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.

Innovative Scholars

In the summer of 2020, we launched a free tutoring program with a local church to provide academic support to students who missed out on months of instruction in the classroom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal was to find the gaps in students’ understanding of grade-level content and target specific standards to close these gaps. After the summer session, we realized the impact we could further make in the lives of students by continuing the process of providing tutoring services. Read more>>

Ime Umoh

The story behind my mission is deeply rooted in my experiences growing up as a Nigerian-American in Baltimore, MD. From a young age, my father invested in my siblings and I the beauty of the world by photos, and showing us different parts of the globe, including our home in Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria. These experiences taught me the importance of perspective and embracing different cultures. I have always cherished the memories of traveling and the feelings of looking back to see how far we’ve come. Read more>>

Colin Crown

My mission is to leave this world a better place once my time is up. It’s a bit of a broad mission and at first I didn’t know where to start. Honestly, when I started taking photos and selling vintage clothing I was doing it because I thought it was the cool thing to do. I even had a friend tell me when I started 6 years ago that my zeal for these things would die out and soon be on to the next thing. However, I think that’s where many passions start. Read more>>

Lianna Willoughby

Our mission at Retreat East Co, a 105 acre property and Mid-Century Lodge in Ellenville, NY is to empower guests to begin (or continue) on their path of self discovery in nature by feeling its powerful positive health benefits. To facilitate a deeper reconnection, we offer bespoke on-site wellness services with the best local practitioners, like movement (yoga, pilates, spiritual guides, hiking experts, forest bathing), bodywork (energy healing, massage, mayan abdominal work), and farm to table food (locally sourced breakfast, picnic provisions, or on-site chef) as add ons to their stay. Read more>>

Kim Hefner

One of the main reasons that I started Wild and Found Photography is that I want to empower couples to celebrate their relationship, and the most important moments in their relationship, in a way that truly reflects their values, interests, and who they are. My mission is to create a safe space for people to be themselves, where society has typically told them they’re supposed to do something else instead. Read more>>

Patrick LeFils

I know “being chosen” sounds like a loaded phrase, but I do feel that way about my mission. I started this for myself, but it’s much more now. Southern Fellow is a family of music artists, industry professionals, music lovers, and foodies. The artists challenge me to be a better chef and the recipes I create introduces them to a new audience. Our mission, in short, is we bring food and music together in a uniquely delicious way! If I knew where this road was going to take me, I would have chosen a less singular name. lol Read more>>

Chanel Green

I knew that I was created with a calling attached to my name. I knew I was supposed to curate a nation that represents God by nurturing and providing resources to assist our community. Even with this knowledge, I ignored my calling and chose a path of motherhood and hard work to get by daily until I was flat-broke and couldn’t afford skincare for my kids. Out of my ignorance came Green’s Way Naturals Skincare where I formulated Shea Butter remedies and aloe treatments that were passed down to me. Read more>>

Mayzella House

My mission is to showcase the talent I see and support them with my affordable designs. Many artists need a platform to showcase their music I’m here to be that platform. They also need graphics as well as business owners and I’m here with good work at affordable prices. When it comes to podcasting I make sure that my podcast will talk about top is that other podcasters will shy away from. Read more>>

Chinnakrit Soonthornwan

Are you ready for a story? It’s a story about pursuing your dreams, overcoming adversity, and living fully. So, please sit back, relax, and let me tell you about my mission. It all started with a Buddhist chanting at a funeral. The phrase “Humans, what were you born for?” stuck with me, and I started asking myself daily what I was born for. I wanted to inspire others to question the same and to enjoy life while pursuing their dreams. Read more>>

Paula Morris

When I was a child, my dad worked for many years as a family photographer and I think that’s when I started to be curious about photography. Growing up I never really had a vision or a plan for my life. I never wanted to go to college so I didn’t know what to do with my life. In 2009, when I was only 19 years old, I moved from Brazil to Italy and there I bought my first DSLR camera and started photographing everything in front of me. Read more>>

Franny Allen

The story behind our mission is based on a quote from the ever-famous Maya Angelou; “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. Read more>>

Adan Ventura

We are a family business with well-established values, very committed to customer service, have a vision of structuring our business in a comfortable environment, valuing the entire work team, and training 100% qualified people to be able to offer our clients the confidence and credibility that we passionately elaborate our product of quality and authenticity. Read more>>

