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.

Evan M. Gallagher

In our fast-paced world, time has become one of our most valuable resources. So often, people find themselves sacrificing it in order to pursue their passions. That realization is what sparked our mission: to give people back their time. For creators, the process of content creation should be invigorating and fulfilling. However, they often find themselves bogged down by tedious and time-consuming tasks like editing, which takes away from the time they could spend doing what they truly love—creating. Read more>>

Treanna Thomas

Leonae Scents began as a personal journey. Growing up, I struggled to find skincare products that were gentle enough for my dry, sensitive skin yet genuinely effective. After countless disappointments, I realized many others like me faced the same challenge: finding products that work and nourish and revitalize the skin without harmful chemicals. Starting small, I created my solution by handcrafting each product with care and intention. Every jar of shea body butter or scrub is made in small batches, ensuring the quality and love behind each one. Skincare is more than just a routine—it’s an act of self-love and self-respect. Read more>>

Nhu Quynh Tran

My mission to unite the Vietnamese community is driven by both a deep respect for our past and a commitment to shaping a brighter future. The Vietnamese community in Memphis was born from the courage and resilience of refugees who fled the fall of Saigon in 1975. Arriving here in the early 1980s, these brave individuals had to rebuild their lives in an unfamiliar land. Despite their hardships, they founded a community grounded in hope, strength, and perseverance. Read more>>

Devon Henry

I spent years working in the food service industry. I’m not sure how I lasted as long as I did, LOL! The thing a lot of people outside the industry don’t understand is that “love of food” is not the way you’ll make it through. Dedication and perseverance, sure, but in my experience food service puts a heavy strain on the mind, body, and soul. It takes a special kind of individual to endure regularly in that kind of environment. As I recall, I needed to transform myself into something I didn’t really like while working in restaurants and resorts. You do the same things over and over again day in and day out; coming to the realization that the “art” behind it many times gets masked by the “craft.” That’s what it takes to survive in the industry, the craftsman’s spirit. That cookie-cutter mentality has never been what drew me to food in the first place. Read more>>

David Debonis

As we closed the distance between the Jeep and the tree line, our breathing stabilized in a steady and comfortable pace. The evergreen trees were becoming fewer and further between, glowing in the white hue of our headlamps. At this point, it was about 3 a.m. After a few hundred yards of trekking up, the pines promptly shrunk to waist high, and gusts of frozen wind began to pour against us. We all stood in awe and scanned our eyes across the mystical silhouettes of grand mountain peaks that stood solemn against the dark navy-blue sky. The moon was smack dab in the center of the view and gleamed like a spherical crystal casting a bone-gray light across the entire tundra. I could clearly see the rocks, brush, and alpine grass that crawled all the way to the peak of Mt. Elbert, which towered over us with intense intimidation.  Read more>>

Michael Towns

Our mission is to create inclusive, engaging hip-hop music, videos, books, and colorable T-shirts that inspire and educate children of all abilities. Through rhythmic content and interactive resources, we aim to foster a love for learning while helping children, with and without disabilities, develop essential skills like creativity, motor skills, and self-expression. Read more>>

Crystal Yang

I learned about assistive technology when my friend, who is blind, wasn’t able to play my favorite game, Wordle. I spent my summer creating an audio-based version of Wordle, Heard-le,and it was super rewarding the see her play the game. Through building Heard-le, I learned about the challenges that blind students face. Many tools that sighted people can use are not available for blind students, resulting in the statistic that over 70 percent of blind students are at least a grade level behind in school. I wanted to change this, inspiring me to build Audemy, the world’s largest educational game platform for blind students.  Read more>>

Zaira Vela

At Oceana Crystals Candle Boutique, our mission is to create high-quality, handcrafted candles that bring warmth, tranquility, and sustainability into every home. We are dedicated to using eco-friendly materials and supporting mindful living by crafting products that enhance the atmosphere, while respecting both people and the planet. Read more>>

