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.

Emily Barnes

Our goal is to create an annual event to showcase local Antiques + Vintage, Boutiques and Artisans that focuses on community and collaboration. We have been collaborating with area small business and want to create a unique shopping experience to shop small and shop local.  Read more>>

Alyssa Zwonok

My business has been successful due to my innovative approach in consistently striving to break the mold and change the agency culture to one that thrives on empowerment. I want to rewrite the narrative of what an agency should look like, and how it should work while forever empowering my diverse team of freelancers by giving them the freedom to do their best work. Read more>>

Ari Newman

I’m currently developing three ventures: The Artful Resistance, Revolutionístas, and Banned Art Collective. Each of these companies is a reflection of my path as an artist and activist, rooted deeply in feminism and social justice. My commitment to these causes has been shaped by my own experiences with censorship and marginalization within the mainstream art world. These initiatives are also my response to the increasing threats to human rights that I’ve witnessed in the United States, especially while living in Texas. Read more>>

Emily Barnes

Our goal is to create an annual event to showcase local Antiques + Vintage, Boutiques and Artisans that focuses on community and collaboration. We have been collaborating with area small business and want to create a unique shopping experience to shop small and shop local. Read more>>

Ivana Sarasate

Since I was very little I have always liked design and creating products. In fact, I have had several ventures of all kinds throughout my life. However, I had never found something I was truly passionate about. When the pandemic started, I found myself working from home all day. Without being able to go out, I needed to find something that made me feel good and helped me disconnect. That’s when I decided to buy new pajamas, something special to enjoy my relaxing moments. Read more>>

Flora White

For over 20 years, I have worked in media across broadcast and digital. Outside of work, I volunteer my time as Managing Director of Girls in Tech, NY and am a soccer mom to two little boys!⁠ ⁠ For as long as I can remember, I have been curious about the “why” of things. Back story is often more interesting than the story itself.⁠ Read more>>

Elaina Gray

When I started my party, “Just For Friends”, I wanted it to be based around an environment where everyone would feel welcomed. It was always more about camaraderie than anything. I feel like it’s extremely important to make people feel safe, to make people feel included, and to to give people an opportunity to meet other likeminded people. Read more>>

Jennipha Ricks

Jae Elle Consulting, LLC is dedicated to the vision of “Educate, Lead, Empower,” with a mission to guide women from spiritual bondage to liberation. This reflects our commitment to nurturing growth and resilience, particularly among women of color, drawing from our deep understanding of the challenges they face. This vision speaks to the core of what it means to be a guide and a beacon of hope. Education is the key to unlocking potential, leading involves setting an example and paving the way for others, and empowering is about giving others the tools and confidence to stand strong.. Read more>>

Matthew Schmid

My mission is to create my own independent family-friendly feature films for everyone to enjoy, as well as for me to act in. The reason why this mission is meaningful for me is because I have a passion for acting and filmmaking, and I feel like by creating my own film projects, I could do both things at once. Read more>>

Nalani Thomas

Social media has always been an outlet for me to express myself and show others my style and personality. Before i was able to showcase myself on my social media platforms i was not very confident and now people ask me all the time how i am able to be so confident. That is what i truly hope to do with my content is inspire others to do the same as well by sharing the things i love such a fashion photography & lifestyle. I want people to know that is okay to be your authentic self. Read more>>

Rosie Moore

I am the founder and director of the Snake Conservation and Bite Awareness Foundation. My decision to start the foundation was deeply influenced by my experiences working with crocodilians in Belize. During this time, I observed the local practice of using bush medicine to treat snake bites, and witnessing the challenges and consequences of such methods was truly eye-opening. This exposure made me acutely aware of the global health crisis stemming from the shortage of antivenom. Read more>>

Briana Silvio

The Mission of Elevated Impressions is to provide Honest and Reliable Service to our Community with a Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Consciousness. The Intention of the Foundational Values of Integrity, Respect and Professionalism is to Inspire all People to Experience the Joy of Love and Life Through Celebration. Read more>>

Kristin Walsh Lambros

Soul Brew is a coffee shop serving brunch and most importantly, “good vibes”. When I was in college I worked in a coffee shop in New Paltz and it had all of my favorite things in one spot. Coffee, tea, good food for the soul, good music playing, local art and always great customers around to pick up a good conversation with. “Wow, everything that feeds your soul in one place!” I always thought to myself.  Read more>>

Brandon Griffin

My name is Brandon Griffin and I am the Business owner and founder of The Outcast Outlasting Designs New LLC and Author of The Outcast Will Outlast. I started this business in the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. My meaningful mission for this platform is to empower, encourage, and help people that have felt rejected and was overlooked and put to side because they are unique and did not fit into society, causing great rejection and disappointment by the world and peers. Read more>>

Alexandria Moore

Our mission is to provide women with unique, affordable, fashionable pieces; that makes them feel amazing and help them build self-confidence. We take pride in showing women that what you wear really can have a positive impact on how you carry and perceive yourself. In which I know from my own personal experience. Throughout my teen years, there was a point where I was shy, afraid to take up space, afraid of what others thought of me, afraid that I wasn’t good enough… I truly didn’t recognize the beauty within myself. Read more>>

Sherecca Frazier

When I decided to become a photographer, I knew that families and couples were my target audience. I love, love and I especially love black love. I am a true hopeless romantic. I was always on Pinterest scrolling and looking at photos of couples and families, so that I could mood board my next shoot. I would search “families and couples in nature” because that’s what I focused my style around. Read more>>