David Cerda

Hell in a Handbag Productions is dedicated to the preservation, exploration and celebration of the art of camp and parody via theatrical productions. We recognize camp as an aesthetic created by the gay/queer sub-culture and we strive to propagate camp’s subversive nature and horrifying truths. Read more>>

Lizethe S. Rivas

I believe as humans we need to constantly be creating to show ourselves what we can do with our own hands, things that started in our mind, making the imagination tangible. I see the beauty in the effort of trying and doing. I love seeing the way one person who previously thought they couldn’t, surprise themselves and become inspired to continue to create more. Read more>>

Emily Blank

My Light the Way movement is a movement of love to connect people together using divine love energy. Energy is so contagious and it spreads. I am here to teach others how to use their energy to bring love back as the highest power. Love is already inside of every living thing. By creating new intentions of being the love in every situation, lives are changed for the better and healing takes place on every level of society. Read more>>

Carla Spencer

It all started back in 2012.I developed my special ability through meditation. In May of 2012, I received a reading by a psychic who told me that I was psychic. This psychic showed me my special gift by giving me several tests. I had to guess the color that he wrote on the paper by reading someone else’s mind, that was thinking of the color that he wrote on the paper. Read more>>

Tasha Featherstone

Our brand, STFU, is about embracing and loving yourself. It’s about being true to who you are no matter what other people say. Because no matter what you do in life, there are a group of people in support of what you’re doing and a group of people against what you’re doing. And for some reason, the group of people AGAINST what you’re doing, always seem to stand out more or have a louder voice than the people in support of your actions. Read more>>

Ken Wimberly

When we entered the laundromat business we wanted to do things differently. We knew from research that childhood literacy in neighborhoods where laundromats are typically located were at all time lows. We partnered with the Laundry Literacy Coalition and have added a read, play, learn center for children in each of our laundromats. We bring in books each month, we read to children, and we encourage them to take the books home and keep them! Read more>>

Dave Johnson

I am a zookeeper. This career has kept me very engaged for the last forty years. With this passion came an interest to write children’s books and take people on conservation initiatives. We started the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund in 2014 to honor one of our fallen colleagues. Katie had been involved with our zoo in Denver for 12 years. Read more>>

Sharon Thompson

My mission is to preserve your memories through documented images that will last for a lifetime and will tell not just any story, but your story. Read more>>

Maggie Olczyk

It all began in flight school… Where 6 of us shared an apartment excited to be doing what we loved. We flew long hours often at night and relied on coffee and quick snacks to get through the day. We thought we ate well, but within a few years a couple friends got sick and lost their medicals, ending their careers prematurely. It was then, I learned how little we all knew about nutrition and the life-long consequences of our choices. I wanted to learn more. Read more>>

Montrey Deal

From Section 8 To Real Estate. I grew up on the move, from the projects to various houses every 12-24 months. I know how important ownership is and realize how difficult it can be for some people. So, my passion is helping people establish and expand their generational wealth through real estate. I assist with all real estate needs and hold your hand through the process. I will exhaust all options to get you into a house you can make a home, with a smile. Read more>>

Chloe Jeong

I believe that getting your nails done isn’t just about the pretty nails, but it should also be a safe, comfortable, and personalized experience. It should never hurt to get your nails done! Read more>>

Khilali Marquez

My mission is to bring awareness and advocacy for mental health. I’ve always loved art and being creative as a hobby, but I was also really interested in psychology. I ended up going to college to take the path of becoming a psychologist. Because of my own mental health I wasn’t able to finish. It was a really overwhelming experience for me that I now realize was because of undiagnosed autism. Read more>>

Zyan Hightower

Everything started with just an Idea at a young age, I was maybe 13-14 when I first started getting into fashion heavy! younger than that I was still into different styles and creating a style of my own, so clothing/fashion played a big part of my life. In the process of growing up I created countless amounts of different pieces like jean jackets, denim jeans , tye-die hoodies, hats & scarfs you name it I was already making it all! Read more>>

Demetrius Dorn

My journey in life certainly consists of so many twists, and turns. 27 years ago, after making such bad choices in life I found myself homeless with my daughter in another state from home. Leaving my oldest daughter behind. We lived there for six weeks, and as a result was offered free education; which helped to save my life. That disaster was a blessing in disguise. I graduated Surgical Tech School with Honors, and almost 24 Yrs later, I’m still Standing proud in the OR. Read more>>

