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.
Eric Klos
My inspiration for DailyBreath through the years has been a story published on the Internet in the summer of 2017 about a young 15-year-old girl, Diamond. The article was titled, “Doctors can’t pinpoint what triggered 15-year old’s asthma attack now in ICU.” Read More>>
Sarah Jamieson
For as long as I can remember, people have come to me with their ghost stories. Some were terrified, some were curious, and many had never told anyone before—not really—because every time they did, someone would laugh, roll their eyes, or tell them they were imagining things. Read More>>
Jenn Bieri
Our mission is to help ambitious leaders and organizations do work that’s both impactful and sustainable—rooted in self-awareness, purpose, and well-being. We believe that when leaders are grounded and aligned, they create healthier teams, stronger cultures, and better outcomes for everyone. We believe in proactive, intentional, human leadership. Read More>>
Ornella Fado
The mission behind my company is to produce TV shows that challenge and dismantle outdated and harmful stereotypes that have long been associated with Italians abroad. For decades, too many films and TV shows have reduced Italian identity to caricatures—often tied to crime or exaggerated clichés. I created Brindiamo! with a clear purpose: to tell a different story. Read More>>
Nolan Kahal
At SaunaBox, we’re on a mission to make wellness accessible to everyone.
That might sound like a big goal, but for us, it’s personal. We started SaunaBox because we saw a huge gap in the wellness world—one where the benefits of things like steam therapy and recovery tools were reserved for people with time, money, or access to fancy spas and elite gyms. That didn’t sit right with us. Read More>>
Lauren Clemente
BabaBoogs Candles was born during a time of deep personal transition—burnout, grief, and the realization that I needed to reconnect with myself and my creativity. Candle-making started as a form of self-soothing, but quickly became something much more: a way to tell stories, honor memory, and bring beauty into everyday rituals. Read More>>
Dave Caskey
By Dave Caskey
In a career spanning decades, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of real estate, from building one of the area’s first full-service teams to co-owning a Christie’s International Real Estate brokerage. But nothing compares to the shift we’re seeing right now. Read More>>
Steve Seime
When I was growing up, I was mesmerized by films that made me think, that made me question reality in some way. I wanted to be challenged. I wanted to find the deeper meaning. Plot may be the most important part of moving a story forward, but for me, the deeper meaning I sought rarely came from the plot, but rather, strong, underlying themes that were woven into the subtext of what was written on paper. Read More>>
Chandra Donelson
In 2020, the world paused. For Chandra Donelson, that pause came in the form of a 600-square-foot apartment, a laptop on the kitchen table, and a four-year-old son asking the most profound question of the pandemic: What is data? Read More>>
Marnisha Hunt
God put me on this earth to inspire others. To encourage them, and push them to grow into who He’s created them to be. I have a burning desire to see people chase God. To see themselves the way He sees them! I believe that spills over into my life behind the chair. I’m constantly praying over my clients because I believe we are in a world where we need men to rise up and be the true leaders God birthed them to be! Read More>>
Timilehin Laniyi
Tempire Beauty was founded on February 11, 2018 on the basis of beauty on a budget. The mission was to provide affordable hair services and wigs to women of all ages to ensure they have the confidence to take on their personal and professional goals. Read More>>
Ben
Vellichor serves as a safe space where everyone can feel comfortable and empowered to create, self-express, and exist authentically. We strive to welcome different identities in all their intersectionality. As a BIPOC, queer, and neurodivergent teen, I struggled to find a space within the literary community that welcomed all the intersecting parts of my identity. I started Vellichor to bridge that gap Read More>>
Branche Smith III, Kimberly Smith
Kingdom Building Threads is a business that is solely focused on the heart posture of Christ. As there are two owners to this business, Kim and Branche’, we have aimed at using our first letter initials of our names as an opportunity to expand it into KB Threads. Read More>>
Annie Varnot
Life events have always shaped my art in profound ways. It all started at 15 when I switched from music to visual art—a decision driven by my struggles with anxiety. I found solace in art, a place where I could hide, away from the spotlight that made me nervous. In music, I’d black out on stage, but in visual art, I could pour my energy into something that wasn’t about me but about what I created. Read More>>
Karina Bordes
Life brings good surprises, but it also brings painful ones. Still, I believe that even from the hardest moments, there’s always something meaningful to take away. Read More>>
Kelvin Brown
