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.
Melissa Dozier
My mission from the start has and always will be to capture the love and true essense of my clients. To capture memories that last a life time, memories that you can look back on and laugh because they were times where your life was more simple and beautiful. I always want my photos to tell a story of who this couple or family is and how amazing they truly are. Read more>>
Stacey Flores
As a wedding and couples photographer, love is my why. I strive to capture heartfelt images that show exactly what makes a relationship special between two madly in love people. I enjoy meeting new people, learning about my clients’ stories, and providing a service that allows me to freeze lifelong, authentic memories to cherish forever. Whether my couples want to get fancied up and hit downtown, run around in a field together, enjoy a beautiful sunset on the beach, or go back to where they had their first date… Read more>>
Katie Iredale
We’re approaching the 2 year anniversary of the passing of my very best friend, which occurred 8 days before my busiest wedding season to date. This experience changed the way I look at photos, it changed the way I take photos, it changed everything for me. Two months later, I photographed a wedding that was planned last minute, so that the bride’s father could attend. He had stage 4 cancer and didn’t have much time left. During their father daughter dance, I took an image of them in a sweet embrace, you can see the tears rolling down their cheeks, and in the background is the moon. All night long, her dad kept pointing out the moon to me. Read more>>
Caroline Chomanics
IDEAS For Us (IDEAS) began when a group of passionate university students made the choice to stop talking about environmental issues and begin the very difficult work of solving them. Founded in June of 2008 at the University of Central Florida (UCF), IDEAS began as a student-led organization called I.D.E.A.S. – an acronym that stood for Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions. With a major focus on action, I.D.E.A.S soon gained recognition by fellow students for their tenacity and dedication to solving environmental issues on campus. Read more>>
Desmond Anthony
My accomplishment is also the tale of my mission. Join me as I take you on a journey into the life of one of the self-made millionaires who genuinely started from nothing but managed to overcome all the typical challenges faced by a young black man growing up in the inner city of Houston, Texas. Read more>>
LaToya Rozof
Our mission is to promote body positivity and empower women to embrace their curves and not be pressured to fit into societal’s standards of beauty. After hearing complaints from family and friends about the lack of fashionable options for women with curves; I wanted to create a safe shopping where women didn’t have to worry about their weight or dress size. Read more>>
Jame Geathers
My mission is to create a legacy of empowering women to fulfill their full potential. Specifically, BIPOC (black, indigenous, women of color), women with mental health diagnoses and female entrepreneurs. I identify as each of these types of women and I know the challenges that we are confronted with. Read more>>
Kandace McElroy
I love creating a space for people to come together and feel love, joy and hospitality. Whether that’s in my own home, or planning a wedding or social event, the motivation behind starting an event planning business was to bring people together. I wanted to give couples (and all clients) the experience of having their closest family and friends together for one of the biggest days of their lives, and not have to worry about getting down the aisle, how their reception decor would be set up in time, when dinner will be served. I Read more>>
Mansii Modi
I started geometrix brand in 2019 with a goal in mind that I wanted to offer customization options. Customization of an outfit means doing everything from preparing multiple sketches of the kind of design our customer is looking for than comes the fabric selection and add ons. We offer customization to every client based on their needs and price range. We are also zero waste policy company. We do offer ready to wear pieces as well. We recently launched monochrome collection at Miami swim fashion week. It’s a resort/swim line that’s part of our ready to wear collection. Read more>>
Sheila vaske
Through the hardships, struggles and near death experiences, I was able to heal physically, mentally and spiritually. I always felt different as a young child, and still do today, however, what I’ve learned now as an adult is to truly embrace who I am and use the lessons I’ve learned in order to share it with others. I believe we ALL have the capability to become better and heal, no matter what the situation is. It simply takes a “decision and willingness “ to do so. Read more>>
Paola Rodriguez
My mission is to help women feel empowered, get inspired and motivated. Regarles everything just follow your dreams, do what you like, what you are passionate about. I started this journey taking a course that I could barely afford. At the beginning not everyone supported me and my business, so I doubt myself a lot. I got frustrated and cried because while I saw other people graduating from college and reaching high opportunities in their jobs. At that time I didn’t even have an apartment, we were renting a room. Read more>>
Adjani Loaiza
