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.

Jasmine Grimes

As a hairstylist, my mission has always been simple: to make people feel loved, beautiful, and valued. Every day at Color Love Studio, I have the privilege of transforming not just hair, but the way my clients feel about themselves.

I believe that beauty isn’t just what you see in the mirror—it’s how you feel when you walk away. Whether it’s a fresh cut, a pop of color, or a complete style overhaul, I want every client to leave with more than just a new look. I want them to leave with a renewed sense of confidence, a smile that’s been missing, and the kind of self-love they might have forgotten. Read more>>

Grishma Shah

My journey into pelvic health is very personal. I started my career as an orthopedic physical therapist, helping people recover from injuries and surgeries, restoring movement and strength. But after my own birth experiences, everything changed for me, it shifted from just being a profession to becoming a true mission. Read more>>

Kimberly Airhart

I created Harts of Teal because I know what it feels like to face the unknown. To sit in waiting rooms filled with fear, knowing that the doctor has news for you that is not good, and the anxiety is crippling. I felt the Lord tugging at my heart to give back and let others know all the things that I wish I would have known. I wanted to build something that didn’t just raise awareness—but wrapped women in love, comfort, and community. Read more>>

Ryan Andreasen

From being introduced to a poorly designed street light shining into our bedroom, I discovered how important night is to our ecology. Read more>>

Nery Haro

My mission is to become successful in every aspect of my life in order to be of more help to my community. Read more>>

Sarah Becker

An adoption case changed at the last minute. The sweet little girl who was supposed to be mine went home. As a foster parent you hope for reunification, families restored. That’s the best thing for the child. But when one family’s restored, another family becomes broken. Mine became broken.

From the day she entered our home, my role was to create safety, stability, and love, to give her a place to heal. In a single moment, I had to turn that protection off. No more goodnight kisses. No more giggles between her and my son, who she called “brother.” I couldn’t comfort her when she woke from a bad dream, or tell her how deeply loved and valuable she was. In one day, I lost my child, except she’s still alive. Read more>>

Anthony Andrieux

At Fusion Dance, our mission is to lead children toward success in life through the art of dance. We believe that dance is more than movement, it’s a powerful tool for building confidence, discipline, resilience, and teamwork. Through high-quality instruction, positive mentorship, and a nurturing environment, we help dancers develop the life skills and character traits that will serve them far beyond the studio. Read more>>

Max Lagasse

My mother and I started the Little Otter Flower Farm in the spring of 2020 to help people with autism develop job skills and look for and obtain employment around the community. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate among people with autism is around 85%. I am proud to demonstrate to the world what people with autism are capable of achieving. It is important to me because I feel happy to help people with autism out. I also feel proud to have a career as a person with autism. Read more>>

Judith HeartSong

At Artists & Makers Studios we live by a Vision Statement as opposed to a Mission Statement, and it reads as follows:

“Artists & Makers Studios is dedicated to providing a supportive and vibrant environment for artists to realize their creative goals – through studio practice, collaboration, education, opportunities, networking and connecting with the community beyond our doors.” Read more>>

Naquell Walker

At JNW Logistics, our mission is personal — it comes from our own journey. My husband Jarrell and I both grew up in the streets of New York, and to be honest, we didn’t have much. No mentors, no financial help, no clear direction — just a lot of drive and a deep desire for more. We know what it’s like to feel stuck, to want better but not know how to get there. That’s why we made the bold decision to leave everything behind and move to North Carolina. It wasn’t just about a change of scenery, it was about shifting our mindset, breaking generational cycles, and building something meaningful from the ground up. For us, this mission goes way beyond business. We’re here to be the support system we never had. To open doors for people who feel overlooked or unsure. To show that success is possible, no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through. Read more>>

Jenny Teeters

My mission is to help leaders who are at a turning point—those moments when something’s no longer working and you know you can’t keep going the way you have been. I help them reinvent not just their careers, but how they see themselves, so they can lead with clarity and live with real fulfillment. Read more>>

Belen Quintero

My mission, as a human, author, bookkeeper, friend, and daughter, is to share the gospel with all. Read more>>

Hasna Jones

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and mission. My name is Hasna Jones, and I am the founder and creative force behind Enchanted Hasna Creative Arts in San Luis Obispo County, California. My work is a vibrant fusion of body art, empowerment, and advocacy for neurodivergence through artistic expression. Read more>>

