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.

Skyler Hibicki

Big Agency Quality, Small Business Heart That is what SHibicki Designs LLC was built around. Before opening my own business, I spent my high school and college days working for various local businesses, from tuxedo shops to tanning salons to cafes. Aside from learning the role, providing top-tier customer service was always my priority. As a regular local consumer, I always used to think to myself.. “how would I like to be greeted?”, “what would unsuspectedly make my day if I came into this shop to buy my morning coffee?” Bringing a smile to someone’s face over a cup of java, or during their appointment check-in is what fueled my day-to-day. I saw the way connection and empathetic conversation made a monumental difference in positive customer experience and I worked towards spreading that spark of joy for someone, each and every day. Read more>>

Aaron Newcomb

Back when I was in law school, I had this radical idea: instead of following the traditional path of prestige and high fees, I wanted to open my own firm dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground without breaking their budgets. The idea was simple—focus on volume and effort, putting the client first and bringing them real value. It wasn’t about chasing status; it was about creating an accessible service that put the client’s needs at the forefront. That mindset has carried over into my work as a photographer. I’ve adopted what I call a “concierge photography” approach, where I bring value to my clients through technique, effort, and attention to detail, rather than leaning on the bloated norms of the industry. Instead of following trends or inflating my prices to reflect some elusive notion of prestige, I focus on the heart of the job: creating images that truly reflect my clients and their stories. Read more>>

Jacob Spaur

My mission as an artist is to share positive influence, love and inspiration. I come from a history of abuse and heavy addiction. I’m blessed to have climbed out of the depth of those pits. I hope to share the tools I’ve gained in overcoming addiction, methods of mindfulness and biological peak Performance. I’ve started a youth and community outreach called PYS and our mission is to share art and adventure with youth and the community. This facilitates an healthy artistic environment, where we can share our pearls of this human experience. Read more>>

Ronald James

My creative journey has spanned a few different spaces: filmmaking, design, writing, and stand-up. While they may seem pretty different on the surface, they all share one thing–each demands a level of honesty to create something truly good and to be well-received. Audiences today are sharp; they can sense when they’re being manipulated. Sure, people can tolerate a bit of it, but they don’t want to feel devalued. Their intellect and emotions are important in all of this. My goal is to get as close to the truth as possible–almost like reaching for the sun without burning up. That’s what it feels like sometimes, digging for those good ideas, almost like performing soul surgery. That’s the mission. Honesty. Read more>>

Lafonda Hardy

To continue elevating the Successful Toy Podcast as a platform for insightful, inspiring, and entertaining conversations. Utilize my experience in podcast production, media coverage, and interviewing to engage with diverse audiences and highlight stories of success, transformation, and creativity. Read more>>

Grace Olayiwola

At ALGStudioStore, our mission is to elevate self-care into an art form by offering personalized, luxurious gift sets that promote relaxation, well-being, and connection. We believe that self-care should be more than a routine—it should be an experience that nourishes both the body and soul. Every product we create, from our eco-friendly soy candles to our custom spa gift boxes, is thoughtfully designed to inspire moments of peace and rejuvenation. Read more>>

Roman Darashenka

Welcome to Vanture Customs, your trusted partner in making your van life dreams a reality. Founded by Laura and Roman, passionate adventurers and van enthusiasts, our journey began in 2017 when we embarked on our van life adventure by converting a Sprinter van into our cozy home on wheels. For the first two years of our van life journey, we roamed the country, exploring its vast landscapes and vibrant communities, all while falling head over heels for the conversion van lifestyle. During this time, we realized a growing need for top-notch conversion companies on the East Coast of the United States. Read more>>

April Federico

As an intuitive tarot reader, my mission is deeply rooted in my personal journey, which began with a life-altering diabetes diagnosis that pushed me toward becoming a nutritionist. That experience awakened my desire to heal and transform, first focusing on physical health. I initially turned to nutrition as a way to manage my condition, but I soon realized that true wellness goes beyond just what we eat—it involves the mind, body, and soul. Read more>>

Launora Jusufi

Breathe Yoga with Launora not only teaches regular yoga classes, I help each client ease out of current pain. Meeting the client where they presently are at in their lives, I create sequences tailored to their needs and wants. For example, a client has lower back pain but wants to stay active in their day-to-day lives so they “pain through it”. That’s not what Breathe Yoga with Launora and my fellow yoga therapist peers want you to do, it’s the complete opposite! We offer a “no pain no pain” policy. We help you create strength without enduring pain and allowing the clients body to learn how to get out of pain. Read more>>

Selorm Denu

I learned that success in anything begins with how we see ourselves. I grew up with poor self esteem because I accepted ideas like “I’m not good enough” and “I’m unworthy”. Initially, I misunderstood my Christian upbringing because growing up I felt that it was impossible to “be Christ like”, I always felt judged by God for not measuring up. I was also very angry inside. Despite growing up in a very loving home with “the greatest” mother anyone could ask for, I couldn’t see my place in what seemed like a world and a religion that didn’t love or understand me. Plus my relationship with my father was a sore spot for me. Read more>>

