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.

Katie Hayder

All my life, art has been my biggest driving force, from painting the biggest canvases to writing the smallest letters. Throughout my journey of discovering myself (which isn’t even close to being done) I have loved art and creativity because it has gotten me through such hard times. My sophomore and junior years were not the brightest points in my life, in fact, Read more>>

Giannis Farsaris

I reverently serve the idea of Open Art, the free availability of works on the internet by their creators. And when we say open and free art, we don’t necessarily mean free, as the internet has invented new ways of financially supporting artists. For 6 years now we have created the open library www.openbook.gr, which is primarily a catalog of Greek digital books that are freely and legally distributed on the internet. Read more>>

Leanna Ford & Allison Geneser

Our primary mission with Lone Star Workshop is to offer an outlet and exposure for artists and creatives in our area. We know firsthand the struggle of putting your creative work out there – it’s an intimidating and overwhelming experience! We started LSW gallery featuring just a handful of our friends and local artists, and now we are satiated with over 50 makers. One of our passions is to encourage everyone we encounter to pursue their creative inclinations and dreams. Read more>>

Sarah Lewis

When I launched Sarah Noel Interiors in 2012, I was surprised to learn how few resources were available to the industry at large. There were as many business models as there were stagers. I desperately sought out education, courses, and mentors only to learn that the courses available were antiquated with little connection to a modern aesthetic or entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Linda Lingo

My mission is to educate and inspire women to achieve financial freedom. I chose to become a Financial Advisor at the age of 50 because of the horrible, intimidating, condescending appointment and conversation I had with my male financial advisor. I walked out of that meeting determined I’d never be back, Read more>>

Hillary Coleman

At 1991Greenery Homestead, our mission is to cultivate a thriving, sustainable environment by practicing organic methods and promoting self-sufficiency. Through our commitment to organic practices, we prioritize the health and well-being of our land, plants, and animals. Read more>>

Caitin McSweeney-Steffes

At Danu Hof it is our mission to revitalize an old farm and build relationships reconnecting the farm to the local community. We are committed to offering diverse products and opportunities. Our onsite farm store features products produced and raised at Danu Hof and products locally sourced from other local farms and artisans. We focus on land and environmental stewardship based on sustainable, ethical practices, and adding value and growth to the local economy. Read more>>

Dana Sayers

Growing up on the North Shore of Massachusetts was filled with such amazing memories. The seasons here are just amazing and the ability to visit the ocean and a major city in the same day is a true luxury. With so much rich history and culture, the North Shore is truly a magical place to call home. Having both of my boys during the pandemic, I noticed a huge shift in the ability to connect with the community and experience things in our area. Read more>>

Beth Bollinger

The mission I have in my business is mostly guided through the desire I have to help people who deal with depression, ptsd, c-ptsd, and other emotional/spiritual ailments that touch can heal. When I started massage therapy school, I had no idea how much my body was holding onto, as I wasn’t yet keen on the way emotions are stored not just our brains, but our body as well. Read more>>

Kendra Woolridge

Janet & Jo. is the namesake of my two grandmothers. I named the company after my grandmothers, as a way to honor both sides of my family, and remind myself of the responsibility I carry, to ensure the impact cancer has had on both sides of my family, is used for good. Read more>>

Diana Wang

The mission at Open Mat Physio is to build better grapplers. As Jiu Jitsu athletes ourselves, we saw how underserved our community was when it came to quality rehab education and proper return to sport plans. Most healthcare providers aren’t even familiar with the sport itself, which led to negligent pieces of advice like “find a different hobby”, which completely dismisses the role Jiu Jitsu plays in many of our lives. Read more>>

Jamie LeShaé Jenkins

I am a first-generation high school and college graduate who was born and raised in the Pleasant Grove neighborhood of east Dallas, Texas. I was a “straight-A” student during my K-12 experience, but when I attended Clark Atlanta University (HBCU), I realized not only how miseducated I was about my identity, history, and society, but also how dangerous this miseducation was to my life and the lives of Black people. Read more>>

Joy St Clair

During the pandemic, I was one of the many employees who transitioned to remote work. At first, it was great working from home, but it got old quickly! I found myself either working non-stop and well past my normal end-time, or doing laundry in the middle of the day forgetting that I was at work! Once we all were “outside” again, I knew I needed to get out the house. Read more>>

