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?

Donna Muccio | Travel Photographer & Environmentalist

I picked up a camera for the first time when I was 13 and spent my high school years taking self portraits in my backyard and using photography as an outlet. When I began pursuing photography professionally, I also became passionate about travel and began to realize there was a much greater need than just creating beautiful art but using my platform to share a greater message. Through my travels I’ve become passionate about wildlife and the environment and realized the responsibility I have to share how we can all do our part to create a better future for our children and protect the natural world. Read more>>

Chris Chase | Creator & CEO

At Chase Design we bridge the gap between business and design. Most business owners are left brained and most creatives are right brained. At Chase Design we are both. We call this being Brand Centric. This approach is how we came up with our Mission. Our Mission Create extraordinary value for our clients by connecting business strategy and creative execution See more here: https://chrischasedesign.com/about_us/ Read more>>

Roxanne Drese | Beauty and Wellness

I’m on a mission to help people feel more confidant! Beauty comes from within and everyone should feel that power and strength from being happy! Whether it’s acne or some other insecurity you should feel your best and embrace life!. Read more>>

Hugo Heredia Barrera | Artist & Business owner

I wanted to have a space where I can create, fabricate and design projects that can go to residential, commercial, architectural or industrial places using any type of material from metal, glass, wood, cement or a blend of all of them. Projects can vary from art installations, sculptures or just simply residential gates or doors. Read more>>

Sandy Tobin | Dumpling Inn Owner Operator

At Dumpling Inn our mission statement has always been “from our family to yours” and we stand by that. Though we are a small family owned and operated business we feel and believe all 43 members of our team are family. We have been beyond honored and blessed with a very loyal and close team that has truly become family members to us. My father, Phat Vuong is the brains behind how we first came into owning restaurants. He started as a dishwasher and moved his way up to be the executive chef of Panda Inn Horton Plaza. Read more>>

Mike Rodriguez | Firearms and Defensive Tactics Instructor

I never imagined myself to instruct or teach people. I have a huge interest in firearms marksmanship and collecting historically relevant firearms. My Father who was a U.S. Immigration Officer, carried a firearm and would take me to the range and taught me the way He was taught in the Academy. Those skills helped me excel in the Military and in my current job in Law Enforcement. Co workers would often ask me for tips to help them be a better marksman. Read more>>

Denise Benson | Branding Photographer

I began my entrepreneurial journey in 2002 when I graduated from the University of South Carolina. I was unable to find a job in my chosen field and my father had recently opened an independent insurance agency. He saw my struggle with finding a job nearby in my chosen field so he offered for me to come on board at the insurance agency. And while I never envisioned taking this route, as my major was in Fashion Merchandising, I made the decision to try it out. From 2002 until 2021 I co-owned and worked at the agency day in and day out. Working for myself for my entire adult career gave me insights that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. Read more>>

Barbara Richardson | Top rated Preschool in Eastlake on YELP

The story behind our mission is to serve children 2 to 5 years of age a deserving and quality early childhood education that will bring value and success in their future. Read more>>

Felipe Loureiro | Multiport Coach

“I grew up in Brazil. I remember when I was 9 years old and my dad began training for triathlons. Two years later, at 11 years old, I followed in my dad’s footsteps and competed in my first triathlon…and since then, I’ve raced in over 600 triathlon races around the world, including 3 Ironmans. Triathlon is the reason I came to San Diego from Brazil 25 years ago. I knew San Diego could provide the perfect venue for both daily training and abundant racing opportunities. I was lucky enough to have found my passion when I was 11, and that passion of the triathlon sport has provided me with a fulfilling life of physical training, exciting racing, and the gratifying vocation of coaching others the joy of triathlon. I am looking forward to continuing my triathlon racing career for many years to come.” Read more>>

Melissa Mallam | Beauty Professional, Entrepreneur, & Mentor

I’ve always had the natural talent to do hair. I really didn’t think that when I switched from an accounting major to business management & marketing that I’d be where I am today. I believe my college education has really helped my career as a hair stylist. I believe there is room for every one and my mission is to teach as many beauty professionals as I can, how to run a successful business. In 13 years, I’ve been able to build a successful business. I have an amble clientele, own a salon and lease suites to other beauty professionals, launched a product line and an educator and mentor to beauty professionals. Read more>>