Anya Shumskaya

Since I first got access to social media, at the age of 11, I would take curiosity in the way people expressed their life on their pages. As time went on, I myself started posting photos and becoming engaged in friend’s lives. We all grew, with the gadget in our hand and constantly checking each others’ lives on instagram and Facebook. Soon, influencers became a thing to also follow and comment on. However, I started to compare myself to the images I saw online, because I was slowly gaining new uninvited guests on my face, chest, and back – teenage acne. With the help of social media I learned how to cover it up and take care of it. But my acne went away. Me and my friends would often compare ourselves to those celebrities and my confidence and mental health went down. I developed generalized anxiety. Read more>>

Tyf Bushman

Many times, I had the thought, “I wish I could find exactly what I’m looking for.” There are multiple platforms that sell just about everything, like Etsy and Amazon, but sometimes what you need just isn’t available for sale. It is very important to me, that if a customer is looking for something specific, I work to make it happen. At times, I will completely learn a new skill or process to get the request done. For example, a few years ago, a friend was looking for a specific sign for their front porch. They wanted it quite large and with a detail they were unable to locate in any store. So, with trembling fingers, I researched exactly what I would need to do to get the project on her front porch. After a day or so, I asked my husband to go to Home Depot and cut a 6 ft. fence piece into sections. With a happy and giving heart, he obliged and came home with the cut sections. From there I rustically painted the one section, created a stencil of the full area, to match what her request was, and in a few days…..whaaalaaa. She was able to have exactly what she envisioned. I loved that. The moment when a customer thinks of an idea and we are able to make it come to life. You think it! We create it! Read more>>

Matisse Mcmullin

My mission in photography is to create authentic images that are true to my client and their identity! I aspire to capture genuine moments that show people’s true selves. I want the photos to represent an experience of the subject and be a physical reflection of their passion in life. In my opinion, people are the most beautiful when they are doing what they love or interacting with a person that they love. I love being able to freeze these special moments in time for them to look back on. Read more>>

Allison Villines

Alli Marie Marketing is an agency that believes in reigniting your ‘why’ in starting your business! I started my agency around the love of building business & relationships at the same time. Human connection in business is something that will always keep your company memorable & personable to the consumer’s eye. We want to Increase your company’s value and expand its reach, one relationship at a time. I started my entrepreneurial journey when I was 18 years old with a clothing brand in college. I always knew I wanted to create & inspire others with a tangible item that made them feel better about themselves. My first company, being a clothing brand, was never truly about the clothes I was selling, it was about the person wearing it.  Read more>>

Florence (flo) Gyimah

My mission as a Loctician is rooted in the belief that locs are more than just a hairstyle—they are a symbol of culture, heritage, and personal identity. Over the years, I saw how misunderstood and often stigmatized locs were, both within and outside the Black community. This drove me to make it my mission to educate, empower, and care for people who choose to embrace this beautiful journey. For me, locs represent freedom, patience, and self-expression. Each set of locs tells a unique story, and I’m honored to be part of that process with my clients. I started my business to provide not only expert loc care but also to create a space where individuals can feel proud of their natural hair and the journey it takes to maintain it. Read more>>

Christina Rahm, Phd

Our mission is to “help people worldwide live their best lives” by creating a cleaner, healthier environment through the elimination of toxins, As an example, one of our most popular products is called Clean Slate. The proprietary formula was developed to safely assist the body’s natural ability to remove environmental toxins, heavy metals, bacteria, and even fungus. Its primary benefits include passive cleansing, reduction in the body’s inflammations, and increased absorption of nutrients. Read more>>

May Martinez

Our mission at May Martinez Photography is to provide meaningful, timeless memories for new mothers and their families. As a photographer and podcaster, I’ve always been passionate about capturing the beauty of motherhood and the unique journey each family embarks on. This mission is personal to me because I understand how fleeting those early moments with a newborn can be, and how important it is to preserve them. Through my podcast and photography, I aim to offer not just services, but support and guidance to first-time moms. I want them to feel empowered, informed, and celebrated during one of the most transformative experiences of their lives. It’s deeply fulfilling to know that my work can bring comfort, joy, and lasting memories to families. Read more>>

Hanna Mccord

At Le Rêve Château Salon and Spa, our mission is to create an inclusive and empowering space where clients feel beautiful, confident, and valued. We believe that beauty goes beyond the surface—it’s about helping individuals connect with their inner strength and radiance. This mission is deeply personal for us because it stems from a desire to build a supportive community where self-care is more than just a service; it’s a form of personal empowerment. Read more>>