Molly Boatman

I first dove into the idea of owning my own business when I lost my ‘corporate’ job due to covid. I figured there was no better time to try it than then. The isolation of covid is what helped me develop my first, and most successful product, my photo-greeting cards. I wanted to spread joy to others and capture the hidden beauty of everyday life… sharing joy and beauty is still the mission behind everything I do today and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Read more>>

Alivia Hershberger

I am a huge supporter of locally owned businesses. I never knew the importance of  shopping local until I founded my non-profit, Simply Give. I became connected to so many people who started businesses here in Stark County. They were the first ones to sign up to be sponsors of all the good deeds and events our nonprofit was hosting. When Covid hit, there was a huge movement to shop local. Read more>>

Keyana Brunner-Stallworth

Growing up as a survivor of molestation and rape, I felt voiceless, especially amidst the loss of my mother. However, when I assisted my grandmother in her at-home daycare for the neighborhood kids, I found solace and joy in being there for them and seeing their happiness. It was during this time that I realized my calling to make a difference and amplify the voices of the community. Read more>>

Ryan & Kevin Johnson

The mission behind “The Almost Presidents Podcast” , as we say at the beginning of each episode, is to look at American history through the lens of the loser. It’s a common maxim in history class that history is written by the winner, the conquerer, the person or peoples left standing when the dust settles. As a result, many important people and movements get lost or forgotten. Our objective is specifically to shed a light on those forgotten or lesser remembered politicians who ran for the highest office in the land: that of United States President. Read more>>

William Fernandes

The mission of Mustang Metal & Wood Works is to focus on growth of knowledge. In the years to come, I plan to grow and expand to be able to open a school to reintroduce knowledge of the trades to all ages of this modern world. To give those looking for a hobby, independence, or a career access to the knowledge I have been blessed to come by. Read more>>

Zachary Pampu

STC – Shift The Culture The origin of my company started with the intention to redefine the stereotype of artist management, artist relations, and label relations. Currently, everyone operates like Suge Knight, ready to take advantage of you in any capacity. My approach to changing the management stereotype involved working for free and accepting backend percentages over the years. Read more>>

Alexis Hall

The mission of Glow Limits is to promote “Self Care” and “Self Love”. I personally have had battles with both self-care and love and I know a lot of women and men can relate to this feeling, I wanted to create items that not only were good for your skin but made the person feel good using the products, I want everyone that uses glow limits to feel like they’re amazing and worthy, and that’s what I want to keep promoting. Read more>>

Stacy Flax

It’s funny how sometimes a super bad situation leads you to an awesome place that you never even imagined…that’s my story. Bored Rebel is my second act in life. I had never talked much publicly about why I left my first career in the corporate world. I left because I was burned out beyond belief – like those pieces of crumbs sitting at the bottom of a toaster. Read more>>

Bernadette Capulong

I believe that hard work makes dreams come true because it’s what built BC Design Haus. I regularly tell my team that if we can’t see a clear solution to a problem, we don’t give up, we work together to figure it out. I’m vocal about embracing challenges, because I believe they give us opportunities to learn, grow, and get better. BCDH is here today because of this grit and tenacity, and it’s what we apply every time we help build a brand. Read more>>

Katrina Bello

The story behind my studio practice is my personal story of immigrating to a new country and what this experience if migration has inspired in me when it comes to family, memories of land, environment, and our complex relationship to the natural world. Read more>>

Amy Waldo

So much of what I do in my personal blogging and as a social media manager reflects on my classroom practice as an educator. My classroom feels like a sacred space because I am able to encourage my students to see the power of their writing and their stories. I try to help my students make connections to their own lives and help them to develop their own voice. It’s exciting to watch my students foster a love for words and use their writing as a way to record the world and their place in it. Read more>>

Brooke & Madison Loza

It all started in 2020 when Brooke Loza, also known as The Eco Twin started an Instagram account to raise awareness about the devastating environmental impact that our consumption creates. What started out as zero waste product guides and informational posts turned into easy and affordable ways people like herself could become more sustainable and work towards a low waste lifestyle. Read more>>

Valerie McKinney-Walker

Indulge is meaningful to me because when I started my first home-based business; I was also placed on disability for health reasons and I needed to make ends meet. Thinking after you have exhausted your family and friends, how can you get the word out beyond them to grow your business. Read more>>

