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.

Ebrahim Varachia

At Patronicity, our mission is to build vibrant communities by connecting changemakers with funding partners through civic crowdfunding. But for us, this isn’t just a mission—it’s personal.

We were founded in Detroit in 2013, a city defined by resilience, creativity, and community spirit. At the time, Detroit was facing enormous challenges—economic hardship, blight, and a lack of investment—but it was also a city brimming with grassroots energy, where artists, activists, and entrepreneurs were working every day to reimagine their neighborhoods. What we saw over and over again was this: the only thing standing between a great idea and real impact was access to funding. Read more>>

Shawn McCarthy

My mission is not only to write historical fiction, but to promote it as a tool of understanding. I’ve developed a deep interest in historical fiction over the past 20 years because I respect how the stories could take readers to a specific time and place, while also tapping into human emotions that are evocative and timeless. It helps us learn about other times, and how they dealt with (successfully or unsuccessfully) many of the same issues we still se today. Read more>>

Anastacia Haye

My mission was born from a deeply personal journey. Although I was dressed up on the outside, I felt broken on the inside—empty and unfulfilled. Healing from hidden scars marked the beginning of my transformation. From that healing came a calling: to help women shine like the stars they truly are. Read more>>

Keyonna Taylor

At Key Focus Group, our mission is to educate SMB businesses on the value of having and executing a customer success strategy, and to embed it into businesses and organizations that do not typically know what it is, never mind having it as part of the internal ecosystem. Read more>>

Jennifer Roth

My mission as a Goddess photographer and High Priestess was born from the ashes of a version of me that no longer aligned. After becoming a mother to four beautiful children, I unknowingly silenced my own essence. Like so many women, I poured every ounce of myself into nurturing others, leaving no space for my own needs, dreams, or healing. Postpartum depression cracked me open—and through the darkness, I began to hear the whispers of my soul calling me home. Read more>>

Carrie Young

Sacred Soul was founded in hopes to make a change. I know, sounds cliché, right? I truly believe that in a world where “change” seems like an overwhelmingly impossible task, the best place to start is small… like really small—within ourselves. The reality is, the good and bad will always exist. No matter our efforts, we will never completely succeed at easing the world’s pain or ridding it of evil people, but we can make sure those around us are supported when facing life’s darkest moments. At Sacred Soul, we are looking forward to creating a safe space for soul enrichment of all types, for all people. This isn’t a place to come together with our similarities, but instead learn to come together despite our differences. I believe we all deserve to feel at home, and with that societal shift, we bring widespread change—one moment at a time. Read more>>

Lis Saunders

Team Lis Smash’s mission is to create an alternative to traditional gyms – a feminist, anti-diet and gender-affirming training environment for folks who feel uncomfortable in and othered by traditional gym spaces. Read more>>

Morgan Craddock

Rainbow Raven redefines the salon experience with intimate inclusivity, ensuring each guest feels welcome and leaves feeling fantastic. Our salon celebrates diversity and accommodates unique needs, rooted in my journey as a chronic illness survivor and sibling to an autistic individual. Read more>>

Zaria Smith

Dena Rebuild & Restore began as a grassroots response to the Eaton Canyon Fire, which devastated parts of Altadena and deeply impacted our own families, friends, and neighbors. As lifelong residents of the Pasadena/Altadena area, we couldn’t stand by and watch our community struggle without stepping in. Read more>>

Rebecca Luther

There was a time, many years in fact, where I was desperately lonely. I was in an unhealthy marriage and couldn’t find a way to connect with my spouse. My heart was screaming for a connection I would never find in my marriage. Read more>>

Allison Williams

I’ve spent years inside companies building teams, navigating misalignment, and watching how even the best strategies fall apart when people aren’t on the same page. My mission is to help leaders and teams recognize the real reason things feel stuck: it’s usually not a performance problem. It’s a people pattern. Read more>>

Josephine Deyo

When I was laid off, the fear hit hard—as a mom of young kids, the uncertainty was overwhelming. But that moment of loss became the turning point. I realized I could use my years of experience in project management and operations not just to support someone else’s dream, but to build something of my own. That’s how KE Process Solutions was born—out of resilience, purpose, and a desire to serve small businesses that support families and communities. Today, I help entrepreneurs untangle the chaos, create systems that actually work, and reclaim their time. This work isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about impact, legacy, and showing my children that strength looks like turning setbacks into meaningful new beginnings. Read more>>