Najee Ellerbe

Everybody’s Juice started as a passion project but was born out of a personal health journey that truly transformed my life. It all began in January 2016, during what was supposed to be a fun birthday trip to Lake Tahoe. I ended up catching the flu and spent the entire week in bed, curled up in the fetal position. That flu lingered for an entire month, leaving me weak and drained. As a way to reset, I decided to go on a six-day juice cleanse. Slowly but surely, I started regaining my strength—I could walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded, and my appetite returned. That cleanse sparked my curiosity about health and wellness. Read more>>

Ardelia Lewis

Flawless Desires was created in Oakland California and became an outstanding company that has lead to my desire in my life. I grew up in household with three other individuals and I had a very big family. We always work cute clothes because the woman in our family took pride and who they were. I lost my mom at the age of nine and begin to wonder where my identity went. I looked for people in the community who went through the same thing as me and decided to collaborate with the others to get their expressions of the life they went through. Read more>>

Brianna Terry

The Story Behind My Mission At the heart of my photography business is a deep passion for capturing authentic, meaningful moments that reflect the essence of people’s lives. My mission is to create timeless images that couples, families, and individuals will cherish for years to come. Photography has been a lifelong love of mine, and over the years, I’ve come to realize that it’s not just about taking pictures—it’s about documenting stories. Read more>>

Mary-ashanti Harrison

We are a mission driven company with the mission of creating an inclusive space for luxury beauty. It is super duper important to me! I am biracial and growing up it was so so hard to find a artist that could do my hair properly as well as my makeup. I entered the beauty industry at age 18 and I made a promise to myself that I would create change in my industry. I even went back to school a second time to acquire my beauty school teaching license at age 23 to help desegregate the beauty industry by ensuring my students were able to work with all hair types. My biggest goal is that at the end of my career I can look back and know I made it a better world and experience for people just like me. You shouldn’t have to think about race when planning your wedding or choosing your stylist yet that is sadly still the reality. Read more>>

Natalie Servello

In the fashion landscape, the lack of size-inclusive high-quality brands has long been a glaring gap. With 68% of women in the US and Canada falling above a size 14, the demand for size- inclusive fashion is undeniable. However, existing brands that do cater to larger sizes often lean heavily towards activewear, leaving a void in the market for elevated, versatile designs. Additionally, many brands struggle to instill longevity in their offerings, leading consumers to seek more mindful and sustainable options. Prior to the launch of brands like Skims in 2018, size inclusivity and diversity in fashion remained extremely limited. SERVE emerges as a game- changer in this landscape with its focus on elevated designs that seamlessly transition from day to night, offering multi-purpose high fashion. The brand’s target market, comprised of women aged 25 to 40, spans diverse industries, from service-based to corporate. These women value versatility and quality, seeking pieces that effortlessly blend into their day-to-day lives. SERVE’s offering resonates with this demographic, providing a refreshing take on elevated basics that cater to the modern woman’s multifaceted lifestyle. Read more>>

Celeste Murphy

Thinking of a yarn shop might conjure visions of a cozy environment fill with friendly elderly women, but that is not always the reality for a knitter. If you crochet, your experience may be even farther from that image. Yarn shops are amazing places filled with candy-shop like enticing varieties of fiber and color. They can also be intimidating to newcomers or even repeat customers. Sometimes they can be downright unwelcoming. I know that was my experience for years with two local yarn shops. Then when I created a local knit group I learned that my experience was not isolated. All the knitters in my group had similar experiences, at least in our area. Crocheters had it even worse. They expressed that they felt there was an invisible sign posted that stated “No Crochet”. They were banished to shop at big box stores and learn their craft in secret. Read more>>

