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.

Pedro Villar

Imagine growing up in the vibrant city of Rio, where every street corner is a canvas of inspiration and every person you encounter is a walking masterpiece of creativity. That was my playground, and in the midst of this artistic haven, I discovered my mission – to transform the daunting into the effortless, doing so through beauty, emotion, rhythm, and stories From the early days, my life was a dance between imagination and reality. Rio introduced me to some of the most captivating individuals. These weren’t just people; they were living stories, and I had the privilege of being both spectator and creator. Read more>>

Jose Carlos

The root of my mission is to connect with people. Connection feeds my soul. So much growth in my life has come from learning the importance of connecting with others and genuinely being curious about their life story. I can imagine that everyone I work with benefits in their own ways from connecting with me as well, and at the end of the day has a great experience to leave with. Read more>>

Julie Ventura

As an international nail art competitor and nail education consultant of over a decade, I’d been itching to expand my teaching beyond local, in-person classes. In 2019 I decided to invest all my time into creating a premium online education experience for nail techs all over the world. It started with one course, my Master Hand-painted Nail Art course. Read more>>

Phoenix Rosary

My mission is to have Artekai Productions to be the place for many artists and creatives to express themselves. To give opportunities for others to apply their craft, whether it be in a dance visual, music video, short film, movie, modeling, etc. I want to give that platform for other creatives. I know how it’s like to feel limited when creating and Artekai is the fuel to get things rolling but the end goal for my production doesn’t stop there. I seek for Artekai to be the next or alongside with the great production companies such as Warner Brothers, Universal, and Sony. Read more>>

Sunshine Foss

I founded Happy Cork in 2019 as a wine & spirits travel shop with an emphasis on community. Since opening our doors, Happy Cork has evolved into a travel destination for all people looking to experience the largest selection of Black- and minority-owned wine and spirits. Read more>>

Brad Szollose

I started my professional career in NYC as a graphic designer and production artist for large-scale corporate meetings and events. We’re talking $2 million budgets back then. Eventually I worked my way up the ladder to become a creative director, creating exemplary experiences for Fortune 500 companies while working with a team of designers, AV professionals, set designers and writers. Read more>>

Jennifer Dawson

I founded Pallas Care to provide in-home supportive services for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2015, I began working at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, which is the world’s largest LGBTQ organization. The Center provides social services to our age 50+ community through its Senior Services Department, operates over 200 affordable housing units for age 62+, and provides comprehensive medical and mental health care. Read more>>

Rachel Gibler

Back when I was in my early 20s, I was working 80 hours per week for someone else, burning the candle from both ends, and feeling stuck on a never ending hamster wheel with a lack of deep fulfillment, close relationships, or financial success. Read more>>

Imajen Films

At Imajen Films, we are more than just a production company; we are the architects of imagination, the stewards of diversity, and the champions of authenticity. Our core belief is simple yet profound: Stories have the power to awaken the childlike imagination in everyone. At Imajen, we specialize in crafting narratives that transcend the ordinary, dive into the complexity of the human experience, and transport audiences to worlds yet unexplored. We understand that genuine storytelling isn’t confined to black and white; it thrives in the infinite shades of gray. Read more>>

Ryan Cagle

Roll for Spirituality exists to cultivate a space for self discovery and spiritual exploration outside the bounds of normative religious institutions and dogma by providing space for individuals to safely explore new worlds, beliefs, ideas, face challenges, learn to solve problems, and explore deep truths about themselves, the world, and the Divine/God through the medium of tabletop role playing games. Read more>>

Annastasia Ventour

My path as a ‘spiritual’ and ‘mindfulness’ author, focusing on consciousness and self-love, has been the cornerstone of Flower Bug Vintage. From a young age, I was drawn to the art of storytelling and the power of words. I found solace and inspiration in crafting narratives and exploring the depths of self-awareness and personal growth. This passion for storytelling naturally extended into the realm of vintage fashion, where each piece tells its own unique story, rich with history and nostalgia. Read more>>

Hebert Smith

The mission of Lionz Supplements is to provide all-natural wellness supplements to support physicals and mental health. Read more>>

Juan Martinez

My mission is to provide great food and service to our customers. Food is what brings families together in good or bad times and ours is made with lots of love & care. I do believe that food made with love just tastes better and makes you feel better. The business is named after my late brother David Andrew Martinez and part of our mission as a business is to keep his name alive and thriving! Read more>>

Sam Bibbins

The mission of Subculture Films is so closely entwined with the name of Subculture Films, that the two are almost inseparable. We named our company so, because our mission is to tell the story of the “subculture” – whoever and whatever that may be. Whether it’s a documentary film project focusing on the stories of individuals living with substance use disorder, or it’s brand content for a new local business seeking to connect with its audience for the first time, our mission is always to tell an authentic story you may have otherwise never heard. Read more>>

