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.

Mark Lieber

Infinity Festival was born from the belief that innovation is transforming how stories are told. I started the festival in 2018 because I felt that Hollywood’s storytellers and Silicon Valley’s technologists were working towards the same goals, but didn’t have the opportunity to engage with each other. I wanted to create a space where they could converge, blend ideas, and spark something new – from AI-driven narratives to immersive storytelling formats. Read more>>

Valery Goldes

At Piano Lessons with Valery Goldes & Co., our mission is to open the world of music to every individual, regardless of age, background, or ability. We believe music is not just a skill to be learned, it is a universal language that nurtures confidence, creativity, and emotional expression. Read more>>

Donna Lee

My mission with R-YOLO began after a life-changing accident in 2018—I was run over by my own car after a yoga practice. I truly believe yoga saved my life that day. That moment forced me to slow down, heal, and reevaluate everything.

As I returned to my practice, I realized most yoga mats were made from PVC—a toxic plastic harmful to both people and the planet. It didn’t make sense to use something unhealthy in the pursuit of wellness. I knew there had to be a better way. Read more>>

Annie & Anna Ma

When we founded Retrofete, our primary goal was to promote sustainable shopping in both clothing and home goods, particularly in response to the rapid rise of fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu. The fast fashion industry has contributed significantly to environmental degradation, with clothing waste reaching unprecedented levels. Consumers are often encouraged to buy cheaply made garments that not only wear out quickly but are frequently produced under poor labor conditions. We believe it’s essential to be part of the solution by providing responsible alternatives that prioritize quality, ethics, and longevity. Read more>>

Jenny Barber

I (Jenny) was exposed to the issue of trafficking from a young age. The things I experienced throughout my childhood developed a drive in me not only to overcome and re-direct the course of my life, but to also bring pathways of freedom to others. Read more>>

Caitlyn Kelly

We are in the business of meaningful connection, we serve as the backdrop for some of life’s most beautiful moments from a 200 person wedding at The Simon to an intimate 20 year wedding anniversary date at Nora’s Cocktail Lounge. We believe that these moments matter because they set the stage for for love, connection, beauty and meaning and what else is there if not these things. We believe that by being transparent, genuine and industry experts we can build an experience for our couples and guests that frees them up to enjoy their sacred moments. Read more>>

Ina Allen-Bowden

Between social media, unrealistic beauty standards, and constant comparison, I spent years quietly questioning myself, picking apart what I looked like, what I didn’t look like, and who I was becoming. The pressure to be “perfect” led me down a path of doubt, insecurity, and covering up what made me me. Like so many girls, I didn’t feel seen unless I was edited, filtered, or made up to fit someone else’s idea of beauty. Read more>>

Valeria Jimenez

Hi, I’m Valeria, and I founded Simply Elegance Esthetics with a simple mission: to help my clients feel confident, radiant, and truly pampered—all while being in a space where they feel cared for, inside and out. I believe beauty services like skincare and lashes go beyond products and treatments; they’re about confidence, self-love, and taking the time to nurture yourself. Read more>>

Aditi Dewangan

I began Senior Care First Foundation at the age of 16 after I lost my grandfather who had dementia. In his eulogies, a common theme of warmth was expressed. Hearing about my grandfather’s selflessness taught me the value of altruism in my own life. To carry his memory, I began volunteering at my local senior home, Aegis Living Marymoor. Read more>>

Carol Santiago

The Multicultural Bookstore Las Vegas was born out of a vision to create a true literacy hub in the Historic Westside community—a safe and welcoming space where both children and adults can grow, learn, and thrive through the power of reading.

Our mission continues the legacy of Sam Smith, the trailblazer who owned the first Black-owned bookstore in Las Vegas, The Native Son. His belief in the importance of literature and culture laid the foundation for what we carry forward today. Read more>>

Courtney Craig

As a transplant from California to Birmingham, I quickly realized how disconnected parts of the city felt, not due to a lack of community spirit, but due to infrastructure that made it hard for people to fully access the city’s offerings. Whether it was limited parking, safety concerns, or lack of short-distance transportation options, the barriers to experiencing downtown were real and disproportionately affected those without access to a personal vehicle or affordable alternatives. I also realized how deeply this disconnectedness impacted our local small businesses, especially through my work in economic development. Read more>>

Lindsay Marie Morris

My mission is to illuminate overlooked and hidden histories, bringing their resilience, traditions, and sacrifices to light through storytelling. Through my novels and lectures, I connect readers and audiences with the untold stories of ordinary families in extraordinary times, fostering a deeper appreciation for heritage, identity, and belonging. Read more>>

