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.

Sari Cowsert

In 2019, I was broken down, I was hitting rock bottom, I couldn’t possibly believe this was my life. How did I get here? Is this the life I’m suppose to be living? Is this what a beautiful life looks like? This is Hell, how could this be all that life has to offer me? You wouldn’t know that I was feeling this way looking from the outside into my life. Read more>>

Natalie Misri

The story behind The Sweet Vegan Bakery is deeply personal to me. It all began during a difficult period in my life. While coinciding with the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, my mom was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. In an effort to find the answer to a cure alongside medicinal practices, I discovered that a whole food plant based vegan diet has the ability to heal the body for those with and without diseases. Read more>>

Shubhangini Prakash

At Feather & Bone we believe caring for your skin is a ritual. A holistic ritual. Our products take inspiration from Indian Ayurveda roots, family history and backing it with science. Our skin is the largest organ in our body. It isn’t just about skincare products, but about how our skin comes in contact with home, food, thoughts: inside-out and outside-in. Read more>>

Alexandra Accardo

Since I was a young girl, I had always dreamed of becoming an esthetician and owning my own business. The reason behind this aspiration stemmed from my personal struggles with skin issues and the dissatisfaction I experienced when visiting other spas and salons. None of the treatments or products seemed to work for my skin, and I was never able to truly understand its needs. Every facial I received felt generic and lacking the personal touch it deserved. Read more>>

Anna Jean Kos

Our mission is to create collections that are not only comfy, beautiful and inclusive but that are made ethically with respect to people and planet. Treating people and the environment with respect is non-negotiable for me because of how and where I was brought up. Read more>>

SHARON SHEN

As a film editor, my mission was ignited by a unique experience and honed through diverse academic and personal endeavors. It all started when I embarked on a journey to the Amazon jungle. I was there to document the Inca culture and the wildlife of the rainforest. Away from the digital distractions and immersed in the serenity of the jungle, Read more>>

Silver Miller

I’m a life coach and freelance marketing/branding strategist, and the founder of ColourMeSilver. With a passion for empowering kids, teens, and adults to elevate in all aspects of life, I encourage people to turn their dreams into reality. As a businesswoman, i helps my clients achieve their goals through my extensive knowledge and network of other professionals. Read more>>

Taylor Allen

Present Iteration is dedicated to building a more sustainable future by offering quality, design and authenticity through a curated marketplace. With an impeccable eye for signature design and luxury, Present Iteration creates a community of conscious consumers. We communicate to customers, vendors, investors, sustainability partners/community partners, brand advocates, nonprofits with transparency, poise and empathy. Read more>>

Sierrah Blade

Throughout my formative years, I keenly observed the general perception of women’s involvement in this industry, which often suffered from criticism and a lack of serious consideration. I would frequently encounter men’s products being rebranded in pink without genuine consideration for our needs. As a woman with a preference beyond pink, Read more>>

Annie O’Malley

Our mission is to help moms feel supported through every stage of motherhood. We do this through writing relatable content, providing relevant resources, and creating space for moms to connect both online and in person. Read more>>

Mason Pace

We are in a day in age where most people are afraid to truly love out of fear of heartbreak To commit out of fear of desperation To care out of fear of disinterest To dream out of fear of failure To explore out of fear of exclusion
To feel out of fear of vulnerability There is nothing in this world that should be suppressing the nature of human beings, and it is my mission to prove that you are powerful. Read more>>

Katy Zales

In 2016 I pivoted my business, Shoppe 815, to be solely a candle company. My reason for this shift was that I wanted to help people connect their everyday adventures with scent associations, otherwise referred to by Shoppe 815 as your Scents of Adventure. Read more>>

Joseph Abitbol

The idea for our business originated from our deep involvement in the jewelry industry and a desire to address ethical concerns associated with traditional earth-mined diamonds. It is also special thanks to my father who has been a role model for me throughout my entire career. He has been in the business for almost 50 years and he is a true leader in the industry. He showed me exactly how to lead a business with ethical standards over money. Read more>>

Ally Howard

My mission isn’t just to provide a good wax service. I also want every person who comes into my studio to feel accepted and more confident leaving than they did prior. Human connection and uplifting the people around me are personal values I have that translated over to my business. My favorite part of my job is getting to know my clients, laughing with them and being someone to talk to if they need that too. Making my clients feel comfortable is just as important as being a great wax specialist. Read more>>

Christophe Choquart

Our mission is to provide a space for art with a purpose or a cause. Whether we help local artists meet their public or promote International art such Australian Aboriginal Art or South African beaded Art, we love when our clients open their eyes to another culture. Our space is also here to help customers design a custom frame for their art or personal/sentimental objects. To do so, we provide a creative design space, full of a diversified range of artworks as well as a full selection of beautiful frames to enhance their Art. Read more>>

