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?

Ronnie Frost

The inspiration behind launching the Frost Equity Initiative (FEI) came from my desire to address the lack of diversity in the tech industry. After working in tech for over twenty years, I realized I had never worked with a Black female software engineer and only once with a Latina. This experience highlighted the significant diversity gap in the field.

During my corporate roles, I mentored high school interns from prestigious schools with strong tech programs. I also taught in non-profit STEAM programs for underrepresented students. The skills gap between these two groups became painfully evident, and as a first-generation college student myself, I understood the challenges of navigating these spaces. This fueled my passion to provide equal access to quality STEAM education and mentorship for all learners. Read more>>

Michael Carpenter Jr

Carpenter Music Academy’s mission is simple: inspire musicians and guide them into areas of music in which they want to grow; within all ages, levels and interests in genres. In order to accomplish this, it is important to have a staff that is flexible and open-minded in their teaching styles. Our teachers are well-adapt in pivoting from teaching a 7-year-old the basics of guitar to teaching an advanced adult who is learning flamenco. Our mission is on the forefront of every lesson taught. The lessons and overall musical experience is custom tailored to each individual – no two lessons are ever the same. We aim to provide our students with direction so they can apply its teachings to whichever path they’d like to follow – whether it be a hobby, a career, or any other creative endeavor. Read more>>

Tashelle Williams

I believe that every brand and individual possesses its own uniqueness, and social media serves as a powerful tool to highlight this individuality. It enables brands and individuals to establish a vibrant social media presence, cultivate a community, and nurture relationships with existing customers while building new relationships with potential future customers—if done strategically. Read more>>

Brandi Stoessel

My goal is to help people feel strong, confident, and free in their bodies. But even more than that, I want people to break free from the cycles of frustration and self-doubt that often come with fitness.

At Bodysense, we are here to change the conversation around exercise. It’s not about extremes—it’s about creating a sustainable, lasting relationship with movement that feels empowering, not exhausting. We’re here to stop the negative feedback loops and rewrite the narrative around fitness from something you “have to do” into something that supports you in becoming the best version of yourself. Read more>>

Lasaraha Bell

Hello I am Lasaraha Bell the owner of Laviv Hair Artistry and of Laviv Virgin Hair Boutique and I have been a business owner for over 8 years now and a salon owner here in Ruskin, Fl for over a year now. So the story behind why I do what I do and why it’s so meaningful to me? Well this story is one that is simple to me but maybe unique to so many other’s so back in 2017 I launched Laviv Virgin Hair Boutique which is a raw hair extension hair line. When I started this business I was in a place in my life where I was trying to overcome the pain of losing a loved one you see I had just lost my only sister to breast cancer December of 2016 and during that time my Job as a social worker designee in a nursing home had just been dissolved so at the time I was on bereavement leave and remember saying to my husband I don’t want to work for any one anymore I feel like I am supposed to be doing more to help people. Read more>>

Clancy Weaver

The mission behind my work is all about using art to promote environmental literacy and conservation, especially focusing on the often-overlooked species like insects. I’m really passionate about illustrating the delicate balance in nature and showing how every tiny detail, whether it’s a beetle or a flower, plays a vital role in the bigger picture. A lot of times, people overlook the importance of insects and other small organisms, and my goal is to change that by bringing them into the spotlight through my illustrations. Read more>>

Stephanie Gomez

Shift Our Ways Collective was born from a deep understanding that access to fresh, culturally relevant food is a human right—not a privilege. Our mission is to nourish and empower Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities through free organic produce, regenerative urban farming, and community-led education. But the story behind our mission is deeply personal. Read more>>

Monique Goode

As an author, content creator, and advocate for Black queer love, my mission is rooted in creating space for stories that reflect the beauty, complexity, and resilience of Black queer identities. My journey to this mission is deeply personal, shaped by my experiences as a queer Black woman seeking representation in the stories I consumed. Growing up, I rarely saw characters who looked, loved, and lived like me. Writing became my way of filling that gap—a tool to craft the narratives I yearned to read but couldn’t find. Read more>>

