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?

LaMeika Draughn

I want everybody to feel included. The purpose of my brand is so that everybody can feel included without it being complicated I love educating and being a brand that represents something for everyone. I want people to feel beautiful on the inside and out, which is why I became a licensed aesthetician in the first place. Read more>>

Gianna Brandofino

The story behind my mission is quite simple because it begins with me. Which on the surface may seem a little selfish but, in reality it’s entirely selfish. We live in a world where selfishness is so misunderstood and used too close in context with being self centered. Read more>>

Edward Anassah

Growing up, pursuing a university degree was not a common goal in my family. However, I was determined to break the cycle and became the first person in my family to attend university, studying at the University of Waterloo. This experience has shaped my outlook on life and inspired me to help others achieve their dreams. Read more>>

Bria Fleming

Wildland firefighters’ uniforms are notoriously terrible for fit. Take pants as an example. The sizes you have to choose from are Small through XXXL. Each size is built to the largest parameter, and you control for the extra via a couple of little cinching mechanisms build into the waistband. Read more>>

Shante Wilson

Our mission is to educate women and men on natural and Vegan products! Our natural products can heal skin conditions and boost self confidence! You don’t have to break the bank to get the healing your skin deserves. You can have it all……just WITHOUT the costs! Read more>>

Tori Hynds

My journey in the photography industry has spanned over many years. I have always been an artist in many forms. In high school, I developed a passion for manual film photography and could be found hiding out for many hours in the dark room enthralled by the process. Read more>>

Jamia Howell

My story behind my Mission as being a candle maker is to ensure quality with my products. Guarantee 100% soy wax candles and wax melts that are hand pour one by one. Slow burning and smell good scents that will fill up the room. I want all my customers to my satisfied with my products and will not have a doubt about my products. Read more>>

Sweat Equity

Sweat Equity was founded by Collin Swinton, a basketball trainer who noticed that many of his players were struggling with confidence. To help mitigate this reoccurring issue, Collin decided to make wristbands that said “belief in self” to help remind them to be confident in the hard work they would put in. Read more>>

Alexandria Higgs

I have worked in the music industry for over 10 years. While my 9-5 is still in the industry, I recently decided to put a pause on my artist management firm. I was extremely burnout and no longer fulfilled. I created a podcast during the start of covid, shortly after I was laid off. Read more>>

Ashley Alexander

The story behind my mission and my brand is to provide affordable but stylish clothing to all. It is a boutique that brings out the elegance that women behold. I wanted to create not only a boutique that shows women how beautiful they are but rather showcase a diverse boutique for all shapes and sizes. Read more>>

Michael Lawanson

Well, well, well, gather ’round folks, and let me tell you the tale of how I became a snack tycoon. It all started back in the 80s when I was just a wee lad running around the kitchen with my brother and friend, playing tag while my mom and her siblings were whipping up some patties and chin-chin. Read more>>

Jim Kinsey

I didn’t start out as the CEO of Global Accountability Corporation. Actually I answered a phone call from a gentlemen that wanted me to help produce a video on a product he had developed. That initial conversation led me to see what this person had created which ultimately led to me becoming the Chief Media Officer and the product being further developed. That product was initially called the “Accountability Badge”. Read more>>

Courtnie James

My business started as a hobby, or a side hustle. I was a busy mom working in law-enforcement, and in the Army Reserves. After I had my third child, who is my only son, my side hustle became a small business. My son was diagnosed with autism and the world changed for me. Read more>>

Darcio Fao

About Darcio, as a Hairstylist I have had a strong passion for hair and styling ever since I was a child. Considering that several people in my family worked within the field, I was naturally exposed to the profession from a very young age. Both my grandfather and my mother are known and established hairdressers in South Brazil. Read more>>

Camy Loréna

Culture Curated LA’s Mission has always been to bring people together of all different backgrounds and hometowns through common interests. It’s always been important to me for the people who relocate to California much like myself (mainly Los Angeles) to have an olive branch, a friend, or just somewhere unintimidating to meet similar people. Read more>>

Chamel Jackson

When I was healing from a breakup in 2018, I realized I had an issue with accepting rejection and how I saw myself. I started a self study on my identity in Christ after getting some advice from a therapist, and it helped me heal from the breakup and other types of rejection. Studying about my identity in Christ also helped become confident with who I am and walk in my purpose Read more>>

Amy Quick

I have a mission of leaving a carbon footprint doing what I love ! I currently own a hair salon and a nonprofit. I have merged them by doing hair for free in the community. We also provide book-bags and school supplies through the school year . Read more>>