Nicole Springer

My husband and I started Blush Salon over 10 years ago
And within the last five years, we’ve tried many times to expand and grow.
Only to get set back by his cancer diagnosis.
In 2023 we were introduced to someone in St Joe making big changes.
She had a property she was about to start renovating
My husband and I fell in love with this space and over the next eight months talked about exactly what we would do and how we would reinvent Blush 2.0, in Saint Joseph Minnesota. Read more>>

Kathleen Quanne

I grew up Irish Catholic as the daughter of a narcissistic and an alcoholic
Many years, so many bad decisions and 2 marriages later, I found myself living back with my parents at the age of 51.
My second husband was a raging heroin addict. I moved in with my parents to not only get away from that, but to help my mother take care of my father with Alzheimer’s.
During this time, I went back to school and became a licensed Esthetician. Read more>>

Henry Wilson III

Building Lives Around Sound Truth ( B.L.A.S.T.) Is A Faith Based Healing & Deliverance Organization. Meeting People Dealing With Hurts, Habits, Hangups In Our No Judgement Zone: With Good Biblical Suggestions, Warring Prayer, Living Testimonies, & Community Resources…….
My name is Henry Wilson III, at one time I was so deep in sin, that I walked, talked, acted just like the devil himself. Other than my own selfish satisfactions, I cared about nothing else. I was useless to anyone that tried to reach out to me, I abused drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, & constant manipulation of others was the only way I knew how to operate. Read more>>

Larissa Droz

My journey into wedding planning began with one of the most personal and emotional experiences of my life—planning my own wedding. I found myself navigating endless decisions, unexpected challenges, and constant pressure to make everything perfect, all while trying to enjoy one of the happiest moments of my life. I didn’t know there was the exitance of a wedding professional who could have helped me. Read more>>

Susan Allen

I’m using Instagram and my camera to show people why they should share the beaches with endangered shorebirds, how single-use plastics impact wildlife, and why we should protect habitats.

I initially started photographing birds to practice my camera skills, but soon after, I was using my camera to learn about birds. I often joke that birds taught me how to be a photographer. Read more>>

Katie Schmid

The mission of our office is to increase the financial IQ of our community—to teach people how money really works, so they can make smart, empowered decisions and build a life that isn’t dictated by financial stress.

But for me, it’s personal. I didn’t grow up hearing people talk about money or financial strategy. The advice I got was basic: work hard and save. That was it. No talk of how to protect what you earn, how debt compounds, how investing works, or how to actually build wealth. So when I got my first “real job” and asked HR which retirement plan to choose, I was told they weren’t allowed to give financial advice. And I remember thinking: That’s it? I’m supposed to just guess? Read more>>

Francisco Lalama

From the moment I entered the cannabis industry, my mission has been clear: to provide alternative medicine to the public. Before cannabis was even legal in New Jersey, I was working as a patient care specialist at Rise in Bloomfield. It was there that I truly understood the importance of offering alternative healing options to our community. Read more>>

Celia Anzalone Bowers

From my federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Lead with Love Internationql) and my most recent book “You Are a Queen: Transform Your Pain into Power” to my successful mortgage business that has been thriving despite the rates and inflation, my mission is the same: lead others with love and compassion. This has blessed my philanthropic endeavors as well as my mortgage business— as I believe the clients I “work for” can truly sense that I care. You can’t fake genuine care and compassion. Read more>>

John Butler

The mission of Chase Books is to provide children with stories and free, family-friendly events that feature African-American characters and authors. Chase Books began as a way to solve a very personal problem. I needed to purchase a gift for a family member, and the book store that I went to did not have any children’s books that featured African-American characters. I used my passion for writing to help solve the problem. Read more>>

Luba Seleznova

I never planned to become a matchmaker. Seventeen years ago, when I was a university student in Ukraine studying economics, I just wanted to improve my English. Someone suggested I work at an international dating agency translating letters between Ukrainian women and Western men. It sounded like a good way to practice, so I took the job. Read more>>

Adrain Hemphill

What started as a simple idea between two best friends planning a couple’s trip, quickly turned into something bigger. Tiara Johnson, married for over 20 years, and Adrain Hemphill, married for 15 years, realized there was a need for more spaces where couples could connect, grow, and have fun together. Read more>>

Arielle And Jeanine Jordan

At A Knot That Binds, our mission is rooted in something deeply personal—family, creativity, and connection.