Shannon Barbaro

Pilates Lab was born out of my own personal journey with pain, movement, and healing. As a child athlete and former figure skater, I developed chronic pain from years of high-impact training. Later, in my fast-paced tech career, I suffered from tech-neck, poor posture, and the physical toll of long hours at a desk. I tried everything to relieve the discomfort, but the only thing that truly worked for functional movement, strengthening, and long-term relief was Pilates. Read more>>

Jeanette Yates

My mission is to help caregivers take back their time without feeling guilty, even if caregiving is all on them. I have been a caregiver most of my life, beginning when I was eight years old. Over the last 15 years, as her needs became more complex, I started to feel more and more stretched thin, worn out, inadequate, and guilty, not only about myself as a caregiver but as a wife, mother, employee, and woman. The more I learned about caregiving, especially the complexities of how family dynamics can affect one’s ability to make healthy choices, I felt it very important to delve deep into my misconceptions, trauma, and dysfunctional patterns that had developed over the years of my caregiving journey. Read more>>

Robert Thomas

At Robert Thomas Iron Design, our mission is to create metalwork that blends artistry with engineering. But beyond just making beautiful things, our deeper mission is about preserving and advancing the craft of metalwork in an era where true craftsmanship is becoming rare.

For me personally, this mission is deeply meaningful because I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of design, history, and hands-on craftsmanship. Metalworking is an ancient art, but in today’s world, much of it has been commodified, with mass production replacing skill and artistry. At RTID, we aim to reverse that trend by keeping the tradition alive, training the next generation of artisans, and proving that handcrafted metalwork still has a place in the modern built environment. Read more>>

Sam Willing

My company Compassionate Collective is a retail company where we sell imperfect heart products made by local “Heart-ists”. Our mission is to spread a message of compassion, grace and the beauty in imperfection. It has been an incredible journey over the last 6 years. 6 years ago I started a podcast called Imperfection Wins that is all about embracing imperfection. Shortly after I launched, I met a man named Gary. Gary was living an incredibly difficult life as he navigated poverty and living on disability due to a career ending injury. He was making these small wooden hearts from scrapwood. Holding one of the hearts in my hand the very first time, I realized it was exactly what I was talking about on my podcast. The hearts were perfect because they were imperfect. I asked Gary if I could start buying them from him and the journey began. Read more>>

Meriton Thaci

We are a team of passionate creatives driven by the power of storytelling, design, and strategic marketing. Our mission is to help brands and individuals not only stand out but truly be seen, recognized, and remembered. In a world where attention is fleeting, we craft meaningful visual and marketing experiences that connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. Whether through bold branding, compelling content, or innovative campaigns, we bring your vision to life—amplifying your presence and ensuring your story resonates with the right audience. Because being seen isn’t just about visibility—it’s about making an impact. Read more>>

Michelle Runns

My mission is to create a legacy that’s like Nike except with th Indigenous style/representation to it I want our ppl to know we are here there’s lots of us who are doing great things and to inspire them to connect with their passions to run with their dreams by any means necessary Sometimes you gotta build in the dark it’s a longevity thing. Read more>>

Kate Rose

I’ve always been attracted to living a healthy lifestyle and achieving spiritual wellbeing. It wasn’t until I became a mother in 2022 that I truly understood the importance of practicing self-care. The postpartum hormonal changes were overwhelming, and I found myself searching for healthy rituals and remedies to balance my body and mind. That’s when I discovered the magic of rosemary, growing right in my own garden. I started crafting my own rosemary oil, which quickly became a staple item among my self-care rituals. Read more>>

Lauren Dicredico

I’ve always worked in small businesses, so entrepreneurship felt like a natural path for me.

