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.

Elizabeth Chang

As a mixed-race actress, when I first started out in Hollywood, I was often told that I was “too ethnic” for caucasian roles, and “not asian enough” for asian roles. At the same time, I was disappointed not to see adequate representation in Film and Television. Diversity and Inclusion are important to me, and I want to help tell unique stories from fresh perspectives. That was the driving mission in founding Georgian Pine Entertainment with Richard Chang, a former Sony Studio Executive (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon). So far, we’ve published Homecoming, the first in a Sci-Fi Trilogy (think Star Trek meets the Odyssey), The Next Unicorn, a fashion-tech comedy mini series released on Amazon Prime, and produced a LGBTQ rom-com short that’s won over a dozen awards and laurels at Film Festivals. Currently, we’re producing a Sci-Fi Comedic Pilot to help inspire hearts and minds to utilize currently available technology to bend the curve on Global Warming. I feel called to produce projects that elevate fresh voices, and/or speak to a greater need. Read more>>

Reagan Marelle Begley

We have steadily generated more and more waste over the years, filling our landfills, not to mention a whole host of other environmental problems faced by the U.S. and the rest of the world. Read more>>

Paulette Stout

As authors, we have great latitude about what we choose to write and how we bring our books to market. My author brand is about sparking important social conversations and bringing those to the forefront. These are themes often confined to literary fiction, but my experience has shown that contemporary fiction readers respond to deep themes if presented in entertaining–and delicious–ways. I view my role as setting the story in motion, and letting readers come away with their own conclusions. No preaching. Just gripping reading experiences. Read more>>

Sandrine Valentine

My jewelry business is a deeply personal endeavor, born from a childhood that wove between the urban elegance of Lyon, France, and the natural beauty of my family’s home in Corsica. I spent my summers there, exploring the mountains, rivers, and seaside, where my imagination turned the simple – twigs into rings, cherry stones and stems into makeshift earrings – into the magical. These childhood explorations laid the foundation for my belief in wearable art as a means to preserve memory and amplify the beauty of nature. Read more>>

Rebecca Masica

My jewelry business is a deeply personal endeavor, born from a childhood that wove between the urban elegance of Lyon, France, and the natural beauty of my family’s home in Corsica. I spent my summers there, exploring the mountains, rivers, and seaside, where my imagination turned the simple – twigs into rings, cherry stones and stems into makeshift earrings – into the magical. These childhood explorations laid the foundation for my belief in wearable art as a means to preserve memory and amplify the beauty of nature. Read more>>

Tiatun Tiatun

At Insight Bible, our mission is to revolutionize the way we engage with the Bible, giving insight and guidance to deepen faith and understanding of the Bible.

I often find myself struggling to understand certain verses in the Bible, whether I’m reading them or listening to them. While it’s easy to understand the literal meaning of a verse like Genesis 1:1, others like Matthew 5:14-16 and Proverbs 10:19 can be more difficult to decipher. As a Christian, I know I’m not alone in this struggle. Some people may turn to Google or ask their pastor for help, but these sources can have subjective biases toward certain doctrines. That’s why I’m excited about Insight Bible. Insight Bible provides answers and theories right alongside the text and allows users to cross-reference any scripture and verse. We also, give our users the option to rate and report any answer they find inaccurate. This feedback helps us improve the accuracy of Pastor AI over time. And the best part? There are even more features in the works for the future. Read more>>

Kelsey Drew

My mission as a motherhood photographer is to normalize the beauty and the struggles we go through while pregnant and during post-partum and to help new parents have Permanent memories of this precious time. When I chose to specialize in motherhood photography, I was still learning how to love myself again. I was fighting through some tough depression and insecurity. When I had my maternity photos done, I felt so beautiful, so confident, and so excited for what was to come. I want every mother I come across to feel the same. Read more>>

Andriana Stavrakis

Growing up some of my fondest and most cherished memories were baking in the kitchen with my mother and grandmothers. Not only did they share with me recipes that were passed down multiple generations, but they also taught me the importance of patience and putting your heart into what you make. A quality product cannot be rushed and must be made with only the best ingredients. To this day my interest in baking has not faded. Read more>>

Joseph Crenshaw

So it all started around 2018… I was making a little money here and there within my business but not taking it seriously (I became a manager at Autozone at the time and was feeling myself). My mom [Sandra A. Boyd-Crenshaw] was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer late that year. Mostly fell into depression at that time and just put most of my focus on her as best I could. When the new year of 2020 rolled in, my mother’s illness took a turn for the worse – she ultimately passed on Feb. 20, 2020. From that moment from now on, I learned things about my parents that I never took the time to understand… Read more>>