I started Fancy Society because I wanted to create a brand that offered pretty jewelry, made with high quality materials but affordable. The majority of my jewelry pieces are made with authentic Swarovski crystals. When people see the word Swarovski, they automatically think it’s extremely expensive. But for me, it’s more about making my brand accessible. I know what it’s like to want a pretty piece of jewelry and not being able to afford it or having to budget for it. I believe you can be fancy without spending a lot. Read more>>
Megan Young
The story behind my mission is unique because it is not something I truly believe had to happen for me to be in this role as a life coach, yet it has shaped the way I serve others. I have had my own life coach since I was a lost 22 year old right out of college. Most people won’t even believe this until they actually experience it, but even if you know what you are going to college for and actually succeed in finding a job in that field it may not be what you wholeheartedly want to do in the transition out of school and into the “real world”. That was me and thousands of others who were finding their passion and strengths in their early 20’s. Fast forward to today as I am 37 and help people in that exact position in life. However, now I have an additional specialization through my own lived experience and training within the grief space. Read more>>
Mary-Catherine LaBossiere
In the entrepreneurial space, they tell you to talk about your why, or in this case, the story behind my mission. In the summer of 2010, my life was changed forever. Leading up to that, my mom’s health concerns had consistently been dismissed time and time again. She was told the ubiquitous statement, “Just lose weight,” as though losing weight would solve all the world’s problems. Read more>>
Wesley Walker
My mission is to provide my movies with a nostalgic feel with a modern twist. That means I look to films from the past, take what made them great, learn from that, and make unique and entertaining content for people to watch. Read more>>
Blake Venable
As a business owner, I found it hard to manage all of the tasks involved alone. I started Blake’s Bookkeeping and Business Branding with the idea that we could “allow you more time to do what you love.” I have equated this to mean – allowing you more time to be present, spend time with family, enjoy the fruits of your labor, and to be the face of your business while entrusting the tasks that are more cumbersome to us. I started the business about 3 years ago when I was approached by a good friend who owned a barbershop in town. Read more>>
Cierra LaShaun Jones
Mission: It Is defined as an important assignment carried out. Every soul that enters into the earth plane has been given a specific mission to fulfill but most importantly many lessons to learn along that journey. Destiny is a voyage, it is a great pilgrimage of travel between being born and then being birthed into purpose. There is a difference. The day you discover your purpose is the day that you have truly been birthed. It is the day that you simply stop existing and enter into being. At the age of 12 years old, Cierra LaShaun Jones entered into a period of awakening that came upon the hills of divine intervention. Read more>>
Carl Roaches, Jr.
For The Culture’s mission is “to entice, educate, and excite people about the joys of craft beer.” From our perspective, certain aspects of the craft beer scene have grown stale. As a whole, from the outside looking in, the industry appeared to be a boys club without a lot of women, or persons of color, taking part. So we set out to disrupt the perceived norm. From our perspective, the first step is guiding people to delicious and high quality craft beer. Read more>>
Bradley Pallone
I’m a musician, photographer and writer based in Woodstock, Georgia. I play the guitar and sing for a rock band called Battle of Heart and Mind. I am also the singer for a progressive post-hardcore outfit Cascadent. Being a vocalist was not something I initially set out to do. I wanted to primarily compose music because I didn’t see myself having the charisma of a frontman. That all began to change when I met the right people who could cultivate my talents and put it on display front and center. My main reason for doing what I do is to inspire and ignite something within the listener that helps them make sense of their situation. Read more>>
Kenneth Smith
Hi I’m Kenneth Smith! Owner Of Sticcks Barbershop! We have a mission to serve the public in providing clean stylish cuts for guys and women! I created a brand with others students that I met in school… each letter of the business name stands for a member in the group! The goal is to create several Sticcks Barbershops around the State then around the world that would also be a learning curve for youth to grown and prepare themselves for a promising future learning the skills to work for yourself and have business ownership! Read more>>
Bryn Bonino
I had been wondering for several years what kind of photography business to start. I really liked portraiture. But the though of making a portrait of just anybody didn’t light me up. But in 2018, I did the processes in the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. The goal was to open me up to more creativity. Along the way, I started having more vivid dreams and in those dream I recalled specific scenes of horrible animal abuse that I’d witnessed as a kid and teenager. I didn’t feel like I had a voice back then to help these animals and I realized I felt a sense of shame because of this. Read more>>
David Pollack
