated in three fashion shows, including two in New York City and one in Paris. Additionally, I have been featured in four modeling magazines, most recently Elle.

Paul Kornfeind

The mission of The Austin Club is simple yet profound: to foster fellowship, celebrate civic engagement, and provide a refined atmosphere where tradition meets progress. In a fast-changing city, we offer a sense of continuity — a space where leaders, families, professionals, and visionaries can connect across generations. Read more>>

Bradlee Jacques

My mission with NOLA Nannies LLC is rooted in both personal experience and a deep understanding of my community’s needs. As a mom and full-time nanny myself, I’ve lived on both sides struggling to find dependable, compassionate childcare, and also being the one trusted to provide it. I launched NOLA Nannies to create a reliable, professional space where families feel supported and caregivers feel valued and respected. Read more>>

Nikki Roeill

The story behind Roeill Media’s mission began with a realization: there’s a gap between creative vision and strategic execution—especially for small businesses and emerging brands. I started Roeill Media to bridge that gap by offering more than just content—we create connection, clarity, and consistency. Read more>>

Denise Roussel

I am the proud owner of Creating Sacred Spaces—an interior design, art, and holistic home organization company serving the Greater Austin area. When I first began this work, I didn’t even realize I was starting a business!

A little background: I moved to Austin to begin a new chapter of life while exiting a 35-year marriage and navigating profound grief after the loss of my son, Cory. Until that point, I had never fully supported myself. I began hosting Airbnb guests in my home, something I had experience with, and simultaneously dove into coaching training, inspired by the depth of my own transformation. Read more>>

Jen

When I started Phileo Photo Co. two years ago, I was simply a new mom with a camera and a big heart, totally unsure of where I fit in the creative world. I stumbled through learning curves, comparison traps, and moments of doubt. But as I grew, both in skill and in spirit, I began to see that this business wasn’t just about taking pretty pictures, it was about creating legacy.  Read more>>

Yanna Cabrera

Bella Paz and the mission behind its story is a simple one. I believe that each piece should be as unique as you are. We live in a mass produced fast world. There is nothing wrong with that but if you can own something that was individually created, how special is that! Each of my pieces is created with genuine stones and materials. Each piece takes at least 4 hours to create. I start with a base for some reason I fell in love with and from there create. Read more>>

Jean Nunez

The story tells how it will be the living counter argument to the statement that you have to be what people tells you what you’re meant to be, if you can dream it and you have clear goals, you can achieve it, you can make it. Work hard, practice hard, fail, win. Read more>>

John Bentley

My mission is to help people lead themselves well so they can build trust, communicate with clarity, and take ownership—not just for results, but for the culture they’re creating.

It’s called I Lead Me, and it wasn’t born in a boardroom. It was born in a moment of truth—one I’ll never forget.

I was in a coaching session, frustrated with my team and honestly worn down from carrying too much. As we talked, I was holding a can of Coke in my hand. My coach noticed how tightly I was gripping it and asked, “Why are you holding on so hard?” Read more>>

Shannon Sessomes

My mission has always been to be the representation I didn’t have when I was younger.

The story behind my mission is that growing up, especially as a preteen, there was never anyone who really looked like me or had the same issues as me in the public eye. Fat, struggling with mental health, sensitive creatives. No one like that was being celebrated. I was made to feel like I would never be able to dress the way I wanted to dress, feel confident, show up fully, or be loved. Not unless I changed myself first. But all that ever led to was me being miserable. Read more>>   

Jacob Chiza

Chizagraphy was born from a desire to capture more than just moments—I wanted to tell real, powerful stories through the lens of love, culture, and connection. As an immigrant and creative based in San Antonio, I saw a gap in how culturally diverse couples and families were represented in professional photography. Too often, their unique traditions, emotions, and experiences were overlooked or poorly captured. Read more>>

