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.
Sheriline Phillips
I was always that young girl that wanted to help people out the best that I could. I remembered living in Haiti, how I gave a homeless person the only twenty dollars that I had. While the years started passing by, I knew that I would be helping people somehow. I never knew that it was going to be me helping people to regrow their hair and gaining more self confidence. My mission is to help people that feel as if they’re hair can not grow and help those that have some form of scalp irritants. Read more>>
Brittany Pogue-Mohammed Acosta
After searching for more inclusive designs on clothing for my daughter and not finding what I was looking for, I decided to start my business to ensure she would be able to show her identity as a multi-racial individual to the world. Read more>>
Steve Slocum
Right after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1992, I took my family of five to the newly independent nation of Kazakhstan to serve as Christian missionaries. We lived for five years as guests in a Muslim culture. The people were wonderfully hospitable and kind to us – we fell in love with them. This experience would plant a seed of awareness about my colonizing culture. Read more>>
Maddie Miles
As women, we are told from a young age that are hormones are “crazy” and that the only way to regulate them is via hormonal birth control. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Read more>>
Jae Santiago
What’s going on beautiful people! My name is Jae Santiago I am a Lancaster Pa native who has managed to launch two businesses within a 7 year time frame. First and foremost let me give you a brief bio about me and how I got started! I am a 32 year old queer Latina who thrives off of fashion, art, music community and inclusivity! Read more>>
Nicole Brecht
The Good Life Refuge is a 501C3 nonprofit organization with the mission to provide a safe haven for abused, neglected and at-risk farm animals. Read more>>
Amber Beaugard
I’ve always loved photography. Images or videos that made an emotional impact. Even just listening to music I would create different scenes in my head. The older I got, the more and more I fell in love with the art of photography. I become drawn to portrait photography in particular. Read more>>
John Steinberg
Liina was founded after discovering the amazing potential that spirulina has to transform our world. It is simultaneously one of the most nutritionally dense and sustainable food sources on the planet. In a world where resources are declining and population is rising, we need solutions with low input and high output and algae based consumption is this future! Read more>>
Kendra Plaschko
International Hearing Dog has a long and rich history. The training of dogs to assist the d/Deaf did not exist until the early 1970s when Mrs. Elva Janke’s, a hard of hearing woman in Minnesota, dog passed away. Her dog had, just naturally, alerted her to sounds. Read more>>
Alexia P. Bullard
I have a speech disability and a chronic illness, both of which I have spent countless hours reading about from any reference I could. About ten years ago, I became exhausted by the amount of available content and articles that didn’t seem to actually say anything that was of help — it was full of sales pitches for products I neither needed nor could afford. Read more>>
Maame Wilson
As a former 3rd grade teacher, I faced many adversities in the classroom. I wanted all my students to excel to their full potential and simply never give up! I knew that came with some obstacles such as parent communication and support, economic disadvantages, lack of resources, and emotional wellness. I knew that in my classroom, NO was never the answer, and my students should always push through. Most did, but what about me? Read more>>
Nathan + Skye Reyes
We believe our mission is to serve delicious, craft coffee while being a light in every space and place we enter. Serving with full and light hearts to all people at their days biggest celebrations, in office or anywhere. Read more>>
Terry Brown
I have to find one or all of my 4 veteran brothers I lost contact with after we were miss treated while serving in Vietnam. I must find them to get justice for the 5 slaves of Vietnam. That’s the name of my new book. The 5 Slaves of Vietnam Read more>>
Kasi McKoy
As a photographer and videographer, it’s my job to provide and preserve memories. I got into the field about 14 years ago, after the loss of my grandfather. My time with him was short-lived, he transitioned when I was about 12. In losing him, I realized that I didn’t have much to remember him by, we had very few pictures together. Read more>>
Akash Das
We started this business in honor of our late father, Bidyut Bihari Das, a man of fine taste who loved his tea. Baba drank no less than 4 cups a day, keeping our cabinets stocked with different teas around the world. He believed that teas can heal, that they can provide some solace in the storm of life. We didn’t believe that until he was gone. Read more>>
Courtney Sloan
Sloan Sloan began as a way to support living a life that I love which, for me, looks like traveling to new and familiar places, spending time with loved ones, and riding my horse. I felt so fulfilled, and realized that every woman should be able to have those same opportunities — to enjoy what lights her up and create a life that she can’t wait to wake up to every day. Read more>>
Devonté Dinkins
Born and raised in Prince George’s County MD and Washington D.C as a student athlete and entrepreneur (had candy store, sold t-shirts, snow removal, sold Christmas Trees, print marketing, etc), but also grew up going to church which I believe gave me a huge sense of humility and compassion. Read more>>
Shametrica Goodman
Shay’s Beautiful Creations Read more>>
Trisha Nester
I did my first craft show in a bowling alley. I had no clue what I was doing. But I tend to jump-in with out looking.. haha After my first few craft shows and vendor events my girls aged 8 and 5 started coming with me and helping. Read more>>
Tammy Spencer
After devoting many years of service to Houston ISD, I understood just how broken our public school systems are. I realized how many families struggled to receive a timely dyslexia diagnosis and how many students lacked the essential foundation they needed to move forward in their education. I knew something needed to be done and I was determined to be a part of the solution. Read more>>
Mars Williams
