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.

Paige Comrie

At Wine with Paige, my mission is to make wine more approachable, inclusive, and deeply personal. I spotlight boutique winemakers and undiscovered wines, sharing their stories in a way that helps people connect—not just with the wine itself, but with the culture, history, and craftsmanship behind it. Read more>>

Ana Baez

The Baez Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to uplifting and empowering women and young girls who have been impacted by life-changing traumas and hardships. Our mission is to provide essential programs, resources, and spiritual guidance that support individuals in navigating their journey toward purpose-driven, stable, and productive lives. This mission is deeply personal to me, as I understand the struggles of growing up in difficult circumstances. From becoming a young mother at 16, surviving domestic violence, to overcoming the trauma of my past, I have walked a path full of challenges. Despite dropping out of high school and facing setbacks in my education, I finally earned my GED in 2020 and am now pursuing my degree as I near graduation. Read more>>

Andre Richardson Hogan Ii

If books do not have an.impact on our culture — if the artist’s job, whether if she is a novelist, or a poet, or even a playwright — is to take you places where you could not even begin to imagine, to turn you back into a child, who has just learned to read, and learned how to imagine what the words on a page, or a stage, is saying, then books not only have an impact, and as substantial, on me, but of my thinking, my creativity, my spirituality, my gesticulations, complications, my life. Read more>>

Marissa Jackson

I never set out to be a content creator, podcaster, or YouTuber. I just knew one thing: I was tired of feeling stuck. Tired of the cycles, tired of the pain, tired of wondering if life was always going to feel this hard. I wanted more for myself, for my family, and for anyone else who had ever felt like they were just surviving instead of truly living. For years, I searched for answers. I read the books, listened to the experts, and tried to follow the advice of people who seemed to have it all figured out. But something always felt off. So much of what I found in the self-improvement world was surface-level, unrealistic, or disconnected from the real struggles people face every day. Healing from trauma, breaking out of negative cycles, learning to love yourself, it’s not just about a morning routine or a vision board. It’s deep, messy, and sometimes really hard. Read more>>

Júlia Pascual

At EIδOS, our mission is to bring inspiring IG Art Exhibitions to life, curated by art specialists from around the globe. We aim to give artistic content the structure and context it deserves, fostering meaningful connections between artists, curators, and audiences.

I started this project after noticing a gap in how art is presented on social media. Many galleries, museums, and media platforms showcase artworks providing valuable visibility, but their feeds often feel fragmented, making it difficult to engage with artworks beyond the individual post. At the same time, artists need more than just visibility—they seek connections with other creatives and a curated space where their work gains context and value. EIδOS also responds to a broader need in the art sector: galleries and institutions must adapt, attract new audiences, and embrace innovation to remain relevant. Read more>>

Eduardo Esquenazi

My journey started with a deep fascination for the ocean and a personal battle with cancer that reshaped my perspective on health and science. Two decades ago, my diagnosis led me to explore how nature—particularly marine ecosystems—holds untapped potential for human health. This realization sparked my lifelong mission: to uncover nature’s biochemical intelligence and translate it into solutions that improve lives. Read more>>

Jamir Waters

My mission is to bring creativity and connection to people through food and fashion. As a chef and brand ambassador, I want to inspire confidence—whether it’s in the kitchen or through personal style. It’s meaningful to me because I’ve seen how food and self-expression can change lives, and I want to be part of that transformation. Read more>>

Nate Vo

Being a barber, the mission is deeper than just cutting hair. It’s about transformation—helping people look sharp and feel confident. It all started with a passion for the craft. Growing up, I saw how a fresh cut could change someone’s whole energy—how it wasn’t just about the fade but the feeling. A great barber isn’t just a stylist; they’re a listener, a motivator, and someone people can count on. I wanted to create a space where every client gets more than just a haircut. Here, it’s about the experience: precision cuts, real conversations, and an atmosphere that feels like home. Read more>>

Khushali Shah

My company has a dual mission. This mission is to both serve the families that need help, by providing them with an easy solution, as well as take care of the employees doing the work. I have always been focused on mission-driven work, which began with my earlier career in the public sector. In starting this company, it was important that we were both filling a gap in the market and mission-driven. Read more>>

 Marta Olszewska

At MLC Swimwear, our mission is to empower confidence, celebrate individuality, and promote inclusivity through fashion.

