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.

Tanjuria Willis

As a young professional, I was told very early that you have to look the part. It was difficult to purchase quality brands for a young executive so it introduced me to the world of consignment shopping. The challenge was I didn’t like the presentation of consignment stores. They were cluttered and dusty which didn’t make me feel like my dollar was valued because you are still spending a lot of money, you want it to still be a pleasant experience. Read more>>

Jessie Pfriem

Since starting my photography back in 2015, I have always made it my mission to make women feel empowered with themselves through my photos. Women come from all walks of life looking for something to break out of the shell and see themselves in a different light. Whether it’s a boudoir session, conceptual, or fine art, I strive to always have my customers see photos and say “I can’t believe that’s ME”. Women feel so much under societal pressures, that even just for a moment, I want them to see what everyone else sees, beauty. Read more>>

Asher Cataldo

Asher Cataldo is a singer, song writer with a wide range of genres. He was raised in middle Tennessee. You can hear his musical influences and up bringing through every song he writes. His style ranges from classic country, modern country, folk, hip hop, and blues- he really brings it all to the table. He started writing at 8 years old and has been honing his craft ever since. In and out of studios and writer rounds in Nashville TN, Read more>>

Justin Mungai

The Wakilisha Collection LLC is a premier clothing company that offers authentic, made to measure, African Print suits for men and women. Our mission is to expand the global perception of formal wear to include the bold and colorful prints from East Africa. Our fabrics, which are sourced and made in Kenya, are versatile, unique, and eclectic. Read more>>

Kirsten Hubbard

Like all great stories, Ghost Writer was born of heartbreak. Having poured heart and soul into nonprofits with missions I earnestly believed in, over and over I saw those missions, regardless of size or focus, facing the same roadblocks to success. These roadblocks prevented growing and scaling great solutions by passionate people from taking root. Eventually it dawned on me – these failures were not about one particular organization or staff person or board member. These were industry-wide failures. Read more>>

Dr. Kerri-Ann Coombs Hodge

I EMPOWER PATIENTS to take control of their eye health, vision, and overall wellness. I EMPOWER PATIENTS to take control of their eye health, vision, and overall wellness. My company was founded from my deep passion to eradicate eye diseases and help people with their vision. While growing up, my dad experienced serious eye complications which ultimately left him blind. In my quest to find a cure, I entered the field of optometry and started De’Cordova Eyewear; named in honor of my father, Bernard De’Cordova Coombs. Read more>>

Gina Leingang

It is part of my purpose to “normalize” energy tools in our everyday lives, I come from the corporate world, climbing the corporate ladder, reaching the prestigious Vice President level, I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister. I had this “normal” life, a life that was filled with success, that was filled with love, but there was this piece missing. Read more>>

Danielle LoDuca

I’ve been and adventurous rebel my whole life. I also struggled hard with confidence. When I became a wife and mother, I started a new pattern of serving everyone except myself to the point of burnout. Even though I had once been a vibrant, intelligent person hungry for growth and learning, I found myself numb, weak, empty and resentful. Read more>>

Sherlens Bien-aime

The story behind my mission is to provide a space for women entrepreneurs to be Supported,Promoted,Empowered,Encouraged ,Motivated & Acknowledge. I’ve realized in the last couple of years of being an entrepreneur , that most women entrepreneurs don’t have a space or a sisterhood that genuinely provide those 6 components. I wanted to create a space where not only it represents who I am as a person but also allow these ladies to be comfortably enough to know that they’re not alone. Read more>>

Caroline McGroder

Growing up, I was blessed with the most wonderful parents and family. My Grandfather was a first-generation Irish Immigrant. Growing up in Buffalo, New York he lived above a grocery store with eight siblings. He was an incredibly hard worker with a passion for football. Through his humble beginnings, he became one of the founders and General Manager of the Buffalo Bills football team. Read more>>

Fiona Robins

Back in 2014, our founder – Laura, couldn’t find solutions to stop her face from breaking out so she began tinkering around in her kitchen. It’s through her own DIY experiments that she discovered oil-based skincare. She started Island Apothecary and pushed the benefits of oils to everyone who wanted to listen, including myself. Read more>>

Melanie Velasqiez

Events by Melanie is a full event planning service that specializes in weddings and day-of coordination. Our mission is to deliver outstanding organization, professionalism, and dedicate ourselves to every detail to ensure we execute your wedding vision, no matter the size. Every wedding is unique in its own special way, and we do everything possible to 100% guarantee an incredible experience for our couples and their guests! Read more>>

Maggie Bowyer

My mission is to create, inspire and teach people from all walks of life so that they can make art that tells their story, and get paid for it. In 2020, my myriad of chronic illnesses finally took my ability to work. Between my Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia, and Gastroparesis, I realized I needed to work from home and on my own schedule. I already wrote poetry and decided to dive deeper into my art.  Read more>>

