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.

Karina Argow

I grew up in the garden state, New Jersey, and there was always a patch of our backyard dedicated to growing summer veggies, flowers, and fruit bushes. That extended to the fire escape of my apartments and then my home when I moved to Nashville in 2013. When the Covid pandemic hit in 2020 I doubled the size of my garden and spent my quiet, quarantined days weeding, talking to my plants, and pickling all of the produce that I was collecting. Read more>>

Rocky & Gianni Donati

Gianni and I (Rocky) lived in San Francisco when Airbnb first launched in 2008. We, against the advise of friends, decided that we wanted to experiment with it! After some rocky couch surfing, we finally found our stride with locating amazing and unique places. We continued to use Airbnb to explore the world and have stayed in some incredible spots, such as a glass house in the Yucatan jungle and a 300 year old stone wine cellar converted into a seaside apartment. Read more>>

Reyna Jean

My business philosophy is rooted in authenticity, communication and fun. Being in front of a camera is a very vulnerable moment. I feel honored every time I get a chance to work with a new person or family. It’s like I get my own special preview into their lives, capturing and preserving a moment that will never happen again! Read more>>

Megan Ciccoline White

The mission behind my business Movement Lab (TN), is to provide a safe inclusive space for client’s to move their bodies, restore health, and find community. We offer “exercise” modalities like Pilates and Yoga, but with the mindset of these modalities are simply the vehicle to a greater holistic concept to health. We encourage movement as a life style, not just as a hour or two a day. Our time in the Lab can be preventive, corrective, and restorative. Read more>>

Mechelle Wingle

Two Women were brought together by way of parallel painful challenges. Both found a gift and talent within holistic wellness modalities. Both felt as if they were walking into the unknown and afraid what others would think of this new “woo woo” way of living and making a living. But, the woo woo worked. It worked for them and it worked for their clients and so they created The Wholeness Network in hopes of sharing theirs and other’s gifts and expertise in everything mind, body, spirit, and soul. Read more>>

Terrica Strozier

My mission is rooted in idenitfiying, harnessing and refining the uniqueness in others. Uniquness is a superpower and it’s one that should be cultivated and celebrated not diminished and forced to tone down. The pivotal experience for me was in undergrad in my design program. I think back to undergrad sitting in my advisors (also my graphic design professor) office end of sophomore year and she’s telling em how I’m not fit out to be a designer and I should rethink my plans. Read more>>

Taryn Schulte

In the beginning of 2020, my husband and I saw that a local business had moved out of storefront in Old Monroe. He made the comment that it would be a good location for a hair salon, that got the wheels turning in my head until the lockdown happened. It was a scary time for everyone, but especially for small businesses. The thought took a back seat while we maneuvered through the middle of that crazy year. Once fall rolled around, I decided to jump feet first into opening my own salon in the tiny town of Old Monroe. Read more>>

Kendra Collier

Candle Therapy was born from my passion for mental health and my family’s love for candles. Mental Health Awareness is something that has always been near and dear to my heart. When I was considering starting my business I knew I wanted to incorporate mental health in some way but I didn’t really know how. I began to think about the things that I wish I would have heard more of as a child and the things that I wanted to pass down to my own children. For me and many other people that I know, some of our fondest memories are connected to smells. Read more>>

Farri C

A Quick story behind my mission on becoming an entrepreneur/fashion designer would start from middle school on up. Since the beginning of time my goal was never to work for anyone else, I’ve always wanted to be my own boss I just did not know in what field. By the age of 12, I begin middle school & no longer had to wear uniforms to school so I would dress up everyday. Everyday I would come to school dressed up because it was my way of expressing myself. At one point I had teachers telling me “this isn’t a fashion show” however during that time I did not know I would actually be apart of 8 fashion shows & headlining two. Read more>>

Sylvia Glanton

In 2016, I became a victim of Identity theft and it felt like my life was over. I had no money, no credit, a job I hated, and BIG GOALS. Something had to give. I began working on my credit and turned it into my passion. I was recovering from bad credit due to identity theft. It was the most terrifying incident to happen to me personally. How could someone still my personal information and use it to obtain $21,000 worth of debt? I began to notice new inquiries on my report, but like most consumers, I ignored the warning signs, since the thought never crossed my mind that I could even get credit with my scores. Read more>>

Katia Barber

As a woman who understands the importance of positivity & good self esteem. I am on a mission to provide others with the tips and tools needed to help them feel more confident. I hope that I create journals that will provide the boost of confidence or positivity we all need at times. Read more>>

Andy William Velez

It All Started With One Friend. My impetus for starting IGY6; was helping a good friend who had served in the Army. He was going through a very tough time and had no one close to relate to. Not to mention his PTSD and physical struggles, plus the financial issues that he and his family were going through. After that experience I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Read more>>