Greg Garza

Beyond Goals Mentoring was started in September, 2021. It was an idea that Michael Parkhurst (Former Captain of the MLS Atlanta United 2018 Championship Team) and I had in regards to seeing so many players at a high level or even our youth in today’s sports world have such a tough time understanding how to cope with certain types of pressure. Whether it was confidence, dealing with nervousness, understanding how leadership qualities play an important role, Read more>>

Amorita Mugno

My business, Amorita’s Purpose© is grounded in my mission & purpose to be of service to the entire collective consciousness. I have known my entire life that ‘someday’ I would share my story & that it would have the power to serve as a lighthouse for someone else. I believe that every single being has a purpose here on Earth. I feel that the more we are able to understand our own unique gifts, rediscover our own souls purpose & authentically connect with our hearts most true desires, the more we are a living reminder that it is safe for others to do the same! Read more>>

Dr. Acquilla Faye

Do you remember as a child, the vastness of your imagination or a moment when you envisioned your life in the purest most perfect form? I invite you to close your eyes while allowing your imagination, heart, visioning abilities to travel to that pure perfect place of peace. Take a deep breath and hold it for at least 5 seconds, then exhale slowly. Read more>>

Ukay J. Ekong

When my parents came to America from Nigeria, they were determined to make sure my brothers and I did not miss any opportunities. But fitting in was not easy. In elementary school, I felt like an outsider – not quite black, not quite white, not quite American. The teasing and name-calling did not help. But I found support from teachers and church communities who reminded me of my worth. Sports like football helped build my confidence and taught me the importance of leading by example. Read more>>

Danielle Jackson

At Watering Soule, we are dedicated to transforming your daily shower time into a self-care experience that will leave you feeling revitalized and energized. Our goal is to help people look and feel their best, both mentally and physically. Read more>>

Yeshua Hannah

I started The Steward Groupe, on the primicias of we dont own anything in life. We are merley stewards & stewardess of people, possessions, and places. The Industry of Information Technology is always improving and being redesigned. I believe people play a big part, and we are responsible for leaving things better then how we found them. Read more>>

Omar Diaby

The story behind Nakankou Alterations & Tailoring mission is that I want to make a great impact in my industry as a Professional Tailor. Before I started my business, I prayed to God about starting my own business and He gave me the vision of how to create and name my business. I named my alteration business after my Great-Grandmother Nakankou who lived until she was 110 years old. Read more>>

Saralyn Richard

In 2012 we brought home an Old English sheepdog puppy and named her Nana after the dog in Peter Pan. From the moment we entered the house, Nana began a reign of terror that consisted of chewing, tackling, digging, demolishing, and wounding. Damage to our persons and our home occurred regularly, and we were at our wits’ end. We tried everything, including long walks (more like pulls) to expend her energy. Read more>>

Teresa Sanders

In 2018 my life was changed by a Facebook post that led me down a rabbit hole and that rabbit hole is the dismal rates of recycling. I thought I was doing my part for the environment only to feel bamboozled to find out that only 9% of plastic worldwide is actually recycled. I was dedicated to my recycling and couldn’t believe that the majority of what goes in our blue bins isn’t recycled. Read more>>

Keyonna Butler

Black Hippie Art started from a needed to empower artists & creative entrepreneurs to have successful careers in whatever field they are interested in entering. As an artist myself, I often felt alone or out of place when trying to navigate the career industry of fashion & costume design. I didn’t feel confident and with my lack of connects, I felt lost. I then made a post on Facebook to see if anyone would be interested in joining an art collective if I were to start one and the response was overwhelming. Read more>>

Rachel Brooks

Rachel Brooks (she/her), owner of Yin Yoga Space (home to SIN Yin(tm)) and Seeking Space Yoga in SW Portland. Rachel has worked in the service industry for 18+ years, both in nightclubs, dive bars, restaurants, as well and strip and s*x clubs. After several years, the industry started to take a toll on her and she realized that the lifestyle she was living was not sustainable. She was always tired, and not prioritizing her mental, physical, or emotional health. Read more>>

Tamika Carlton

Quality relationships are key to our happiness. Experiences are essential to the way we all evolve. Developing incredible relationships and experiences is the mission of my company, Couples Experience. When I was just 13 years old, my father died unexpectedly. As an only child and the only black girl in many situations, no one understood what I was going through. I couldn’t express it. I lost the words. I lost the ability, but above all, I lost the time. Read more>>