Everyday we meet business owners, professionals, artists and creatives. Photographers, florists, realtors and more. They might come from different backgrounds, work in different industries, have varying personalities, and have vastly different income and educational profiles, but the one thing we’ve seen over and over again is that most people have a unique and special reason for why they do what they do. From a realtor helping families afford the first home he always wished for as a kid to a photographer using her skills to give a voice and face to victims who feel voiceless, we have been blown away by what happens when you just ask people a simple question – why do you do what you do?

Garrett Taormina

I wanted to have a pizzeria for anyone to come enjoy. I have always worked in mostly Italian kitchens thru out my career and when I decided to open my own pizzeria i knew exactly what I wanted it to be. I wanted the product to be amazing and the menu to be simple and highlight Italian traditions. Read more>>

Jaimie Rosenthal

The mission behind Moss and Mocha has to do with creating community and teaching/learning about the world around us. Everyone seeks a place to be, place to meet others, and a place to continue learning, no matter where they are in their lives. Moving across the country, it’s shown that creating groups, making friends, and creating communities is easier said than done! Starting Moss and Mocha has allowed me to take interests of mine and share my knowledge and experiences with those around me, as well as gain the opportunity to learn from others. Creating lasting bonds with those around me is what I strive for, and opening my doors to those with similar interest or those just looking to create lasting memories is what this project is all about. Read more>>

Iva Colter

At Niles & Chaz, Our Mission Goes Beyond Haircare. We are dedicated to reshaping conversations about mixed textured hair, dismantling stigmas, and fostering inclusivity in a world that’s becoming progressively more diverse. For me, Niles & Chaz is more than a brand—it’s a reflection of my personal journey. As a white woman from Eastern Europe, raising two beautiful girls with my Black husband, I quickly realized I had so much to learn about their unique hair needs. I felt unprepared and overwhelmed at first, but I knew that my discomfort couldn’t stand in the way of their confidence. Read more>>

Matthew Wilson

Years ago, I was lifting at a Golds Gym in Maryland. The bathroom stalls included small excerpts from famous bodybuilders along with their stories. That inspired me to train myself for my first bodybuilding show and fly out to Venice Beach, California to compete. When I was there, I was mesmerized by the fitness industry and brainstormed for days, weeks, months, and years of ways I could bring that boom of fitness to my hometown in Baltimore. I ended up winning that show, flew home, and started putting my ideas to work. Read more>>

Sarah Green

I help women overcome defeat through small steps so they can live confidently and trust change is possible by God’s grace. As a desperate young wife and mom, I felt unequipped to live out my calling well. I longed for growth, change, and a thriving life. Yet, it felt like I was always in survival mode, consistently falling into bouts of depression. I had dreams but had no idea how to reach them. I would launch into a new life plan in a “big way,” only to throw my hands in the air and give up after two weeks. At a low point in my life, I read, “You can do anything for 15 minutes.” I quit attempting to “overhaul” my life and began taking small steps in 15-minute increments, eventually running a marathon, which was one of my dreams, and conquering depression. This is where Growth Through Small Steps was born. With God’s grace and tiny steps, we can overcome any obstacle and unwrap the potential God has given us, like opening Christmas gifts every day. God doesn’t want us to remain stuck. Read more>>

Roman Perez

The Victorious program mission means everything to me. Being able to provide mentorship and build motivation for students has been a calling all my life. In my youth years there was a lack of care when it came to helping with mental strength. It became a duty for mines to create a program that allows students to believe in themselves and to acknowledge that they’re victorious despite the outcome in their journeys. Read more>>

Lindsay Potter

As a confidence coach for teen athletes, I’ve lived through the highs and lows of being a high-performing athlete myself. In my senior year of high school, I was the co-captain of the women’s lacrosse team, but despite my hard work and dedication, my coach didn’t believe in me. The culmination of this experience was being benched in the state semi-final game against our biggest rival, without explanation. The words that stuck with me were ‘You will never make it in this sport.’ Those words could have defined me, but instead, I chose to use them as fuel to prove myself wrong. In college, I worked even harder to develop the mental toughness and emotional resilience that allowed me to thrive in my sport and beyond. Read more>>

Megan Crane

At Little Sister Dahlonega, our mission is to create a warm, inclusive space where creativity, community, and connection thrive. As a family- and female-owned salon, retail space, and studio, we provide high-end hairstyling and artistry while celebrating local artists and inspiring others to embrace their creativity. Rooted in kindness, support, and respect, we honor diversity and individuality, fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome. Driven by a shared dream, we aim to build a lasting legacy for our daughters and community, blending creativity, kindness, and connection into everything we do. Read more>>