Diane Montoriol

The essence of Merci Maman’s mission is to introduce the concept of chilled soups to the U.S. market, a trend well-established in Europe but unfamiliar to many Americans. These soups are unique because they are designed to be eaten cold, requiring no heating or additional preparation. This aspect sets them apart, offering a convenient, healthy, and novel food experience that American consumers have been missing. My goal is to make these flavorful, ready-to-eat cold soups a staple in American diets, just as they are in Europe. Read more>>

Yuliya Charamnykh

From the early days, I knew I was creating a brand that I would love to run and cherish for years, as my baby. I actually joke that this business is my baby number 4. Since my children are very conscious about the environment as well as recycling and composting, I knew I had to start right and define sustainability as a core of the brand. Actually the whole concept of the brand is the response to the effects fast fashion has on our planet. As the brand, we are committed to slowing down, producing pieces that last, creating space for owning less by introducing a capsule collection to your closet. Read more>>

Ayana Lynch

My mission is to help creatives to pull out their most innovative selves and allow them to produce what the consumer wants as well as express their intended outcome for their work. Many creators lose sight of their intent or purpose of why they do what they do and conform to the norm of their industry. My business encourages clients to stay true to their authentic selves, while assisting with pulling out the most creative aspects of themselves to be put into their art. Read more>>

Jason Steiner

Our mission is 3 fold. 1st we bring together military, veterans, first responders, and Gold star families to honor them. 2nd we bring together great nonprofits to show what is available for our heros. 3rd we bring in veteran and first responder bands and singers to perform to grow their brand. Over all it is a night to connect with like minded people and have the family and camaraderie we all had at one time in our lives. Read more>>

Jaye Hunnie

The Women of House Music Collective’s mission is to spotlight women for the world to see that they are just as talented and dedicated to House Music as their male peers. Another mission I wanted for The Collective, is to provide sisterhood and a network for women that love music and culture. The Collective has led to connections for women to plan and projects together. The Women of House Music Collective is not about excluding men, it’s more about empowering women. Read more>>

Bryce Fitts

My mission is to uplift music, particularly in the underground. I am not a music critique, but an enjoyer. I strive to create content that amplifies talent through a creative way that draws natural attention and fans to their work. Read more>>

Jacqueline Rizzo

Our goal is to create a premier platform that empowers emerging artists to showcase their work, build connections, and advance in their artistic careers. The inspiration for this mission struck me at the age of 24 while navigating the challenges of exhibiting my art in 2015 Philadelphia. Despite the limited opportunities then, the few art shows I joined fueled my passion to establish this platform for fellow artists. Our mission is fueled by the belief that talented artists deserve exposure to the right audience. Read more>>

Kenneth Hannah

I’m a mother of two beautiful daughters and I was born hearing in a Deaf World. Creating a Community Deaf Center changed my passion in ways that I can share with community families and businesses. I’m a Community Leader and Builder with 5000+ volunteer hours in the community, which is recognized by my city. I continue to collaborate with other community members, leaders, and families to educate, enhance, support, and encourage. Read more>>

Nkoya Kidd

Warrior Nori Books is inspired by my eldest daughter Nori. Our mission at Warrior Nori Books is to empower brown children and remind them of their self-worth. When my daughter was 4 months old, we had our first experience of people saying “not so nice” things about her. It broke my heart as a mother. I felt small as if I could never protect her from the outside world. Then it dawned on me; I was fearful because I worried she would grow up and believe what others said about her. Read more>>

Grlz Only

At GRLZ ONLY we create events for the underrepresented lesbian community. Our mission is for women to know they have a place to go, surrounded by other queer women. Wether it’s for friendship or dating, this space is for the girls. Being in the LA pride parade is important to us because we want to gain visibility so women know they have a safe space to go. Read more>>

Rachel Ungerer

My paintings are a celebration of disabled queer sexuality and mutual care. As a disabled queer person myself, I hope to rewrite the narrative about my community and challenge discriminatory views. Honestly, my colorful art was born from anger. I am outraged by the harm systemic oppression has caused me and my community. As someone who became permanently disabled in my early 20s, I have a visceral understanding of how much worse disabled people are treated. Read more>>

JEREMY WAMBUGU

As a photographer, I am driven by a passion to capture the essence of individuals, families and inanimate objects, preserving their unique stories and creating heirlooms that will be cherished for generations to come. My mission is to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, using my experience and artistic vision to capture the raw emotions, personalities, and connections that define each and every photograph. I believe that photography is more than just taking pictures; it’s about connecting with people and the world around you on a deeper level, understanding their essence, and translating that into visual storytelling. Read more>>

Jessica Robinson

The mission behind my company is to create safe spaces ensure equitable access to mental health for members of the Black community. It is important that my community is served by people who look like them and who can relate to their lived experiences. I also aim to bring light to the intersectionalities of faith and mental health in our community. Read more>>

Randi Czarney

Happy Homes Organizing wants to do things differently. We don’t just want to organize your space. We don’t just want to leave you with a clean area. We want to provide you with a sense of peace. We want to take a weight off your shoulders. We want to fix a space and make a chaotic one beautiful and relive the stress that it causes families. Beyond a business, we want to help bring families peace in their physical space. Read more>>