Our journey began with a simple yet powerful vision: to create swimwear that makes every person feel bold, beautiful, and unapologetically themselves. We believe that fashion is more than just clothing—it’s a form of self-expression, a statement of confidence, and a tool for empowerment. Read more>>

Hannah Eddins

When I moved to Oxford, MS, two years ago I noticed the town was missing something: a rhythm-based cycle studio. After over a year of planning, ELMNT CYCLE was born—a space to share my love of cycling and build a supportive, high-energy community. Our entire studio and mission is client-focused from the minute they walk in the door. Group fitness often gets a negative reputation and we are changing that by creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for anyone and everyone. At ELMNT CYCLE, we believe movement is more than just a workout—it’s an experience, a release, and a connection to something greater. Read more>>

Veronica Panzardi

At Edggies, our mission help people to eat more vegetables.

We believe that small, low-effort changes can have a big impact on long-term health, and that’s why we created edggies: a simple, flavor-neutral veggie sprinkle that can be added seamlessly on top of any meal.

This mission is deeply personal to me because I know firsthand what it’s like to be too busy to care for yourself while you’re juggling a demanding corporate career. Read more>>

Fairren Mclemore

The mission behind Shining Through: My Journey with Incontinentia Pigmenti is to inspire self-love, resilience, and the courage to embrace differences. Through the story of a little girl with a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects the skin but it can also impact other parts of the body like the eyes, teeth, hair, and central nervous system. This book aims to raise awareness about Incontinentia Pigmenti, foster understanding, and encourage children and families to celebrate their unique beauty. It serves as a message of hope, empowerment, and inclusivity, ensuring that those who feel different recognize their worth and strength. This mission is deeply meaningful to me because it is rooted in my personal journey as a mother to my incredible daughter, who lives with Incontinentia Pigmenti. Read more>>

Suvi Tory

Creating a transformative experience that reveals the most confident and empowered version of yourself.

The Story Behind My Mission:
My journey to this mission has been as transformative as the experiences I aim to create for my clients. For many years, I struggled to find inner peace and a sense of acceptance within myself. Life threw many curve balls my way—from working in a high-pressure corporate environment for nearly 15 years to facing serious health challenges that led to depression and eventually stepping away from that career. At a time when I doubted my own worth, I discovered photography—a passion that had always been a quiet, intrinsic part of who I am. Read more>>

Tammie Lyons

Our mission with our practice is to help women take their lives back by reclaiming their inner power. You see, we checked ourselves into a holistic rehab on December 15, 2015 for an 18 year drug addiction that had me broken. We didn’t love who we were, we were people pleasing everyone except ourselves and we were unhappy. We spent our first seven days there in a bed because we went blind in our left eye, which had us in our mind thinking,”why am we doing this to ourselves”. After this experience, we went to my first yoga class with a man that would come to the rehab and teach yoga. His name is Dwayne yet we call him Yoga man Dwayne, he will forever be someone that has been a big part of our recovery. Read more>>

Celeste Debro

Music has always been apart of me since I can remember remembering. Sound and lyrics have a certain power that transports us to and from places without going anywhere. I thought I would be only a creative in this business but once I learned the business side, I was driven on how to solve problems within the industry (mainly among independent artist). In the rise of the Independent, it became apparent through coaching and planning for artists that I realized the lack of education and strategy that takes place. Luckily, I fell into management and that got me deeper into the strategy, wearing a million hats and learning how to make money from the ground up. Read more>>

Caleb Ziegler

I recognized the growing demand for high-quality content creation and social media management. Businesses needed more than just a presence—they needed engaging, strategic content to connect with their audiences. Not every business owner can afford an in-house marketing team.

