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.
Leslie Boyd
I have been a professional counselor for 23 years. I began my career working as a school counselor in 2000. Then, in 2014, I started seeing adult clients privately. That is also when I embarked on a path of diving deeply into physiology as I entered into a 3-year trauma resolution program called Somatic Experiencing (SE). The SE program was beautifully respectful, thoughtful and slow in it’s ethos in respect to working with clients. So much so, that I felt a profound calling to share – at least – some of the knowledge I was learning. Read more>>
Tabitha Olofsson
Being Bi-Racial has been a struggle for me my entire life. I moved quite a bit as a child, having to go to predominantly white schools and schools with a mix of people. Because of that, I was made aware of how cruel people can be at a very young age. I saw first hand how other people can make you feel down on yourself. So I had to adapt and change my mindset. Instead of letting their insults and questions knock me down, I decided to be me in it’s entirety ! I will be Beautiful, I will be Intelligent, and I will use it to be powerful in my own right! It IS okay to be both! I designed the concept of Mixed Beauty to show women that you can be comfortable and Beautiful in your apparel without compromising yourself as a person. Beyond that, it’s a movement to empower women to show that our intelligence MIXED with our beauty is powerful. MixedBeauty is ME. Read more>>
AThoughtfulGuy
I might be something of a special case, or at least, It might feel good to believe that I am somehow unique and separate. I say this because I am much more a mission based individual and much less a mission driven company or traditional small business owner. This mission of mine is open-ended as the Goal is to live as authentically as life will allow me. Initially, the more obvious mission, I believed, was to inspire as much creation as possible. I was a hobbyist cartoonist at first who soon evolved into surrealism, combining poetry and storytelling alongside vivid imagery depicting the fantastical and sensory overloading perceptions through the eyes of my alter ego, “Huey Anderson”, A thoughtful cartoonish black man with purple and pupil-less square eyes that almost resemble two windows leading into a universe within his soul. I spent most of my 20’s searching for liberation through obsessive and arguably aggressive exploration of various art mediums. I released a book, I started a band; I threw legendary house parties, I used my talents to bring people together and build community. I inspired others to express themselves and believe in their own creative intuition and ability. I became a street artist and transformed into “AThoughtfulGuy” Showing up in places you would never expect with an empty canvas, inviting you, a complete stranger, to paint with me, randomly outside of a club, or in the median of a busy street, or at a bus stop, or in a bustling parking lot of a local gym in the evening. During my years of chasing artistic liberation, I learned that my lifestyle and unique perception IS the brand and that simply living in my truth IS the marketing plan and business model. This realization catalyzed the launch of my “Business” that is AThoughtfulUniverse. An open ended artistic blog/public display of thoughts of ideas that evolves as I live and grow. Read more>>
Morgan Mickens
An initial interest in architecture and design from a high school architectural drafting course led me to receive a Master of Interior Design degree, at Lawrence Tech University after which I worked off and on as a freelance designer for about 5 years. I had dreams of moving to New York or San Francisco, but it was during a conference in New York in 2011 that I realized my desire to stay in Detroit to rebuild the city. At the time, having some experience in interior design and a hobby of photography, I ultimately decided to hone my skills in photography, using my eye to capture the life of Detroit and rebuild people’s perspective of the city. Read more>>
Emanuel Jackson
My mission is rooted in the belief that tomorrow’s leaders can shape a better future. I am driven by the awareness of the challenges we face, particularly regarding black minority children. Statistics reveal their lower high school graduation rates, increased likelihood of incarceration, and more involvement in violent activities. Understanding these deficiencies underscores the importance of equipping young individuals with the tools they need to succeed. Central to our mission is instilling in them a profound sense of self-worth. Read more>>
Andres Perez-Molina
From Actor to Coach. My mission wasn’t originally my passion, but it is my calling. My story of a working actor in Los Angeles pursuing his dreams, working with my role models such as: Tom Brady, Jennifer Lopez, Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, David Beckham, JJ Abrams and many more. It was surreal coming from Washington DC with no acting background, but with the strong belief “anything is possible” when you have the right mindset! Read more>>
Sandrikas Mays
