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.

Matt Brown

When I was 15 years old, I suffered a spinal cord injury during a high school hockey game. I was left paralyzed from the shoulders down. Rather than calling it quits and closing my door on the world, I made it a point that I wasn’t going to let the injury define the way I live my life. I made the decision that it was time to look forward and not back. I couldn’t change what had happened and dwelling on it would only make things worse. Read more>>

John Sauchelli

Our mission at Jersey Barnfire is simple. Local , local, local! We aim to keep who we source from as close to home as possible without compromising the quality of our products. After growing our own peppers, we contract grow with other area farms for some of our supply. Read more>>

Deidre Evans

Tearra Dotson was a young teen mom; the odds were stacked against her as an African American woman. Tearra didn’t let that hold her back, she continued to push to be the best version of herself for her child and to prove the world wrong. Read more>>

Rosa Valdes

Educated Chola, is a display of my personal struggles and journey with a mental health disorder with a Latino point of view. I know I am not the only one that recognizes the stigma in our community. ‘There is a perception in Latino/Hispanic communities, especially among older people, that discussing problems with mental health can create embarrassment and shame for the family, resulting in fewer people seeking treatment’ (MHANational 2022). Read more>>

Nkiru Emelle

In 2021, I received a grant from the New York Foundation of the Arts to create a free public event that highlights the artistic culture of my immediate community within the Brooklyn Borough. This sparked the creation of Nollyhood. At our first event, with a maximum capacity of 280 people, we capped at 189 tickets sold before the event with an additional 43 attendees on the day of. Read more>>

Nathaniel Waggoner

As big fans of both Elevator Music and Bathrooms, we realized early on that there was a real gap in marketplace services. Elevator Music generally is a large, well-served, though largely stagnant industry space – however when you examine the marketplace as it exists for Bathroom Music? It’s truly a open opportunity! Read more>>

Lauren Guerrieri

I’ve experienced many inner battles as we all do – many of which were my own doing. It is challenging to be a powerful soul in a temporary human body, having an intense human experience, full of polarity. Our culture currently is broken. People feel very disconnected from who they truly are, because of all the conditioning and programming about who we’re “supposed to be” and how our lives are “supposed to go.” Read more>>

LaKisha Calvin

The story behind my mission is to help as many people as I can. I want to see people get better and feel better. I don’t like to see people in pain, when they have tried every Avenue and just don’t know what to I try and help them the best way I can. My mission at the end of the day is to be there when no one else is. Read more>>

Ashley Irizarry

I started selling my art after I left an abusive job that left me hopeless and full of self-doubt about my worth and abilities. I didn’t feel worthy or positive about my skills, and the last thing that made sense was creating a business around my art. But I did. Read more>>

Jessica Winterman

I’ve always been a super social person, who absolutely LOVES to help other people. Ever since I was little, my mom has always told me that I could literally talk to a wall, and then paint it a fun color. Besides being on the craftier side of life, I’ve always enjoyed connecting to others, which is why being a social media manager is the perfect job for me. Read more>>

Bobby Hill

Hiiiiii! I’m Bobby I am a full time makeup/beauty content creator! I’m 22 and I’m from Atlanta Georgia. Beauty related things and makeup has always been a strong interest of mine since a little boy. I have always admired how makeup could literally change and shift your beauty from literally A to B! My mission is to teach people how to do to makeup and how to do it THE RIGHT WAY! I always want people to know that makeup is for literally EVERYONE ! Read more>>

Brittany Taylor

Yes! Test Prep Unlimited LLC is totally a mission driven company! My mission is to provide comprehensive and tailored tutoring services to high school students for academic success. As a former high school teacher of thirteen years, I am aware that students learn in many different ways and Test Prep Unlimited LLC does its very best to assist students in reaching their academic goals by focusing on each individual student’s learning style. Read more>>