Seeing this gap in the market, I took a leap and launched Social One, a media and marketing agency designed to help brands and creators thrive. Since then, we’ve worked with clients across various industries, from hospitality and real estate to fitness and luxury brands. Read more>>

Heidi Humes

I opened my shop during Covid, a time when the whole world was literally isolating themselves from one another. What became crystal clear to me at that time was a responsibility to remind and celebrate that we were, in fact, all connected. Having over thirty years of work and life experience in fashion, I chose to open Sunshine as both a platform to support artisans I knew and loved around the world but also to serve as an epicenter of community. Five years later, the mission is still the same with an even stronger drive to promote and empower through beautiful handmade products. Read more>>

Matt Gasimzade

My journey as an immigrant has shaped my mission in profound ways. When I first came to the U.S., I had to navigate the complexities of immigration, work multiple jobs, and make difficult decisions to build a successful future. Today, I am proud to be a key member of my department in a Norwegian-based scale-up company and to run my own business as an immigration consultant and public notary. Read more>>

Samantha Cieslinski

As a Motherhood Content Creator, Teen Mindset Coach, and Host of The Running Wine Mom Podcast, my mission is deeply personal—it stems from my own experiences trying to navigate the challenges of motherhood (even though I felt like I did all the research beforehand) while striving to maintain a strong sense of self. Maintaining a strong sense of my own independence was something very important to me when we decided to have children. I wanted to show my children that you really can do it all if you put your mind to it and have the right tools. Read more>>

Erin Turco

Our mission at EVT Consulting is to provide exceptional, detail-oriented, and compliance focused bookkeeping services to businesses in all industries. We are committed to delivering accurate and timely financial solutions but also fostering the growth of the bookkeeping profession. By prioritizing education and hands-on training, we aim to create a stronger, more capable network of financial professionals, empowering our team and clients alike. We believe that through continuous education and development, we can build a more proficient, transparent, and trusted financial industry. Read more>>

Gabe Hammes

My mission is to help businesses, creators, and organizations share their stories with excellence—not just to create content, but to equip and empower them to connect with their audience in a meaningful way.

Every one has a story to share which has the power to inspire, build community, and create lasting impact. Serving in creative roles within the church taught me that when stories are told with authenticity and purpose, they can move people to action, bring clarity to a vision, and even change lives. Read more>>

Chris Armstrong

I started out writing music as a producer/musician when I was a teenager. My goal was to provide a family friendly alternative to the rap music that was being played on the radio at the time.

After some backlash from critics and me being ostracized in music scenes in my hometown and other areas I’ve lived in, I took up DJ’ing in 2018 under the name DJ Switchbax initially as a business angle to get my music spread out. Read more>>

Jeidi Pippins

I started lifting weights because my fat jeans became my skinny jeans and my 10 year high school reunion was coming up. I felt soft and frumpy and didn’t want to show up that way. Long story short, I hired a personal trainer and I drank the kool aide. I fell in love with the gym and changed the way I ate. Read more>>

Nina Sottile

My whole life I’ve always felt I was here for a purpose even before I grew in my faith. I was inspired by the beauty of nature in my youth and grew to love design. Designing the places I lived and wanting to make people feel their most beautiful because when I felt my most beautiful I believed it radiated through me. After highschool I enrolled in cosmetology and gravitated more towards the transformations, hair and make up. Enhancing beauty was my thing. It was an escape from whatever I was going through in life. Gave me a reprieve. I got married early in my life and had two beautiful daughters. I took some time off from my career to raise them, but always continued my education and kept up my license. Read more>>

Ian Robinson

My mission has always been about one thing: Liberation. Be it social, personal, political. The music I create has always been from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know their place and constantly told on how they should behave or what to do with their life. Read more>>

