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.

Maira De Leon

Hi, my name is Maira De Leon. I am a multi-passionate entrepreneur, artist, wife, founder and CEO of Enliven Society and Good Studio Co. I am also a soul-led business & empowerment coach for women. At Enliven Society, we empower women through education, community, and connection. Our mission is to cultivate a supportive network that inspires personal and professional growth and holistic wellness advocacy. We are dedicated to breaking barriers, fostering inclusive opportunities, and creating a platform where every woman can thrive and make a meaningful impact in her business, community, and beyond. Read more>>

Rodrick Johnson

Joey is the boy who was in school by eight and sent home by 9 AM because he was labeled a problematic child. Joey tried his hardest to get it together, but she could only get a “fair” rating on his behavior chart. His teachers didn’t know Joey had significant issues that the medicine or robust one-size-fits-all behavior systems couldn’t fix. He needed support and direction, but he got tough love! At a young age, Joey learned that his name was Rodrick, and he said he would be a teacher to heal and support students who came up through the foster system like him. Rodrick was an exceptional teacher. He would get the most challenging students and mold them into leaders. People didnt know his method, but they knew his impact. His favorite quote was, “Give me the support of the students that need it because I know what they need.” Read more>>

Anngybe Moreta

I have always had a passion for photography, marketing and creative direction and now I get to do it my own way. Nothing has been more freeing than being able to get creative with my clients, capture their personal milestones, from family sessions, birthday, maternity and special events. To working 1 on 1 with businesses for branding and marketing, from businesses in beginning stages to others that are celebrating 5+ years in business. After losing my mother, I have found purpose in being bold and not limiting myself or placing myself in a box. I love to challenge my creativity in all areas. I love to make people more confident in who they are and what they do, because it motivates me to do the same. Read more>>

Tiffany & Isaiah Hamilton

That’s an alarming problem we are trying to solve with Victor Wear – our new inspirational activewear brand dedicated to empowering and employing the autism community. We sell stylish, colorful tees and hoodies with inspiring slogans and our signature “VW” flame logo. And we aspire to grow and create jobs for neurodiverse individuals. In fact, we want our brand to be a leading employer of people with differing abilities. Just imagine…a brand as iconic as Nike, but centered on overcoming obstacles and largely operated by people with differing abilities. This is what we aspire to with Victor Wear. By garnering widespread love and support, akin to major brands like Nike, we aim to change perceptions, foster inclusivity, and effect change. Read more>>

Mo Falomo

Falhouse Books is my labor of love, rooted in a mission to amplify underrepresented voices in children’s literature and create stories that educate, entertain, and foster empathy. Growing up, I saw few books that reflected the diverse world I knew. Thankfully, I had a father who passed down stories from our Nigerian culture—stories rich in morals, identity, and community. These stories were a guiding force in my life, and I realized that for many cultures, literature has replaced the oral tradition as a key way to share values and build identity. However, a troubling gap remains: while children’s literature has the power to shape perspectives, few bestsellers with Black main characters are written by Black authors. Falhouse Books seeks to bridge this divide. By championing diverse voices, we aim to create a world where every child can feel seen, celebrated, and inspired. It’s more than just publishing books; it’s about building a legacy of inclusivity and belonging. Read more>>

Rotem Bar Lev

My mission as a personal stylist and color analysis expert is deeply rooted in the belief that true self-love starts with how we see ourselves. I am passionate about helping men and women embrace their unique beauty, transforming the way they perceive their reflection in the mirror. When a client learn to love what they see, , it creates a deep sense of confidence and self-acceptance. We are all constantly evolving as people, and just like we grow in different areas of our lives, our style should also reflect those changes. I often notice that clients’ current styles don’t match their personalities, which can affect their confidence. My goal is to help individuals embrace their personal growth and update their style to truly represent who they are. Read more>>

Joshua Nelson

Affekt Training has said from the start: we want to make the fitness industry better. We are often incentivized to prioritize everything else as “above and beyond” our own health, physical capabilities and mental capacities. But we have a simple question: what more could you accomplish, and how much more life could you live, if you just felt better? That’s our mission – Affekt offers a nuanced, sophisticated approach to attaining physical + mental resiliency and overall holistic wellness. It is for those who are “all in” on reaching higher levels of fitness + vitality. I think the meaning comes from a very real and personal space – after years struggling with illness, body aches / pains, and at times, overwhelming mental degeneracy (both depression and suicide) it’s now my goal to help others out from a deep, dark place through health consulting and fitness coaching. Read more>>

Laura Graving

The why behind my mission statement starts about 9 years ago, so bear with me – it’s a bit of a story. In 2015, I moved from Dayton, Ohio to Cleveland to start a commune with friends. We bought a house together, and planned to buy farmland to create a sustainable community. That was the beginning of the end for me. This attempted commune steadily devolved into something that resembled more of a cult over the course of a year, my substance abuse got out of hand as a means of coping, and life was turned upside down and backwards when I learned my best friend had lied so much that I didn’t know who she was anymore. Around March or April of 2016, one of my roommates just came back from a reiki and tarot session. They raved about it so much that I figured, “What have I got to lose?” So, I scheduled a session. Read more>>

Deja Dodson

My name is Deja Dodson and I go as Deja D on all my platforms. I grew up watching YouTube and content creators since I was young around middle school. When I turned 13 I started creating my content from storytimes about my first gym locker room experience and continued documenting my life through slime challenges, music video recreation, prom vlogs, and my college dorm tours. When I started my freshman year at Hampton University I went into school as a Psychology pre-med student and was super depressed gained a lot of weight and hated it. I also started my motivational blog during this time Deja’s Daily Dose that would start me building my platform to become a motivational speaker. I would drop quotes and motivational short reels, and host vision board parties in my dorm. Read more>>