Jeff Poindexter

I’ve spent roughly 7 years working in and around the independent film scene in Sacramento, primarily as a production assistant. This essentially acted as my film school; learning set lingo, the craft behind the various aspects of production (lighting, cinematography, sound, etc). While often paid in “experience”, this allowed me to work directly with some of the most talented artists I’ve ever had the honor of working with. Read more>>

Linda Harrison-Parsons

The mission of my company, is better described as a passion. Like many artists I am a small business, a sole proprietor. My mission, my passion is a simple one: make someone happy. Read more>> 

Meghan Kujawa

Before I became a wedding photographer, many of my friends in LGBT+ relationships communicated that it was challenging for them to find a photographer they knew would be open to working with them. Photographers don’t often clearly state if they are inclusive, so reaching out to each vendor felt like a roll of the dice. When I first started my photography business, I knew wanted to make it as clear as possible that I am here to celebrate your love. Inclusivity is the foundation of my business. I want everyone to feel seen and loved for who they are. Read more>>

Taylor Grace Holzheuser

My biggest goal as a photographer is to make my clients feel beautiful in their own skin. The society we live in has us comparing ourselves to others and truly affects our self esteem. I know that I have struggled with body image issues myself and nothing makes me feel better than helping others with their self confidence! Read more>>

 Kaniya Lindsey

Youthful Teens was a idea given to me by God to inspire and help the youth grow closer to Him. When God created us He gave each of us a specific calling and purpose (Jeremiah 1:5). Read more>>

Kierra Rogers

Fashion Is Kie is my brand. The mission of my brand is to be an aid to those seeking professional help in looking and feeling their best. Fashion is Kie is able to fulfill this mission through our wardrobe services, photography services or through our online boutique. Customer service is a huge priority for the brand as we work very closely and personally to accomplish our mission in enhancing the self esteem of our clients. Fashion Is Kie houses opportunity for all things fashion, whether styling, photography, personal shopping, online shopping, closet revamping, style subscriptions and so forth. My name is Kierra and I came up with this name for my brand back in college because I’ve always exuded a love for all things fashion and I’ve always felt like fashion was the driving force and key behind complete self-confidence and energy. Read more>>

Dia Weeks

On April 5, 2018, I was laying in a hospital bed floating in and out of consciousness. My body was fighting for my life while my mind had already given up. My lab results had shown that I was dealing with metabolic acidosis. A condition that if not rectified quickly meant that my blood’s acidity levels would be the end of my vital organs. My liver and kidneys were fighting furiously to rid my body of the toxicity. Read more>>

Jailene Montoya

As someone with eczema I haven’t always felt comfortable in my own skin. Being born with this skin condition, I’ve gone my whole life with flare ups. I’ve always been an artist. Art has called to me since before I really understood it. I use to always hide my skin. Wear long sleeves in hot weather, covered up at the beach. However, tattoos changed how I felt in my own skin. Covering my body with art has helped heal part of me I didn’t know could be healed. I’ve seen how it’s helped others feel more confident in themselves and more comfortable in their own skin. Tattooing changed my life for the better. I’m honored that I’ve found a community of people that not only support me, but help me grow as an artist. I just hope I’m able to provide the same support I feel. Read more>>

Amy Vine

Urban VIne was created out of a desire to create a safe and adaptable place of employment for my son who is on the autism spectrum, my adopted brother and sister who have special needs and their friends. When vocational programs began closing in Michigan, our friends with special needs who had come to rely on those programs as their outlet for social interaction, safe sanctuary on a daily basis and called these programs THEIR community, were told upon closing that they needed to go out into the “community” and find jobs or volunteer positions in a world they very little experience navigating. Read more>>

Coralie Saint-Louis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, my father fell critically ill, succumbing to the virus and requiring hospitalization. Placed into a coma, he faced an unfamiliar and isolating environment due to the restrictions on visitors. Because we couldn’t be physically present by his side, the hospital staff sought ways to reintegrate familiar elements of his daily routine—his preferred music, TV shows, etc. Read more>>

Desi Artis

At Jute + Olive, our purpose is clear: We aim to be a friendly and approachable lifeline for women navigating mild to moderate mental health issues. Read more>>

Snob Cloud

HOME – BASED EUROPEAN BAKERY IN FORT MILL SC
Welcome to Snob Cloud home – based bakery. www.snobcloud.com

My mission is to bring a taste of Europe to the local market. I specialize in exquisitely hand-crafted , premium celebration cakes for any occasion. Read more>>

