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.

Ivanna Almonte

Our mission at Curlis is to empower the curly hair community to embrace their natural beauty with confidence. The brand was born from a social media community where thousands of people, came together with one purpose: to learn how to properly care for their curls. What started as conversations, tips, and shared struggles quickly grew into a movement, and Curlis became the natural extension of that collective voice. Read More>>

Dr. Joy Brown-Bolden

The mission of ModernJoi is to provide parents and professionals with modern evidence-based support, in the form of coaching and training, to help them effectively cultivate the next generation. Our mission was created as a result of my personal experiences as an early educator and parent. Read More>>

Dycelia Weiss

Money advice was never made for women like us. So I stopped trying to squeeze myself into it—and built something better. Read More>>

Kristyn “YOGI” Brown

For me, the mission behind SoulFull Vision Studios and Saints & Sneakers is deeply personal. Storytelling has always been a way I process the world, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when people see themselves reflected with dignity, depth, and creativity. Read More>>

Ryan Albert

Own The Ugly was born out of my own scars, military service that ended with injury, personal battles that left me questioning my worth, and a world that often values polish over authenticity. For years, I tried to fit the mold of perfection: the strong soldier, the flawless leader, the man who never stumbled. However, the truth is that life breaks us. And it was in those broken places that I discovered something powerful: when we confront our flaws instead of hiding them, they become the very source of our strength, transforming our struggles into a beacon of hope. Read More>>

Britt Hall

With both of my businesses, as a coach and escapist photographer, it’s my mission to show people that “everything is made up and the points don’t matter.” Read More>>

Ashley Shamoon

When I got into real estate photography, I didn’t just want to take pictures of houses—I wanted to help agents actually sell their listings by making each home stand out in a unique way. It wasn’t just about a paycheck for me; it was something I loved doing. Over the years, I created a training method that helped people with zero camera experience grow into amazing photographers, which has been just as rewarding as the work itself. Read More>>

Alison (Ali) Whitlock

Living HappAli was born from my own journey as a teacher experiencing burnout, when the constant hustle was draining me mentally, physically, and stealing my joy. Read More>>

ALEXANDER GRANT

The story behind my mission is rooted in pain. I lost my daughter tierra, and my father within a short span of time. It was the darkest season of my life. I was a pastor, but I felt broken, a father but I felt empty; man, but I lost. out of that storm, God birth a vision in me. to take what tried to destroy me and turn into a foundation of hope for others. Read More>>

Becky Vasquez

My mission in life is to build and create movements that awaken people to their true identity in Christ! Through vehicles like my design business Rev Creative, our family non profit Build His House where we help families rebuild and renew strong connection and foundation on identity, presence and purpose or helping others build their brands ~ my passion is to create authentic brands and movements that draw people to Jesus! Read More>>

Amirah Williams

Hidden Gems with Amirah is all about shining a light on the people, places, and stories that often get overlooked. Holboy Entertainment and I created this show to celebrate the heart of our communities—whether that’s a family-owned restaurant, a small-town boutique, or a local festival that brings everyone together. For me, it’s not just about travel or discovery, ( or really good food) it’s about the connection we have to our community; and being able to show the beauty in our own small towns. Read More>>

Teimur Aliiev

I was born in Ukraine and, because of the war, had to leave my home and rebuild my life in California. Photography, filmmaking, and surfing became my anchors through uncertainty. My mission is to create work that inspires resilience and hope by telling authentic stories. It’s meaningful to me because I want to show others — especially immigrants and people starting over — that even in hard times, you can rebuild, create, and find purpose. Read More>>

Lila Castle

Memorial Days was born from a love of family, nostalgia, and the timeless style that defines coastal living. Inspired by the East Coast summers spent on the water, the brand draws on the iconic, well-worn pieces passed down through generations. Proudly designed and manufactured in the USA, our clothing reflects the highest standards of American craftsmanship. Read More>>