Ilona Seddik

It’s all about transformation. You have heard many breathtaking stories about overcoming trauma, releasing problems, and stepping into your true self.  And some of you might think, “Oh, it’s not for me. I’m not that brave. I’m just trying to live my life decently”.  I do get the feeling. I thought absolutely the same only a few years ago. I was raised near the Arctic Pole, and being someone great and strong was not my plan. I was surviving.  Kids at school called me “fat pig”; a teacher called it “their games.”  I was surrounded by cold and -53 F weather.  My parents didn’t have enough money, so I ate canned food and was on a “no fruits” diet.  I entered university, where I was a “strange girl from the village.” I thought I had found the love of my life, and it turned out to be a nearly-death experience of domestic violence.  Read more>>

Alice Zealy

Our mission is to enhance your RV travel experience by blending comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. As full-time RVers in our own renovated 2003 5th wheel, our mission is to provide others with a similar alternative lifestyle. We breathe new life into used RVs by transforming our clients’ campers into functional and stylish living spaces that fit their unique lifestyle; bringing new meaning to “home is where you park it.”  We love helping others cut their cost of living in order to live a full life filled with adventures and endless memories. While there are people who are forced into this lifestyle for various reasons, we believe they deserve to have a happy home no matter the reason or circumstance.  Read more>>

Shelby Poutre

My mission is to help women especially moms know that their past doesn’t define them. You can create your own values and become the person you desire to be no matter the past you have had. I strongly believe that what we go through in life helps create us for the purpose we are meant to fulfill. What we overcome we can share with others as a guide or roadmap. I never want anyone to feel alone. What you are going through someone else has gone through also and someone else will go through after you so why not help each other. Read more>>

Vapid Haus

Vapid Haus began at the University of Colorado Denver through the founding of the university’s first student-led radio station, Denver Lynx Radio. The Vapid Haus team met through the music business program, and noticed a gaping hole in the campus’ music community – a radio station. As a primarily commuter campus, CU Denver students often find it a bit more challenging to find community than one might at a traditional campus. We owe our college radio pursuits for bringing us together. As the team nears graduation, we noticed that the need for community in the Denver’s music scene extends past university campuses. Plenty of people come from out of state, taking the leap and moving to Denver to pursue their craft. The city is busting at the seams with creatives searching for community. Read more>>

Garian Duval

The story behind my mission is not one of achieving success for money. My story is one of creating an environment where people can be themselves. Often times people will come to my Instagram page to make themselves feel better or get some inspiration. It’s a big reason why I do the things that I do. Read more>>

Anthony Lightz

My ultimate mission is to help people “see”. To open their eyes to a world that exists beyond our physical senses! My overall drive for this mission is authenticity. You might think to yourself, how do you get to living authentically through helping people “see” a world that is unseeable by the physical senses? Hopefully a brief overview of my story will help you understand.  When was young I had many odd experiences! The most influential was seeing my grandmother stand at the foot of my bed a year after she passed! Amongst that and other experiences, I was attracted to magical things like crystals and candles! Movies like The Craft and Tv shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer were my favorite. I was a weird kid! (I now understand that in the best way! ) Unfortunately, there were many aspects of my personality that led to me to being put into a box. I grew up in a pretty conservative area. I was told that my crystals would send me to hell, that I was being girly when I wanted to play with dolls, and made to feel that emotions are weak! Like so many young people, I was brought up with thought processes that didn’t align with who I truly am! Although I never really stopped liking the things that I liked, I did suppress a huge part of myself. The connection to this other world that I discovered when my grandmother came to me.  Read more>>

Cheryl Polote-williamson

My business is built on the principles that your mindset is your superpower & it is never too late to be great. What started as a desire to be more and to excel and be an executive in T.V., radio & film has blossomed into so much more. It’s given me the opportunity to meet and connect with powerful women around the world who share the same goal and vision as I do. It’s allowed me to serve and to pour into people who are hurting and in need of encouragement and words of affirmation. It’s allowed me to publish books that speak to the souls of people who have been broken. It’s allowed me to be the hands and feet of Christ. It’s allowed me to electrify audiences globally and remind them of who they are and who’s they are. I am so full of gratitude and excitement for what God is doing right now. Read more>>

Jupiter F. Stone

When you’re from the most isolated populated location on the planet it’s hard not to feel like you’re the center of the world. Especially when it’s landscape is a paradise reminiscent of the depictions we perceive as heaven. Alas – Hawai’i is not all it’s advertised to be.  I was born on the island of Oahu in 1990 and was raised on the Leeward Coast in a town called Wai’anae.  This location has one of the highest populations of Native Hawaiians in the world and is also one of the most impoverished in the united states.  Growing up was a mixture of exposure to endless love rooted in a deep and beautiful culture while the sounds of domestic abuse and consistent public violence casually acted the baseline of the soundtrack to my life.  When I was 17 and a new media producer at my highschool news media program they asked us for help with a community event. Read more>>