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.

Jeni Bliatout

When my partner and I decided to launch our first fundraiser, Social Sessions, the reasons were simple: 1) find a way to give back and 2) make it fun. Little did we know that three years later, Social Sessions would evolve into a fully-fledged 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation. Our mission is clear: cultivate a community of givers, uniting people through a shared love for music and empowering them to contribute to making the world a better place. Read more>>

Heather Donaldson

At Mad Cheese, our mission is to help more people eat more plants, more often. A few months before Covid, my husband and I decided that we wanted to do more to help the environment. After researching, we decided that the most impactful thing we could do as individuals would be to adopt a plant-based diet. As a self-proclaimed foodie who loves all food, I wasn’t sure it would be sustainable for me. Read more>>

Gretchen Bergman

I have dual careers that interweave well in creating awareness and advancing our mission. I have a theatrical fashion show production company, Gretchen Productions, that works primarily with charitable organizations for fundraising events, and the non-profit organization I started almost 25 years ago, A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing). Our mission is to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorders through education and compassionate support and to advocate for therapeutic rather than punitive drug policies. Read more>>

Marci Hedderson-Carroll

Geode Nature Dome is a one-of-a-kind outdoor event space nestled at the foothills of the Appalacians in Chillicothe, Ohio. Designed to create epic outdoor experiences immersed in nature’s elements, our space is perfect for groups, teams, wellness getaways, and adventure-seekers of all kinds. Our unique geodesic domes and glamping sites offer you and your community a rare experience in the heart of nature surrounded by its rich elements. Read more>>

Corey Dupree

I currently reside in Palmyra, PA, which is just outside of Hershey, PA. I am a proud dad of two amazing children. In July 2021, I took my children to the local playground to release some penned up energy which came in the form of them riding circles around the path that surrounds the park. As they rode their bikes, I was getting my energy out by walking laps around the path. While we made our second lap around the park, I heard crystal clear through my headphones the word “Niggers” ring through the air. Read more>>

Klin Epps

Never once was I told what oath or what options would be good for me if football doesn’t work out. So once I got it in my head that I won’t be called on Draft Sunday, an immediate switch turned on inside of me. I spent all the little money I had saved up until that point and went and bought as many pieces as possible to be the freshest man on campus at every event. Read more>>

Aaron Muller

It was 2 weeks before my 40th birthday. With the coaxing of my partner, I met with my doctor and found out shortly after I had Celiac Disease. Initially, I thought to myself, “going gluten-free won’t be that bad” however the next few months after my diagnoses, it became very clear this wasn’t just a casual change. Read more>>

Tasha Reynolds

I’ve always been a bookworm and had a passion for writing, but had no idea what I was doing when I started getting into the indie horror community on Twitter in October of 2021. I gradually started reading indie works, and after being particularly excited about a book I read, reached out to author Adam Hulse to let him know how much I enjoyed it. It was terrifying, because authors always seemed like this upper echelon of folks with the potential to be annoyed by messages from a random person, but he was incredibly thankful and we developed a great friendship from there. Read more>>

Adam Carpenter

The mission behind my business life is our trademark, “Building For the Generation®.” Carpenter Create is a vehicle for entrepreneurship and financial investment, maintaining a future-leaning focus of “Building For the Generations®.” We are an avenue for synergistic partnership, financial literacy, and great purpose. Read more>>

Meghan Fitzmartin

I’ve been very vocal about the fact that, when I went to college, I studied to be a youth pastor. A unique path, especially as a woman, but I knew that what I wanted to do more than anything else in the world was to tell people they were loved. Specifically the younger generations. I wanted to reach out and give them safe spaces, places that helped them wrestle with who they were and who they wanted to be, while also allowing them to be fully loved without judgement. I couldn’t imagine teaching, I hated school. Read more>>

Gregory Lagola

For many years working as a fashion designer for many different companies, I always felt that there was a lot of waste, both in terms of time, materials, and resources, and this was before the conversations around sustainability had become important and prevalent. When i decided to start my own brand of demi-couture women’s wear, I knew that I would only be comfortable in doing so if I could find a way to have the idea make sense for me, personally, and professionally. Read more>>

WILLIAM HOLMES

I have worked for Security Alarm Companies for years as a top producing technician. Because of this I was never allowed to move up into management even after achieving my MBA from Strayer University. When you’re a good technician they try to keep you in the field, so I decided to get my Low Voltage Electrical License then started my own company. The rest is history!!! Read more>>

Ashely Franklin

Our slogan is … Remarkable Marketing & Ad Solutions where we help you make your MARK on the world, which means that we orchestrate curate and develop so that what you envision comes to light. Read more>>

Haley Cooper

My journey into the world of fundraising and nonprofit work began with a deep-rooted sense of care and a passion for promoting health. Caring for others was a value instilled in me from a young age, and it became the driving force behind my decision to graduate with a bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, Health, and Human Performance from Saint Mary’s College of California. Read more>>