Anna Constantino

At the heart of my mission lies a deep commitment to spark little joys and provide comfort in our everyday lives. In a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming, I believe in the power of simple, heartfelt moments—like the warm glow of a candle or the soothing scent of a home fragrance—to transform our spaces and uplift our spirits. Creating high-quality, small batch, handcrafted pure soy candles is not just a business for me; it’s a passion. Each candle is a labor of love, made with natural, non-toxic ingredients that are not only safe for our families but also kind to our Mother Earth. I am dedicated to using eco-friendly practices in every step of the process, ensuring that the joy these candles bring does not come at the expense of our environment. Read more>>

Cassie Wheeler

The mission that Angels Touch Candle Co. strives for is to bring more awareness to stillbirths, miscarriages, and pregnancy loss, while also providing support for parent(s) who have endured such a tragedy. We lost our beloved, Adeline, at 27 weeks in May 2020. I felt alone in my grief and it was hard not feeling support from family who didn’t know how to comfort us.  Because we have experienced this tragedy, I aim to bring awareness to others who have experienced the loss of a baby and offer support and comfort where it’s needed. We hope to partner with local hospitals in the future to provide “comfort baskets” to newly grieving parents and hope to start local support groups for the community. 1 in 10 pregnancies results in a stillbirth or miscarriage. We want to be there for as many parents as we can. Read more>>

Andrea Davis

It is the mission of Your Grief Solution to provide individuals with the tools and support they need to move beyond loss and grief and to lead a more fulfilling life. I use the Grief Recovery Method to personally guide individuals through a structured process that helps them understand and navigate their emotions related to grief, enabling them to take specific action-steps and complete any unfinished emotional business with the relationship. This work is extremely meaningful to me personally, in 2019 I lost my mother and my husband Dave unexpectedly just a few months apart from each other. It was during my own grief healing that I discovered that I had a calling to help others in their grief healing journey.  Read more>>

Eleise Richards

Experience The Legacy, Inc. was founded in 2016 to help bridge the opportunity gap for college-bound students, combining some of the fun of the iconic Historically Black College & University (HBCU) homecoming with the essential information that traditional college fairs provide. Our mission is to raise awareness about these institutions and provide under-resourced communities with comprehensive information, resources and a taste of the HBCU experience by celebrating the history, culture and impact through a curated college resource fair. Read more>>

Leslie Lawrence

I’ve never been one of those people who say, “I could write a book about that.” I’m not a writer but I am a shutterbug: the family member who takes photos ad nauseam at every family or friend gathering. I never intended to write a book. Add to that, sharing photos of myself nude from the waist up and bald as a cue ball to provide hope for women experiencing breast cancer was never a goal of mine.  But in spite of who I thought I was and what I thought I could or couldn’t do, I actually ended up writing a book: “I’m a lucky woman: A Photographic Memoir of a Breast Cancer Survivor.”  Read more>>

Marvin Francois

We believe communities flourish when small businesses flourish. Further, we see entrepreneurship as the great equalizer helping to significantly narrow (and ultimately zero) the wealth gap. For context, Black business owners have a median net worth 12x that of Black non-business owners. Further, the racial wealth gap between White and Black business owners narrows to 3x, as compared to 13x times amongst the general White and Black populations. Similar trends are observed across other underrepresented groups. Beyond personal wealth-building, each dollar invested in small businesses returns $0.40 to local communities, and it is well-reported that small businesses have contributed 55% of the total net job creation over the last decade. We imagine a world where small businesses will increasingly become local job-creating engines and economic spigots. This will ultimately lead to widespread socioeconomic shifts in historically disinvested neighborhoods and communities. This is why, as a fintech company, we are committed to providing modernized, cutting-edge financial products that not only democratize access to capital, but accelerate financial inclusion for underfunded, underbanked and credit-starved businesses. Read more>>

Emmaline Chappell

Growing up biracial, I never felt like I fit in, and I always knew I was different from others. I was never white enough or black enough in school or with my friends and it left me feeling like an outsider and feeling frustrated with people wanting to always put me in a box and dim my light. I started to realize that I could use my love for fashion as a way to boost my confidence and embrace my uniqueness. Fashion became my outlet to create my own box and be myself. I could express who I was through my style and didn’t have to fit into anyone’s conformities. Dressing how I wanted gave me the confidence to embrace my individuality and show up and stand out. Read more>>