It all started with a simple idea between a mother and daughter: what if we could turn our love for creating into something others could feel confident and beautiful wearing? I (Arielle) had always loved headbands, and my mom (Jeanine) had the sewing skills to bring them to life. What began as a fun passion project quickly grew into something more—a way to spread joy, celebrate individuality, and build a community around handmade, intentional pieces. Read more>>

David Corboy

The mission behind Alpine eater is to provide sustainable, locally sourced seasonal foods for the city of Denver. Additionally what we wanna do is try and create an environment where people can come be involved with their civic duty and engage in local politics so we can have a better stronger Denver. Plain and simply put we want to be more than just a food truck. We want to be a point of positive change in the city of Denver. We do that by providing petitions for customers to sign for things like healthcare for all, banning corporations from owning single-family homes, and providing public transit for cities across the front range. So come grab a burger, relax, and make your city better! Read more>>

Sarah Mantin

I went into nursing because I’ve always known I wanted to help people. But a few years into my career, I realized I craved a different kind of impact – one focused on prevention and empowerment rather than managing illness. Transitioning into travel nursing gave me the flexibility to explore other passions, and that’s when I became a certified personal trainer and launched Sweat with Sarah, blending my love for health, my drive to uplift others, and my passion for community. Read more>>

Simo Rodriguez

Absolutely, our mission is very personal for me. Do It Fearfully was born out of a season when I felt hidden, unseen, and honestly, afraid to step into what God was calling me to do. For a long time, I struggled with confidence, people-pleasing, and feeling like my voice didn’t matter. What changed everything for me was a revelation from Psalm 139:14, that being “fearfully and wonderfully made” isn’t about shrinking back in timidity, but about moving with reverence and boldness because of Who created me. Read more>>

Yvette Bodden

This platform was born from my unfiltered journey. After surviving a painful divorce and a bout of depression, navigating single motherhood, and rebuilding myself from emotional turmoil, I realized something crucial: too many of us are silenced by shame, guilt, culture, or fear of judgment. I launched Awakened-Woman.com and later the AW Confidential Podcast to break that silence wide open. Read more>>

Bao Vy Ngo

When my husband and I planned our own Vietnamese traditional wedding, we quickly realized how challenging it was to find the right resources, guidance, and vendors who truly understood and respected the cultural nuances we wanted to honor. In the Vietnamese community, there was such a lack of professionals offering support for couples like us — people who wanted to seamlessly blend cultural traditions with a modern, elegant vision. Read more>>

Kathleen Holmay

I became a yoga teacher at age 58 after many years of being a once-a-week yoga student. I was consulting FT and felt the need for a change so completed a year-long IYT, Integrative Yoga Therapy, program. At the same time I was observing small but significant hostilities and divisions – ways that people separated into Us & Them – around me and in the world. When I began practice teaching at a local hospice I tried to communicate kindness and inclusiveness along with breath work and asanas. Read more>>

Eric St Pierre

Delphinium’s mission is to create an environment where care is honest, beauty is grounding, and healing is something we do together with touch, presence, and intention.
Delphinium was born from a deeply personal desire to create a place where healing feels like home. Our place is a calm rebellion against the sterile, transactional nature of wellness spaces. Delphinium invites people into a sanctuary that is warm, sensorially rich, and soulful. Read more>>

Shannon Burgess

At Brick House Graphics, our mission is to create bold, meaningful graphic apparel that helps people express who they are and what they stand for. We believe clothing is more than just something you wear. It’s a form of identity, culture, and voice.

Our mission is rooted in the idea that design can spark conversation, build confidence, and bring people together. Whether it’s a statement tee, a locally inspired hoodie, or a custom piece for a grassroots brand, we’re passionate about turning ideas into wearable art that resonates. Read more>>

Magda Leon

My mission is to create art that honors the stories, resilience, and beauty of immigrant communities—especially those from Central America like my own. I come from a family of Guatemalan migrants, and I carry that history in everything I make. This mission is personal. It’s my own family’s journey, and it’s also bigger than me. It’s about using art as a tool for connection. Read more>>

Troy Seals II

The story behind Black Hourglass Productions’ mission really starts with my childhood in Houston. Growing up, I was captivated by how movies could be this incredible vehicle for delivering messages—not just entertaining people, but actually inspiring them and making them think differently about the world around them. That realization that storytelling has this profound power to foster understanding and connection across different cultures and experiences became the foundation of everything I do. Read more>>

Kukuwa KYEREBOAH

At Kukuwa® Fitness, our mission is to change lives through the joy of African dance, movement, and culture — making fitness fun, inclusive, and rooted in the richness of the African continent.