Kathleen Hotmer

Before starting Pink Moon Goods I had a terrible dilemma about adding more consumerism into the world. I knew that I was a consumer but I also knew that my needs as a consumer were changing. I was more driven to find ways to make sure that the money I was spending was going towards something good and beneficial for the planet and the communities around the world that produce goods. So I figured if I was feeling that way certainly there were others out there feeling that same thing. I was not wrong. I am constantly encouraged by customers that reach out to let me know that they are moved by the intention through which I stock my inventory. Read more>>

Audrey Williams

Do you know that feeling after waking up from a dream and trying to remember how it started? You recall the middle, and might even have notions of the ending, but what moments actually got you there? At the beginning of my creative career, that exact feeling would arise when asked, “What got you into photography?” I found myself stumbling on the question, having no actual recollection of what got me into what I do. From those moments of mental silence, I realized what my answer actually is. Each moment I wake, my eyes become my lens—approaching life with authenticity, presence and perspective. Read more>>

Margaret Harrington

My mission is building community through books. My mother’s passion was literacy, and her life’s work was teaching children to read, storytelling, and promoting literacy. She taught me to read when I was three years old, so from a young age I was immersed in stories and books. I taught students with learning disabilities for 21 years before opening Bear’s Books. I am also a writer and have taught creative writing at Mercer University and in my bookstore. I believe that a love of reading builds and elevates communities. Stories allow us to see our humanity and how we are all connected. Read more>>

Yasmine Gaston

The Orderly Mom is more than just a brand—it’s a lifeline for moms navigating the beautiful yet challenging journey of motherhood. Born from my own experiences, The Orderly Mom was created to support moms with tools that bring balance, organization, and empowerment to their lives. Read more>>

Christian Brock

Ventura Makos Surf Camp is The #1 Surf School in Ventura County with a mission to educate all of our participants about surfing & ocean safety. Since we have started our foundation has been built off creating a fun & safe atmosphere for our clients to thrive in. Whether you are first starting, a toddler/child/teen/adult, beginner-advanced surfer; Ventura Makos is able to help/offer a service for your surfing needs. Surfing is something that connects us mentally, physically and emotionally in a way that is incomparable to anything else. Read more>>

Kiara Griffin

Speedy Hydration & Wellness is committed to providing accessible, holistic health solutions that support prevention, recovery, and overall well-being. We offer an alternative to non-urgent ER visits through affordable services that address vitamin deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and post-surgical recovery. Our goal is to reduce healing time after illness, injury, or physical exertion while promoting long-term wellness. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate care and restorative therapies to those in need within our community. Read more>>

Tamara Tanksley

My mission is turning your moments into art. Turning your moments into art means more than just taking pictures. It’s about capturing how you felt in that exact moment—joyful, confident, connected. My goal is to create images that reflect your true self, so when you look back, you don’t just see a photo, you feel the moment all over again. I celebrate all cultures, all stories, and the beauty in everyday, unfiltered moments. Read more>>

Nicole Carver

Carver Concierge is absolutely a mission-driven firm. From day one, I’ve been on a mission to change the way women view support—because somewhere along the way, we were sold the lie that asking for help makes us less capable, less strong, or less valuable. Read more>>

Maria Silva

I am from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. I have been in USA for many years. One of the most difficult, creative and funny way of learning a second language was while working for the State. I was the only Mexica Spanish speaking. I always want to do new things but to get them done wasn’t easy but not impossible. I always put them as a goal and work at it until I full fill them. For me was to believe and to proof myself that I can do what I had in mine. Everything else came easy working hard and always trying to do my best. I was promoted many of times during working for the State. Read more>>

Crystal Lee

We Are Magick is for those who are awakening from the matrix programming. My mission is to remind humanity that they are Source living as a human. We have been made to believe that we are not deserving of God’s love. We were programmed as small children to be good slaves. I’m here to break those chains/limiting beliefs. I am here to remind you of your true identity. Read more>>

Jameelah Hanif

Growing up, I was labeled “the bad kid.” What people didn’t see was the trauma I was carrying. I wasn’t acting out for attention—I was navigating pain, confusion, and unmet emotional needs. Back then, teachers weren’t trained to be trauma-informed. Instead of being understood, I was judged. Instead of receiving support, I was disciplined. And as a child, I internalized the idea that something was wrong with me—not with what had happened to me. Read more>>