I aspire to inspire. Each day we are given a blank canvas to create the life we want and enjoy. We were made to create! I truly believe life is art, and my favorite form of expression is through clothing. The best way for me to showcase this art is through video, photographs, and styling others. Your style introduces you before you speak. BE UNAPOLOGETICALLY YOU! At the end of the day I can live with the results knowing I’m happy, and did things my way with no regrets. Read more>>
Lonnie Coulter
We provide high-quality, living metal surfaces and an unrivaled customer experience through smart design and manufacturing— We bring our customer’s projects to life. These take the form of tables, bartops, and sculptural elements in zinc, brass, and copper. Read more>>
Krystin Johnson-Youan
With all of what I’m learning, I decided towards the beginning of my journey to be like those that I’m aiming to sit at the table with! I give back to the community and I love offering advise when it comes to whatever my people may need to know or lack knowledge in! My mission is as follows: Read more>>
Peter Hartmann
The whole reason I got into dog training and business ownership in the first place was because of the process of trying to get my German Shepherd, who was extremely aggressive, trained. I had contacted several trainers in my area and was either turned away or got taken to the cleaners with out any improvement in his behavior. This lead me down the journey to rehabilitate my dog which grew into helping friends and family with their dogs and eventually paying clients and ultimately into the business it is today. Read more>>
Datreese Thomas
Positively transforming the character growth and development of girls of color is dramatically necessary. With adversity being so imperative in today’s climate, it has caused inferiority to become deeply rooted in the black community; distinctly in girls of color. Read more>>
Carl Veney
The story behind my mission is actually very straightforward. I just want to inspire the generations under me, that doesn’t mean I’m not inspiring people my age or older that’s just not my main focus it’s really the ones who come after me that matter. Right now there is a kid going through what I went through possibly worse believing that they will never amount to anything besides what they’re surrounded by at this time in their life I just want to be the voice and influence that your past/present should NEVER determine your future. Read more>>
Helen Tran
My mission is to create long lasting memories for my clients while also bringing out their confidence. This is my mission because I personally have experienced what it feels like to get my picture taken in an awkward situation and I did not like the outcome. On the other hand, I also have experienced what it’s like to have my picture taken by someone who cheers me on and makes me feel confident. Read more>>
Brendan Multala
The story behind my brand, Kombucharista, is to reach a new audience. Kombucha is a flavored, fermented beverage that offers benefits like probiotics and micronutrients, but I wanted to create something bigger. With Kombucharista, I set out on curating and experimenting with completely different flavors that have never been on the market. Read more>>
Laura Scannapieco
My name is Lauralouu and I am entrepreneur. So my story started back in 2011 when I realized I don’t work well under-someone else. It started small, I just started doing things I loved to do and thats how my small empire was built. I went to school for fine arts metals and jewelry and painting. Read more>>
Greta Buccellato
People always say “What even is that?” when I try to tell them what I do. My company Coded Connections started out as just seeking to connect in a deeper and more meaningful way with my guests at the venue I was working at. I was trying to spark that simple bliss that’s had from nourishment and maybe something fortifying to wash it all down. Read more>>
Vanessa Londino
Let’s start with the mission. My mission is to foster and facilitate self-knowledge, self-compassion, and self-love in every client. I believe mental and emotional health rest on all three. Read more>>
Kelsey Le
I picked up my first camera about 15 years ago. I had a basic point and shoot camera and I took pictures of everything possible. I quickly fell in love with photography and videography. Fast forward to 2020, I went to my first drift event. I already had a love for cars and the automotive industry and that drift event was the first time I was able to combine my passion for photography and love for cars. Read more>>
Meredith Rutland
My goal is to provide affordable services to bachelorette parties visiting the Charleston, SC area. It all started when I was planning my sister’s bachelorette party across the country. I knew we wanted a very insta-worthy party because she is very extra, but would be flying in. Read more>>
Ryan Perel
I launched Plating with Perel in April 2020 during Covid, and it all started as a way to showcase my love for gluten free food and raise awareness. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in November 2019, and I had to shift to a 100% gluten free diet (only cure for Celiac). This led me to purchasing gluten free cookbooks for recipes and experimenting with my own too. Read more>>
Zavia Empey
My mission in to promote confidence in all women and girls. In 2016, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and I was struggling with managing the illness and living my life. I no longer had the confidence I needed because I was afraid to leave my house out of fear of having symptoms ruin my day or night, afraid to hang out with my friends, afraid to date because nobody understood what I was going through and they and all these misconceptions about the illness. Read more>>
Tianna Knight Hill
Tianna Hill is the CEO of “The Divine Look”. She formed an interest in Cosmetology at the age of 9. Pursuing her dream to make others feel beautiful through beauty services; she attended Scarlet Oaks Cosmetology Program. She strived for excellence in every aspect by becoming Cosmetologist of the Year, and Student of the Month several times. During her transition through school, she learned about the “Sisterlock” Read more>>
Jeff Osuji
Femi Masha and I co-founded Eventnoire in 2018 to connect Black culture enthusiasts to spaces and places that embrace its essence and people. We knew there was a need for Black people to be able to create a sense of community and find events that were culturally relevant to them. Read more>>
Marissa & Jon Wright
Our mission is to deliver top quality customer service and support American made products and vendors at an economical operating price. Meaning we handle all the hassles of doing the research on products, ordering, and making sure we keep costs down for the average consumer. Read more>>
Edith Cabrera
A taste of Puerto Rico in the West Coast! Read more>>