Jenny Hermosillo

A mentor once told me, “Sometimes you have to run before you could walk”. At that very moment, I realized that the only person keeping me back was MYSELF. You see, we were talking about perfectionism, Perfectionist WAS my identity, but I didn’t realize how my perfectionism became my anxiety. Read more>>

Tiffanie Cole

I started my business initially because I have always wanted to work for myself, in order to have full control of my time and how much money I made. During covid, my job offered time off with a % of your salary so i decided to take them up on the offer. As I sat at home, I decided it was time for me to embark on my entrepreneurial journey. Read more>>

Alexandra Del Rio

Our mission is to bring you the most sought after trends at a reasonable price. We hand-pick all of our merchandise and only bring a few pieces of each style, making it exclusive and unique amongst your friends. We are known for having a keen eye for finding unique pieces of clothing, one of a kind jewelry & superb customer service. Read more>>

Kevin Anderson

In June of 2015, I picked up my best friend, Sadie. I wanted the absolute best for her, so she can thrive in life. I went to the store, picked out the most expensive bag of dog food, and went on our way! Unfortunately that expensive bag had Sadie in shambles. She was itchy, smelly, fur was very coarse, she would get ear infections, and Sadie was covered in hives. So we switched to the next bag. Read more>>

Danielle and Amanda

The pandemic has been a hard time for everyone, including us. During some of the darkest days, we found light through the comforts in our home. We’ve always been big believers of crystal energy, and we wanted to offer some of that support into our community. Read more>>

Daniel Dubbaneh

Z&Z is all about making people feel at home through our favorite foods from our culture. For us, food is simply a vehicle for hospitality. So many people come up to tell us how proud they are of what we’re doing and how happy it makes them to see this cultural representation. When someone from the community says that something we do reminds them of home it’s really the ultimate compliment and what Z&Z is all about for us. Read more>>

Enrique Enn

What a better way to start this interview than by telling the story behind my mission, basically this story starts from the moment I decided to take a new course and leave my country in 2014, with my sister and one of my best friends we undertook this journey or rather this mission chasing a dream although at that time the dream was not as defined as today’s sun if I was in search of it, in conclusion, Read more>>

Elena Sosa

Time to Breathe Concierge is a San Diego business that thrives on servicing seniors. Our services include; de-cluttering, downsizing, organizing, home decorating, facilitating move services, managing smaller home projects, and real estate. Our combined services help senior clients make better sense of their time when preparing for their next chapter in life. Read more>>

Quiana Wyre

A few years ago, I was going through a really tough time in my life and my anxiety was at an all time high while trying to balance my personal and career life. I was trying to figure it out and the best way I knew how was through journaling and writing. In college, I minored in writing and I loved creative and technical writing the best. Read more>>

Charlotte Mazey

Maybe its the millennial in me. But ever since I was a tiny tiny hound i’ve loved nature and animals and everything the earth has to offer us. Yes, that maybe corny but I think the world could use a little more corny. So, I always new I would get into some kind of activism one way or another. I did light activism here and there while living in san Francisco but nothing major which is a bummer. Read more>>

Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones

I started in this journey of entrepreneurship back in 1993 when I had the dream job, the job I had always wanted since I was 7 years old. Actually, I had the job in Hollywood that many people wish for. Read more>>

Lashaunda Hawkins

Lashaunda Hawkins is the true woman of character built by a strong testimonial path of life experiences. Though shattered; she’s no longer broken. Though wounded; she has been healed and her mission continues as she inspires young women alike with her first ever told story of her destructive past. She’s a published author of two books entitled, No More Sympathy from Me: Read more>>

Mac Heebner

Our corporate mission started as a personal mantra when I left my prior employer. I was faced with figuring out what I wanted to do next. After some focused self-reflection and leaning on the input of close friends and family, I landed on simply wanting to work on challenging projects with smart people for great clients. As it turns out, as we enter our 10th year in business, Read more>>

A. Onike

I am A. Onike the CEO of ADAM 4 Artists, an advertising, development and marketing firm located in Atlanta, Georgia, Malaysia & the Philippines. Our primary mission is to help musicians achieve, creative and financial success through their music. Read more>>

Agi Keramidas

I think it’s relevant to share here a point of view that I have completely changed my mind about, during my path of self-mastery these years. In the beginning, I believed that mastery is something to be achieved. I realise now that it’s not; rather, it is a journey. Read more>>

Rashada LeRoy

Our mission has always been to empower and inspire women to show up as their authentic selves. Here at lōb, we are all about sustainability, community, and global impact. From Africa to New York to Alabama, our jewelry is hand-designed and carefully crafted by women for women who explore the world with confidence, unapologetic, and by their own rules. Read more>>

Kyle Wong

My purpose is to serve, and my job truly is to serve you with my professional education and resources. I do everything in my power to accomplish that. From the systems and processes we put in place as the Moxie Colorado real estate team, to the podcast that I run with a business partner of mine, we aim to help and to educate as much as we can. Read more>>

