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.

Briana Ferguson

My mission was born from survival and shaped by purpose. I didn’t start with investors or mentors. I started with a sewing machine, a little faith, and a lot of frustration. I taught myself embroidery during one of the lowest moments of my life. I had no roadmap, just the determination to make something real out of what felt like nothing. When I finally got it right and shared it online, the love I received showed me I had something special. Read more>>

Kimberly Ward

I grew up in Carmel, California—a place known for its beauty and affluence—but my personal experience was quite different. I’m the daughter of a hardworking general engineering contractor, and much of my early life was shaped by grit, resilience, and a family deeply rooted in construction. My dad owned Rehak General Engineering & Construction, and every home we lived in, we built together, as a family. Read more>>

Melissa Helman

At the heart of my photography is a mission to create more than just beautiful images—I aim to craft timeless heirlooms that families can hold onto for generations. My work is rooted in the belief that photography has the unique power to preserve not just appearances, but emotion, connection, and legacy. Read more>>

Matthew Mix

At Divine Auto Detail, our mission is to offer more than just a clean car—we provide a sacred exchange of energy. We believe detailing isn’t just cosmetic—it’s energetic. When someone invites us to work on their vehicle, they’re inviting us into a deeply personal space. That space holds their routines, their memories, their stress, and their dreams. Read more>>

Omari Clay

Thank you for the opportunity to share our story. At Connie’s Coffee, our mission is to create spaces and experiences where people feel seen, supported, and inspired — using specialty coffee as the connector. This mission is deeply personal. Read more>>

Amy Meredith

Growing up in the small town of New Albany, Indiana (about 15 minutes from Louisville, KY), It was easy for anyone to get into trouble with little of anything else to do-and so I did. I didn’t have much guidance outside of my elderly grandparents, and I found myself in the wrong crowd making poor decisions beginning at 10 years old when i entered the foster care system. For the next 5 years, I became a frequent runaway and resident at my local youth shelter with occasional admissions to the youth correctional facility. I didn’t have a care in the world like most people recollect from their childhood, except I didn’t care about anything or anyone. Read more>>

JohnJames (Ø2) Urata

The mission behind Ø2riginal comes from a real place. It’s always been about creating something that feels essential to who I am and the world around me. That’s why I named my company Ø2riginal — like oxygen, something you need to survive, but also a reminder to stay true to yourself. I started this brand during a time when I felt like there wasn’t a lane for people like me. I’m Japanese, Mexican, and Filipino. Growing up in a diverse city like Carson , Ca. I was raised around many different households of all races. I embrace all my cultures and have a deep appreciation for each. I’m constantly learning more about my roots and always looking for ways to pay homage to my ancestors through my work on and off camera. Read more>>

Frances Okonkwo

The mission behind S.E.E.D.S International ABA Services LLC is to serve communities that do not have the same resources (financial and knowledge-based) as wealthier communities. The reason behind starting this company stems from my Nigerian background. I am a first generation Nigerian-American and serving my Nigerian community is something that I have been taught to do since I was a little girl. When I started working in the field of ABA, I quickly realized that African countries do not have the same resources that we do in the United States. In Nigeria there are less than five recognized ABA therapy companies. Read more>>

Liz Issac

Welcome to Elite Exotic where elegance meets your dark desires. Elite Exotic Fantasies curates luxurious, sensual gift baskets filled with aphrodisiac treats, lingerie, oils, and more—designed to spark passion, elevate romance, Read more>>

Reyna Dashefsky & Joy Yiu Hello-World

During COVID, Reyna and Joy took an online web design course. Both had dabbled in web design while working corporate jobs and freelancing on the side. One day, Reyna reached out with a simple “hello,” and they began meeting regularly over Zoom to share client stories and support each other through freelance life. Read more>>

Kira Salgado

My mission has always been to uplift, empower, and motivate others—especially people who relate to my story. I started doing nails during a time when I felt isolated and overlooked, and what began as a personal outlet grew into a business that helps others feel seen and confident. With Nails by Kira Skye, I create more than just nails—I create an experience that makes people feel good about themselves. And with Unforgettable Effect, I’m building a space where young women can express themselves freely through fashion, beauty, and storytelling. This mission matters to me because I know how it feels to doubt yourself. If my work can remind even one person of their power and potential, then I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do. Read more>>

Marie Hamilton

It’s hard to imagine, and I feel I fall short in trying to do so, what it might feel like to wake up with the start of each new day and not have the ability to choose my clothes for the day.

The uncertainty of not knowing how a color or garment might look on me before I wore it was not familiar to me. Having to rely on friends, or family to assist me in choosing my outfit for the next day is something that myself and perhaps others would sometimes take for granted. Read more>>

Carolyn Hill

My mission in my massage practice is to create a safe place for every client to experience healthy touch. In that safe space, there are proper boundaries and ethics, where I hope to make a significant impact and vastly improve the quality of life through bodywork. Read more>>

Dr. Rebecca Brown

At Balance & Birch, our mission is to help people feel like their whole selves again — mind, body, and spirit. That means we don’t treat symptoms in a vacuum or hand out one-size-fits-all solutions. We look at the big picture: your nervous system, your relationships, your past, your hormones, your spiritual connection (or lack thereof). We do the deep work, without the bullshit. Read more>>

Damilola Latunde-Dada

Damlish Juice was born from a simple but powerful idea: people want to live healthier, but they also want it to taste good.