Leola-Christine Titus-Morris

From my earliest forays into design during the innocent days of elementary school, my love for shaping ideas into tangible expressions of creativity marked the genesis of a dream that would grow and blossom. Photography, an unexpected entry into my creative journey, transformed into a thriving business at the tender age of 11. Interestingly, though, the world of fashion had yet to weave itself into the narrative. Read more>>

Alexandra Gore

My mission is Inspired by the profound experience of losing my mom to cancer, I turned to the art of jewelry making as a therapeutic outlet. Channeling my grief into the creation of meaningful pieces, working with crystals became a journey of self-discovery. Through this craft, I not only found peace in the creative process but also embarked on a transformative path towards self-love and healing. My mission is to share this journey, using the beauty of handcrafted jewelry to inspire others in their own paths of healing and self-discovery. Read more>>

Rodney Lough Jr

I left the corporate world in 1995 to pursue my passion. This turned out to be difficult at best though driven by passion became a truly remarkable success story. It took 27 years and multiple galleries across the US to accomplish this. Now with worldwide collectors spanning the globe it all started with a simple notion. Read more>>

Danielle Pereira

“ I want to be a farmer.” … “That’s irresponsible.” These two thoughts tumbled around in my mind for a year. I worked hard and invested in the success of my corporate career, one backyard garden seemed impractical and unworthy of a career change. Time with nature and in my garden had a way of convincing that the corporate ladder and a fluorescent-lit office could not. I traded high heels for garden boots and didn’t look back. I’ll forgive the friends and family who called me crazy to my face, and were serious about it. In their defense, I was a mom of three small children, dealing with a mystery health crisis, and a life oriented towards anything other than farming. I was at least honest enough with myself to acknowledge this new path toward farming would be messy, and grasped onto this idea that finally I had found what I was meant to do. Read more>>

Boualem Hassaine

My purpose in life is deeply rooted in the power of entertainment, particularly through film and TV. In my journey across different countries and cultures, I have witnessed firsthand the power of storytelling in fostering understanding and empathy. I have seen how a simple film or TV show has the ability to transcend boundaries and touch the hearts of people from diverse backgrounds. Read more>>

Hannah Ross

My team’s mission at Summit Learning is to provide engaging, accessible academic and social-emotional support for students who think and learn differently. I started my career as a classroom teacher and while I enjoyed the community and excitement of the classroom environment, I noticed that many learners needs were not met in the larger classroom environment. This led me to go back to school for educational therapy and start my own practice. As an educational therapist, it’s my job to help each individual students discover how they learn best, by providing tailored skill remediation and strategy building. Ultimately the goal is to help students enjoy the learning process and become confident and independent students! Read more>>

Brooke Hutchens

As a working artist for 20 years I struggled with finding art supplies that were non-toxic. More often than most, artists are working with paints that can be overall damaging to their health overtime. Read more>>

Morgan Wieser

I lost my corporate America job in early 2021 due to the pandemic. This was just nine days after we had just closed on our new house. So me being the daughter of a carpenter, I decided to take my time and energy and go to my new house and get it ready to get moved into. Starting with the master bedroom accent wall. Soon my friends would ask about me, helping them with their accent wall. Then became the beginning of a world win. Entrepreneur ship journey. Fast forward three years I now have six employees working with me and more than 500 Accent Walls under my belt. somewhere along this journey, it dawned on me that this trim carpentry world is typically a man’s world, and my favorite thing to do is prove that us women can kick ass with power tools as well! So the slogan for my company is “empowering women with power tools”. I want to show other women out there that we too, can kick ass with power tools just like men! My biggest goal in 2024 is starting a quarterly women’s tool workshop that just teaches women about tools! And helps them get familiar and less intimated by them! I just want yo show people we are capable as well! Read more>>

Deja Wharton

Since I started Dewybydej in 2016, my goal and mission has always been the same, and that has been to make women feel like themselves but polished. My mom and aunties were always very vocal on how they viewed my makeup and what I needed to work on, it boiled down to feeling glowy, natural and radiant. Before opening my own business in 2023, I was advised to go darker on brows, heavier on contour, lighter on concealer, and honestly it wasn’t my thing. I had to find a way where my makeup appeared great in pictures but great from every angle in person. Soft glam became trendy in 2023 but it was something I always did and I think that’s why I became so successful with it. I’ve always stuck to my mission and my goal, to make women feel glowy, natural, and radiant. There’s a saying, “trends may change but a classic remains the same.” The girls have went back to French tips, mininimalistic looks, natural looking hairstyles, and simplicity. Along the way will come a bold trend, but it will eventually fade. You can go buy a bag from the seasonal collection of Louis Vuitton, but eventually it will be known as the “old seasonal collection” but a classic Louis Vuitton Pochette will forever be a classic. So I try to grow and evolve but my makeup will always remain classic and for the everyday woman! Read more>>