Deidre Roberson

My mission began the moment my son was diagnosed with autism. That day changed my life, because I knew I had to fight not just for him, but for every child and family walking this same journey. Out of that passion, I founded Moving Over Mountains Against Autism. Read More>>

Jose

I’ve always had a passion for entertainment and when I created Front Range Dinosaurs, that’s just what I wanted to do. My goal is to travel across Colorado, inspiring young and old minds alike with the magic of puppetry and dinosaurs. Sure you have museums and sites like Dinosaur Ridge where you can see fossils up close. But my goal is to bring baby dinosaurs to life via puppeteering all while bringing the experience to you. Read More>>

Devin Edwards

My mission is to make art accessible to all and return it back to how it use to be with art being at the forefront of society. The reason why I strive for these goals is because I truly believe that the society and the communities we so greatly rely on. Having done public art in my own community I’ve seen the effect first hand and it is beautiful. Read More>>

Ariel Ellzey

The mission behind Miracle Malcolm is deeply personal. My son, Malcolm, was born prematurely and spent time in the NICU—a season filled with uncertainty, faith, and hope. That experience opened my eyes to just how many families walk through similar challenges, often feeling unseen or overwhelmed. Out of that journey, I felt called to create a brand that not only raises awareness about premature birth but also reminds every child and parent that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. Read More>>

Michele Henry

FACE FOUNDRIÉ came after she had her third child. Struggling to find skincare treatments that addressed the realities of changing hormones, aging, and a hectic schedule, Michele was frustrated by how long it took—and how much it cost—to get the care she needed FACE FOUNDRIÉ. She imagined something better: accessible, approachable skincare that fit into the lives of busy people without sacrificing quality. Read More>>

Rachid Sow

For me, the Sow Family Foundation is more than just a nonprofit, it’s a reflection of my life’s journey, my values, and my deep belief that every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and hope. Read More>>

Leslie Tozer

Texas Wildlife Park is a privately owned interactive zoo. Rick and Leslie have a passion for animals. They never intended to own a zoo and welcome people into their space to meet the animals but in 2023 they decided to turn their hobby into a business. Sharing the love is animals and experience of hands on encounters with exotic animals. Read More>>

Sierra Anderson

At Sierra Ann Photography, our mission has never been about the camera alone—it’s about the pulse of what we’re capturing. We photograph what and who you’re passionate about, holding space for the unposed, the fleeting, the deeply real. In the process, we hope to make not just beautiful images, but lasting friendships. Read More>>

Jill Buckman

PLEASE DON’T TAKE MY DOG.
I thought about his zest for life as he ran through the agility obstacle course or practically flew through the air trying to catch a bird in flight. Read More>>

LaQuisha Parker

The mission behind The Lemonade Lady is to pour love, tradition, and community into every cup. My business was born from my Granny’s recipe, which I began making at just five years old. Each sip of her lemonade carried a sense of comfort, joy, and togetherness — and my mission is to share that same feeling with my community. Read More>>

Jessica Grewe

This is the story how God gave us the first house. Darin and I had been looking at houses for a year. At the end of April 2017 the Storybook home came on the MLS market. Once I saw the location and price, I knew I had to put an offer into the home. We called 3 agents to show us the house, none of them could, so I called the listing agent to show us the home. We got in that day and went to put an offer in the next day. The agent said “What were you thinking on price?” We gave him our price and he said you are not even close. Read More>>

Larissa Rivoli

Honestly, for me beauty has never just been about what you see on the outside. I got into hair because I loved helping women feel beautiful and confident but over time I realized it was so much deeper than that. Read More>>

Aparna Ravichander

At Triangle Shala, our mission is to provide yoga that is both accessible and authentic. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive space where people can not only practice yoga physically but also explore its deeper roots—through Sanskrit, music, and philosophy. Our goal is to empower students to grow not just in their practice but in their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Read More>>