Jeff Roberts

SGT Pepperoni’s Pizza is a family owned – community serving business. We pride ourselves in our efforts to serve others. The highlight of these efforts is our partnership with children’s Hospital of Orange County. Every year in September, we collect brand new Lego sets to donate to children in the hospital. In addition, we provide proceeds from our sales for the month. we have given away thousands of LEGO sets and over $250,000 to CHOC Read more>>

Zachery Frazier

Growing up in inner-city Philadelphia, I was kicked out of every public school and ended up finishing my education at DeLaSalle In Town, a disciplinary school. I was an athlete, playing basketball and boxing, but my personal life was in turmoil. At 11 years old, my mother fell into addiction, and I was forced to live with my father and his wife, where I faced emotional and physical abuse. Music became my refuge during many tough nights. Read more>>

Alexandra Mcdonnell

People often ask the story behind Vinoteca. For me, it is so much more than just selling wine. I wanted to create a place where people could learn about different wines and tell the stories behind each bottle that are often not told. From the vine to the bottle, there is so much that goes into the wines before they are in your glass. Each glass holds a story of places, people, and passion. Read more>>

Sandy Trillos

Our mission is to empower individuals and families navigating the immigration process in their self-representation cases by providing reliable, compassionate, and expert support. We strive to simplify complex procedures, helping our clients achieve their dreams of living and thriving in a new country. Through dedication and integrity, we are committed to being a trusted partner in every step of the journey, fostering hope, opportunity, and inclusion for all. Read more>>

Bri Hepworth

I started Mini Voyager because of one massively overfilled carry-on suitcase full of toys that weighed more than the 8 month old they were for, on a cross country flight from New York City to San Diego. Long story short, I was SO stressed about flying by myself with my baby on that 6 hr flight that I totally overprepared with tons of research and every toy I could think of to keep her entertained. I used to feel sick before flights with a huge pit of nerves in my stomach because I knew it was going to be all on me to keep her entertained for that long. Read more>>

Heather Chee

The mission of Stylized Threads, “Change your look, change your life,” is rooted in my personal and spiritual journey. As a young girl, after undergoing back surgery and spending months in a full body cast, I learned a profound truth about self-image and how the world perceives us. Navigating life in a wheelchair, I discovered that our outward appearance has a deep connection to our inner spirit. During that time, creativity became my refuge, and I realized that clothing holds the power to transform not just how we look, but how we feel and who we become. Read more>>

Gabrielle Hennings Zoe Hemenway

At H&H Learning, our mission is deeply rooted in empowering neurodiverse students to thrive with confidence. Our commitment to creating a neurodiverse-affirming environment goes beyond just teaching—it’s about connection and understanding. We prioritize building rapport with each student, recognizing that confidence grows from relationships that celebrate their individuality. If a student connects by spinning and talking about Dora, we join in, becoming experts right alongside them, because we know that honoring their interests is the foundation of meaningful connection and self-confidence. Read more>>

Marie Humble

THERE IS BEAUTY AMONGST THE CHAOS… A photograph is a moment frozen in time for you to look back on & cherish for a lifetime. I started my business with the mission to capture life’s moments and all of its imperfections. What you remember when you look back at your photographs – whether it makes you laugh or cry – is the moment you cherish. Read more>>

Raina Young

My mission is to bring back the original intent of Sweetest Day which is to spread love and joy to those who are often forgotten. Sweetest Day was established in Cleveland by Herbert Birch Kingston who worked at a candy company. He formed a committee that consisted of more candy company employees and Sweetest Day was born in 1921. The first Sweetest Day silent stars passed out candy at local theaters and 10,000 boxes of candy were distributed to orphanages, nursing homes, and other charitable organizations. When I learned all of this it touched my heart in a special way because it all started in my hometown (Cleveland). Read more>>