Melissa LeEllen

Thank you for asking about our mission! Our dedication to bringing our clients’ visions to life is at the core of the values of Creative Global Entertainment! We believe that everyone has a unique story to tell, and our job is to help them tell it in the most effective and impactful way possible. Read more>>

Monique Johnson

Abnormel Apparel LLC was formed on 9/19/20, during the pandemic, when I lost my school district behavior facilitator job while finishing my internship for my Master’s as a Clinical Counselor. Having a client caseload during internship, I saw the need for clients to express themselves regardless of the challenges they were experiencing. Read more>>

Ash Laverdiere

Growing up in a small town outside of Victoria, I always had big ideas about fashion, music, and art. I was naturally creative and loved expressing myself through various mediums. However, my ideas were often met with confusion or raised eyebrows from those around me. Read more>>

Domonic Nieves

Divine Science Brewing is the first Southern California Brewery to produce 100% gluten free beers. With a growing population becoming gluten intolerant or celiac and beer being such a cultural staple, we are thriving as a new brewery. Brewing gluten free beer for people with little to no options has been our #1 goal. As two celiacs we understand the struggle one goes through when trying to enjoy a fun night out with friends. Read more>>

Skylar Liberty Rose

After reaching my mid-forties I found myself feeling despondent about aging. I was struggling with the way I looked, and fearful that my best years were behind me. Then I realized that unless I wanted to spend the next half of my life feeling depressed about getting older, I needed to turn the experience around. Read more>>

Coco Queen

My mission is to assist many in their bodily healing with herbs, as with proper use and self dedication, can extend one’s lifespan. We often don’t associate plants with health, we associate them with beauty or addition. If we could shift our perspective of how beautiful a flower looks in our house to not only the beauty it offers externally but internally, we’d view all plants as gold. Read more>>

Mike Humston

I am 13 years recovered from drug addiction, and 75% of our employees are also in recovery. We exist in order to give opportunities to people that other businesses wont. We love to teach a person a career that they might otherwise never have the opportunity to have because of their mistakes from the past Read more>>

RaShaun Belcher

I’ve always been some form of creative. I’ve gone from drawing to dancing to rapping to poetry and finally to photography. In high school I had a photography class in which my teacher encouraged us to take our cameras with us everywhere we went and to capture whatever moved us. Read more>>

Rebecca Worsley

Rainy City is a Shopify Plus Partner who specialises in UX design, front and back end development and strategy for high growth Shopify merchants. We like to work with brands over the long-term and work alongside them as a proactive partnership who are on the lookout for opportunities in the market. Read more>>

Emma Bailey

My mission through photography is to locate and capture beautiful moments in nature that will inspire people to enjoy the outdoors and protect it. I want people to see the various creatures and plants that I find and inspire them to learn more about them. I also want to encourage people to slow down and observe nature more. Read more>>

Melanie Reyes

My passion for photography is founded on one fundamental characteristic – my love of people. Whether I am walking in to photograph your young family or a family full of teens; an office staff or an entrepreneur; or some of the most amazing days of your life (bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and even celebrations of life) it is my love of people that motivates me to capture it for you. Read more>>

Valerie Kristynne

Valerie Kristynne, a successful product and interaction designer, is the driving force behind Foster2Tech, a program aimed at providing access to technology training and career opportunities to young women transitioning out of the foster care system. Valerie understands the challenges these young women face firsthand, having grown up in foster care after her mother was murdered and her father became homeless. Read more>>

Hannah Hollander

In August 2018, I left my abusive ex-husband. I didn’t understand that I was experiencing abuse until after I left. In the coming months, I would learn that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men would be victims of Intimate Partner Violence in their lifetimes. Read more>>

Lynna Choi

When I created Woofboard, I had a few non-negotiables for what kind of treats I would source for my barkuterie boards. One of Woofboard’s top missions is to provide only the healthiest treats for dogs – this meant following a strict criteria of all-natural, preservative-free, & minimal ingredients. Read more>>

TeNita Ballard

I knew something had to change when I ended up in the hospital as a result of neglecting my own health. I remember it like it was yesterday – right before I went into surgery, the doctor told me he was concerned that due to the size of the growth, I may have to wake up with a hole in my neck. Read more>>

Ladawn Johnson

Anudawn represents my rebirth, I began wire wrapping crystals 3 years ago during a personal stage of growth and transformation. My first visit to a “spiritual shop” was were I discovered my first crytals. Ever since I got my hands on them I knew that my purpose and crytals were intertwined. Read more>>

Christopher Grinnell

My story with Rough Diamond Leather began in December of 2021. My grandfather had been recently diagnosed with cancer, and I was in search of something to remember his artistic legacy. he was hugely influential in my life, an avid photographer, painter, woodworker, and conservationist. Read more>>