But it’s more than just movement. I take this mission deeply personal,

As the founder, of Kukuwa Fitness, I was born and raised in Ghana, where movement, rhythm, and community are part of our daily lifes. I saw how dance transformed and brought people together — across generations, villages, and borders. It was celebratory, and healing as well as life-giving. This was displayed to me as a young girl, growing up with my great-grandmother of age 120. Read more>>

Kelly Avalon

I started Avalon Professional Services with the goal of supporting women who were like me—ambitious, passionate, and trying to build something meaningful while also raising kids and running a household. These were women with drive and vision, but not always a lot of time or support. I loved the work I was doing through APS, but over time, I realized something was missing—not in the business itself, but in the sense of community. I kept thinking, Where are the honest conversations? Where’s the space for women like me to feel seen and understood? Read more>>

Kianna Erickson

My mission is rooted in the belief that every love story deserves to be told with intention, care, and artistry. Over the past eight years, I’ve worked in nearly every corner of the wedding industry—from bridal consulting to floral design to assisting a seasoned planner—which has given me a deep appreciation for what it takes to create a truly unforgettable celebration. Read more>>

Dr. Tahseen Haque

My journey into event planning truly ignited in 2013, starting with family weddings. While I had experience coordinating student organization events, the intricate world of weddings was a completely different and captivating challenge. After moving back to Atlanta in 2017, I gained invaluable experience as a coordinator for a prominent South Asian wedding planner, continuing until I began pharmacy school in 2020. Read more>>

Nora Pullen

Our mission is to help people reclaim their health, agency, and vitality, mind, body, and soul, so they can live fuller, freer, more connected lives. But this isn’t just a mission; it’s a deeply personal calling.

I grew up under a dictatorship in Communist Romania, where food was rationed, speech was censored, and fear ran deep. I know firsthand what it means to be deprived of nourishment, of voice, of control over your own body and future. When I came to the U.S. as a teenager, I carried with me a hunger, not just for food, but for freedom, for truth, for the kind of strength that can’t be taken from you. Read more>>

Logan Will Cochran

Our personal mission statement here at Overthrow Booking is “Help for all!”
We work toward providing equal show opportunities to bands/musicians of any size, genre or level of experience. As musicians ourselves, we know how hard it is to book shows when starting out. Our goal is to make the excitement of hitting the stage variable for anyone willing. We work with local and national acts to build the best shows possible, and allow artist to grow in a supportive environment. Read more>>

Jesse Viljanen

Empower individuals—especially those starting from modest means—to achieve financial freedom by teaching and modeling disciplined saving, dividend-focused investing, and smart portfolio growth.

I started Osinkoinsinööri because I know what it feels like to struggle financially. I’ve stood in food bank lines with my family. I’ve lived with the stress of not knowing how our family would make ends meet. That experience shaped me — but it didn’t define me. Read more>>

Natalia Mazzaia (Burakowska)

Terratela’s mission is to transform how the world values waste. We reimagine food waste into fashion —elevated essentials for people who give a damn about what they wear and how it’s made.

Terratela’s mission is deeply personal to me. I was born in Poland and immigrated to the U.S. in the early ’90s. My mother is from a farming family in Northern Poland and brought that history to our new home. She planted a large garden in our backyard, and we lived by the principle that nothing should go to waste. We cooked from the garden, pickled leftovers, reused yogurt cups to sprout seeds, and cut old t-shirts to tie up climbing plants. Read more>>

Sarah Cajado

Skinspot was born in 2020 out of a deep need for more human connection. At the time, I was seeing how powerful self-care could be as a gateway to self-love, and I wanted to build a space where people felt seen, heard, and cared for , not just treated.

As I continued working with clients, I started specializing in acne. The more results I delivered, the more I noticed something: people weren’t just looking for clearer skin. They were craving clarity in the entire experience, they wanted to be educated, supported, and have real conversations about their skin and confidence. That’s when I created Acne Solutions, the only acne-dedicated clinic in New England. Read more>>