Kate Baumwell

I’ve always been an animal lover, but didn’t get involved with the rescue community until the end of 2020. I had one pet at the time, and had always wanted more, so someone suggested fostering. I had an extra bedroom so figured why not! I reached out to Saving Sage Animal Rescue, and was approved after going through their application process. Since then, I have fostered over 80 cats and kittens for Saving Sage, along with other local rescues like Operation Liberation, Pretty Kitty Miami, and Love N Light Furever. What I noticed about the rescue community here, (which is mostly volunteer, foster, and donation based,) is that there is literally never enough food, funds, or people to help. Read more>>

Lewis Black And Midori Koide

The aim of GoodRec is to make it as easy as possible to find and join sports games in your city. Just tap the app, join a game, and show up on the day. We take care of the rest. It’s a familiar story: people around you slowly stop playing the sports they loved as kids. We are all so busy that it’s hard to organize a game, and so many of us end up losing touch with the sport we love.  Read more>>

Zoe Herrera

At Baddies Xtensions, our mission goes beyond just selling wigs. We aim to empower women to embrace their true femininity and confidence by providing luxurious, high-quality extensions at an affordable price. I started this business not just as a means to sell hair, but as a way to help others discover the power in owning their beauty—because your hair is your crown, and it should be worn with pride. Read more>>

Deanna Higgins

At Vertical Allure Studio, our mission is more than just teaching pole and sensual dance—it’s about empowering individuals to embrace their strength, sensuality, and confidence in a supportive and inclusive space. The idea behind Vertical Allure was born out of a personal journey of self-discovery, growth, and the desire to help others tap into their full potential. Pole and sensual dance have a unique ability to break down barriers, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. The process of learning these dance forms teaches you to embrace your body, your movements, and the power that comes with them. For me, seeing how these practices transformed my confidence and mindset sparked the vision to create a studio where people of all backgrounds could experience the same empowerment. Read more>>

Victoria Pina

The mission behind The Dulce Vida Boutique is to empower women to embrace their unique beauty, style and feel confident through our clothing, celebrating their God given identity. This boutique is faith based and a God given dream brought to life. Each person has something about their beauty that makes them unique, just as they do their own style and identity. It’s what makes you, you. As for me, being the owner of the boutique I saw how important it was for people to feel seen for who they were. I knew what it felt like to not feel seen growing up. I’d get bullied for how curly my hair was and what I’d wear because it’d be funky and different. Little did I know these would be the things that made me stand out. I’m from a small town in West Texas and had immigrant parents. Read more>>

Shakia Spates

My mission is very important to me because my mission is what is breaking generational cycles/curses within my family. My mission is what has led me to grow my interpersonal connection with God , which has helped me understand my purpose within the beauty industry. My mission has led me to help other young women in the beauty industry grow their business and there faith. My mission is very important because not only is it helping me but it helps my clients and mentees. My clients are welcomed to a safe space and my mentees are as well. Read more>>

Kyle And Duffey Pitzer

We’re lucky enough to be father and son, business partners and best friends. Growing up, we spent countless hours outdoors together. No matter what life threw at us kayaking, hiking and fishing were always the hobbies we turned to when we needed a break. Our mission at Lake&Lure is to preserve the lakes, rivers and mountains we love so other generations can spend time outdoors. It’s important to us that others get to adventure, see new sights and experience nature. For us, nothing beats a sunrise or sunset on the lake while we fish and talk about life. We’ve partnered with 1% for the planet, the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation and other organizations in Maryland to ensure the dollars we earn flow back into the outdoor community. We also believe in protecting the outdoors across the country. One of our manufacturing partners plants a tree for every 12 fleeces sold, while another partner of ours collects plastic bottles from bays and inlets up and down the East Coast to turn that waste into clothing. So long as our customers feel empowered to experience the outdoors our mission is being met. Read more>>