Lindsay Steiner

Bradyl Storage Solutions’ mission is rooted in delivering smart, high-quality storage solutions while providing the kind of attentive, personalized service every step of the way. As a family-owned business, we take care to stay directly involved with every client, from initial property assessment through installation and ongoing support, ensuring consistency, clear communication, and attention to detail. We recognize that we’re not just providing storage solutions. We’re helping our clients improve their properties, increase resident satisfaction, and solve operational challenges. We take pride in doing the job right and with the kind of care that builds long-lasting trust. Read more>>

Amber Paresa

I’ve always had a protective nature and stood up for those who could not stand for themselves. One day I saw a flier advertising a Krav Maga class. I was a martial arts movie fan and thought it would be cool to learn how to take away a gun like Jackie Chan. The cool factor went out the window during the first warm up of class and I was regretting my decision to join this exhausting group. I stuck with it because I already paid for the 10 classes and I don’t like quitting things. The other members were friendly and encouraging and I ended up staying at the studio long enough to earn my black belt and teach some of the classes. Read more>>

Dustin Smith

At Holl & Stone Farms, our mission is rooted in legacy, love for the land, and a commitment to community. We’re not just growing produce—we’re nurturing a sixth-generation family farm into something that serves both our heritage and our future. Read more>>

Stephanie Vazquez

I’m running for Pasco County Commissioner because I know what it means to struggle, to sacrifice, and to keep going, not for power or status, but for your family and your future. My life has never been about privilege or shortcuts. I grew up in poverty, relying on food stamps and powdered milk, wearing shoes that were falling apart. I didn’t have a college fund. I had grit. Read more>>

Sophia Stallworth

I strive to succeed to be a platform for women just like me or inspiring to follow their dreams and be creative art is not just a hobby for me. It’s everything it’s my life. It’s my passions. It’s my goals. It’s everything that I could’ve ever wanted to help drive the path of my success I’m different and I’ve learned to except that I’m one of a kind my art speaks for itself between Photography, creating a beautiful image that tells a story or live performance for people of all ages to bring joy to their faces. Read more>>

Tania Chomyk

At the heart of my work is a simple yet powerful purpose: to bring light to loss.

For years, I held helping roles supporting others through transitions, listening deeply, offering guidance. But it wasn’t until I faced a loss of my own—the passing of my son, Danylo—that I began to understand the deeper mission that now shapes everything I do. Read more>>

Michael Memar

I used to work for well-known Architectural & Design Firms. I realized how homeowners struggled dealing with change orders fees caused due to lack of miss communication between designers & GCs or lack of details on the drawings. I decided to form my design. Build firm to provide both services to homeowners to prevent issues like that, and make the construction process smooth. Read more>>

Emma Coker

I’m the co-founder and CEO of St Pete Fight Team Inc. We are a nonprofit martial arts school and competition team with a mission to fight for inclusivity through the lifestyle of karate. Read more>>

Sylvia Fischer

When I began studying to become an esthetician, my mission was simple: help people care for their skin and feel more confident in their own beauty.

But as time passed, I felt a deeper calling—toward energy work, inner healing, and the emotional layers beneath the surface. I realized that true radiance doesn’t start with appearance alone—it begins within. Read more>>

Anthony Yares

Many times we come into someone’s life right as they are experiencing a very traumatic event. Since we focus on insurance restoration of all kinds, we meet our customers at their home after just experiencing sever damage, and loss of so much. Not just damage to the construction components of the home, which is still very sad, but they sometimes loose memories, sentimental items, or even pets / family members. The last thing on their minds is fixing the home in that case. We truly aim to serve, and to help people. It takes a delicate approach to repair or rebuild someone’s home, and work through design choices, fixture selections, timelines, claim documentation, permit & inspections, etc all while this person or family is grieving. Read more>>

Alyssa O’Toole

Our mission at Musicians Playground is to make music a joyful, accessible, and wellness-centered part of everyday life—especially for adults who often feel like they missed their chance. Read more>>

Christina Havis

The story behind our mission statement, “Empower talent. Build careers. Make the plan work,” is rooted in my personal journey and the values I bring to this industry. Before starting This Plan Entertainment, I worked in law enforcement. That experience taught me the importance of structure, commitment, and following through with a goal from start to finish. Read more>>

