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.

Karolina Shanks

I was born and raised in Ukraine. My story with photography started back in middle school when my family traveled throughout Europe and I got a hold of our little camera. I fell in love with pictures and wanted to learn more about it. My last year of high school I went on a foreign exchange program and was put on the yearbook team where I was able to expand my knowledge, get more experience and truly fall in love with creating photos. Right after graduating I decided to go into an online photography business school and started my professional path.  Read more>>

Don Thompson

From the beginning, our mission has been to provide opportunities for artists. Poster Posse began as a passion project that turned into a business, so passion is a large part of what we think about in all the decisions that we make and artists are at the forefront of that passion. We saw so many talented illustrators on social media who weren’t getting the recognition and attention we thought they deserved, so things began with a pop-culture blog where artist interviews were frequent. Don had the desire to get these amazing artists in front of the eyes of as many people as possible. Read more>>

Grier Spry

My mission is to empower purpose-driven organizations by crafting meaningful brands and immersive experiences that truly connect with their audiences, leaving a lasting positive impact. This journey is fueled by my deep belief in the power of meaningful connections and living a fulfilling life. I don’t just work in industries like real estate, hospitality, tourism, and nonprofits—I invest my heart into them. I believe in their missions and actively participate in them in my own life. This passion ignited my love for uncovering impact through branding and led to the creation of Destination Freedom, a company founded on the belief that travel and giving back can enrich our hearts and minds, guiding us toward a more purposeful life. At DF, we empower individuals to explore the world while making a positive impact because I truly believe everyone deserves the chance to experience connection, purpose, and freedom. Read more>>

Anna Papini

Our mission has always been to bring herbalism to the masses. This is a very important mission to us because so many people don’t know the power behind plant medicine. It can be a primary modality of medicine that focuses on healing rather than covering up symptoms. Plant medicine is a way to give healing power back to the people that is not only affordable, but focuses on whole body well-being. The earth provides everything we need to heal our bodies and we want to teach people about these plants and how to be self sustaining with their own healthcare. We have a love for the earth and all living within it. We want everyone to know how amazing this earth is and how we are all able to subsist and survive with all this planet has to provide. Read more>>

Jennifer Imus

I began my professional career with a business degree with an emphasis in marketing. It led me to a 13-year career in corporate advertising working in New York, Detroit and LA in various roles for various careers. It was fulfilling in the way that it gave me a creative outlet that I so desperately wanted. Growing up with a father who was a photographer, it was always something that I had a love/hate relationship with. We had a darkroom in our basement in our home in Michigan. I loved spending time watching the film develop and it’s one of the few positive memories I have of my father. He was a flawed human, and photography was always inextricably linked to him in both the good and the bad.  Read more>>

Sina Aghassy

SoCal Legends Volleyball Club is a club that was founded on the idea of growing the sport in the San Fernando valley, while giving opportunities to kids who would otherwise not receive them (like I did growing up) along with allowing our coaches to have a platform to help our kids. It’s meaningful to me because ultimately, I was in our kids’ & families’ shoes at one point navigating high school and the journey to play volleyball in college. Providing a competitive atmosphere is one thing where kids can grow, but to provide an experience that is a family environment/welcoming along with providing a hands-on experience for them in the college recruiting journey is something I think that sets our club apart. We invest a ton of time in the strength conditioning, technical side of the volleyball and a fully balanced approach to help our kids and families grow in more ways than one! Read more>>

Sofia Lanbina

A tattoo means more to one than you might think, even if it doesn’t have a particular meaning. My mission is to create a piece of art out of every idea adding my own vision to it and to make my customers feel like their tattoo was a part of them all along and it was made specifically for them. Some people want to get a tattoo in remembrance of something, some — to feel more themselves or more confident in their own skin, some just find it beautiful. In any case, I always intend to not just bring someone’s idea to life through my vision but to make it as personal and unique as it can possibly be. Even the same flower can be drawn differently depending what personality and what mood you’re trying to reflect.  Read more>>