Chef Tillie Kerna

I have a sincere passion and insatiable appetite for bringing people together around the table with plated masterpieces, freshness and sustainability of ingredients with unbridled creativity that excites the senses and leaves a lasting impression on the palate. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest definitely had its perks. It was instilled in me at a very early age to value fresh, local, seasonal ingredients; to this day, I implement this principle into my culinary business. I grew up gardening, cooking, and baking with my mother as well as hunting and fishing with my father and brothers. Read more>>

Suquorey Clarke

Our story is an interesting one. Back in 2014, I was lying in bed reading “Brick Flicks, A Comprehensive Guide To Making Your Own STOP-MOTION LEGO MOVIES” by Sarah Herman when I heard a voice say, “Make dolls for little girls.” The voice was clear as day. I know that sounds crazy, but imagine how I felt when I heard it. Being a spiritual person, I came to the conclusion that it was a sign and I needed to look into what I could do to make it a reality. I have always had a love for animation, toys, and games. Read more>>

Hassan Thomas

Let’s take it back to my senior year of college in 2019. I just tore my meniscus during the 5th week of the football season and my football career is now over. I am writing my senior research paper of financial literacy of course and my cousin tells me that instead of turning that paper into a book, why don’t I turn it into an app?! Well I’m the person if I hear a great idea I’m going to turn that into IDEA into ACTION. So from September to December, I did nothing but research, research, research. Read more>>

Richard Jefferies

Ricardo DSean was created to give my community/city a fresh fashion sense. With so much diversity here in The District of Columbia I saw a lack of range in the clothing aspect. We built this brand to give the customer a high end luxury garment without the high cost along with keeping the exclusivity of each release. We felt that it was important to create pieces that told stories that related to our culture from pieces that reminded us to “save the black dollar” to a garment that reminds you that you are “Imperfectly Perfect”. This is what creates our longstanding relationship with our community. We’re here to preserve the culture because we are the culture. Read more>>

Wayne Smith

The story behind my mission is the same story behind millions of African American & Low minority kids in the world that don’t or didn’t have the right opportunities growing up. You either succumb to what the worlds given you or you make something happen. My story is still going on , I’m still struggling & maintaining but the mission is to leave an impact greater than me & to live a life that’s motivational and inspirational to everyone. Read more>>

Nora O’Brien

I’ve always had a passion for serving others. When I entered the workforce, I was drawn to the healthcare industry, specifically administration. I loved feeling as though I was arming the first responders with the tools, they needed to perform their jobs. When 9/11 happened, I was working for the California Primary Care Association at the time. I remember the first amount of “preparedness funds” that were directed to better position our organizations for disaster response and recovery. Read more>>

Karrington Warfield

The story behind my mission is pretty basic. I want to help develop other Event Planners into B.O.S.S. (Bright, Organized, Savvy, Star) planners. I want to share my knowledge of creating experiences by educating planners on how to become not just good at what they do but great. Also, I want to help planners master their soft skills such as organization. I’m a naturally organized person but not everyone is so, Read more>>

Terri M. Bolds Wilkinson-Hill

Bold Visions Consulting, LLC was established yo help educate the community about mental health with an emphasis on self-esteem and self-empowerment. My business is my testimony as to how I’ve lived and work through the challenges and joys of life. Each aspect of my work has a personal touch and thank God for using me for this work. Read more>>

Jalea Pippens

The story behind my mission is that i genuinely love people. I love helping people and making their life easier. Cleaning is truly my passion. Researchers say that when your space is clean it”s good for your mental health. I truly feel like I’m able to be a therapist to my clients by providing them with affordable cleaning solutions. Read more>>

Noah Haught

When Archery Arena first began, it really started because we wanted to share great times with great people. After experiencing it abroad, it just had to be brought back to the States. It’s such an amazingly fun time, and something unique most people have never experienced before (and sometimes never even heard of before!) It sounds simple, but that’s really all there is to it. Unless you include all the “fun” starting a business stuff from the initial opening, haha. Read more>>

Brian Alexander

The mission of Coach Alexander Enterprises (CAE) is to have every person we serve reach their full potential through fitness, education and motivation. We are a youth development company that specializes in mentorship through sports and fitness. Our goal is to have our athletes go to college for free via athletic and/or academic scholarships. CAE believes sports are a part of us, not our total identity. We instill the value that knowledge is power, and. that sports are a resource for us to reach our goals. Read more>>

Dominique Dodson

The story behind my mission is to reached divine peace and financial freedom for the rest of my family lineage. No one in my family is considered wealthy and my mom is the first person in the family to have a business that is thriving. I want to expand on that and give my family something we can have to pass down. I am the first in my family to graduate and pursue their dreams at my age. Read more>>

