We’ve always tried to ask the questions that matter but that are too awkward for people to ask their friends, family and coworkers without seeming dramatic. One of those questions is about mission and purpose – when’s the last time you asked a friend what their mission was? Too often we don’t talk about our own missions and don’t ask those close to us about theirs with the result being that our missions remain secret. Are you just a doctor or are you a doctor who wants to be there for patients in the way you wished your father’s doctor had been? People have incredible and meaningful missions, and we hope our conversations asking folks about their mission can inspire more such conversations in your life.
Sophia Chavez
When my husband, Sal, and I first stepped into Mental Giants CrossFit as potential clients, we were just looking to try something new with our workout routine. We quickly realized that we had stumbled upon something special. We were stepping into the unknown, and while it was a bit intimidating, we were up for the challenge. Being surrounded by a community that shows up to get uncomfortable, work hard, and support one another will change you for the better. For us, MGCF was a space to come together and share the struggle. Read more>>
Alejandra Tryon
The Dahlia School is a non-profit equitable Spanish Immersion Montessori school with a clear and deeply personal mission: to provide access to high-quality education and an intentionally diverse environment to students from all backgrounds. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is not just a statement—it is the foundation of everything we do. Read more>>
Caleb Cobos
When I started my company back in 2016, I was a college student at the University of New Mexico juggling coursework, late nights of studying, and the dream of building something that truly mattered. I was studying Management Information Systems (MIS), which gave me a solid foundation in business and technology, but my passion lived behind the lens capturing real, unscripted moments and turning them into lasting memories. Read more>>
Josephine-Oghenekevbe Ogufere
This mission means a lot to me because it comes from my own experiences growing up in an African community where stories, culture, and faith were important. I’ve seen how powerful it is for people to connect with content that reflects their own life and background. It’s about helping people grow by giving them stories and knowledge that speak to them. I believe that when you see yourself in what you learn, it can make a big difference, and I want to share that with others. Read more>>
Patrick McMullen
I’m Deaf and proud to be part of a community full of creativity and potential. A few years ago, I teamed up with my friend Big Ben and together we grew our TikTok account to over 1.3 million followers. That journey didn’t just teach me how to grow a brand on social media — it showed me what’s possible when you have the right strategy, storytelling, and support. Read more>>
Breyana Loreto
At Sexsi Sunless, our mission is to help people feel confident, empowered, and radiant in their own skin through customizable, sweat-resistant spray tans. But our mission goes far deeper than glowing skin—it’s about representation, self-love, and creating safe spaces for all bodies, shades, and stories. Read more>>
Eva Lopez
I’ve always believed that every business has a story, but here’s the thing—not everyone knows how to tell it. I kept seeing service-based businesses and entrepreneurs getting stuck in the endless grind, pouring their hearts into everything but losing sight of the magic that makes them unique. And that needs to stop because they’re more than just hustlers; they’re creators with stories that deserve to shine. Read more>>
Ryan Benthall
Ryan Benthall is an emerging pianist and composer whose bold, original approach to music has already made waves in the community. Known for his expressive improvisations and unique harmonic voice, Benthall is poised to make a major impact with his debut album, Sovereign Mind, released on Boulder, CO’s renowned Octave Records. Read more>>
Sam Nguyen
Curiosity, creativity, and community are at the core of our studio values and the key reason for the establishment of our physical studio space in late 2024. Our mission is to make glass art more accessible to more people by cultivating an accessible and welcoming space aimed at sparking curiosity and creativity for our patrons. Read more>>
Sue Alcon O’Connor
My eldest son passed away in 2021 from colon cancer. He had served in the military and was exposed to radioactive material while aboard a nuclear submarine. Fifteen years later, he was working in Washington, D.C., in the patent office, holding a degree in nuclear engineering. At the time of his diagnosis, he was married, with a five-year-old daughter and a two-month-old son. Our family was devastated by his loss. Read more>>
Andreas Troeger
For me, the mission came out of necessity. I moved to New York from Munich Germany in the early ’90s with a camera, solid film school training, and a few video art pieces and film projects under my belt. I wasn’t chasing galleries or career milestones — I was drawn to document what mainstream culture overlooks: punk bands, underground performers, and the raw life on the streets. Read more>>
Jonathon Baillie