Liz Diewald

I started taking photos back in highschool. I grew up in a home of 11 children, and I always remember my mom taking photos of us all the time. As I got older, I started going with her to scrapbooking days with her friends (back before everything was electronic). I then realized how much I loved capturing nature and people through photography. I shot my first wedding in 2015 for my brother’s best friend. I then fell in love with weddings and continued to shoot weddings when I could. I spent lots of time practicing on my younger siblings and would do whatever I could to grow and gain experience. Fast forward 9 years, and I have shot over 50 weddings. I have since lost 3/4 of my grandparents, and I have realized how invaluable photos are, especially the ones you have with family who has since passed away. I will forever be grateful to my mom for always taking photos and modeling how special it is to preserve lifelong memories. Read more>>

Brooke Holliday

At the core of my work as a photographer is the desire to represent mothers in a real, honest way. Society tends to show this idealized version of motherhood, but the truth is, it’s so much more raw and complex. Mothers are asked to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, managing everything with grace, all while navigating their own personal challenges. For too long, the reality of their sacrifices, their dedication, and the strength it takes to raise the next generation has been overlooked—despite the fact that motherhood is arguably the most important job of all. Read more>>

Kelsey Moravec

The mission behind my company is to make sure that you leave my chair feeling a better person. This is the main reason why I started in this industry over a decade ago. I absolutely loved the feeling I had when leaving the hair salon/ makeup chair. It is a feeling that is truly unmatched. Being on other side of it now is so fulfilling. Connecting with my clients through shared experiences is one of the best parts. Having your hair and makeup done is a very vulnerable thing, a lot of people don’t realize that but our job as the artist is so much more than technique. It’s how you make your client feel. I was taught in beauty school that the client will always carry the memory of how you made them feel far more than the service itself. I wanted to provide my clients with both an exceptional service artistry wise and on a personal level. That has always been the driving force in my business. Read more>>

Jennifer Demoro

As a jewelry designer, I’m on a mission to celebrate the vibrant spirit of women at every age. Inspired by the bold energy of the 1970s and the strength of trailblazing women past and present, I create pieces that blend vintage charm with modern sophistication. My jewelry is for the woman who’s lived, loved, and grown into her true self. It’s for those who know that wisdom and confidence are the most beautiful accessories of all. When you wear one of my pieces, I want you to feel a spark of joy and a surge of empowerment. Read more>>

Michael Di Battista

Our mission is to create a brand that delivers happiness through the world of food. As we know, food is an integral part of culture, family, and relationships. Celebrations are often centered around food, with many of life’s happiest moments marked by festive meals. We have the opportunity to make someone’s day, every day. Doing this while sharing a piece of ourselves in each meal is the coolest thing we’ve ever done. We have the chance to show our work ethic, share our personality, and do things our way. So we strive to be 1% better each day. We grind our meat in-house for a delicate patty, treat potatoes for hours for that sweet crisp; and reduce stocks for days to get that perfect thickness and robust flavor.  Read more>>

Oliver James

For most of my life I couldn’t read. Yes, I went to school and I even graduated. But I still could not read. I was functionally illiterate which is a technical term for what I called “I can’t read.” I navigated through my life not being able to read most things: street signs, menus, job applications, paperwork, food packages, etc. I don’t have to tell you the huge disadvantage facing those who can not read. But what you may not know is there is also a huge shame. I would basically admit to any deepest darkest secret but I would not admit that I could not read. The stigma behind not being able to read was so great that I lived in fear of being found out. Read more>>

