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.

Morgan Mars

Morgan Mars Vintage is a vintage jewelry brand that was started when I was working in trend forecasting. After realizing how wasteful the fashion industry is I saw a white space for vintage and wanted to build not just a brand but a community. A place for people who love fashion and jewelry but also want to help the planet. I believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability and that’s why I pride myself in curating timeless accessories that are carefully picked to last another lifetime. Read more>>

Aidan Meany

The Impossible Art Store opened its doors on February 17th of this year, as the first artist-driven market for the highest quality handmade goods being produced in Cleveland. Cleveland has always been an art-centric city full of talent, however, those with the spotlight have often been chosen with little regard for merit. Read more>>

Jacqueline & Dillon Tucker

Our mission is to help our community find ways to reduce waste in their daily lives. We’re a young family with a 2 year old and a 3 month old. Cutting down on waste is something we’ve been passionate about for most of our lives, but with our limited time, energy, and resources, eliminating 100% of our waste is exhausting to even think about. Read more>>

Errica Dotson

Appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in, and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken. As a first-generation college student, I left home to attend Howard University – more than 2500 miles away. While it was scary and at times overwhelming, the experience opened many doors for me. Read more>> 

Ashis Dhakal

Due to ethnic cleansing, my family fled Bhutan to Nepal. We were forced to live in a refugee camp. In the camp, poverty and hunger were daily challenges and I slept on a bed made of bamboo, full of bed bugs, and surrounded by mosquitoes. I did not have access to clean drinking water, fresh air, electricity, or a decent home. Read more>>

Jenny Chase

I have been an agent in fashion for the last 25 years marketing, designing and distributing primarily Italian brands, but more recently Indian collections. I have had the privilege of working with some of the most famous handmade luxury brands in the world. In a time when our creativity and human handmade touch is being threatened by fast fashion and AI I am dedicated to the preservation of the original fashion medium. Read more>>

Danyel Joseph

After transitioning from the Virgin Islands to America after high school to further my education at North Carolina A&T State University, I recognized how much resources, academic opportunities, and exposure we lacked. Being a Virgin Islands native and gaining exposure to American culture allowed me to connect better with children I’ve mentored and tutored. Read more>>

Kewayne Wadley

It’s a pleasure to join you! I am so glad that you asked me this question. Of course while growing up, some things seem clear to you then. Then you begin to grow up and your perspective changes a bit. You begin to enter new realities & surround yourself with different opportunities as well as people. I wouldn’t necessarily say lost in the sauce but an array of different things begin to take place. Read more>>

Josh Blanaru

Pick a phrase + get it on a shirt! GUNS R BLAZIN launched in 2021 with a clear intention to inspire others while looking good in the process. The idea of putting a custom phrase on a t-shirt once ruled the 80’s shopping mall scene, and GRB upgrades this vibe by pairing an extra sexy t-shirt template with a phrase of your choice from volumes of album art menus. Read more>>

Jessica Love

I believe that confidence starts at home, and I’ve dedicated myself to building inspirational and functional spaces for all budgets and ages. While Urbane Design is a luxury service, I’m able to give back to the community through my 501c3 nonprofit, Design Changes Lives. I did not grow up wealthy, and I know how important it is to be in an environment where you feel safe, supported, and uplifted. By pairing local interior designers with a child in need, the designer listens to the necessities and desires of the child and designs a room uniquely for them. Read more>>

Sno0py Watts

The Mission I carry as an international entertainer serves as a representation of my company’s values. What’s the name of the company? It’s called D2AG, which means Dedicated 2 Achieving Greatness. The ultimate mission of our movement is to help constituents to take on the task of identifying their passions and to share their unique gifts with the world. Read more>>

Bridget Papino

The story behind We Are Jersey’s mission is rooted in the founder’s personal experiences and observations within the local community. Growing up in Jersey, we were surrounded by a wealth of talent and creativity that often went unnoticed and underappreciated. We recognized the need for a platform that could tap into and unite the creative, entrepreneurial, and artistic spirit of the community. Read more>>

Shoccara Marcus

Growing up it was challenging when it came time to go to college or audition because we had to submit photographs. Finding a dance photographer was very important because you wanted someone to photograph you with the eye of a dancer. It was rare to find one, so you usually would have your dance teacher to come to the shoot with you or if you didn’t have that you had to try your best to correct your poses the best way possible. Read more>>

Chelsey Tharp

Our goal at Girls Gone Buff is to lead our community to a healthy lifestyle, teaching and proving to be Buff IS Beautiful. GGB has created a safe space for ALL women. We motivate our members to become strong and independent, take control of their own life, and make positive decisions based on what they want. Read more>>

Lynn Gregory

The story behind the mission I was raised to be an independent woman. Yes, of course being independent is great; but being empowered made me a greater asset to myself first! My mission is to spread self-empowerment. The story is simple, stepping from a girl into a woman, a woman into a girl was wearing me out! I decided that I wanted to be self-happy with not just parts of me, but all of me. Read more>>

Terry T

The mission behind my company Rapnerdz is to provide a great service to customers for there service needs as far as video content photo Content my mission is to build a big business where I can give people jobs to provide services to other people who need their services. The mission is to put a big platform together for a Videoagraphers and Photographers. Read more>>