I started my business, IAmFitnessMemphis, LLC, to make a positive impact in my community. The passing of my mother at the age of 48 due to hypertension, and my father at the age of 36 due to a diabetic stroke, brother lost both kidneys at age 44 due to hypertension, and grandfather at age 58 of a diabetic stroke. ignited a passion for fitness within me. Read More>>
Dexter Gatlin
Our mission at our firm is to love and value people. I dont just see my client as a commission check. Im a not happy until my client is happy. Read More>>
Olivia
I believe that motherhood is a spectrum and it can look different for everyone. Any version of motherhood is okay and I hope the content I am creating can reflect that. Read More>>
Hanna Runner-Hendrix
I started in the industry as a wedding planner and saw a need for photographers who were there to serve the couples I was working with. I always saw ways they could grow in order to better serve couples. I took those observations and put them to work in my own business and started taking weddings while slowly backing away from planning. Read More>>
Julia Laoun
My mission in real estate is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves to feel supported and empowered during one of life’s most important transitions – finding a home. This mission is deeply personal. I didn’t follow a traditional path into this industry; I battled self-doubt, walked away from a “safe” career, and took a leap of faith toward what truly fulfilled me. Read More>>
Matthew Gonzalez
Weather Machine Studio’s ultimate goal is to capture photographic magic through professionalism and passion, through service and excitement, through joy and imagination. I have spent my life holding onto a few key principals, building up the people around me, and holding onto a joy that could only be experienced through wonder. Read More>>
Stephanie Ouyoumjian
Our tagline is “Smile, Baby,” and our name—”Sonrisa,” means “smile” in Spanish— perfectly captures our mission to spread joy through unique, globally sourced treasures. We want everyone to feel as vibrant and special as the items we bring to our store. Read More>>
Ian Breland
Our mission’s principles stem from a failure found in the global education system. Rarely do we see parallel consistencies in the spreading of misinformation from a worldwide perspective, but when it comes to mitigating fear of the unknown (specifically in relation to reptiles and amphibians), it’s no secret that the chances are exceptionally high you will develop an irrational fear towards “creepy crawlies” in your lifetime. Read More>>
Shannon Fehr
When I first got into the wedding industry, I was shocked at the amount of money people spent on just one day! Things had sure changed since I got married! I was also surprised by the amount of overcharging by so many vendors and the lack of awareness of this from brides. My mission since the start of my business has been to help couples have the day of their dreams without breaking the bank and starting their lives in debt. Read More>>
Sid Hamner
The mission behind our signature brand, 4 B.A.N.A. Unlimited, is personal for me. It didn’t start with fashion in mind, it started from a desire to produce something I didn’t see reflected in society, a bold, unapologetic acknowledgment of Black, African, and Negro identity, culture and achievement. Read More>>
Kerona Ledgister
In my teenage years, I had clear, beautiful skin. People always asked me how I managed to keep my skin so smooth and bump-free, and I’d usually say it was partly genetics, but I also had a consistent skincare routine. I’ve always been curious and creative when it came to skincare and hair care—I used to try out DIY recipes I found on YouTube just for fun. But everything changed in my twenties when I developed acne after being on intravenous antibiotics for a kidney infection I had developed as I do have kidney disease. Read More>>
Roxanne Alford
For me, the pillars of curiosity, education, inclusivity, and sustainability are deeply personal—and at the very heart of Short Stuff’s mission.
Growing up in India, I was endlessly curious about the world beyond my doorstep. I remember spending hours glued to the TV or lost in books, wondering what it would feel like to travel, to experience new places, and to meet people from different backgrounds. That sense of wonder and longing to explore shaped my childhood and fueled my dreams. I wanted to know what life could look like outside of my comfort zone. Read More>>
Hannah Joya
Wheels of Joya is the nonprofit my mom and I started in honor of my dad, Dr. Danny Joya. He was a quadriplegic for 28 years and spent the last six years of his life on life support. From the moment I was born, my dad lived with paralysis, so I never knew life without wheelchairs, hospital stays, or medical equipment in the background. And yet, he was the strongest, kindest, most joyful person I’ve ever known. Read More>>
Siana Smith
As a self-taught artist and the only visual artist in my family, I always knew that my talent was God-gifted. Through my journey, I’ve always felt like my creative process allowed me to empathize with the Great Creator and to create visual representation of the shared human experience. I am so grateful for the ability to create naturally and although I started off wanting to keep this gift to myself and create selfishly, I’ve grown to realize it is not mine to keep. Read More>>
MICHAEL RIPIA
My mission is simple: help everyday people and small businesses grow online, even if they’re starting with nothing.