Dr. Shavonne Ekeledo

At Impactful Leadership & Management Solutions, our mission is to strengthen organizations by investing in their greatest assets—their people and operations. We believe that a thriving business starts with engaged employees, effective leadership, and strategic operational excellence. By providing tailored training and consulting, we help organizations create sustainable, high-performing environments that foster both financial success and a healthy workplace culture. Read more>>

Kristin Luna

I’ve worked as a journalist for more than 20 years, and my husband Scott and I have always traveled widely, both for our careers as writers but also out of sheer curiosity about the world around us. To date, I’ve traveled through all 50 U.S. states and more than 130 countries. Read more>>

Nile Fortner

Covering everything from artists and entrepreneurs to restaurants and major events, I realized that journalism wasn’t just about reporting—it was about truly immersing myself in the community. But as the media landscape evolved, I saw the demand for something more engaging, dynamic, and interactive. Read more>>

Courtney Sprung

The Story Behind My Mission: ‘You Are Worthy of Your Wildest Dreams’
My mission is rooted in the belief that every person has untapped greatness within them, waiting to be realized.
Growing up, I witnessed countless individuals-whether friends, family, or colleagues-holding themselves back due to fear, doubt, or the belief that they weren’t
‘enough’ to pursue what truly lit them up inside. I’ve seen dreams put on hold, talents go unrecognized, and potential go unfulfilled, all because of self-imposed limitations. Read more>>

Louisa Chan

Mental health has been an important theme on my page. I often prioritize others before myself, which led me multiple times close to burnt out. Over time, I learned in order for us to be the best version of ourselves, we need to take care of ourselves first. Baking has been my form of stress relief, and I hope to promote a calm and relaxing feeling to others through my videos. Read more>>

Kristin Myren

Coaching has personally changed my life, personally and professionally, which drew me to the mission and profession of helping others find their calling and live it authentically and successfully. It helped me see how my mindset, emotions, and physical well-being were shaping my decisions—personally and professionally. Once I understood that connection, everything shifted. Read more>>

Anita Grant

Hello Hair was born from a deeply personal journey—one rooted in representation, self-discovery, and the power of embracing our natural selves. For me, this mission is more than just about hair; it’s about rewriting the narratives we inherit and creating a world where every child grows up knowing they are seen, valued, and celebrated. Read more>>

Meagan Frederick

As a young girl, Meagan dreamed of being Snow White, the woodland princess whom animals adored as they helped her with household chores. (Actually, she still wishes that) Later, that dream looked a little more like being Dr. Doolittle, communicating with animals in need (because talking to animals would probably be much more useful) Read more>>

Alisa Otto

trekALLa is a women’s sustainable + size inclusive outdoor apparel company. Our mission is to make sure women have the apparel they need to adventure at any level they choose. I started this company after a lifelong struggle finding hiking clothing that fit and performed. After becoming more active in women’s hiking communities, I realized this was not just a me issue, it’s an industry issue. I got sick of borrowing my husbands moisture wicking tops for hikes and decided to use my vast experience in apparel design to do something about it. Read more>>

Patrick Barragan

I couldn’t have predicted I would become a professional tarot card reader, but it makes sense: I was always searching for a mission behind my work.

For 10+ years, I was a was a corporate art director in New York City. I’ll never forget the first time I saw a billboard of my work in SoHo — over 60 feel tall, with waves of peoples stopping and noticing. This was all I ever wanted: to see my creative vision on full display in the fashion capital of the world. By all accounts I was successful, you know? I had MADE IT. But deep down it was still … unfulfilling. Read more>>

Kathy Moufarrege

Having faced significant challenges in my youth, including growing up with an alcoholic father and immigrating from Lebanon during the war with my mother, I learned the value of resilience and creativity. Limited access to art fueled my desire to create; I even resorted to taking crayons from school one by one just to color in the Penny Saver catalog. Over time, as I gained confidence, I was able to ask teachers for supplies, and they generously provided me with construction paper. Read more>>