My business consists os helping individuals whom want to get in the medical field to start off by becoming a Nursing Assistant as I offer CNA Prep Courses to assist them with passing their CNA Exam. Read more>>
Michelle Vogel
As an actress and film maker my mission is to truly experience life and enter the lives of others to share truth, to provoke genuine emotion, to inspire and to highlight the beauties of the human experience. Read more>>
Ashleigh Davis
My mission ties into how I was able to name my business Kimarie Photography. I’m big on family.. we are a tight knit bunch. My Godmother (or Nanny as we New Orleanians say) died unexpectedly in 2013. Sent a shock across the entire family. Within the first 6 months of her passing I ran across a photo of her. It came at the right time, too, because I was in a deep moment of sadness at the time. It was an ordinary photo of her being her. To anyone else there would be nothing special about this photo. And the joy that came over me… that’s when it hit me. I had always enjoyed Photography, but this was an epiphany showing me the power and impact an ordinary photo can have. The memory it can spark. You relive the moment. I said “this is what Photography is about”. And I feel every family should have the opportunity to have professional photos to remember these special mundane moments by! So I decided to pursue photography professionally. And I named it in her honor.. Kimarie Photography in honor of Kimberley Marie. Read more>>
Dana Taucher
Our Mission- Syndicate, a place of gathering with people of common interest; we flourish through art, music, cuisine and the culture we create within our walls. Our mission is to support small business and local creative of all kinds. Collaborations with local farmers, pop-up style cuisine, artist, all genres of music, food trucks & more. A space for all. Read more>>
Debra Woog
From my own experience, I know how difficult it can be to try to do it all. Sometimes life presents us with more challenges than we feel we can handle on our own. In the midst of all my activities as a leader, entrepreneur, homeowner, family member and friend, I have lived through diagnoses (of myself and loved ones), divorce, deaths, corporate downsizing, and disputes. My journey demonstrated to me the value of my skills as a researcher, communications strategist and advisor, and a fiercely loving individual. Read more>>
Kim James
Although I am not the founder of the organization, I have the honor of serving as Executive Director for Young Leaders Council (YLC), a nonprofit organization focused on providing high-level training for young professionals (age 25-40) to help them develop the essential skills, knowledge, and connections needed to effectively serve on local nonprofit boards. The work that we do ensures a robust pipeline of well-trained individuals are ready and able to help our nonprofit community thrive. Read more>>
David Norec
After losing my brother and sister to diabetes in 2013 and 2014, I prayed to God to give me a new mission and calling for my life. That prayer was instantly answered, as I was inspired to write an interactive children’s book that would teach kids about the importance of healthy eating and exercise. I keep the memories of my brother and sister alive by reaching out to the next generation in hopes they won’t suffer from diabetes or other obesity-related illnesses. Read more>>
Shannon Aydar
My mission with koloré skincare is twofold — to provide “Glowing skin with a bump of happy!” and to help support mental health services for youth and adults. Read more>>
Tabatha Lumley
At Dajior Clothing Brand, our core mission is to inspire go-getters to remain relentless and determined while pursuing their goals regardless of the obstacles they face. Read more>>
Karen Schlegel
The mission behind my company is to support women’s livelihoods in developing countries, through celebration of their craft and creativity. The concept for Chakati came to me while volunteering in Nepal in a rural farming village. It was here that I had the experience of seeing first hand how women in the community created chakatis, a small but beautiful woven mat, traditionally used to sit on. I decided to create a business model that would connect these local products to a larger market, allowing people around the world to appreciate the beauty of traditional craft, while also providing livelihood opportunities for women in largely patriarchal societies. Read more>>
Cay Diffin
Savor came to life as an outlet for us to have some creative freedom with our craft as well as provide a space for others to come and showcase their skillsets and talents. We wanted to have the freedom to challenge the standards in the restaurant industry and evolve ourselves. Some of the most memorable moments happen around a dinner table. Read more>>
Erika DeBolt