Elizabeth Dixon

On my own healing journey, I saw the need to be part of a community that was on a similar path. I wasn’t able to find the community I was craving so I called it in myself. I was led to the city of New Braunfels, TX and knew I could build a community there because there were so many people but no alternative spiritual shops just yet. People thought I was crazy to start a non-traditional spiritual business in such a conservative area but they were wrong…it was needed more than ever and this lovely community just keeps growing. Read more>>

Michael Hoanshelt

A mentor asked me years ago what my favorite thing about filmmaking was. I thought about it for a moment and landed on this. There’s room for everyone at the table. What I mean is, in film, I really believe there’s a role for anyone to thrive in. If you like building stuff, you can get into set construction.
If you’re into finance, there’s accounting and budgeting.
If you love cooking, you can run crafty or catering.
And of course, if you’re a storyteller or visual thinker, there’s directing, cinematography, editing, and all the creative roles too. Read more>>

Stephanie Prince

As a mom and minister, I get a front-row seat to the heartbeat of our local community. And lately, it’s felt like we’ve been living in a season filled with heavy conversations. Then something wildly unexpected happened: a rambunctious zebra, affectionately known by locals as Ed, trotted across our highways and headlines and changed people’s perspectives. Suddenly, neighbors were laughing together and families were gathered around the table tracking his every move. Read more>>

Kierra Watson

Our mission didn’t come from a boardroom — it came from real life. Grounded Stars was born out of lived experience: trauma, isolation, resilience, and the urgent need for spaces where Black and Brown youth feel seen, safe, and supported. I’ve walked through systems that failed to protect, uplift, or even listen. I’ve watched young people carry more than they should ever have to. And I’ve felt the weight of trying to heal while surviving. Read more>>

Nicteha Cohen & Jessica Forman

At Salt + Gold: The Somatic Home, our mission is to help people feel deeply connected to themselves, their spaces, and the natural world through a unique blend of somatic awareness, interior design, and ritual. But our mission didn’t begin in a boardroom or come from a clever marketing idea—it was born from lived experience, forged in illness, longing, and the slow work of returning home to the body.  Read more>>

Dina Morales

Charitone was born from the most personal parts of my story — survival, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the power of music to heal and connect.

I’ve spent two and a half decades producing concerts, fundraisers, galas, auctions, and VIP experiences in the music industry. In 2016, everything changed when I was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor. At the time, I was working at MusiCares, the charity under The Recording Academy umbrella. The very organization I had helped produce events for stepped in to support me. They provided financial assistance, community, and care during one of the scariest points of my life. That experience revealed the true power of the music community — not just as entertainment, but as a source of strength, generosity, and impact. Read more>>

Tracy Drost

My mission is to help children understand the power of philanthropy and to make giving back part of who they are—not just something they do.

As a mother of three, I’ve always believed it’s important to teach my children how blessed they are and how much good they can create in the world. From the time they were small, I’ve encouraged them to see giving as an everyday choice—whether that means helping a neighbor, donating toys, or showing kindness to someone who feels left out. Read more>>

Courtnei Watts

Our mission at Watts Group is to turn customer’s hopes and dreams into reality by offering affordable, high-end general contracting services. We believe that everyone deserves exceptional quality without the prohibitive costs. Our approach it to utilize state-of the-art technologies inspired by larger contractors, ensuring efficiency and precision. By streamlining processes and maintaining low overhead costs, we pass those savings directly to you- delivering the same level of service and excellence at half the cost. Our philosophy is “Building Excellence.” This isn’t just our motto; it’s our way of life. With a deep-rooted passion for construction and a network of trusted connections, we dedicate ourselves fully to every project. Our commitment is to quality, integrity, and making our client’s visions come true with care and precision. Read more>>

Charlene Schow

My mission was born from a deep desire to create a space of belonging—especially for the women who, like me, were once little girls told they were “too much” for loving skincare, makeup, and self-care. I want to flip that script and validate those instincts, because caring for yourself is not frivolous—it’s powerful, healing, and essential. Read more>>