My business Curbside Serenade was started during the height of the pandemic when Portland OR performer Johnny Franco started offering Serenades to people from their curbsides. This is when people needed live music delivered most! People started messaging him on instagram requesting him to perform in front of their houses, businesses and in parks. It is from this that Curbside Serenade was born! Our mission has always been to keep musicians working and thriving during these uncertain times. Read more>>
Monika Jefferson
As an active duty military spouse and serial entrepreneur, I have built technology (multiple apps), scaled businesses, and navigated entrepreneurship while juggling the demands of raising children and having our spouses deployed. It was very hard, and not having the resources or support system we needed to be made it harder than it needed to be. Read more>>
David Baldwin
I have more than one business so this is a fun question to answer because I can just lean into the thing they all have in common which is to view business as a force for good. My branding/advertising/design agency, Baldwin&, believes that brands should drive the entire organization of a company, not just the marketing. So we help companies articulate and put into practice the behaviors that are inherent to their values, we think of it as branding from the inside out. My brewery, Ponysaurus Brewing believes that you can solve a lot of problems over a beer so we aways say, “We don’t just make beer, we build community.” Read more>>
Megan Tyrrell
Our mission is to create and maintain a safe space where people can feel a sense of belonging. A place where we can support each other on our best and worst days to become the highest expression of ourselves. Yes, we are a fitness studio who specializes in high intensity cardio, but we are truly so much more than that. Unlike most gyms, we focus on growth from the inside out. Learning to be the person we want others to be and that it’s okay to be bad at something new. Mcycle is “Where Cardio Meets Culture” Read more>>
LeBron Arnwine
Our Mission at Writing Rounds is pretty straight ahead. 1. Serving in Excellence 2. Providing Opportunities 3. Investing in People Writing Rounds was started in 2020 during the pandemic by one of my closest friends and business partner, Jessica Hitte and myself; However, we’ve been working together for much longer than that on other musical projects. Along our journey we found out that there are times when you find great people who are willing to help you and teach you things, and then you will also find people who are stingy with information. Read more>>
KJ Dozier
Ever since I can remember I dreamed of being an entrepreneur! I got my first taste of being one in early 2000s when I was in middle school. My mom and close family members opened a bakery named Sweet Sensations in Manning, SC. The business was something I was super proud of at a young age. I remember walking around the business like it was mine. I would take orders to tables, fix drinks for customers, even walk the street handing out flyers to promote our business. It was so cool to be behind the scenes at that young age and to learn how a business was ran. Read more>>
Teri Williams
I’ve been in the health and wellness world since 2013, but did not get fully into herbalism and skincare until 2017-2019 after seeing how over the counter medicine affected my then 2.5year old. I wanted to find natural ways to care for my family, and their self-care. That journey, over time, led me to obtain licenses and certifications in various health and wellness modalities to include, but limited to, licensed esthetician through the state of Texas, certified yoga instructor, certified personal trainer, level 1 & 2 reiki practitioner, home and family herbalism, and community herbalist. I grow most of the herbs I use for medicines & skincare in my garden, and I source from reputable businesses and other established herbalists in the herbalist community in my area. Read more>>
Debjani Moitra Chatterji
I believe whatever we do and wherever we are in our lives, it is important to be connected with our roots. Both my husband and I are Indians, born and brought up in India. We obviously love the food and culture of the US, however, we also make sure to celebrate our culture and love of Indian food on a daily basis. I think that it makes us feel complete, that we are not losing a part of ourselves just because we are not living in our country anymore. Read more>>
Talia Stokes
I experienced skin issues a few years ago and wanted to find a way for my solution. After healing my own skin I expanded my knowledge to treat different skin types and provide clients with the tools they need to combat their issues. Read more>>
Hannah Nokes
The mission of our consulting firm, Magnify Impact, is “to focus the world’s abundant resources for good.” In our work with companies, we see a common thread: a love for people and the community. What’s often lacking is a plan for how to turn love into action: positive impact that drives profitability. In my role as “chief optimist” for Magnify Impact, I help company leaders create plans that start from a place of abundance, rather than scarcity. Read more>>
Rebecca Wiglama
I started officiating weddings after one of my best childhood friends asked me to officiate hers and I fell in love with the job. But I think that Oak City Ceremonies, the officiating company I now run, was born in the year that followed. It was 2020 so the wedding industry was one of many that was hit hard by the pandemic. By the end of the year many couples were starting to realize that things weren’t going to change drastically anytime soon and making alternate plans. I performed a lot of small marriages for couples for whom the courthouse was inaccessible or who just weren’t interested in getting married at the detention center, which is where my county was doing them during Covid. Read more>>