The name of my business/private mental health and adventure therapy practice is Active Mental Health. In short, our mission is…”through therapy, nature and adventure, we seek to help you know yourself more, to challenge fears and perceptions that keep you stuck, in pain or feeling lost, to heal and ultimately to help you move towards your desired change.” Read more>>
Laura Althoff
In January 2025, I narrowed my coaching focus to work specifically with men in technology and sales who want to make a career change. This could be a new job, or a new company, or a new industry all together. Read more>>
Jacqueline Ross
My mission is to help leaders and professionals move from resistance to courage—because true leadership starts from within. And like any real growth journey, it starts with honesty. So I want to share a moment from my own path that challenged me to step into deeper awareness and lead from the inside out. Read more>>
Jayden Carr
My mission as an artist is to challenge the social norms that keep people boxed in and disconnected from their purpose, and to create music that helps others break free and envision a better future — for themselves and for the world around them. Read more>>
Emilyanne Ehalt
For most of my life, I was very focused on one dream: becoming a veterinarian. I pursued a degree in Veterinary Medicine and was passionate about additionally specializing in small animal diseases. I wanted to understand the why behind things—the root cause—and figure out how to fix them. I’ve always had a huge heart for helping animals. Read more>>
Amperell Williams
The B.E.L.A.C mission was born out of the profound journey of my beloved son, the late Caleb S. Williams, who was diagnosed at the age of five with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. Caleb’s courageous battle and ultimate passing deeply shaped our purpose. In honoring his legacy, B.E.L.A.C (Believe Every Life Acquires a Cure) is committed to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer through awareness, advocacy, and compassionate care. Our mission is rooted in love, resilience, and the unwavering belief that every child’s life has infinite value. Read more>>
Michelle Crim
Dynamic Development Strategies, LLC believes in the power of nonprofits to make a difference in our communities. That belief drives everything we do and is rooted in a clear understanding of the challenges nonprofit leaders face. I started this company after recognizing how many smaller organizations lacked access to the strategic support, resources, and best practices that larger nonprofits often have at their disposal. Read more>>
Naomi Fountain
That’s my mission—to make every Black girl feel comfortable and proud to wear her hair however she pleases.
This mission is deeply personal because, like many Black girls I know, my relationship with my natural hair has been a complicated one. While I adore my hair, we’ve never been the best of friends. She refuses to lay flat, breaks hair ties without remorse, and often has a mind of her own. It’s a love-hate bond—and unfortunately, that dynamic isn’t uncommon in our community. Read more>>
Jennifer & Brian Fox
Travel and photography is our passion. We love capturing and sharing our experiences with others so that they may feel encouraged to explore and create their own memories! We are also extremely passionate about sharing local owned places, whether it’s restaurants, hotels, or experiences with our social community. We prefer to explore lesser touristy areas (although we do that occasionally too!), and share those experiences with others that may not otherwise know those places exist! Read more>>
Antonio Martinez
As a business owner I have thrived in helping the community and others who are in need of a second chance or a chance overall, Our mission is not to only serve the public but to represent the values that our faith has install in our hearts, we believe that with perseverance, faith, and hard work you can achieve what others in this world might seem impossible, and make a change for the better whether be for yourself or your loved ones, always thriving to create more opportunities for others whether be with a service, a word and or a friendly reminder that faith is key. Read more>>
Vivianna Rivera
I want women to feel confident, seen, and celebrated through pieces that are effortless, meaningful, and made with love. But the why behind this runs deep.
I didn’t grow up in the foster system, but I do know what it’s like to not feel safe at home. I know what it’s like to move between houses. I lost my mom when I was six years old. I know what it’s like to grow up without her, and I also know what it feels like to be adopted—something I’m incredibly proud of. Even though my young life was hard, I was also blessed. It’s a mix of pain and gratitude that’s hard to explain, but it’s shaped everything I do. Read more>>
Jerry Leam
In my little kitchen, with the sweet smell of melting chocolate all around, I poured everything I had into making something special. It wasn’t just about the chocolate—it was about resilience and hope. During my battle with pancreatic cancer, I found that making luxury chocolates was incredibly therapeutic. Each piece I crafted was filled with love, dedication, and a bit of sweetness that reflected my journey. Read more>>
Alexi Mick Houle
I’ve been in the beauty industry most of my life as a hair stylist, makeup artist, cosmetic product developer and microblading artist.
