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.

Tahira Aliya Page

Project 1840 is a jewel in the community. Our studio serves as a beacon of opportunity for young dancers looking for inspiration and professionalism. We want all dancers to feel welcomed. Dancers gain valuable skills as well as the confidence to share and perform a specific dance style or a piece of choreography. Through this, dancers gain a sense of pride from their own accomplishments in having learnt it and begun to get more skilled at it. One of the most important aspects of of dance program includes the connections and bonds created with other dancers. Read more>>

Tony Lumpkin

The mission is to provide opportunity to the overlooked and underrated talent that this industry doesn’t recognize. There’s so many people out here that are talented but don’t possess all the intangibles that really is necessary to be successful in this industry and I am one to provide that for them. Read more>>

Mike Silva

My mission as a Private Chef is driven by my deep passion for food and a dedication to delivering extraordinary dining experiences. With years of culinary training and a keen understanding of diverse cuisines, I strive to create personalized menus that not only satisfy the taste buds but also evoke emotions and create lasting memories. I believe that food is a powerful medium for connecting people and celebrating life’s moments, and I am honored to be entrusted with the task of crafting unique and delectable meals that bring joy and satisfaction to my clients. Read more>>

Sean Evora

I launched EVORA SWIM in March 2019 with the goal of making a difference. I wanted to create a lifestyle brand focused on creating a meaningful impact and helping those in need through comfortable, fashion-forward swimwear that helps people look good & feel good at the same time. With every piece of clothing purchased on evoraswim.com, we donate a portion of sales directly to Arrive In Kenya. Arrive in Kenya is a non-profit focused generating positive action and sustainable advancement to empower children in impoverished regions of the world by providing shelter, promoting good health, offering access to education and giving at risk children tools and opportunities for a successful, independent, and fulfilling life. Read more>>

Saturne Tchabong

They say who controls the media controls the masses, knowing this, I take my job very seriously. As a writer and television producer, so much of what I choose to bring to the media must be somewhat healing. So much of society portrays broken versions of humanity, however, I’d love to give people the tools to heal in my work. As a Black woman from an ethnically diverse background, I find it even more important that I carefully select the kinds of shows I decide to work on. Representation matters when it comes to what ultimately gets broadcasted to billions of people worldwide. With that power, it is important to have a strong moral compass and not be swayed by what we are told is popular. Read more>>

Danny Hairston

The mission of SHRED was born out of my love of snowboarding and the desire to create meaningful youth development programming using snowboarding as the conduit. Having worked as a youth development professional for almost two decades and having held national leadership positions both with Burton Snowboard’s Chill Foundation and Stoked Mentoring, I knew the benefits of snowboarding when it came to positive youth development. However, also having an understanding of the inner workings of the snowboarding industry, I wanted to create opportunities for our youth to obtain skills and training that would provide them the ability to step into the industry, thus creating a new generation of knowledgeable and diverse industry professionals. Read more>>

Trey Bower

WHERE SUSTAINABLE MEETS LUXURY BEAUTY. Our mission is to offer luxury hair services and products in an inclusive and welcoming safe-space for all. We are rooted in social community and environmental performance through our commitment to sustainable beauty practices and year-round community growth focused initiatives. Each stylist and creative at our salon, possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the traditional, modern and sustainable methodologies needed to articulate and execute our clients hair goals and desires. Read more>>

Tawney Noriega

In the realm of networking, Corporate America often gravitates toward a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, where there’s an unspoken expectation for everyone to fit into a prescribed mold. In stark contrast, at Ventura County Business Women (VCBW), we value the distinctiveness of every individual. We understand that every journey, every story, plays an indispensable role in shaping who we are. Rather than urging members to hard-sell or spam, we emphasize sharing personal narratives because we recognize that tapping into one’s unique inner power, truth, and alignment is fundamental for a fulfilling business. It’s essential to intertwine personal growth with business growth; the two are inextricably linked, especially for women entrepreneurs who navigate multifaceted roles daily. Read more>>

Courtney Burg

My mission began long before I realized it had started. I was completely depleted and in denial that I was living codependent in my relationships. Not only did I not know who I was, I was giving of myself until there was nothing left to give- then blaming others for my continued unhappiness.  Discover Your Worth is a membership I created after discovering boundaries and healing from codependency myself. I wanted to share resources with other women, and when I couldn’t find anything packaged and easily digestible out there available, I created it. In order to get better AT our relationships, we have to be IN relationships. This space is safe, and allows women to do just that. Read more>>

Samantha Woolridge and Kaitlyn Nolte

Our mission “We strive to create and maintain an environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally through open communication, creativity, and teamwork”! Kaitlyn Nolte and Samantha Woolridge have been in the beauty industry a combined 26 years. Over the years, they saw how challenging this career can be, not only physically but emotionally. We’ve had so many wonderful managers over the years who have guided us to be great, but with that has come the individuals who didn’t want to see success or held us back. Read more>>

Miss Suga

The Mission: “At SugarSnaps, I bake with passion and purpose. My mission is to create sweet moments and cherished memories. Through dedication, creativity, and love, I craft confections that not only delight the senses but also tell meaningful stories. I exist to celebrate life’s moments, one delicious bite at a time.” Read more>>