I like to think we are a mission driven company. I personally feel like without having a mission to accomplish, the gym may not do as well. My mission is to make sure the kids stay safe and happy! For a lot of kids, the gym is a safe place, a second home, a place they come to for achievements! I strive daily to make sure these kids know when they walk in the building that they are family, they are loved, they were missed when we didn’t see them for a week. I want them to feel the love. I want them to feel like they belong. We have many differences throughout the children in the gym, some have divorced parents and one parent refuses to bring them. Some have lost a parent. Some have special needs. Some are autistic. My mission is to make sure that every child feels like they belong here. I want every child to want to come to the gym. I want them look forward to coming back. The achievements so many how big or how small are still an achievement and a step toward a goal they may have. My mission is so meaningful to me because I have been where many of these kids have been or currently are. Read more>>
Autumn Sanders
As a business owner my mission is to always educate my clients first. As a community, there are a lot of things that aren’t taught or shown that are vital to our success in life. Whether it’s related to cosmetology or taxes/finance these are very important factors in life. This is meaningful to me because when you know better you do better. When you know how to take care of yourself physically and mentally you do succeed. When you know how to handle your finances you are more successful, you are now knowledgeable and know when a financial move may or may not be in your best interest at that particular time. So many people allow their children to be claimed by others during tax season because they simply aren’t educated on how the process works, they don’t know any better. I always encourage my people to protect not only their children’s personal information but there’s as well. One day at a time and one client at a time is what I live by. As long as I reach one person I feel I’m doing my due diligence. Read more>>
David Abrams
The idea behind my mission is deeply rooted in my personal journey and the transformative power of music. Guitar and music have been my lifelong passions, serving as a constant source of inspiration, joy, and self-expression. As I delved deeper into my musical pursuits, I realized that sharing this passion with others and helping them grow was a calling that resonated within me. Witnessing the profound impact music had on my own life, I became driven to pass on the gift of music to aspiring guitarists. Teaching became an avenue through which I could not only impart my knowledge and skills but also inspire others to find their own voice, tap into their creativity, and experience the joy that music brings. The mission of creating my own music and teaching others is not just about the technicalities of playing guitar; it’s about nurturing personal growth, fostering connections, and enriching lives through the universal language of music. This mission is meaningful to me because I firmly believe that music has the ability to transcend boundaries, evoke emotions, and create a positive impact on individuals and communities. It’s a mission that allows me to share my passion, spread joy, and contribute to the beauty and richness of people’s lives through the transformative power of music. Read more>>
Chris Royster
I started IMTM Worldwide Radio as an addition to the talent management company I used to operate. Giving new talent an opportunity to talk about themselves, find out if they like being interviewed, gain experience becoming a personality. Interviews were conducted of models, artists, actors, etc. Soon I began interviewing magazine publishers, music video directors and others in the entertainment industry. Read more>>
Kozmyck
I’ve always been big on self care and self love. Sometimes we forget about ourselves and I’m here to remind you to pour into your cup first before you can pour into others. My saying is when you look good you feel good and when you feel good you’re contagious but in a good way. I’m all about raising the vibration of the collective for the greater good. I offer more than just skincare products, I also create a safe space to help you heal traumas as well as help with clearing blockages by making custom intentional products and well as educating you on the different crystals to help support you along your healing journey to self love and self acceptance Read more>>
Normanie McKenzie Ricks
Growing up I knew that I always wanted to work in the medical field. I started out wanting to be a nurse, but once I found out that I may have to give shots to babies, I said “no way!” I don’t have the heart to make babies cry. I was a student-athlete in high school and college; that is how I was introduced to the field of Rehab Science. I decided to become an Occupational Therapist because OTs help people become their best selves! We work on getting a person’s body and mind back to normal so that they can return to an independent life. I served as an active duty Naval Officer and provided Occupational Therapy to service members after they suffered orthopedic and neurological injuries. An Optometrist took me under his wing and taught me vision therapy so that I could help those whose vision was affected by Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions. I worked with some of the pioneers in the field of neurology. I was lucky enough to be trained by those who INVENTED the actual protocols. Because I am a “servant leader” by nature, I joined The Lions Club and began to advocate for the blind and visually impaired through local and global initiatives. I also travel internationally and provide instruction for educators at their schools for the blind and developmentally disabled. My personal passion for the field hits very close to home. As a third grader my very own daughter was diagnosed with a vision disorder which caused her to struggle with standardized assessments. After vision therapy, she started to read above grade level and scored at the ninth-grade level on her writing assessments as a fifth grader! She is the one who convinced me to start my own business so that I could help others who may be struggling in silence. Read more>>