Sadie Burbank

The mission behind Space By Sadie is to elevate homes through sophisticated spatial design. Whether you are looking for interior design advice or preparing your home for display, Space By Sadie is here to eliminate the stress of it all. I have a background in textile design from the University of Georgia combined with many years of successful project design experience in California, New York, Colorado and Georgia. Upon learning that my grandfather founded his own interior design firm in Cincinnati and then watching my father run his own interior design firm in Atlanta, I knew I wanted to carry on the family legacy from a young age. My mother was also an interior designer, specializing in kitchens, so I’ve quite literally inherited an eye for design. Any space that I enter I am constantly thinking of ways to move around furniture or change the color palette to create a fresh perspective and relax the mind. I will simplify your life by making the right choices for a multitude of spatial design projects. Read more>>

Stephen Baumbach

Our mission is to find artists with potential to become great, We mentor and guide new and established artists to become better at representing themselves as well as growing their business. We also guide artists we select through the jungle of creation, sometimes offering possible new directions to refresh their creative spark. In the end, after an artist has shown in our gallery, they walk away with a skill set not realized before.  Read more>>

Byron Ragsdale

So my vision when we started Run-em-Down Track and Field was simply to provide a positive Track and Field experience for the atheletes we coach. The way I describe positive is: – each kid feels accepted – each kid being coached at their level – each kid showing daily improvements – each kid, learning and understanding – each kid understands the purpose of the training, – each kid is learning tools for life success as well as Sports Success. – and last but not least, is each kid performing better in this weeks practice an competitions than they did last week. Read more>>

Beauté Harleaux

As the founder of Unconscious Beauté Studio, my mission is rooted in empowering individuals by enhancing their natural beauty and providing transformative hair solutions. This mission is deeply meaningful to me because I’ve witnessed firsthand how access to quality hair care can uplift a person’s confidence, especially those dealing with medical hair loss or navigating the complexities of textured hair. Growing up, I saw the lack of representation and care for diverse hair types in the beauty industry, which inspired me to not only offer luxury services but to also educate clients and aspiring beauty professionals on proper hair care and business skills. It’s not just about aesthetics for me; it’s about offering services that restore confidence and dignity while empowering others to find success in this industry. Read more>>

Angelique Beach

We live in a world where time is one of our most precious resources, yet we often sacrifice it by constantly pleasing others and putting ourselves last. This leads to stress, burnout, and all the health consequences that come with it. My journey into professional home organizing was born from my own experience of mental burnout after years in healthcare. As a nurse practitioner, I realized that my passion wasn’t just in supporting physical health but in nurturing people’s mental well-being and peace, starting within their homes. I’ve always believed in the profound mental benefits of living in a space that is not just clean, but thoughtfully organized, systematized, and aesthetically pleasing. Moving into 2025 and beyond, my mission is to highlight the transformative effects of professional home organizing—how it can help people reduce stress, regain control, and create a sanctuary that promotes clarity and calm. Read more>>

Wendy Bradshaw

My mission is deeply rooted in my own healing journey. Through moments of profound awareness, I’ve come to understand my resilience, the dynamics of my past, and the relationships that shaped me. It was through these revelations that I uncovered my inner strength and realized that I am here to support and guide others, especially women on their path of awakening. I believe in helping women embrace their inner radiance, rediscover their purpose, and thrive. My passion is to empower them as they navigate their own spiritual growth, guiding them through sacred practices and circles that open the door to transformation. Programs like SoulGate Journeys were born from my desire to offer the same deep healing and alignment that I’ve experienced. Read more>>

Eliza Garza

As a children’s book author, my mission is to empower young minds by helping them connect to their heritage through the power of story. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, I experienced firsthand the deep-rooted traditions of South Texas—family, culture, and community. Through my stories, I aim to remind children of the beauty in their own heritage, the importance of keeping family bonds strong, and how honoring those roots keeps us grounded. Authenticity is at the heart of this mission, because I believe that children, especially those from underrepresented communities, need to see themselves in the books they read. Every story I write serves as a bridge between generations, preserving traditions like making tamales on Noche Buena or sharing a raspa with a loved one. It’s about showing children that their culture and family stories are valuable and worth celebrating. Read more>>