J Money3rdW

The story behind my mission is about leaving a legacy. That represents perseverance through the obstacles of life & ultimate resilience to never give up no matter the circumstance. I believe in leaving a legacy , that alone embodies the power of inspiration beyond the current time we exist in . It’s a timeless stamp on the world created by passion & hard work that serves as an inspiration to the one’s that dream big Read more>>

Charisse Piros

My name is Charisse I am a confidence coach. I help women unlock their unleashed potential by helping them increase their confidence. I do this by sharing self-care methods that don’t just include glitter and bath bombs. I really help women find the deeper meaning of what they need. I know what it feels like to have low confidence and helping women find their inner “fierce” sparks me. Confidence is your key to unlocking that inside yourself. Read more>>

Jessica Ryan

At the time in which I first launched 3 Of Cups Events in 2014, I was Director of Events at The Sanctuary Event Space which is a non-profit venue in Downtown Austin TX that benefits the Amala Foundation that supports at-risk youth programs. While working there, I met Audrey, who managed the Sanctuary Yoga Studio on the same property; Audrey is now an Associate Planner with 3 Of Cups Events. Read more>>

Sarah Shackelford

Did you know that our sense of smell is the first sense we gain at birth? Neither did I, until I was introduced to the world of essential oils. Aromatherapy is so powerful! I owe all of the credit to coffee for inspiring my entire business model. That’s right, coffee. A handful of years ago during an outdoor music festival I was grooving on the dance floor, when suddenly, the aroma of freshly ground coffee wafted over me. Read more>>

Amber Waldeier

After three grueling years of illness, we were taking our kids to see the ocean for the first time. My youngest waited half of his life, asking me daily to describe our ‘someday’ trip–an even deeper stab of pain. The resort is set, the flight times picked: but wait: We have to pay how much? …per person? …per leg? …for a carryon?? Read more>>

Annalee Smith

We are on a mission to empower visually impaired women by making them realize their immense potential and help them break the barriers in the visually impaired and blind community. Our mission is not just to create awareness but also sisterhood within this movement. Vision: Read more>>

Andrea Walker

The story behind my mission is , In the past when I was in a lonely state, I felt no motivation;I was dealing with a lot of stress ,needing to find something that could possibly help me through my tough times.When I started the hobby of wreath making , I felt something in me that told me to keep going. Read more>>

Hedreich Nichols

I was born in a Negro hospital. When I tell people this, they are usually shocked. Especially when I tell people that I also keep up with the latest Tiktok dance trends. How can I be that old AND that young? Or, is it our conception of time? When we look at pictures from the Civil Rights era, we see sepia and Black and White images that seem to equate that time with ‘long ago and far away. The Jim Crow era was neither. I was born in a Negro hospital and schooled in one of the early integrated schools in Houston ISD. Read more>>

Jeremiah Shumaker

About a year and a half into the birth of Caffeinated Records, we put into language an ethic we had been building our business around: partnerships over projects. Working in an industry as creative-centric as the music industry demands a level of vulnerability be brought to the table – especially from our clients who were trusting us with their music. Read more>>

Kellsie Lewis

When I started my clothing business in 2018, The Lavish Couture Collection, its mission was to promote a positive self-identity by offering affordable, trendy fashion for teenagers. However, since customers order clothing virtually through The Lavish Couture Collection website or Instagram account, I feared that the empowerment portion of my mission statement was not exemplified. Read more>>

Tiffanie Bacon

My goal is to help women overcome hopelessness and find healing by empowering, encouraging, and supporting them. walk free in the love of God and experience it. I struggled with this every day for more than 30 years, walking in defeat, despair, low self-esteem, and a lack of understanding of who I am. Every decision I made throughout my life was influenced by it. Read more>>

Cheryl Clarke

My mission for Speak Your Power Now is for people to feel empowered to speak their truth and find the voice they may have lost due to traumatic experiences. In my life, I found that I lost my voice. I grew up in a home with an emotionally abusive stepfather calling me a ‘dumb mother f’er,’ every day. Due to that traumatic verbiage, I was muted and felt powerless. Read more>>

Jessica Pitre

Girlfriends Ink is a lifestyle brand for womxn created by mom and daughter duo, Jessica & Elaine. Our brand focuses on utilizing productivity, self care and inspirational stationery. What started off as a capsule line of greeting cards, journals and home goods has evolved into a vibrant lifestyle community that empowers womxn to cease their dreams, smash their goals and walk in their purpose. Read more>>

Juan Biddix Jr

Our mission at SARGE FITT is to provide superior exercise equipment where individuals of varying ages, heights, sizes, fitness levels, physical abilities and disabilities can achieve body transformational workouts in the comforts of their own space. In furtherance of this mission, I invented and patented a freestanding, adjustable, and portable multifunctional exercise rack called the FITT Rack. Read more>>