Anastasiya Makhonka

My mission is of great importance to me for several reasons. First of all, I believe that every woman has a unique inner world that deserves to be revealed and expressed. Photography and video allow me to capture and convey this uniqueness, helping women to see themselves in a new light. Read more>>

Randi Roberts

On the surface, my mission is like any wedding photographer which is to capture and tell a love story. But for me personally, it goes much deeper than that. Not only do I want to tell an authentic story of those in love, I also want to empower them to feel like the beautiful badasses they are. I hear it all the time, “I’m sorry but we’re really awkward in front of the camera and don’t take good photos.” Read more>>

Chris Barrett

Our mission in all of the entrepreneurial avenues we are part of is to make people’s lives better. I know that sounds really cliche, but we live in a world that cuts corners; less chips in a bag and charge the same price, products that break faster so the consumer has to buy it again, etc. What we strive to do is to go above and beyond in our services and deliver products or experiences that make people’s lives better, Read more>>

Letty Rammal

The anonymous journal serves as a platform for individuals to share their personal stories, experiences, and thoughts while maintaining their anonymity. Its purpose is to create a space where strangers can connect through their shared experiences, realizing that their stories are not isolated but rather interconnected with others. Read more>>

Amanda Haselwander

It all started in my late 20’s. I was overweight, feeling tired, moody and unmotivated. I decided it was time to take control of my life. I started running and eating healthier. Once I got to my goal weight, nutrition was my new obsession and has been ever since. I read all the books on dos and don’t of the nutrition world compiling a nice library. Even falling into the documentaries. Read more>>

Correy Hammond

After a successful year of running a monetized YouTube channel focused on cleaning, I decided to use my expertise to start Real Men Get It Done Cleaning Services. My team prioritizes customer service above all else and pays close attention to even the smallest details. Read more>>

Monique Triplett

Nique’s Accessories LLC mission is to provide quality unique Fashion & Accessories to our customers at affordable prices. We believe in self love, care and expression and one of the ways to express yourself is through fashion and that’s why we are here and that’s why we started. Read more>>

Christopher Glenn

Me being a artist & also a record label CEO I have to pull from a lot of personal experiences in order to make my vision come true and put meaning behind the songs that I put out there. My stage name “6Two Cory” and my record label “62 Cap the label” both has a obvious similarity. The 62 or 6Two. The number 62 has a big meaning to me. Read more>>

Allison Simmang

Allison Renee Studios strives to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone to have the opportunity to capture their life memories. Allison Renee Studios grew from my desire to have more and be in more photos with my daughter. I lost my mom suddenly in MAy of 2018, just 4 days after my daughter turned 2. Read more>>

Jenessa Davis

Our mission at FANESS®️ is nails being wellness. Treating yourself is so emotionally important for women. We are all doing more and have less time to unplug. This is why it’s important to create a nail salon that will keep women in the present and help a lot of women feel sane again. Read more>>

Lenny & Andi Huiras

Alter’d Industries is not your typical personalization and engraving shop. With our expertise in sand carving, we elevate the concept of personalized gifts to new heights, setting ourselves apart from others in the industry. Our mission is to redefine personalized gifting by infusing artistry, precision, and passion into every piece we create, transforming ordinary into extraordinary. Read more>>

Alexis Pickens

I offer 3D/4D non-diagnostic ultrasounds to all expecting mothers as well as 8-week DNA gender blood testing. Most doctor offices allow up to 2 ultrasound appointments during a mother’s pregnancy that are covered by insurance unless you are having unforeseen problems during your pregnancy. Read more>>

Cathy Lanzalaco

As a career coach and former HR leader, I have helped thousands of executives advance in their careers. I love the work. I bring 30 years of corporate experience to each engagement, and that, combined with my expertise in today’s job search landscape, I help executives create more powerful and fulfilling futures. Read more>>

Genelle Brooks-Petty

I am a fourth generation Leimert Park resident who along with my husband, Julian Petty, decided to grow our family in this community during a pivotal time in its redevelopment. Instead of watching the community that I know and love be moved as a byproduct of gentrification, I have joined forces with so many other community members to contribute to the reimagining and development of our neighborhood. We are building businesses and organizations that hold space for the existing residents while enhancing their community experience. Read more>>

Ahman Thurston

I am Ahman. I have a great passion for growing and I am an aspiring traveler, a nomad is what I would call it. The mission behind my movements is true wealth. One of my most important goals in life is to be more self reliant, and to live in a sustainable & ecological manner. I want to build a life that is in agreement with the land and that can provide for people (especially my family) long after I am gone. Read more>>

Rocio Arroyo

My mission started back when I was j high school. I started to take classes in child development I was interested in being a teacher and making a difference in children/families lives. There was that one teacher, that made a difference in my student life and so, my mission and goals were to have a career in the education field and make a difference in a child’s life. Read more>>