Quinnell Williams

My brand Politically Urban stand’s for Politically unified requires bond and Nuture. The mission for brand is to bring black men and women together through fashion. As a graphic designer by trade I created all the design for my apparel. I make sure each design shows will spark a conversation or bring a smile to black men or black women. Read more>>

Angeles Ruiz

Our mission is providing our clients with high-quality, long-lasting memories that they will cherish for years to come, offering a variety of booth options that are suitable for all ages. while being dedicated to bringing people together in a relaxing and fun environment, so that everyone who snaps a picture walks away with a beaming smile. Read more>>

Keisha Brewer

The PR Alliance started because I noticed smaller businesses struggling to build awareness and credibility despite the impactful work they were doing in their industries and communities. After working in corporate communications, it became evident to me that the reason these fortune 500 companies became who they were was because they had the expertise of people like me, and good communication systems, and I wanted to give smaller businesses the same support. But it’s not just about business for me. I remember feeling unseen, unheard, and undervalued when I was young — struggling to fit in and find my voice — and helping businesses find their voice feels like healing for me too. Read more>>

Anne Kupillas

I truly believe that art is for everyone! On the one hand, I mean I believe that art should be affordable and relatable. And on the other hand, what I mean is that anyone who wants to create art CAN and should do it! As a teacher, it’s so important to me to encourage my students especially as they are beginning their art journey and trying to master techniques and searching to find their own unique style and voice. So many of my students tell me that they were not only not encouraged to paint, but were actively discouraged! I find this so sad, because there’s no mystery to talent when it comes to painting. True, there are some lucky special folks who are born with an innate ability to create art — but without any training or practice, nothing more will come of it. There is a myth that great artists are born, and that we don’t need to practice. But this is counterintuitive — you would never think that a dancer, or a musician, or any other performing artist doesn’t need to practice, to hone their craft and learn different techniques and just plain improve on what they have seen or learned. But with art, I hear this over and over. I actively work to dispel this fallacy by encouraging my students to work hard, to look critiquely but kindly at their own works and to keep going until they find their voices. I do often hear my students say, You’re too kind — but I’m not being kind, I speak the truth. I point out what’s positive. in their painting and I go easy on what needs more work. Because watercolor painting is hard! And everyone deserves to enjoy expressing themselves and feeling good about it. Just like I don’t think you need to have a terrific voice to enjoy singing (I sing all day, in the car, the shower, wherever!), I don’t think you need any special talent to make art and feel the catharsis of doing so. And take some classes – you’ll improve. Read more>>

Matthew Ten

Aces Domain is a Clothing Brand that promotes creativity and self improvement with inspiration from Art and Anime. I always try my best to show within each project, within each Piece, a message to give to others and the message is to “keep being yourself but become the best version of yourself.” Ive always been a Huge Anime and Pop Culture fan, along with being a huge nerd, but all of that inspiration plays a part to what I want to show and continue telling people within the Brand. You are your own main character in your own story, you just have to believe that you are. It’s a simple but childish goal but I truly want to continue to show and help others become the best version of themselves with my art. You deserve to become who you dream to be. Read more>>

Rachel Rodriguez

The name INSPIRA is rooted in the word INSPIRAtion. As the Founder, I have always had a love for fitness, a passion for helping others, and the desire to create innovative fitness apparel while building a supportive community. With these qualities and principles, I’ve been blessed enough to create my dream brand which strives daily to build up women, and show them that they are bold, beautiful, and beyond enough. This is why Inspira makes high-quality athleisure focused on empowering individuals of all ethnicities, cultures, shapes, sizes, and lifestyles. My passion for others runs deep and is at the very core of who we are and what Inspira is. I believe that the positive energy of one person can be a catalyst to so many others, making that one person an INSPIRAtion. Read more>>

Larissa Miller

I’m a video producer and director, creating a documentary titled “Othered,” which focuses on LGBTQ, mental health, and the church. I worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for 16 years and had to make a change when I came out and got married to my wife, Kim Honeycutt. After leaving, I went freelance and started my production company, 21 Media. The mission of this documentary is extremely important to me personally. Here is the log-line from the documentary: “A revealing exploration by a married Christian lesbian couple, ‘Othered’ delves into how oppressive church systems affect LGBTQ individuals, exposing the deep-seated religious trauma and its impact on mental health.” Read more>>

Carolyn Scott

I began my show and overall brand to b a resource for people to live happier, healthier lives be it at home or on-the-go. My mission has always been to help others get on the path to wellness in a sustainable way. Read more>>