In today’s world, many are trying to let go of fizzy drinks, soda, and alcohol. I thought, why not give people something better? Something that’s sweet, refreshing, and genuinely good for the body. That’s where the journey of Damlish Juice began… health, but with flavor. Read more>>

Courtney Owens

My photography journey actually started as just a creative outlet.,a way to practice, slow down, and find beauty in everyday moments. I created an Instagram account not with the goal of building a following, but to connect with other photographers, learn from them, and stay inspired. I never expected it to grow the way it did. Read more>>

Buki Akanbi

Crafting a meal by hand requires both care and patience; qualities my team and I greatly value. We firmly believe in the importance of fresh ingredients over canned options; shortcuts simply don’t align with our philosophy. We take the necessary time to ensure every dish is cooked to perfection, as a ‘slow roast’ simply cannot be rushed. With over 15 years of experience in some of the finest restaurants on the West Coast… Read more>>

Branden Ramos

So, for me, before I considered chiropractic care, I wanted to become a surgeon. I had started to apply for med school and was about to start, when, while at a desk job, I was unable to walk. I had been diagnosed with functional scoliosis, so I thought that this pain was caused by the scoliosis and I would have to finally get surgery at the ripe old age of 22. Thankfully my wife told me to try a chiropractor before looking into surgery. Well, more like she had to drag me to the chiropractor. At the time I thought chiropractic had no scientific backing. I could not have been more wrong. After my first adjustment I was without pain. The chiropractor who adjusted me said this is just the beginning. After a couple months of being adjusted I was able to sleep better, focus better and workout easier. I quickly realized that this is what I wanted to do in my life. If I could help people and prevent them from having to get surgery while increasing their quality of health why wouldn’t I. So, I pivoted and signed up to become a doctor in chiropractic. Read more>>

Nicole Souza

It feels a bit silly talking about having a greater mission as a headshot photographer – but I do. I come from very humble beginnings, and know that pursuing a career in the arts comes with many obstacles – the first, I would argue, being financial struggles. While I offer a variety of photography services, actor’s headshots are my main gig. A headshot is essential to an actors career, and they are often extremely expensive, making them a large barrier of entry into the industry. It has always been, and will continue to be, very important to me to provide photography services for new and working actors that can help them find work and opportunity, but not hurt them financially. I hope to help actors find confidence in themselves and in turn their audition and submission materials, in an industry that often feels like it is working against us. Everyone is equal in my photo studio. Everyone is important. Everyone is welcomed. Read more>>

Cullen

Our goal is to design environments that elevate and embody the essence of a brand. We begin by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the brand’s mission, vision, values, achievements, ethics, culture, and most importantly—its people. This foundation allows us to envision and then create spaces that are on-brand, purposeful, and unifying. Read more>>

Shawn Rubel

The story behind Vecteezy’s mission is deeply personal because it stems from my own frustrations as a designer. When I was starting my career, I constantly struggled to find quality visual resources that didn’t break the bank. Stock photos and vector graphics were expensive, especially for designers on tight budgets. I’d spend hours scouring the internet for free resources scattered across dozens of different sites. Read more>>

Carol Enneking

Executive Experience. Transformational Impact. Human-Centered Insight.
I’m Carol Enneking—speaker, advisor, and author of The Rebalancing Act: Wisdom from Working Women for Success that Matters. I’ve spent more than three decades navigating the high-pressure worlds of corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and global consulting. My journey spans six continents, 150+ organizations, and industries ranging from energy and finance to tech and healthcare. Read more>>

Kathleen Quarterman

At Quarterman Realty Group, our mission was born from a simple truth: real estate is about people, not just property.

Too often, the process of buying or selling a home feels rushed, impersonal, or overwhelming — especially during life’s major transitions. Whether it’s a growing family, a relocation, a loss, or a fresh start, we believe your journey deserves more than a transaction. Read more>>

Andrea Robertson

Lexie’s Voice is a mission-driven nonprofit rooted in my personal journey as a mother. When my daughter Lexie, who is nonverbal, was diagnosed with autism, I had to fight for everything, her diagnosis, her education and her future. The public school system wasn’t designed for her needs. She was placed in overcrowded classrooms and made little progress. Read more>>

Kunwar Prithvi Singh Rathore

As a queer South Asian visual artist and photographer based in New York, my mission is rooted in creating work that makes space for the emotional lives and interior worlds of those who have historically been unseen or misrepresented—particularly queer people and those navigating the diasporic experience. My practice is grounded in vulnerability, intimacy, and resistance. It pushes back against dominant, white-centric narratives and instead centers complexity, care, and connection. Read more>>

N’Dera Cobbs

My platform was born from my own journey of healing—physically, mentally, and spiritually. What started as a personal mission to take back control of my health after battling PCOS, depression, anxiety, food addiction, and suicidal thoughts, has now become a safe space for women who are ready to reclaim their power and transform their lives. Read more>>

Sarah Katrina Maruani

Teaching children or anyone how to read is a gift; I know this at my core. Knowing and holding onto this thought is at the core of every step I have taken in the last twenty years.

As I progressed in my career, I encountered many struggling students, which brought me back to my own struggles as a student. My first language was my Family’s native tongue; school felt like a blur. I remember being pulled in and out of the classroom from Kindergarten to 5th grade. It left me feeling left out and unsure of my environment. Read more>>

Dudley Shannon

Why do I do this? So people have good, high quality photos.

I played sports in High School, as did my wife. We combined have about 12 decent action photos of us playing sports in school.

I want to make sure that my sons, my kids friends, my friends kids, people I don’t know have high quality photos of their kids doing whatever sports they do.

I do other photography, wedding, senior portraits, modeling, ect.., but sports, that’s my wheelhouse. Read more>>