Brian Parker | Organizer, Metal Swap Meet

I worked at a local record store that specialized in heavy metal music called Blue Meannie Records. It was a haven for metal related records and merch. It was more than just retail, it was a meeting place for passionate metalheads. When it closed down around 2008, it left a void in San Diego for a place to shop for metal merchandise, and meet like-minded people. Well a few years later, I decided to do a little “Metal Swap Meet” in my driveway, and with the help of my buddy Israel Pelayo, it was successful, and we have keept it going for over 12 years, at various locations. Read more>>

Natalie Wolfe | CEO + Founder of StudioHop

Our mission at StudioHop is to provide an easy and convenient way to work out that helps you feel strong and healthy and able to tackle the world. We wholeheartedly believe that when you vary up your workout and go to classes that you actually enjoy, you’ll notice results. When you feel GOOD about yourself, you look at exercise as a privilege, not punishment for your body. I started StudioHop as a way to add variety into my own workout routine because I was feeling bored and burned out. Read more>>

Danielle Evans | Fitness Equipment Design and Sales

FitLogistix was founded on the basic principal of customer service. Founders Danielle and Joelle believed that they could create a company where the customer experience was the number one focus. We have experienced first hand over and over the lack of customer service and professionalism both personally and running our business. FitLogistix carefully chose vendor partners that align with our mission. When you are driven to exceed customer expectations you create brand loyalty. Read more>>

Abby Farr | Owner and Designer of Tillage Clothing

Growing up in Cincinnati, OH, along the Ohio River, I feel like I was set up to grow a big heart for setting slaves free. After all, that waterway served as the gateway to freedom in the mid-1800’s when racial slavery was officially outlawed. I was fascinated learning about the Underground Railroad in history class, and that fascination turned into a passion for justice and freedom. Then, as I entered college, I got the traveling bug, began to travel the world, including all over Eastern Europe. There, I ended up seeing the mistreatment of laborers on a global scale and more extreme poverty than I’d ever seen. Read more>>

Sharissa Sebastian | CEO – Leadership Mastery Alliance | TEDx & Intl Key Note Speaker | Leadership & Executive Coaching for Corporate Leaders | Forbes & HuffPost Writer | Advisory Board Member |

My mission is to empower more leaders to thrive from their unique leadership zone of genius, having maximum influence and impact, while not burning out and actually enjoying their careers. This came from my own struggle in my corporate career where there were many things that were misaligned with who I was and what was right for me. Once I discovered coaching everything changed for me and I became very passionate about helping other leaders thrive, feel valued and lead others exceptionally well, all while having a healthy work/life balance. This is what drives me and my business. Read more>>

Yesica Rodriguez | Yoga Instructore

Although I teach many styles of yoga, I want to talk about my experience as a prenatal yoga teacher and co-founder/lead teacher of Lovely Birth Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training. I have never been a yoga teacher without being a mother and I would not have gotten far without support from my community. As a mother of two, I was also very aware of just how much our society tries to take power away from mothers, women and birthing people. I’ve heard so many stories of women having traumatic birth experiences where their needs were not listened to and their voice was invalidated. On top of that, our culture tends to tell us we are doing it wrong, no matter what we are doing or how we are doing it. Read more>>

Ana Erwin | General Manager of Hyper-Local Publications and Community Volunteer

Everyone that works at Community Impact could recite our mission to you without thinking it twice. We live and die by it. It is why we have been able to maintain a profitable and growing business in an industry that has been so volatile over the last few decades. The first part is: “We build communities of informed citizens”, which means we will report on local news relevant to the community you live in, your own backyard in a fair and unbiased manner. Tell you the things you can’t find on Twitter and that you are probably too busy to go dig up yourself. The next part of it is “and thriving business”… Read more>>