Rhonda Velez
I became a business and financial coach because I saw a gap in education and motivation for entrepreneurs. It can be isolating to be a business owner and good mentorship and accountability is hard to find. I also felt as though we encounter difficulties in our personal lives and it often flows into our professional lives and can often keep us from fulfilling our purpose Read more>>
Kendall Renee
I was born with a rare medical condition that’s almost taken my life multiple times. I grew up in and out of the hospital. My life always has and probably always will look a little bit different than my peers. When I set out to begin writing and releasing music my mission has been the same since day 1: Tell the world it’s beautiful to be different and that they are never alone. Read more>>
Nicole Samuels-Shemwell
My hair was not my hair before! What you see now is a true reflection of what self empowerment and self care can do when under the right care. Before I would always keep a fresh set of braids or a flawless extension install. Any style that could cover what was really happening inside of me, I wore. I suffered from acne growing up and I could never figure out why my acne would continuously pop up out of nowhere. So, I leaned on braids and hair extensions thinking I could hide my face. Overtime I begin to notice that my edges were very thin and my hair became really weak and fragile. I finally decided enough is enough and I began to do my own research to determine why I had began to suffer from hair loss. I found that I was suffering from Fraction Alopecia. When I made this discovery, I began the process of my own self care. Advanced Hair Care and Wellness Spa started with me and I wanted to share it with the world. I created a safe place for all individuals to come and discover their hair loss or scalp disorders in order to find a solution. Hair care is so important and can help other parts of the body become healthy as well. Read more>>
Geoff Hoen
Beard MKE was born almost 5 years ago under unfortunate circumstances, and has since flourished into something uniquely being here in Milwaukee. My dad passed away suddenly in a car accident & I was left with an inheritance that I could either stow away as a safety net of sorts for myself, or I could take those funds and put them towards creating something bigger than myself safety net be damned. I chose the latter, and I stand by my decision to this day. My dad was a very quirky guy with a big heart, a sharp wit and an unwavering sense of self, and I am grateful to have inherited those traits from him as well. Read more>>
Jona Arroyo
I have always been a very competitive person and very compassionate about giving people something new and different. I started Mad Picks because everyone around me has always enjoyed pickles but me. I wanted to create a product that was both tasty and healthy. My mission is to provide people with a snack that they can fool good about eating. whether they’re on the go or just looking for a quick and easy snack. I believe that food should be simple, wholesome, and delicious, and that’s what I strive to achieve with Mad Picks. I hope to inspire others to make healthy choices and to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like a delicious sweet heat pickled jalapenos and cucumbers. Read more>>
Sherry Hoppen
My story begins with a descent into a secret life of addiction to alcohol. I tried for years to overcome the shame of being a Christian woman entangled in the nightmarish secrecy of addiction. When I finally found freedom from the bondage of alcoholism in November of 2013 by surrendering my life to God and telling him, “I will do whatever you want me to.” It wasn’t long before it was made very clear that He had no intention of keeping my addiction a secret that I could bury in my past. He called me to speak and write about my journey and share how I overcame the bondage of this secret sin and found freedom in this life that no longer relied on alcohol to get through the day. That as a Christian wife, mother, and recovering alcoholic, I had a story to share and inspire others to live independently of a substance. I am the founder of She Surrenders, a ministry to help women confront and surrender the addictions they shamefully hold close. I aspire to help women find freedom from alcohol and other addictive substances and behaviors through this ministry. I am the author of Sober Cycle-Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time. It is my story of trying everything in my power to escape addiction, including riding a bike from Michigan to Texas. There are much easier ways, and it didn’t work anyway! Sober Cycle chronicles my addiction to alcohol as a woman of faith and all the crazy things I tried to escape the grip of alcohol before I discovered the power of surrender. I tell my story with honesty and humor and love sharing it to inspire others to find out what happens when you put down the bottle (or any stronghold) and pick up a whole new life. Read more>>