Stacia Thompson-Wrench

Before I founded Corvus Beauty, I randomly tried a shampoo bar at the mall because I loved the idea of reducing plastic in my beauty routine. Unfortunately, that bar broke out my scalp terribly. Whether it was a reaction from the fragrance or SLS, I’ll never know. I could have written them off after that experience, and probably some folks have. Especially moms with littles that have sensitive skin to consider. I loved the concept of plastic free beauty, but performance was an issue. I wanted to elevate the solid haircare space and create products that would be ultra-gentle while still providing an effective, salon-quality cleanse. Sustainable beauty is the future, and it’s our mission to be part of that. Read more>>

Marcie Straight

My mission is to leave an impact on people who sit in my chair. I want people who come into my salon to feel like the next few hours is all about them. No one is asking them to do anything or be anywhere. My salon is a space where we make it all about you. Just telling someone they’re beautiful can make their entire day or even their week! Read more>>

Megan White

My name is Megan White. I am a licensed attorney in North Carolina but in 2022 moved back to my family’s farm land in Hamptonville, North Carolina. Since 2023, I founded Crooked Creek Highlands to share our highland cattle with the public. Our farm offers educational and interactive farm tours where guests get to brush and meet highland cows. We also offer a variety of events including paint parties, yoga, workshops, and photography. Our events are unique and one-of-a-kind. We are leaders in the industry of agritourism. Read more>>

Mike And Cindy Dingeldein

After leaving partnership in a much larger firm, we founded our architecture and interior design practice – Community Design Alliance – with a mission focused on community revitalization.

Our hometown of Hamilton, Ohio is a mid size rust belt city that had lost our industrial backbone and was struggling economically and demographically, as well as with quality of life. One of the remaining assets of our industrial wealth was the very rich architectural fabric of our urban core and historic neighborhoods. Read more>>

Roba Salem

I was raised in a home full of conflict, and it left me searching for a way to feel at peace.
That search led me to study psychology, yoga, and other healing sciences. Along the way, I learned an important truth: complete peace belongs to paradise, but here on earth, we can create balance — in our minds, our bodies, and our thoughts. Read more>>

Victor Dutra

My mission has always been to use music as a way to connect people to something bigger than themselves. Growing up in Brazil, music was everywhere—on the streets, in my home, in celebrations and even in moments of struggle. I saw how a song could bring joy, heal a heavy heart, or make a whole room feel united, even if just for a few minutes. That stayed with me. Read more>>

Michelle Polemeni

Hecho por Ellas / Made by Her was born from both a passion and a purpose: to create a space where women, especially Latina and minority entrepreneurs, could showcase their talents, businesses, and dreams. Too often, women in our communities face barriers—whether it’s lack of visibility, resources, or support systems—that prevent them from reaching their fullest potential. I wanted to change that. Read more>>

Jasmine Michaels

OASES is a Sanctuarii (TM) Development and Regenerative Investment Firm. We envision, design and build transformative spaces that merge integrative wellness with entrepreneurship, in order to support human beings in realizing their potential for abundance. We aspire to transform the built environment in a way that centers economic enhancement, while also supporting the creation a full, balanced, and joyful ecosystem. With nature as our guide, we operate under the motto that “Inner Oasis” creates “Outer Sanctuary,.” At OASES, we understand that realestate development, architecture, business development and fundamentally urban planning, can be utilized as practices towards the cultivation of Self. Read more>>

Parker Schulz

At Isla Bistro, our mission is simple. Eat well, live well. So many places in the food and coffee industry promote “healthy” and “clean” food, but behind closed doors it’s often quite processed and can make you feel not your best after eating. I grew up an athlete, prioritizing clean eating. I ended up being vegetarian for many years, and really had to tune into intentional eating. I have always been surrounded by wellness and nutrition. I want to provide the freshest, realest food for people to enjoy and I want to come back for more. We make almost all of our food from scratch and made to order. All of our dressings and sauces are house made, with no hidden ingredients. We are honest about what we put in our food, to create a trusting relationship with our customers. So, if you are looking to live well you must eat well, and we will never compromise our mission. Read more>>

Abishai Aryee

The story behind the mission of 10:31 Sweets is to share the Gospel. I have always loved to bake; and recently, my relationship with the Lord has grown tremendously. So when I was thinking of a name, I knew I wanted to mix the two. Read more>>

Soukaina Alaoui El Hassani

My mission is to tell stories with intention, whether in film or advertising. Working in advertising taught me that every frame, every word, every color choice communicates something. That kind of precision shaped how I move through the world, not just as a producer but as a person. It taught me to be proactive, to listen closely, and to consider impact at every level. Read more>>