It’s personal. I grew up in Rotorua, New Zealand, and watched my mother build a childcare business from the ground up with zero handouts. She didn’t have a marketing team. She had grit, passion, and a vision to serve her community. But like most small business owners, she struggled to compete with big-name centers that had deeper pockets and flashier brands. Read More>>
Monique Marshall
Swanky Lady Couture has evolved from a ladies clothing boutique where I create unique apparel and accessories to a Self-care Event brand that includes holistic health products and services. My mission has always been to support women in looking & feeling beautiful, however, after working a career in education for 21+ years and battling high levels of stress and fatigue my focus changed. Read More>>
Chef Meek Mealz
The Story Behind Our Mission
At Nana Browns LLC, our mission is more than words—it’s the heart behind everything we do. This company was born from a place of love, legacy, and purpose. I started Nana Browns with the memory and spirit of my grandmother in mind—a woman who believed that food was more than just sustenance. For her, and now for us, food was a way to gather people, to heal, and to celebrate life. Read More>>
Nar Hakimi
NAR. was born from a deeply personal place. A moment in my life where I was rethinking my entire identity and sense of purpose. A few years ago, I went through a divorce that left me questioning everything, who I was, what I believed in, and what kind of life I wanted to live. I felt broken inside, like I had lost my voice and my sense of direction. Read More>>
Mason Dauphin
The mission that created Dauphin Media, LLC was to fulfill the digital media needs of the community around me. It had started out with being asked to create short form campaign videos, marketing photography, and analog media conversion. It was difficult to spread myself so thin, but there was no saying no whenever I knew that I could help. Read More>>
Wesley Holloway
At Benevolent Bakery, our mission is to make cannabis consumption feel joyful, nostalgic, and approachable—by empowering people to bake their own perfectly dosed edibles at home. But that mission didn’t just emerge out of a marketing brainstorm. It’s deeply personal. Read More>>
Carla Perez
When I was in the beginning stages of forming Brightly Consultants I spent some time really defining what Brightly meant to me as a professional and individual. It’s one thing to provide a service that you can charge a fee for, but it’s another thing entirely to ensure that every single interaction in your business aligns with core values of importance. I call them my pillars and my entire business model is built on them. Read More>>
Chandler James
My business is called Cora Cacao. The way that “Big Chocolate” operates is a Western company will buy beans from somewhere in Central America, South America, or Africa for super cheap, and turn it into a watered down candy bar in a factory. Read More>>
Shanell Monique
My mission in life is to be as authentic as possible, and express myself creatively. I have many talents. I have exercised most of them at some point in my life. I sing, I dance, I’m a semi retired Pediatric Nurse, a self Published Author (4 books currently on Amazon.com under my Pen name Sha Star.. “I Love You: A Comedic Novella, Moooooomm I Ate my Lunch Already, You Hurt Me: Thank You, Temptations of Chocolate), I’m also Personal Chef. Read More>>
Dr. Cyntia Brown
At Kopela Health, our mission is to help women take control of their fertility and hormone health through evidence-based, personalized care. But the story behind it is deeply personal.
I built Kopela Health after navigating my own complex health and fertility challenges that weren’t solved by the traditional healthcare system. As a Clinical Pharmacologist, I could see how disconnected standard care was from what women actually needed: a full-picture understanding of their hormones, metabolism, and nutrition; not just prescriptions or quick fixes. Read More>>
Mary Jayne Wilson
At Thoughtful Baking Co., our mission is simple: to make real food for real life. Comforting, nourishing, and thoughtfully made from scratch with local ingredients, just like we’d cook for our own family.
This mission matters to me because I grew up in a home where food was love. When life gets busy, when someone’s going through something hard, or even when they’re celebrating something sweet, we believe a homemade meal or pie can say what words can’t. Read More>>
Michelle Chappron
The story behind my mission is to give women, especially mothers, permission to invest in and take care of themselves. As a single mom of two, I spent many years putting my boys first (and I still do)! But oftentimes, I would pay the price. And I know I’m not alone in doing so; this is common among mothers. Read More>>
Harley
Being a hairstylist and an online content creator you want to make people feel beautiful- that is your job, but the mission isn’t just to make people feel better about their appearance. Everyday I get to show people the love of God through me whether that be posting an inspirational video, talking to a client about issues with her husband, picking up groceries for someone. Read More>>
Brian Steck
We believe in the power of small businesses. They are the backbone of the US Economy. We exist to serve business owners and organizations that are trying to grow but are frustrated or overwhelmed with managing their website. We take the stress of out digital marketing by becoming an extension of your marketing team, so you don’t have to worry and can focus on your business, not your website, social media or getting leads. Read More>>
Elia Rosa
Honestly, my cookie business means a lot more to me than just selling sweets. I started it because I wanted to prove to myself that I could actually build something — even if I’m young, even if I don’t have everything figured out yet. Read More>>
Kate Califano
In 2020, our lives changed forever.
My husband Eric was involved in a near-fatal crash while serving as an active Pennsylvania State Trooper. The aftermath was brutal. Recovery wasn’t just physical; it touched every part of our lives, our relationship, and our perspective on what really matters. Read More>>
Dave Norris
The mission behind StandOut Design has never just been about building websites or managing marketing campaigns. At its core, it’s about something far deeper—helping small businesses and startups find their footing, stand out in a crowded world, and believe in themselves before the rest of the world does. That’s the heart of who we are, and it comes from knowing firsthand just how tough the early days of entrepreneurship can be. Read More>>
Jelissa Thomas
D3 Delivery was built from the ground up—not just to move furniture, but to move people toward stability, dignity, and opportunity. I started this company after seeing how hard it was for folks—especially Black men, people with records, and those in recovery—to get a fair shot at real work. I knew the box truck game could be a gateway to income, structure, and purpose. Read More>>