Omar Henry

You know? For years, I couldn’t tell you what our mission was. But as life progressed I’ve come to realize our mission is simple, to inspire! I believe everyone is born with Gr8ness inside of them, it’s apart of their DNA. God created us all to be unique and in that, we all have gifts and talents that set us apart. My mission is to show others it’s possible! Read more>>

Deb Levine

Being a Medium is not just what I do; it’s an intrinsic part of who I am. My mentor, John Johnson, “The Natural Medium,” often said, “Mediumship is life, and life is Mediumship.” This resonates deeply with me because, as a Medium, I connect with the soul. To truly touch the hearts of my clients and their loved ones in Spirit, I’ve had to embark on a journey of self-discovery and truth. This work is personal because I’ve dedicated over two decades to self-development, which allows me to guide my clients in uncovering their own deepest truths. It’s a privilege to help others navigate their journeys and connect with the essence of who they are. Read more>>

Maciek & Matylda Mąka

Our mission, rooted in raising awareness about global social issues and fostering understanding of diverse cultures, stems from a deep belief that understanding different realities and challenges is the key to building empathy and mutual respect in an increasingly interconnected world. We’re not just interested in presenting the colorful aspects of cultures or distant social challenges, but in opening a dialogue that brings people, especially in Poland, closer to what exists beyond their everyday experience. Read more>>

Dena Cipriano

Surfing in the Midwest has never been better. With the latest technology, it is possible to explore new coastlines in the Heartland and appreciate and enjoy inland lakes. Efoiling is an emerging watersport that combines surfing with flying over water and is particularly enjoyable on calm inland waters. Read more>>

Dayejon Golston Haskin

My mission is to provide high quality work at a decent price. Additionally, I also want show family, friends & my employees that there is another way in life, you don’t always have to always go to college to be successful. Also, I want to show the youth you don’t have to be in the streets either. I went through a program that helped at risk youth so I want to do the same. When my team and I was building a deck, I had a troubled teen come up asking if I needed help and if he could work. I could tell he wanted to become different and a better person; I invited him to do light work around our site while we finished up. I do believe after working with us, he had a better mindset to use for the future. Read more>>

Sharde Harrison

Success Mentoring Program is a mentoring program for high school females ages 13-18. Our program offers fun and engaging activities that is geared towards focusing on leadership. Our Mission Statement  To equip students with life success skills that will mature and empower them to conquer challenges in life. Motto “Developing Learners into Leaders!” Read more>>

Amber Gordon

At Wake Coffee Co, we exist to enrich the lives of people throughout Charlotte. Our mission is to bring people together for elevated experiences and exceptional coffee cocktails, and charcuterie. Essentially, creating a space where everyone feels like they belong, no matter their walk of life. We believe everyone deserves an elevated experience and is worthy of that. Read more>>

Jaime Nolan

The Anima Collective is deeply rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is more than just building a business—it’s about personal growth, empowerment, and the strength found in community. Our mission is to provide a space where female entrepreneurs can tap into their full potential, leveraging both business strategies and personal development. This mission is meaningful to me because I’ve seen firsthand the unique challenges women face in business, particularly the feeling of isolation and the pressure to balance multiple roles. Read more>>

Steven Muth

As a young child, my father, who was driven by money, left our home to focus more on his career. My dad was a very successful investment banker and having no children to care for gave him much more time with his business. Due to this absence, I was driven to be like my father in some ways. I prioritized business and followed the same path for success as an investment banker after school. The other part of me swore to never leave or distance myself from my children and to be completely involved with their lives. When I became an investment banker, I worked relentlessly as a man driven to be the best in the industry and to be successful for myself and all my clients. I was known for my arrogance, confidence, hard work and tenacity, while having a true concern for my customers’ wellbeing. All my business life was valued and quantifiable by financial gains. From this experience, and countless sleepless nights after Zach left, I started ZEM Life Device Company. Read more>>