Aliyah Douglas
Growing up Beauty, Fashion, and The beauty of the art has always fascinated me. I can remember in High school wearing a white eye liner everyday and classmates would always ask why are you wearing that lol….. To see my growth from then to now is truly amazing. I have put my heart and soul into my craft. Making women fell beautiful bringing out that inner diva is such a joy to me. My mission to make every person that sit in my chair feel like they are the most beautiful person in the world. Read more>>
Tania Daniel
The JA Company Program that I manage has been ranked by Forbes as one of the top five global programs investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs. We are over a century old and our mission is Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs fuel the American economy. They create jobs. They are solution seekers and champions of innovation. Entrepreneurs have helped us arrive at solutions to needs we did not even know existed. Can you imagine life before Amazon?! My mission is to empower out student communities in high schools to start their own business, and in doing so, unleash their entrepreneurial spirit. Read more>>
Reshina Hampton
I was born in Fort Myers Florida and as a little girl I had to come stay with my mom parents because both of my parents was in prison. My father went for selling drugs, and my mom went for killing her boyfriend protecting me and he, it happen in front of me at age 6. I was raise up around lots cousins, aunties, uncles, I was my mom only child. I was bully so much coming up by so many people thats was family and kids in school. Read more>>
Aleisha Bradley
My mission is to assist men and women with becoming confident with learning how to be fashionable. Growing up I would use fashionable clothes to make feel better about myself. I grew up in a house with 3 boys and not only was I the only girl but I was the oldest. I had to find something that would occupy my thoughts outside of the issues I had in my home coming up. My mom started allowing me to shop for myself at a very young age and go h gave me the freedom to look and feel the way I wanted. Read more>>
Michael Grant
Peace , The story behind my mission is simple , I’m here to to liberate the minds of the youth, and any other age creator/person that wants to follow there dreams and become something positive but either don’t know how , are scared or doubt there self. In short terms leading by example showing and living my truths thru not just creating but Turing your passion into business while in the process effecting many lives in a positive aspect truly making a impact on this planet. Read more>>
Jason Sowell
In 2008, after taking a break from my church pastoral career I started a not-for-profit organization called Current Initiatives. Growing up in church I always loved missions work and serving others became my passion. Over time I became frustrated with my church world experience of doing mission trips that often did not tangibly meed physical needs in the countries we went to, and that we were passing local neighborhoods in my city to go serve communities outside the country. Read more>>
Shellita Boxie
Growing up in the South, health has always been a big part of my everyday life. Hearing my mothers and aunts saying there were on a weightloss “diet’ one week only to fall off the wagon the next. Diagnoses of high blood pressure and diabetes from being overworked and stressed to trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents. To afford feeding a family of 4 or more as well as other basic needs. I watched stints go in, legs come off and hearts stop. I love my family very much so as a young kid I decide I may not change the world but I was going to change the habits and history of my present and future family; or at least make them thing about change. Read more>>
Edwina Price
I know that my mission in life is to positively impact people through health promotion and education, as well as through service projects. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work in the Healthcare industry. My late grandmother, whom was one of my greatest influencers in life, was a retired nurse and caregiver. She always led with passion and kindness. I watched and learned from her in many ways. Read more>>
Sarah DeArmond
I’ve been advocating for the wrongfully convicted since 2020. I went viral on TikTok and Instagram advocating for Sheron Edwards. Later that night, I was contacted by a man named Terrance, asking me to look into the wrongful conviction of his father, Timothy McGruder. He told me, “He just wants to be heard.” When I saw that sentence, I froze. I thought to myself, “How many prisoners are in prison right now, innocent, and no one is listening to them?” After I started advocating for Timothy, I began doing it full-time, making videos for my social media by sharing their stories, encouraging people to sign petitions, and calling lawmakers. Read more>>
Vicki Moore
I had served as a volunteer at an orphanage in India several times and loved India, the people and the children. In 2004, after 3 or 4 visits learned about human trafficking in India. The average age a girl is trafficked for sex work is 9 years old and India trafficks more children than any country in the world. This was shocking to me. I then watched a video of a young woman that had been rescued. Her story went like this, “I was sold when I was a little girl. I never got to go to school, I can’t read or write, and I can’t get a job. I am not asking for a free hand-out but for someone to teach me to do something.” Read more>>