Kelley Higney | Bug Bite Thing Founder & CEO

For me— Bug Bite Thing truly is a mission! I’m a “Mom on a Mission” to educate the world that there is a chemical-free solution for those suffering from bug bites and stings. That’s because it’s personal to me, I was my first customer! Back in 2013, when my family moved to Florida, no one warned us how bad the mosquitos would be! My daughter suffers from severe reactions to bites, enduring days of painful swelling and itching. I discovered Bug Bite Thing out of necessity. I was done using creams filled with harsh chemicals and making trips to the doctor’s office with my six-month-old daughter for another round of antibiotics. Read more>>

LyTisa Greene | Lifestyle Influencer & Entrepreneur

The Story Behind my mission Helping Millennial Stay at Home Wives/Moms create wealth and build digital empires is that I wanted to create a space where wives, and mothers with lifestyles like mine to be able to feel like they belong.. You know somewhere with someone who gets it.. It was a challenge of working outside of the home for my family structure. My husband being an over the road driver, and being 18 hours away from our family. It cost more time, money, and freedom to operate outside of my home, as well as it took me away from important things I need to square up for my family. Read more>>

Ray Bennett II | Veteran Non-Profit

Ray Bennett II and Javier Rosa formed the Diving Devil Dogs in 2016, to give other veterans a mission they can get involved with them selves. Our outreach involves treating veterans who suffer from PTSD and/or Anxiety through the use of Scuba Diving. There are many attributes that scuba diving has, that are similar to Yoga or other relaxation therapies involving breathing techniques and centering with one self. All veterans who come through our program turn around and assist us with future events. We also understood that not all veterans would want or like scuba diving, we have other branches of the Diving Devil Dogs that may appeal to a wider range of vets. We partner with the Lt. Read more>>

Noreene Parker | Restoration Specialist of Architectural Antiques

While working to restore and design, reuse for properties, I was having difficulties finds the authentic pieces needed to do the work correctly. Yet soany properties were needlessly being demolished and these wonderful components discarded. I knew that something must be done, our History,Craftsmanship and quality materials were going to Landfills! That was also against my grain, as we recycle Everything possible, and I always have. Read more>>

 

ben hicks | Water photographer

As a photographer I have the opportunity to share with the world images that can tell a story. My stories are not just about nature within them but a greater purpose of how we can preserve and protect nature. The young people of today will help drive our future to hopefully bring down our footprint and reduce our wastes that are so damaging to the environment. I am usually aiming for an indirect message. Read more>>

Brock Ostrander | Philanthropist & Financial Coach

The mission of the Ostrander Scholar Society is to provide funding for higher education. Scholarship applicants are those who prove themselves via involvement in leadership and community service. The idea took root in 1997 after a national level leader passed away following an auto collision. Our founder created a memorial scholarship in his memory/honor and the program started to grow. Years later, we became a non profit organization and launched a second scholarship program. Both programs are merit based. Rather than base selections solely on grades, grade point averages and ACT/SAT scores, Read more>>

Scott Eichler | Wealth Planner and Investment Advisor

It was 1997, I was 21, and I was sitting in a small café across the street from the San Juan Mission called Sarducci’s. The sun had set and I nervously fidgeted with my napkin. Tom, one of the owners, came up and asked what was wrong. I explained that I was meeting a rocket scientist from McDonald Douglas to have dinner. I didn’t have any idea what we were going to talk about for 2 hours. Tom smiled and assured me that my grandfather would be ready. As promised, my grandfather walked in with a copy of The Motley Fool. This began an amazing time in which the two of us created an amazing relationship around a common identity … Read more>>

Amber Miller | Delegation Diva

As a boutique virtual assistant and professional support services team, we do more than “tasks”. Our story starts back in 2004 with a vision to provide entrepreneurs with the operations and marketing support needed to run a business – without the expense of hiring and managing. Many small business owners are struggling not only with what to delegate – but the how. We not only provide that support, we also help them to see the benefits of them not doing all the operations and administrative tasks themselves. And the the power that comes from delegating. We don’t just do tasks. We are part of their company, their team, their vision. We invest ourselves into what they are contributing to the world. Read more>>

Augustus Wiesel | CEO – MFI Medical

Being a family business it has always been important for us to maintain that feeling and foster an inclusive atmosphere at MFI where all employees are a part of the “MFI Family” With that, we hope that helpful family mentality aids our customers in feeling comfortable and assisted by our incredible team. Read more>>