Christian Jacobs

Makeup and photography have always played a big part in my life. Growing up I would watch my mother do her makeup in the morning and she had this glow of confidence radiating off of her. I remember thinking “I want that for myself”. She would always tell me anywhere I go, always hold your head high and share your confidence. The older I got and with more practice and comfort, I did just that. Read more>>

Asha Metul Shah

Being a mother, made me think more deeply about what I wanted to devote my life to; my jain principles, being frugal, kind to the earth and all living creatures, not taking from Her more than you need, combined with my childhood passion for fashion and vision for what I would like the future world to look like for my children. Working in finance I understood the economics of reusing, minimising waste and human and environmental costs in the fashion industry. Everything came together when my fourth child, vivacity was born. Read more>>

Katrice Dixon

My mission is to revolutionize education through RICH strategic guidance and innovative solutions. I am committed to partnering with schools, institutions, and educators to unlock their full RICHNESS. By providing personalized, research-based insights and tailored strategies, I aim to enhance learning experiences, promote inclusivity, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. I aspire to shape a future where every student has access to a world-class education, equipping them for success in an ever-evolving world.” Read more>>

Mackenzie Feldman

My involvement with this organization has spanned over the last five years as it evolved from a one-site initiative to a far-reaching national environmental organization. This movement began in 2017, when myself and another student athlete at UC Berkeley discovered that herbicides were sprayed around our beach volleyball court during practice. Astounded, we worked to ban herbicides from the courts and began picking the weeds ourselves with the Athletics Grounds Manager’s permission, and the momentum turned into a campus-wide movement to transition to organic land care. Read more>>

Karrington Christian

The mission of K. Moderne in its essence is to grant access to the highest level of “luxury” living to all. For decades “the powers that be” have been able to successfully withhold access to luxury goods, services, experiences, and even living from the masses by way of exclusivity and price discrimination. Those to me are the two most controlling and divisive factors associated with luxury culture. Read more>>

NoxBond

Before I was a music executive, I was an artist. As an artist, I didn’t have any guidance or anyone helping me, and I had no idea what to do nine times out of ten. The vast majority of the time, people took advantage of my lack of knowledge or my naivety to get money out of me without ultimately moving the ball forward. I hired everyone I could think of to hire. As I hired these companies, I realized they could not do what they claimed to be able to do. Read more>>

Sarah Matye

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Charlevoix Circle of Arts (CCA), an organization with a mission to cultivate a more inspired and educated community through the arts. Established in 2008 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CCA owes its existence to the dedicated volunteer efforts of local artists and community members. Their vision was to create a cultural center in the heart of Charlevoix, promoting the arts in Northern Michigan. Read more>>

Ashleee Burke

In the dynamic landscape of today’s digital age, where our online presence often precedes personal interactions, the mission of my brand photography business holds profound significance. I believe that the photographs we share serve as our first hello to the world, making the need for high-quality, professional images paramount. As a brand photographer, my commitment goes beyond just capturing moments; it’s about empowering fellow creatives and entrepreneurs to authentically showcase their brand stories. Read more>>

Kristen Collins

Fly Girls mission is “Building a sisterhood one brunch at a time”. The mission for me is very important because you don’t typically see a large group of women of color in a positive light. I wanted to form a sisterhood where we can do all the things women love to do together which includes traveling and trying new restaurants ! I also, wanted to give moms a break from everyday reality to have a moment for themselves! You can’t pour from a empty cup so our trips and events are refreshing for the ladies! Read more>>

Jason Quevedo

We strive to offer a simple food item, such as our breakfast burritos, using high quality ingredients. We want to offer a high end product that people can really taste the quality of our product with each bite. We want to source great products from local food companies to not only offer a quality product, but also help out the local economy as much as we can. Read more>>

Barry McClintock

Healing Spaces consists of Barry McClintock and Sean Kitts, partners in life and in helping you in your spiritual journeys. Our mission with Healing Spaces is to bring balance and a sense of wholeness to the external and internal, spiritually developing aspects of individual’s lives. We understand that life’s traumas and challenges can make us feel fragmented and disconnected. You may find yourself stuck, whether it’s in your surroundings, your daily life, or within yourself. Read more>>

Stephanie Leandre

My journey to life insurance started when my father suddenly passed when I was 5 years old. Leaving my mother with 3 kids under 5. My father was really young when he passed (late 30’s) and he was the breadwinner for our family. My mother was a homemaker and had to figure out life after my father’s passing. My church at the time was very supportive. They buried my father since he did not have a policy and no savings. Read more>>