Carl Junior

During my time living and working in Taiwan for over a decade in the travel industry, I used to often say that I ended up where I was, traveling abroad to more than fifty countries, purely by chance. However, I failed to realize at the time how one specific experience had a profound impact on my actions, choices, and future path in life. It all began when I was accidentally placed in a Mandarin-speaking course on my first day of college, Read more>>

Jason Farmer

The core of BLP Film Studios is about empowering marginalized voices! When our pre-teen son decided he wanted to become a filmaker, we were all at once excited and blissfully charting a new course! Read more>>

 J.L. Lawrence

My ultimate goal is to provide readers of all ages an escape from reality. Whether it’s to escape teenage drama, family issues, or a simple break from life, I want my stories to inspire and motivate. When I was young and life would overwhelm, I would always disappear into the pages of a good book or into a story of my own making. Read more>>

Fabiola Lara

When my husband (and co-founder) Sabith and I dreamt up tlali•pani, we knew that it would be a socially-driven business, also known as a social enterprise. We were on a mission to share our vision of a lifestyle that is conscious, beautiful, (and delicious) rooted in respect for others, the environment and a commitment to economic empowerment, specifically women. Read more>>

HJ Sanchez

Headwear, our mission is to inspire individuals to unleash their true potential and become the best versions of themselves. We aim to create a platform that amplifies the stories of the “unsung” heroes – those remarkable individuals who consistently go above and beyond in everything they do, yet often remain unrecognized. Read more>>

Lhonette Charles

Growing up as a child in France, I always had the passion of beauty and fashion. When I turned 16 years old after high school, I told my parents I didn’t want to go to college. Instead, I wanted to go to cosmetology school. After telling my parents I wanted to go to cosmetology school, they were disappointed because they thought this wasn’t a good fit for me. Read more>>

Gerell Webb

I show/remind people who the f**k they are. I do this by having them do hard things. I truly believe that doing hard things builds confidence. By unlocking the hidden potential within each person, I envision a world where individuals embrace challenges, stand tall in the face of adversity, and become catalysts for transformation and inspiration. Read more>>

Tangi Singleton-Jones

The story behind my mission is simple. Our children are suffering and need us. Many suffer in silence because they feel unheard or unsafe. I wanted to create a safe space for the children. I wanted the children to not only be heard but also receive empowerment love encouragement and so much more. The saying is your attitude determines your altitude. Read more>>

Cane Corso Meetup

While taking our Corso out to a local dog beach she would run and try to play with the other pups there. However, we realized other dog owners were afraid of her and called their dogs away leaving our happy-go-lucky girl sad with no one to play with. One day, we posted online that we would be at that beach on a certain date and time and if anyone who owns a Corso is interested to please come so our dog had someone to actually play with. Read more>>

Edwin Borquez Pierrot

Curl Daddy, The Love Yourself Brand is all about loving your hair but most importantly loving yourself. Our mission as a brand is to make our customers ( The Curly Crew) understand the importance of knowing how to style, care and protect their curly hair but most importantly their heart. Read more>>

Sky Bush Comans

My mission is to help people grow healthy long strong hair. No matter what they might be battling. In 2014 I gave birth to my oldest son Josiah and suffered from postpartum shedding. In result I lost the temple section of my hair (the whole front). I thought I was experiencing something no one knew about until I researched it. Read more>>

Caprice-Kwai Ambersley

By Caprice-Kwai is a handmade statement jewellery brand, created by a young black disabled woman trying to create change and representation within the fashion industry. By Caprice-Kwai sells a range of handmade colourful and bold statement jewellery, which includes earrings, studs and rings. Along with, a range of accessories. Read more>>

A. Jazmine Ladouceur

The memory of seeing my Mother spending quality time with her friends that would visit and how they bonded and enjoyed one another’s company over a shared bottle of wine was really special to me. With the death of my Mother, I had to reevaluate what was important to me and focus on my passions. Read more>>

Shantasia Wimberly

As a woman who personally understands the challenges of living with PCOS, particularly the inconvenient symptom of hirsutism, which causes excessive hair growth. The constant burden of having to shave every other day not only overwhelmed me but also left me feeling self-conscious. This led to frustrating issues such as hair bumps, dark spots, and a less appealing chin and neck area. Read more>>

Norma Stanley

Changing the trajectory of societal opportunity for people with disabilities and helping them to be seen as the vital, but largely untapped consumer segment they are, is a large part of my mission. This comes as a result of being the mother of an adult daughter born with intellectual and physical developmental disabiities. Read more>>

Doni Blu Chuta

After 6 years in development, Chuta & Doni Blu (SlowBurnCrew) coined the term Spliff-Hop to describe their unique approach to Hip-Hop. Grabbing a little flavor from different genres rolling it up into one song, and giving you a different high. With songs surrounding the idea of living life fast; drugs, sex, expensive habits & chasing checks with the balance of taking every moment slow; peace, love, harmony & euphoria. S.B.C. brings a versatility that makes it difficult to be put in a box. Read more>>

Chelsea Thompson

I began my career within the art gallery business in NYC, where the business is selling high priced artwork to wealthy collectors. I couldn’t afford anything in the galleries I worked in, but I still collected art whenever I could, scouring flea markets and antique stores for affordable treasures. When I left the gallery world, I began to consider what I found to be a hole in the art market – thoughtfully curated, quality antique fine art at truely afforable prices. Read more>>