Ashley Maas

HOW IT STARTED In 2019, Ashley, 4 months pregnant with her youngest daughter, Kiara, had the idea to put together a monthly subscription box that would go into the hands of women all throughout Wisconsin. Formally known as, Abundance Movement Boxes. Read more>>

Salma Reyes

My mission is to break down cultural barriers by encouraging and exposing others to learn from travel experiences around the world. When I was 8 years old, I moved away from my home country and adapted to a multicultural life in a new country. This established the foundation for my never-ending curiosity about other languages, customs, and traditions. Read more>>

Raquel Johnson, LCPC Stephanie Hockaday, CSC-AD

Raquel Johnson, and Stephanie Hockaday are the two business owners of Essential Wellness Therapeutic Program, LLC and considering the recent spotlight that has been placed on Baltimore City due to the issues surrounding police misconduct associated with Freddie Gray, and the HBO series “We Own the City.” Ms. Johnson decided to pitch an idea to Ms. Hockaday, during a girls’ night out. Ms. Johnson shared her experience of work-related training and the need for ongoing mental health treatment for Law Enforcement Officers. Read more>>

Chisa Ugoji

As a Nigerian woman raised in a vibrant and diverse culture, I’ve always had a deep love and appreciation for my heritage. But I noticed a lack of representation of African aesthetics in the world of athletic wear. That’s when I decided to create something unique and empowering. Read more>>

Sivan Hong

As a mother of two neurodiverse kids, it was crucial for me that my boys grew up with a sense of pride in their brain differences. It wasn’t enough for me to feel this way myself. I am also neurodivergent. After all, why should they consider themselves broken when they’re not? Their brains have incredible capabilities and offer a unique perspective on the world. Read more>>

Kate Hanke

Ice Cream is sort of in our genetics. Growing up, my grandparents used to drive us four granddaughters from Upper Arlington (Ohio) to Cincinnati (also Ohio) just to eat Graeters ice cream. Regularly. Graeters wasn’t widespread, or wholesaling, back then (70s and 80s) so it was definitely a road trip to get it. Read more>>

Theresa Bell

When I launched my online store Truejoy Unlimited LLC, my primary mission was to empower and inspire women and girls to gain and maintain joy, live our best life, and be the best version of ourselves, which still holds true. But recently, I gained a deeper purpose and understanding of my mission, which is to empower women and girls to know that they are truly loved, appreciated, worthy, and enough! Read more>>

Curtina Pope

CPFit is a personal training brand that specializes in body transformations, lifestyle changes and long term confidence and results. While I currently train everyone of all ages, my true passion is working with senior citizens. My grandad who just celebrated his 88th birthday is still active in the gym. Funny story I ran into him about 8 years ago at the gym and said “Pops what are you doing here?”. Read more>>

Hannah Berger

The Philanthropy Coach is a boutique consulting firm that specializes in Nonprofit Management and Fundraising. We support organizations that are looking to scale their revenue and social impact. Read more>>

Amy Foster

I’ve not always known what it feels like to be welcomed and comfortable. We strive to give our customers and new friends the confidence when they try on our clothes. The name “Evie Brooks” comes from our two dogs, Evie, a yellow lab, and Brooks, a hound dog. It may sound silly to name a store after your pets but if you meet them you know it was meant to be. Read more>>

Magic Wolf

Most people don’t realize just how my path began as a keeper/transporter of the stones/ crystals. Many of my supporters have been following and supporting me for years and have all come to know and appreciate the mission behind my work. I strive to provide authentic,hand selected, crystals from all around the world direct from source to ensure minimal energy exchange. Read more>>

 Lisa

The main mission behind Lisa & Bailey Home Decor is my faith. During my career I have worked within environments where I have felt the need to participate within company activities that I do not believe in. Even not participating in these activities, you become aware and feel the discomfort and disconnect from your team/company. Read more>>

Ashley Redick

At Mise en Scène Events, our mission is deeply personal and intertwined with the legacy I want to create for my family. The values instilled in me by my late parents, such as hard work and perseverance, have shaped the very essence of our mission-driven company. Their unwavering support and belief in my dreams have propelled me to build a business that not only provides for my family but also leaves a lasting legacy for future generations. Read more>>