Elena Shur

My mission is to empower women entrepreneurs to show up authentically and build successful businesses that let them live a life of their wildest dreams. This mission is deeply meaningful to me because I understand firsthand what it’s like to feel limited by traditional expectations and beliefs around success.. My mom and I immigrated to the states when I was very young. Growing up I often felt like I had to figure things out on my own, and I absorbed a lot of limiting beliefs around what ‘success’ was supposed to look like from my family. I grew up learning that success meant being a doctor, which is how I ended up pursuing a doctorate, even though my passion was always photography. I started shooting professional gigs at 13, but we didn’t have enough resources for me to take the more risky route of entrepreneurship. The doctorate was the safe and financially stable path. Read more>>

Laurie Forehand

At 1201AM Creative Labs, I’m driven by a mission to merge technology and human connection in a way that truly empowers individuals. My journey into this mission stems from years in brand strategy and user experience, where I saw countless solopreneurs in the coaching space—many of them heart-centered individuals—struggling to connect with their clients and scale their businesses. It became clear that what they needed was not just a better brand but the tools to extend their message in a way that felt deeply personal, even through digital platforms. Read more>>

Anacia Sessoms

My name is Anacia Sessoms, an Afro-Indigenous Creatrix who is an artist, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. I am the founder and fashion designer of Enchantment Of Gardens. Enchantment Of Gardens is my sustainable fashion brand that, uses upcycling and sustainable practices to create one-of-a-kind wearable sculptural on the runway and for eco-creative and eco-conscious fashionistas. My process in creating my garments includes upcycling thrown out and donated fabrics, textiles, and found objects into wearable artworks through hand sewing, hand craftsmanship, and creative and sustainable ways to piece together objects, fabrics, and textiles. Read more>>

Kourtney Jackson

Pushing confidence and self growth letting others see my personal growth and hoping it can inspire others to stop fearing change . Read more>>

Jeffery Holmes

My mission is to build relationships that empower individuals to take control of their finances. It’s not enough to simply tell people what to do with their money—true empowerment comes through education. I’m driven to show people that finance and investing aren’t intimidating concepts but are accessible and understandable. It breaks my heart to see hard-working individuals fall victim to slick, deceptive sales tactics and lose money they’ve sacrificed so much to earn. People spend precious hours away from their loved ones, sometimes in jobs they don’t enjoy, just to provide for their families. The last thing they should have to worry about is being taken advantage of financially. My mission is to equip them with the basic financial knowledge they need to avoid these pitfalls and make sound decisions, safeguarding their future and their peace of mind. Read more>>

Nolie Macdonald

The mission behind VRenity™ is rooted in the commitment to support individuals in demanding roles who often experience high levels of mental, emotional, and physical stress. We created VRenity to address a critical need for accessible, effective mental wellness tools for those on the front lines—military personnel, first responders, healthcare providers, and more—who deserve immersive, personalized experiences to recharge and build resilience. Our mission extends beyond conventional wellness solutions; it’s about offering a restorative space that empowers users to sustain their well-being and continue their vital work with renewed strength. VRenity is dedicated to providing tools that enable people to thrive, regardless of the challenges they encounter. Read more>>

Lilia Dolinsky

My mission as a fashion stylist goes beyond simply refreshing wardrobes; it’s about helping clients transform their lives and feel empowered. Through my years of experience, I’ve seen how a thoughtfully curated wardrobe can be a catalyst for positive change in both personal and professional lives. When I start working with new clients, I always begin with a complimentary consultation to understand their true motivations. Often, the need for change isn’t just about a new season or trends. My clients come to me during pivotal moments — whether they’re looking to step up their presence at work, embark on a career shift, or regain confidence in their relationships. These deeper needs create pain points like feeling insecure in their role, struggling with self-esteem, or feeling disconnected from their authentic selves. Read more>>

Joshua Franklin

Our mission with Rise Above The Rims is to give voice to the resilience and strength of people who face challenging circumstances every day. Inspired by real-life events—and altered in details to protect privacy—the story captures the complex reality of young people navigating tough choices in environments where opportunities are scarce, and survival often comes at a high cost. Growing up in Cincinnati, I saw firsthand the weight of these struggles: the sacrifices, the dreams deferred, and the quiet resilience it takes to keep pushing forward. This film isn’t just a project; it’s deeply personal. Through the characters of Caleb and Deandre, we aim to challenge stereotypes and invite audiences to see beyond labels, exploring the humanity, loyalty, and hope that live in overlooked communities. Read more>>

Donald Iannone

The story behind my mission in writing and teaching is rooted in the values I absorbed growing up along the Ohio River in Martins Ferry and Saint Clairsville, Ohio, where a working-class environment taught me to value hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of advancement through education. These early experiences weren’t just a background but a shaping force, instilling in me a commitment to learn continuously and a drive to share that journey with others. Today, I see my mission as a calling to help others find growth and self-awareness, whether through the 26 books I’ve authored across nonfiction, poetry, and photographic essays or in my teaching roles at institutions like the University of Oklahoma, Cleveland State University, and currently, Transcontinental University in the European Union. Read more>>

Janet Berry-johnson

I’m a CPA, and while working as a tax advisor at a CPA firm, I often met with women who didn’t have a lot of confidence around handling their day-to-day finances. Whether they were a recently divorced mom who’d never handled her own money or an independent senior who was having trouble staying on top of the deluge of bills, tax forms, and other paperwork, I could tell they felt a sense of shame around not knowing how to stay on top of these things. But really, why would they? A solid financial education is unfortunately rare in our country, so most people don’t have a deep understanding of budgeting, credit, saving for retirement, and (especially) taxes. Read more>>