Ann Morris
In order to fully understand the mission behind Ann Morris Doula Services, I feel compelled to share a bit about my first pregnancy and postpartum experience-because this season of my life essentially birthed my passion for becoming a doula. When I became pregnant for the first time, I found myself completely overwhelmed by all of the questions I had surrounding preparing for birth, postpartum, and motherhood. The amount of information readily available to me at my fingertips online was a myriad of clashing opinions and non-evidence based viewpoints. Read more>>
PJ McCormick
“The Shared Experience Studio’s mission is to guide improvisers, comedy writers and comedic actors as they refine their craft in an ongoing quest to make their work meet their standards. We cultivate a style that is nuanced, grounded, and joyfully collaborative, with an intellectual eye on the shared experience between audience and performer. Our teaching methodology centers the comedian and their goals and is thoughtful, inclusive, practical, and honest. We believe this gives comedians the confidence to take creative risks and agency over the development of their instrument.” Read more>>
Hollywood Homecoming Weekend
Hollywood Homecoming Weekend strives to bring together entrepreneurs, artists, and brands for the purpose to engage the Los Angeles community, give underprivileged students access to scholarships, and raise awareness of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). With a variety of activities and a representation of different artists, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Whatever the institution, if it’s an HBCU, a college or university, or a trade school, our objective is to inspire students to pursue higher education. Read more>>
Kimber Matherne
I believe that it doesn’t have to be hard to feed your family well each day. Somehow in the busyness of life, dinner time has become an increasingly stressful part of life for moms. Although I have no formal training, cooking is always something I have had a knack for. As a new mom, it became overwhelmingly apparent that many of my friends were struggling with how to manage the ever increasing demands of life with kids, and somehow find inspiration and time to get dinner on the table each night. This broke my heart because some of the best time of connections with your kids can come across a dinner table, and feeding your family should be a joy, not a burden. I made it my mission with Easy Family Recipes to lift the burden of the ever looming question, “What’s for dinner?” and provide inspiration and direction through simple, every day, family friendly recipes anyone can make! At Easy Family Recipes you will find ideas for what to make, including thoughtfully curated meal plans, and hundreds of recipes at your fingertips that use everyday ingredients and are quick and easy to make so instead of worrying about dinner, you can just enjoy time with your family. Read more>>
Adi Kaplan
I have a Masters in Industrial Engineering, but went a totally different direction. At the age of 40, when many of my friends decided to go the Botox way, I knew I was going to work my way into well-aging (I am not anti anything :-) ) and decided to go the NOtox way! I will do all I can to reduce my wrinkles, get a glow to my face and look great THE NATURAL WAY. Besides, every wrinkle I have – I earned with hard work :-) I love treating people. I love seeing results. And most of all – I love educating & spreading the word about natural proaging! Read more>>
Heather Taylor
The mission behind O’Bryan Designs comes from a place of helping as many women business owners succeed. O’Bryan Designs was created in 2005, as a custom graphics company who specialize in business advertising. One business at a time we want to help uplift our community as well as the community of other women business owners. O’Bryan Designs offers via our website: (www.obryandesigns.com click Local Business Thursday) a “Local Business Thursday” which is a FREE 4×4 digital ad for any business. One is picked each month, we create a digital ad at no charge and feature that business on all our social sites as well as our website. This is how we stay connected with both community and women business owners, helping to keep money within our community and to help promote local buying! If you are interested in being featured, please go to our website and submit your inquiry. You will be notified when your business is chosen. Read more>>
heidi lemmon
Our Mission
To educate, inform and assist in the development and use of well designed skateparks.