Always creating, but I always felt the most strongly that brows are the essential of face framing beauty. Throughout my life, I continue to have a deep passion for beauty. Both the kind we see and the kind we feel. My goal isn’t just to help others look beautiful, but to help them feel confident and connected to who they are. I believe in enhancing natural beauty in a way that’s subtle, yet transformative. Never too much, but just enough. Realistic, natural looking brows can frame the face in a way that’s gentle, yet powerful. In the end, I believe that true beauty lies in the details and brows that frame it all. Read more>>
Andee Bingham
Our mission is to save the most vulnerable kittens — the newborns, the critically ill, the injured, the ones no one else is equipped to help. But the heart of our mission is about more than rescue. It’s about compassion and giving second chances to those who’ve never had a first. Read more>>
Jonathan King-Cretot
At KingCretot Experience, our mission is to inspire lifelong learning, cultural curiosity, and self-confidence in every student and family we serve. But behind that mission is a deeply personal story—one rooted in my journey as a global learner, educator, and entrepreneur. Growing up, I experienced firsthand the power of education to expand not just opportunity, but perspective. My travels and studies abroad—including time spent learning in India—deepened my belief that success in life and business starts with empathy, communication, and cultural awareness. Read more>>
Jimmy Robinson
Becoming JimyOfficial wasn’t about going viral — it was about being visible. I started out creating content with nothing but a phone and a vision: to show people that where you’re from doesn’t define where you can go. I’m from Connecticut — not a “major media city,” but I’ve turned my hustle, my creativity, and my authenticity into a platform with over 400,000 followers. Read more>>
Cécile Beauvillard Burman
I produce a podcast called Voices of a Body, which gathers voices of women from all ages and backgrounds reflecting on pivotal moments in their lives, through the prism of their body. The idea came from a book I am writing, which was a reflection on my own story or the story of my body, the road towards self-acceptance and the many steps it took to get there. Read more>>
Lemar FARRINGTON
Being born and raised in the Caribbean,ive been shocked at how much our food influenced the food of the American south but how little many people know about Caribbean cuisine. Its not as popular as say Italian or French or Mediterranean. But i want to change that by introducing people to Caribbean cuisine through the lense of modern fine dining. Sharing the stories, experiences, and ingredients i grew up with, with people who might not have an opportunity to try or travel to those regions. Read more>>
J. Christopher Johnson
But beyond the words, this campaign is also personal. It also stems from a lifetime of living and seeing how so many young people -especially from marginalized communities- were left out of the conversations and decisions that affect their lives. I have seen how often the system failed to support or include us, but I also understood that real change would not happen until those voices were not just invited but at the center of, and elevated in the discussion. Read more>>
Kate Swisher
At Charlie’s Bouquet Bar, our mission is simple: to help people say what words can’t through the language of our flowers.
But behind that mission is a very personal story — one rooted in love, resilience, and the quiet beauty of starting over.
This business began during one of the most transformative times in my life. I was navigating single motherhood, healing from emotional abuse, and trying to piece together a life that felt honest and full again. Arranging flowers at my kitchen table became more than a creative outlet—it became a way to process, to communicate, to connect. Slowly, it turned into something much bigger: a space for others to feel seen, celebrated, and supported. Read more>>
Elodie Wright
“What drives my passion every day is my children and the experiences I want for them that, I wasn’t able to have as a child. Those early challenges instilled in me a deep determination to build a better future—not just for myself, but for those around me. I’ve found purpose in the hospitality industry, where I genuinely enjoy connecting with new people every day. Networking and forming real, meaningful relationships fuel both my personal growth and professional success. It’s through these connections that I continue to evolve, lead, and make an impact.” Read more>>
Tannizia Gasper
There’s a proverb that says, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their grandchildren.” That wisdom has always resonated deeply with me—not just because of its truth, but because of what it requires.
For someone to leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, their children must first receive more than enough—not just materially, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And that’s where I believe many of us get stuck. Read more>>
Lauren Chantel
As I approach eight years in business for myself, I often reflect on why I founded The Ladies’ Room NJ, a nonprofit organization dedicated to women in or interested in entrepreneurship. The answer is simple: I created the community I once needed. Read more>>
Ann Lacker
In 2005, while teaching at All Saints School, I was approached by a medical group from a local hospital that required a teacher to develop health lessons for schools in the Toledo district of Belize, often referred to as the “Forgotten District” due to limited road access. Approximately 80% of the population is extremely poor and live under highly disadvantaged conditions. Read more>>