Lisa Curtis

As a vegetarian, I was feeling sluggish from a diet of mostly rice while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger. Women in the local community advised me to eat moringa leaves, showing me how to mix them into a local snack called kuli-kuli. After eating the nutritious kuli-kuli moringa snack, my energy returned. The leaves of the moringa tree are packed with protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, providing a powerful boost of nutrition and caffeine-free energy. Read more>>

James ONeal

My mission is to empower educators to empower students to build a more equitable educational system for all students. Read more>>

Dr. Joycelyn Barnett

In 2019, I suffered a series of health issues that resulted in me having to decide to retire early from a 29-year career in Education as a Middle School Principal, former Coach, and Teacher. At that time, I thought my purpose was connected to what I did. Therefore, when that was taken away, I felt lost, confused, and not enough. After several hospital stays, procedures, and a brush with death, I began to understand and transform my thought process. Read more>>

Keith Seaman

Growing up sports really helped shape my life and a lot of my values as I grew into a young man. The importance of having someone like a coach, trainer or mentor was extremely crucial in that. Having someone that can pull the best out of you and give you a deeper belief in yourself than you even had is something I always admired about great coaches and what I strive to be now. Read more>>

Will Boyette

A1 Music Group founded by CEO William Boyette stands as a prominent producer management company, offering comprehensive services to a diverse roster of talented loop makers and producers worldwide. Our portfolio includes both loop makers and producers, and we take pride in cultivating strong relationships with these individuals. Through our innovative approach, we not only manage their careers but also provide support in addressing copyright infringement issues through advanced audio recognition technology. Read more>>

Catherine Tolbert-Wilson

At Good Day Selfie Museum, our mission goes beyond pictures; it’s about crafting an unforgettable experience. When you step into our vibrant space, it’s not just about selfies – it’s about creating lasting memories, boosting self-confidence, and having a blast with loved ones. We’re all about leaving our visitors with more than just photos; we want them to leave with smiles, feeling better than when they arrived. Read more>>

Doris Batson

It all began with the notion to help provide young artists who were passionate about their skills, yet did not have an open door or platform to pursue their gifts. As a former teacher, this is what was witnessed on numerous occasions. I would see young people have ideas and the enjoyment of creating, but because of limited access to perform or the proper nurturing of their talents, I recognized there was something missing to help them excel. Thus, the idea and mission was birthed to start a much needed organization as Kids Aspiring To Dream. Read more>>

Anna Konya

The quote that keeps me ongoing is the following “Remember who you are. And change the game. ” And is rooted in my story, which as I arrive to see is the story of most of us. Read more>>

Nikki Goree

The mission of Queens Over Anxiety is : Empowering women with anxiety to build self confidence through support and advocacy. This is very important to me because of my own struggles with anxiety. I did not know how to request support without feeling like a failure. I wanted to appear perfect but not getting help created a war inside of myself. Read more>>

Rickell Hill

I am a devoted wife and loving mother to three daughters. My life’s purpose is guiding and mentoring women, inspired by own experiences. In my youth, I lacked healthy connections with women. As I entered adulthood, I made a deliberate choice to transform this narrative, not just for myself but for others on a similar journey. My goal was to demonstrate to my daughters that women can support each other, transcending diverse backgrounds and social studies. Read more>>

Ashley Davis

I specialize in maternity and newborn photography in the Orange County and Los Angeles area. I have over 12 years of experience, and I truly love what I do, it’s literally the best job in the world. I feel so fortunate to capture timeless memories for my clients. My photography journey began once I became a mother. I truly always loved capturing every moment in life for my family. But when it came time to capture my first pregnancy and her newborn photos. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed in the whole experience. Read more>>

Ashley Hughes

The story behind Shi Bella’s was always a dream that was suddenly an opportunity that’s grown more than I ever could of imagined. In 2015 I was deathly ill and was told I was lucky to be alive. To help with the tough news at the time, my mom suggested we stop and see kittens and I left with two, this is where Shiloh and Bella became my first babies and would later become a business name. During this time, I was working in an accessory store and often times found myself remaking or creating pieces for a panicked bride who needed unique pieces for her maid of honor and bridesmaids. Read more>>

Mayasir Tran

The story behind Music City Drop Pack and Ship is a tale of resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and community dedication. As a Black and Asian-owned business in Greenbrier, TN, the company was born out of a dream that my husband and I had with a deep connection to Tennessee and a shared vision of creating a lasting legacy of entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Mabed Utate

Our mission in creating our brand is that each person can shine with their light, inspiring us to embrace our inner boss and conquer the world with confidence, self-love, integrity, and pride just like candles. Read more>>