Amanda Painter

I’m on a mission to help small business owners create a culture of worth in their workplace. My story behind this mission began with my first job after college. I studied business and accounting and was hired by a small business as their Finance Manager. Not long after beginning the position, I discovered that I was expected to manage more than the finances; human resource duties were also mine. Read more>>

Stanaireon Williams

The story behind my mission comes from a place of confusion, curiosity, depression and anxiety. Growing up brown and lgbtq isn’t the best for the mental when the world around you don’t understand you and you are still trying to understand yourself. Once I stood firm in who I was and learned how to channel it, I knew I had to funnel that through my art. The grace, confidence, sexual liberation, body positivity, mental health awareness, and many more things that make up Stanaireon is what makes up “Moments By HEC” Read more>>

Xi Chen

For years, I struggled to find clothes that I loved to wear in my everyday life. The nice clothes I had collected dust in the closet because they were either uncomfortable or impractical, while the comfy ones I wore daily made me feel frumpy and bored. I noticed that almost all of my girlfriends shared the same struggle, and realized that this was happening because cute clothes were largely designed with only special occasions in mind. Read more>>

Hayley Finch

Absolutely. My name is Hayley Finch, and I am the owner and head writer behind the Hayley Finch Studio shop on Etsy. I write poems that are custom tailored to the reader, and enjoy telling the stories of every day people. It’s fun to really pinpoint where this mission started because I’ve been writing this way for years. Read more>>

Justin Lee

“Build your own dreams, or someone will hire you to build theirs”. This has always been a quote that has stuck with me throughout life. I took an interest to real estate after Hurricane Katrina and experiencing the trauma and loss of all of my personal items, family, memories, and my home. At the age of 7, I realized the importance of ownership, insurance, and overall business essentials. As soon as I was able to begin working and earning an income, I began to invest in real estate. Read more>>

Micheal Dorthey

To give financial freedom to my communities and those that are willing to learn. To bring more jobs and training to others as well Read more>>

Kaylee Reagan

My mission in photography is to capture moments that individuals and families will be able to relive for many years to come. Sounds a little simple and cliché I know, but for me it has a bit of a deeper meaning. My appreciation for photographs and the way in which they can preserve a memory started when my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. For seven years my mom and I watched as she lost all knowledge and memory of everything that made her who she was. Read more>>

Robbie Howard

The mission of Sea Moss by RJ is “Everyone is deserving of good health.” We are committed to spreading awareness, and inspiring, creating, and fostering a community that supports healthy lifestyle choices. We will get you started or keep you going on your journey to a healthy lifestyle. Read more>>

Caitlin Helle

Teena (Smith) and I opened flora with a mission of creating a safe space for everyone and making toxic salon culture a thing of the past. We have both been in this industry for over a decade and basically just wanted to take everything we didn’t like about the industry and do the opposite. Getting your hair done is a very personal experience and we want that to be as comfortable for both the guest and the stylist. Read more>>

Veronica Romero-Chapman

After working for 5 years in corporate America I came to realize I was trading my knowledge & time with these corporations for money that can’t replace my presence in my family’s life, so I searched & researched what can I do to change this and I decided that I would take over my side hustle to a full time thing, where I can be the owner of my time while supporting my family. This wasn’t a change done suddenly, it has taken a lot of planning and I couldn’t be doing this shift without the support of my husband and the guidance of God, whose blessings overflow my life every day. Read more>>

Kentel Mclemore

Helping people achieve their dreams! Read more>>

Shalandria Mcglown

Live your truth with trendy fashionable eyewear.  Push the boundaries with style that is unapologetically authentic. Read more>>

Antionette Tabron

Be the first to own my brand in my generation, create jobs, have flexibility and finical freedom. Read more>>

Christa Donofrio

The mission of Beer Tooth Taproom is to convert the everyday beer drinker into a well-informed enthusiastic beer consumer through education and sensory experiences. Read more>>

Cordrayl Ballard

The story behind the brick initiative was to create not only better athletes but also to create leaders and role models on and off the court. Read more>>

Chiamaka Obika

WomenTakingSpaces is a movement and safe space for every woman who is ready to let go of her fears and self-doubt so that they can take up their God given space and experience glow-up in all aspects of their lives. The glow-up movement is one modeled after Esther and Ruth in the bible, who took uncomfortable actions to get their deliverance, to shine their light to the world, take up space and reclaim their glow. Read more>>

Jessica Cohen

God-given ministry and solution to the social sector Read more>>

Shameka Nicole

As a Christian Publisher, we assist authors and aspiring authors birth what the Lord has placed within them to share with the world. Our motto is, “We are called to help others reach the world the “write” way-one testimony, one inspiring story at a time! Whether it is through sharing their testimonies or just encouraging stories in general, we are here to assist with birthing those books. The main goal is to show others that God is real and faithful to His promises. We just have to trust Him and stand on His word. Read more>>