That said, I’ve definitely put in the time to learn from larger corporations, which has been a big part of my success today. I’ve had jobs where the leadership was so bad, I’d sit in my car at lunch and cry. Or I’d be up at 4 a.m. trying to keep up with impossible workload & expectations. I’ve seen employees leave in droves and even tried talking to leaders about the psychology behind their management style—how it was costing them both money and great people. But, of course, they didn’t want to hear it. Read more>>

Sarah Silcox

Connection Club exists to create safe, mobile third spaces where community, creativity, and connection thrive. In a world that often feels fractured and disconnected, Connection Club brings people together through shared experiences, helping them find a sense of belonging and feel more connected to their local community.

I’ve always wanted to start a business, but it wasn’t until during (and right after) the pandemic that I truly understood what it needed to be. I became fascinated by the ways people gather—how intentional spaces can foster real connection and how American society is not set up to grow and foster community. I became fascinated with the concepts of third spaces and intently studied the research on the loneliness epidemic and our fractured social structures. Read more>>

Chris Wilborn

“Stop, Look… Listen to your heart, hear what it’s saying!” (Stylistics, 1971). I often remind myself of these lyrics because, at times, our paths can become clouded—especially when facing hardship. These lyrics emphasize the importance of listening to your heart, recognizing your desires, and not being afraid to make decisions based on what you truly feel. Many people can relate to this. As I reflect on these words, I feel a renewed sense of life, reconnecting with my “WHY” and understanding the reasons behind my heart’s yearning. Read more>>

Shannon Cairney

I wrote my new book, Oh Hi, Hello Motherhood, for any women and new mothers who were struggling like me. I wrote the book, to talk about all of the things I learned along the way as a new mom. All of the things I wish I had known or had heard more women talking about. That I didn’t fully understand how much of a shift it is for us as mothers. That it’s not just you with a child in tow but it fundamentally changes who you are slowly as you progress through motherhood. That even though there are so many joyous amazing moments, there are also a lot of hard moments too. Read more>>

Nubia Ali

As a young girl, I always felt alone. I was raised by a single mother with no siblings in the home; so that drove me to rely on my creativity and intuition. I later also learned that developing an effective method of protecting myself was necessary because there have been many times in my life where I felt vulnerable and helpless. With time and wisdom, I now understand that an act as simple as channeling energy kills two birds with one stone; because it also protects said energy and preserves my creativity. Spending lots of time with yourself cultivates a more intimate relationship with your own emotions and my ability to express those emotions is why I’m here. Read more>>

Cresia Murphy

The mission of Sign Gypsies is deeply meaningful to me because it aligns with my passion for creating lasting memories through personalized experiences. I believe that celebrations and milestones are worth commemorating in unique and thoughtful ways, and Sign Gypsies allows me to do just that. By crafting custom yard greetings tailored specifically to each recipient, I can help make moments even more special, bringing joy and smiles to families and friends. I take great pride in ensuring that every greeting is not only personalized but also beautifully displayed, making each memory unforgettable. Read more>>

Allison Kwasniak

Confidence. Confidence is at the core of my business and more importantly who I am. As a kid, I dealt with bullying. Others tried to tear me down on purpose. It was the confidence I had in myself and who I was that allowed me to overcome. Today, I want to give that confidence to others. Our self confidence comes from many difference places. Most people focus inward to find theirs, but I take a different approach. Confidence can be built from the outside in. For many women, this is a less daunting place to start. The physical transformation leads to a mental one. I found throughout my life that some of the times I felt the most confident, started with the reflection in the mirror at the beginning of the day. Read more>>

Remy Yatara

Remy Sekou Yatara, a viral sensation with over 2 million followers collectively, is redefining beauty standards with his flawless black skin and a signature smile that reveals his radiant white teeth. A force to be reckoned with, Sekou is more than just a pretty face. He is the visionary CEO of Sekou Skin, a provocative skincare line challenging societal beauty norms and daring the world to embrace their unique skin, shade, even flaws and imperfections. Read more>>