Our services are free and we work with communities all over the world. (501 c3 nonprofit est 2002) Read more>>
John Pryor
Madison Flitch, and our sister company Madison Stitch, are “farm-to-table” enterprises focusing on producing high-quality, sustainable, ethically-made sculptural art, furniture, and leather goods in downtown Kansas City. We source all of our wood, leather, and metal hardware from local producers just as a chef sources prime ingredients for their restaurant from local farmers. This approach allows us to work with producers to curate and customize materials so that we may shape them into high quality art, furniture, and leather fashion accessories. Our wood is harvested from local urban trees around Kansas City, while our leather is sourced from the legendary Hermann Oak leather tannery in Missouri, which has been making the best vegetable-tanned leather for over 150 years. Our team of designers all come from the local community and make everything in our downtown studio — nothing is out-sourced. They are fashion designers, seamstresses, product designers, engineers, refugees and immigrants. We pay a living wage, in contrast to most manufacturers of similar products in the world. We believe high-quality products result from the best materials and the best people, and so it is very important for us to invest the necessary resources into our people and our materials. Read more>>
Qiana Barnes
My mission is meaningful to me because it helps me to break generational barriers and leave behind a business that my girls could benefit from. leaving behind a legacy. My business would also helps boost confidence in others and help with self esteem/care. My mission is to also show others that no matter what there circumstances are they can do anything they put they mind too especially growning up in this era. Giving kids hope/inspirations Read more>>
Angela Zdrale
Despite personal style, every single tall woman struggles to find the clothing she wants to wear and that fit her properly. At Liv Tall, my mission is to give tall women fashion choices. I am 6’1″ and have struggled my entire life to find the clothes that I really wanted to wear. I would often sacrifice fashion for function, sizing up in clothes for extra length, or wearing a garment that was uncomfortable because I couldn’t find something else to wear. I love fashion and spent my entire career working for brands like kate spade, Tory Burch and Saks Fifth Avenue. During Covid I was laid off and decided that I was no longer going to try to fit into clothes that were not made for my body, but rather make clothes that fit my tall frame and help tall women just like me. Read more>>
Darren Dodson
Dodson Development was built to help marginalized and underserved communities by providing web services at a low cost. Back in 2019, I started working for a non-profit ABC2 (A Better Chance, A Better Community), in Halifax, NC. My work involved traveling around the region, and I went to many rural and underdeveloped areas. I got to see first-hand how poor access to the internet and a general lack of infrastructure and tech know-how limited their ability to grow their businesses and provide for their families. And I noticed that a lot of the big web, tech, and app development companies would come in and charge very high prices for their services, but the quality often did not match the price. I realized that I could offer the same services that the big giants were offering, but at a much lower cost while matching or even exceeding their quality. I looked around and saw that there were not many others interested in doing the same, so I realized I had found a true void in the market that I could fill. I’ve gotten to see over-and-over, how simply educating someone in a poor community and giving them the tech support that we take for granted in the big cities, can completely change their life and give them pride and self-confidence by allowing them to take their future into their own hands. Read more>>
Meg Fama
As a business owner, I want to make food that is sustainable, healthy, and affordable. I was inspired by my grandmother, who used to prepare our weekly Sunday dinners from scratch. She had a large garden and would grow most of the food she used for our meals. I got tasked with the very important job of picking the ingredients to complete the meal. I loved the idea that you could grow your own ingredients and turn them into delicious food for your community. I’ve never been particularly excited to eat food, but I was drawn to the idea of making it for others to enjoy. Read more>>