Brée Nachelle Hill

After a painful divorce and a sudden health scare that forced me to pause everything, I found myself starting over. Not just in business, but in life. I had spent years helping others grow their brands, show up online, and share their stories—but in that quiet, unfamiliar space, I realized I hadn’t been fully listening to my own. Read more>>

Louise Goben

I have been volunteering with the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry since it began in 1983. It was started by 5 women in the North Hollywood area during the recession of that time. I was impacted by many of the policies enacted by the Reagan Administration, including loosing my job with the VA Hospital. Many jobs were cut at that time. Read more>>

JULIA COTTI

My mission is to use architectural design as a tool to improve the way we inhabit spaces — and that’s important to me because I grew up witnessing how our surroundings can either limit us or empower us. How a place can inspire you… or drain you. Read more>>

Ali Aydin

At MOT Creative, our mission is to create visual stories that resonate emotionally, culturally, and artistically. We don’t just make posters or campaigns. We aim to craft iconic imagery that lingers in people’s minds long after they’ve seen it. What drives that mission is a deep belief that visual storytelling is not just about selling a show or film. It is about shaping how audiences connect to the narrative before they even press play.  Read more>>

JNICOLLE WILLIS

As a woman who’s walked through the shadows of domestic violence and come out still standing, my boutique, House of SHE Couture, was never just about clothes. It was about creating a sanctuary—one where women could be reminded of their worth, their voice, and their power. Style was simply the vessel. Read more>>

Andrea Kartley

My mission is centered on the idea that our spaces (aka the places where we live/spend time) are a BIG deal. So what do I mean by this? The impact of living in a home that is aesthetically pleasing to you and well-organized can improve your quality of life. You may be saying to yourself, right sure that makes sense, but there is in fact data (see below) to support this idea of environmental psychology and the impact on your physical and mental health. Read more>>

Aisha Davis

At the heart of everything I build—AU Listen, Eagle Innovators, and now Reel Family Tree—is one mission: empowerment through media production. AU Listen started as my creative engine for producing meaningful content, consulting artists and brands, and building campaigns that inspire and inform. It’s about helping visionaries tell their stories with clarity, strategy, and high-quality visuals that cut through the noise. Read more>>

Janice Reese

Nestled in the heart of Tennessee, on a quiet 10-acre property in the woods at the end of a road, Roman and Janice Reese built something extraordinary—Nashville Beach Volleyball Club. What started as a passion project in our front yard has grown into a community hub where athletes, friends, and families come together to play, connect, and celebrate the joy of beach volleyball. For over thirty years, Nashville Beach has been more than a collection of volleyball courts—it’s been our heart and second home. Roman and I built this place with the simple dream of sharing the joy of the game, and it’s grown into something far greater. We created a space where kids and adults could come as they are—whether to compete, unwind, or just belong. Read more>>

Bradford Jackson

Contra isn’t just a film, it’s a statement. It’s for every kid who grew up on side-scrolling, 8-bit chaos. It’s for every Soldier who played Contra in the barracks after a long day in the field. It’s for every film lover who misses the glory days when movies didn’t lecture you, they pumped you up. Read more>>

Andrei Tone

Thoughts on Family Businesses – Legacy, Leadership, and Lessons
Family businesses are powerful. They aren’t just about profit—they’re about legacy, trust, and generational impact. I grew up watching my father lead with conviction and purpose as a pastor, and that early exposure to mission-driven leadership became the DNA of my approach to business. Today, that influence lives on in the way I lead Tone Films, Atomic Accounting, and Tone Legacy. Read more>>

Chessa Helms

One of the greatest rewards of running a family business is being able to involve my children and teach them life lessons in a hands-on, meaningful way. We homeschool, so having a business is not only how we provide for our family—it’s also part of their education. Read more>>

Lauren VanCleave

I come from a long line of family business owners. My great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents all ran small businesses that did more than just make a living—they made a life. And not just for our family, but for the communities they served. Read more>>

Laura Lee Lotto

Ah yes… We are currently building several family businesses currently with our homeschooled teenagers. Our 5 children are currently 16, 13, 11, 4 & 2 and we have recently re-branded our family farm and created a 35 page business plan that includes each of the children to have them join the businesses utilizing their unique talents and skills and personalities. Read more>>