David Britnell

I started out in photography as a wedding photographer as it was a booming industry and easy to quickly grow a profitable business in. I enjoyed it but it isn’t a passion of mine. That combined with now being married with a young child I didn’t want all my weekends dedicated to work. Read more>>

Natasha Alexander

Growing up, most of us, may not have had the opportunity to learn and grow with an actual mentor. We may have had parents, teachers, or others that we gleaned from but no one to intentionally pour into our lives to teach us about success, failures or life in general. Read more>>

Misael Velis

My mission is to help my artist carry the vibe and sound of their records to new lengths,I start by talking to the artist and making sure i understand where they want to be and seeing how we can proceed to making the best possible version of the vision and feel they imagined. Read more>>

Stacia Crawford

I am on a mission to help small business owners get massive visibility for their enterprises. While working as a TV news producer I would often meet people who had incredible value to bring to the masses, but were often hindered because they lacked some of the basics. Read more>>

Sarah-Sophia Swaray

When I was fourteen, my younger sister and I used chemicals to relax our hair. The negative effects of the process were instantly noticeable; the chemicals damaged our hair and burned our scalps. After this experience, we became paranoid about taking care of our hair and discovering styling methods that were not harmful. Read more>>

Eric Newman

The story of Roc Solid Foundation began more than 30 years ago when founder Eric Newman was three years old and diagnosed with liver cancer. To the surprise of his doctors, he won Read more>>

Valérie/Kiara Cambronne/Ortiz

Throughout America’s history and in almost all facets of our society today, black and brown people are underrepresented, discriminated against, and exploited. This reality is especially jarring when we examine pop culture in America. Black and brown creatives, entrepreneurs, and inventors are the trailblazers of artistic expression and trend setting not just in the United States, but around the world. Read more>>

Demia Avery

Whatchu, Doin Wilmington podcast highlights the positive people, places and things in Wilmington North Carolina. My mission is to recognize all that make our community great, whether you are a business owner, community leader, or someone that just does great things in the area. I want to make sure that they are seen. Read more>>

Megan Gustafson

The idea behind Frankli came when I was noticing the huge presence of shaving & grooming brands that focused their branding & marketing specifically towards a particular gender. Read more>>

Jaymie Knox

I started WJMS Radio back in December of 2015 with the idea that I wanted to focus on the little guy and the underdog. I hi-lighted business owners, companies, individuals and organizations that were making a difference in the community. We discussed relevant issues in the community in a way that explained impact on a local and personal level. Read more>>

Dana Lawson

I have always been interested in health and wellness. I was intrigued by the human body and was always wondered how it worked. My Father was a Histotechologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York, Before “Take Your Daughter To Work” was a thing, my Dad would take me to the department to watch him work. Read more>>

Chris Burke

My love for art, all forms of art started at an early age. Whether you are expressing yourself through music, a photo, media, on a physical or human canvas it’s shares your emotions and vision. We facilitate helping our clients express themselves through body art. Creating what is special to them – designed for them. A personalized vision they want to share; whether is a badass, delicate, harsh or private. Read more>>

Dana C. Arnett

Our agency’s purpose and mission is to connect millions of diverse consumers to products and services that change their lives. When my business partner Carlos Sapene and I founded Wicked Bionic in 2015, we initially focused on delivering exceptional marketing services without a defined mission. Our backgrounds in the entertainment industry instilled in us a deep appreciation for quality and excellence. Read more>>

Doug Blecher

I had been working with autistic children for almost a decade. I had seen them learn and grow, but then one day I thought where will supports be for them when they become teenagers and adults? I then did some research and saw a huge lack of services available to teens and adults. Read more>>

Shay Sane

Shay Sane is a Retired Public Servant, Mental Health Advocate, Wellness Coach, Travel Influencer, Travel Agency Owner, Brand Ambassador for the Invisible Disability Association, Best Selling Author and a Serial Entrepreneur. Shay has been on my mental health journey for 45 years. Read more>>

Li’Marie Hayes

The story behind my mission I came into this country at a very young age with my 2 siblings ( R.I.P.) suffered various abuse & trauma. I went from being a mother who was once on food stamps homeless had extremely bad credit to becoming a college graduate with a masters degree 1000 or more partnerships & I currently own 5 businessowners. Read more>>

R’Banney Blackmon

First and foremost, I enjoy servicing others and making them feel good and look good. My main objective is representing a very attractive and beguiling woman or man. After experiencing alopecia and various skin issues, I developed an even deeper passion to learn how to make custom hair units, install them and apply makeup for others and my imperfections. Read more>>