LaTara Hardnett

My mission is to be become a better version of myself everyday. If I had to choose a person i look up to it would be myself other than God. So many times we worship idles. I worship Latara. I know there is no way that i can work this hard and lose. In the words of lil Baby who am I going to lose to? Everyday i want to go further and higher. I want to positively impact someone in someway and for someone to say ai didn’t give up because of you. I want a single mother to say because of you I did so everyday I am creating a moment. Read more>>

Nate Stone

We believe that people see the problems of our world and want to help but often don’t know where to start. So we opened Cathedral — a space dedicated to helping people, help others. Our sole purpose of existence is to help others. We host all sorts of events from weddings to corporate meetings. Cathedral donates all profits to charity — so guests can throw an event while supporting a cause they care about. Read more>>

Belle Nguyen

Our mission is to help people tap into their inner wisdom and see themselves in a deeper perspective so that they can live their most authentic and fulfilling lives. This is so meaningful to us because we believe that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and purposeful life, but many people struggle to access their own inner wisdom and guidance. Read more>>

Teresa Pollman

One of the reasons that IMD has been so successful over the last 25 years is that we always maintain our integrity and high standards for excellence. I demand that our staff be just as dedicated as I am to developing young people into successful professionals. I have committed myself to uphold personal relationships with all of our models, actors and their families. Read more>>

Tess Leach

Our mission is to bring harmony back to our relationship with the natural world. This means something different to everyone, but for me it’s about how to perpetuate ranching into the future as we see it as the tool by which to achieve our mission. For me personally, I am passionate about this so that I can leave a healthy physical place behind for my kids, and hopefully for a larger group of people, too. Read more>>

Mirna Ashaka

Hello, my name is Mirna Ashaka I am the owner of Detroit Royal sweets catering company, also IChillyn cafe. I am 24 years old I have Been in business since I was 21 years old. Since I was young, it was Always my dream to own my own business. I love making desserts/ ice cream, as well feedings others. When Covid hit back in 2019 I moved to San Diego & learned the business from my brother Martin, he is the owner of Royal sweets bakery. I worked everyday for 13 hours a day for straight 3 months to learn the business. Read more>>

Dominique Murphy

My mission is solely to make every female i can, (and male) feel the true beauty within themselves. As a makeup artist, i feel like it’s my duty to make you feel on top of the world. There’s no better feeling than looking just how you feel and that’s amazing! Read more>>

Unoma Okorafor

I would say that Herbal Goodness started out in 2011 but was formally incorporated in 2013. While pregnant with my third child, I was eager to eat healthier to give my son the best start in life. A good friend in Nigeria mentioned that I should load up on papaya as it is Rich in Vitamins C and E and will improve my baby’s skin and overall health. Read more>>

Sandra Unkefer

My mission is to provide natural handmade soaps, lotions and other body care products to people who are struggling with the chemicals found in commercial skin care products or who are simply looking for ways to remove chemicals from their homes and daily routines. I have personally struggled with skin allergies and sensitivities for years. I tried everything I could find but nothing helped. Read more>>

Anulika Agu

The Flower Plugg started off as a way to personally help myself with my mental health and wean off of tobacco. I’ve been living a plant based lifestyle for going on 7 years now which also led me to the world of holistic healing and natural alternatives. You add that to being a stoner and that’s pretty much how I got introduced into smoking herbal flowers like roses, lavender, mullein and their benefits. Read more>>

Amelia Leonards

Art is about making connections. And yes, I know we’ve all rolled our eyes at densely written artist statements that say things like ‘my work celebrates the dichotomy between parmesan cheese and the deeply interwoven curds of fate that connect artist to audience’. Read more>>

Ericka Spradley

As a working woman, there were so many things I had to learn on my own beyond my education to experience professional success. Over the years, I realized friends, family, and colleagues had similar experiences as well – meaning there was no blueprint or roadmap for them to follow as a woman in the workplace. As a result, I decided to become the mentor and coach I wish I had. I am currently on a mission to help women around the world excel at work, know their worth, and ultimately stop sitting on their ask (advocate for themselves), Read more>>