Kevin Dibia

The mission behind my real estate journey is to impact as many people as I can in a positive light through real estate. That mission comprises of creating generation wealth in peoples lives, teaching other agents how to build their own brand and become a better agent, and overall influence others to become better in any goal they desire. The ViewFinders Collective Group was created because of this mission that we are dedicated to achieving. Read more>>

Andrea Entz

I have many different facets of my work – podcast management, voice acting, and stand up comedy. I love to call myself a “professional extrovert” because what all these areas have in common are communication, expression, and connection. And there’s almost nothing more important to me than our human right and deep desire to connect and express. It’s at the core of everything we do. Read more>>

Thais Domingues

At Odisseia, my mission is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Brazil, a country teeming with diverse stories and creators who find art in the most unexpected places. In my daily life, I witness the resilience of individuals facing challenges such as homelessness and lack of basic sanitation, yet exuding joy and smiles. It is this juxtaposition of hardship and happiness that fuels my purpose. Read more>>

Amy Lynn Durham

As a former corporate executive in the retail industry who once managed a staff of over 400 employees while working for both private and publicly traded companies, I began to feel a sense of burnout and loneliness as my career progressed. I attribute it partially to the isolating nature of my executive role. Read more>>

Joanna Adams

I’m on the board of Public Land Creatives – a non-profit organization that advocates for equal, fair, and unbiased access to create and recreate on our nation’s beautiful public lands. This mission is important and meaningful to me because I believe everyone has the right to document their lives on public lands whether they are photographers, videographers, creators, or citizens. Read more>>

Justin Flores

I stated my company, Justified Media as an alternative to today’s clickbait driven / clout chasing media platforms that are breaking news and reporting on gossip. Justified Media’s mission is to educate those on the music industry and music theory and to challenge those to think deeply on how music affects society. Read more>>

Bizu Hodge

My mission is to provide clients with an appreciation of the multicultural talents in the world. My multicultural background and education has allowed me to experience the culture and artistry of many countries. My heritage is from Ethiopa, my early education is from Italy where I was exposed to its culture and the creative aspects of the Clothing and shoes industry. My business experience was honed in the US high technology and car industry. Read more>>

Amanda Lauer

I was first introduced to historical fiction romances as a teen. The books available in that genre were generally referred to as “bodice rippers.” As I built my career as a freelance journalist, I knew I had the ability to write and somewhere along the line, the seed was planted in my heart to write an historical fiction romance, but not the standard fare. Read more>>

Brittany Rohner

The DREMR Company, LLC was founded in 2020 with a mission to put the “human” back into Human Resources. The idea of DREMR began well beforehand, over 15 years ago, when our founder realized that corporations really struggled to sustain authentic cultures and team environments where employees felt safe enough to be authentically themselves. We’re all human, and we do our best when we feel at our best, whether at home or at work. Read more>>

Diamond Williams

At ROU, our mission is to provide quality skincare products made with natural ingredients that are suitable for even the most sensitive skin. We made this our mission after several failed attempts at finding skincare that was not only effective, but safe to use in the long run. Read more>>

Suraiya Kara

At Holistically Healthy Workplaces, my mission is to revolutionize work environments by prioritizing psychological health and safety. I am dedicated to creating a culture where employees thrive emotionally, mentally, and professionally. Through a personalized approach, I offer strategies and programs that empower both individuals and organizations to prioritize well-being, reduce stress, and foster a sense of inclusivity. Read more>>

Lisa Gray

Photography isn’t just a career for me it’s a a passion. Everyone deserves amazing pictures. Pictures will be all that is left of you one day. Something for family and friends to be able to look back on and reminisce about. My goal is to work with all budgets. I’ve even done free shoots for people who are ill or pet owners about to lose that special fur baby. Read more>>

Simon Powell

Our mission statement at Siminetti is: “To continually create inspirational Mother of Pearl luxury surfaces, that are crafted with passion, viewed with awe, and are kind to the planet on which we live.” When I created Siminetti 14 years ago, I came across one of nature’s most stunning materials, Mother of Pearl, and it was just being discarded. It was my objective to develop a new surface finish utilising this discarded but stunningly beautiful material which also offers a lot of functional benefits to the luxury interior design industry. Read more>>

Amber Tookes

I have two companies, well, technically three, but I’m focused on two companies at the moment. Bible Bawse Chicks and Creative Bawse Consulting. Bible Bawse Chicks is a faith-based brand that was created for millennial women who want to “boss” up or elevate their lives spiritually, financially, physically, and mentally. The driving force for this brand is my walk with Christ. Read more>>

Mak Richardson

I was driven and inspired to start my own floral business with the help of my two-year-old daughter, Athena. She doesn’t even know the impact she has made on me in her short lifetime. It is amazing to think about how she couldn’t even communicate and yet she pushed me to become a woman and mother that I never imagined I could be. Read more>>