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?

Jessica Alexander

The Miss America Organization is the number one provider of scholarships for women in the United States. There is a demographic of black and brown girls who are missing out on these opportunities simply because they do not have the awareness and training to attain them. In 2004, I competed in my first pageant and from that moment I was hooked. Unfortunately, I did not know how to proceed with organizations that provided me with the types of scholarships I desired until it was almost too late. On top of that, when I found the organizations, I didn’t know how to properly prepare so that I was successful on stage. Read more>>

Ivana Desancic

The biggest mission of my photo-sessions is to create portraits that empower you and shape your confidence and goals. It doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80, every single person deserves to feel like a model or a movie star for a day. My team and I create a unique photoshoot experience that fit your needs and tastes. Read more>>

Chelcey Leahman

The story behind my mission is simple. I do this for all of the people who think they can’t, are told they can’t, and haven’t built the confidence just yet to believe in themselves to go out and do exactly what they want to do and be the person they want to be. The circumstances will never be perfect, are you going to let that hinder you? If the answer is yes, or it depends on the situation, or another excuse, I’m also here to tell you it’s okay. But, you are only holding up your own process. The best part about this is I’ve done both. I’ve overachieved and excelled and I have procrastinated and failed. In my Aalyiah voice, ” dust yourself off and try it again.” Read more>>

Amya Roxxstar” Meekins “

When I created Jean Cosmetics, it was due to the lack of beauty brands having my skin complexion in makeup growing up in the entertainment industry. The brands that different artist would use on my face either made me have a white cast when pictures were taken or too dark. It was very important to me for girls who look like me and other races be represented throughout my brand. I would like for young ladies growing up to feel represented no matter what age, race, or ethnicity. It will help encourage young ladies to feel more confident in their own appearances. Read more>>

Colette Delangre

Making Pilates accessible for anyone! I want everyone to feel included in my studio. I strive to make every class challenging but also doable for those who may need some adjustments. I am starting to work with more and more clients with health conditions or impairments. Read more>>

Tess Frear

elping Mamas began in 2014 in Atlanta, GA by my cousin, Jamie Lackey. A social worker at the time, she saw that her clients basic needs weren’t being met and they couldn’t afford the basic necessities to care for their babies and children. So, She took a leap and founded Helping Mamas, with a mission to collect and donate baby supplies to organizations who serve women and children in need in her area. The statistics remain staggering – one in three families in the US can’t afford diapers. With a social service background I realized I need to take that leap of faith and help families in my community. Read more>>

Nick Eischens

We’ve all met someone who’s drastically changed our life – that person who’s had a huge impact on our personal success. They’ve opened doors to countless opportunities and helped us grow into the person we are today. Imagine how different your life would be if you never met that person… Sadly, millions of missed connections happen everyday. People are losing out on countless opportunities to connect with more people who would have a positive impact on them, because they don’t have a way to quickly make connections in their fast-paced lives. Read more>>

CV Moore

In the beginning of discovering my heritage, I found myself surrounded by my culture and was inspired by the world’s splendor. After the passing of the previous owner, I acquired “441 Culture Music Group” and licensed in the United States. With the same vision as the UK version of the label, I wanted to establish a different culture to a global audience. After two years of establishment, my vision was shared with likeminded people. One in particular is I’Neisha “Hustle Bunni” Wordlaw. Read more>>

Frantisek Pribrsky

Frantisek Pribrsky is a young enthusiastic nature and wildlife conservationist from the Czech Republic and currently working in Sumatra, Indonesia. Frantisek graduated from the bachelor’s degree in information technologies, but when he saw the urgency of nature and animal protection in the world, he completely changed his field of study and focused his master’s degree on animal biology and animal protection. His master thesis focused on wildlife trade in Indonesia and it’s low cost solutions became the basis for the establishing of The Kukang Rescue Program (www.kukang.org), which tries to reduce the illegal trade in animals in North Sumatra province and which protects the endangered greater slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) and Sumatran slow loris (Nycticebus hilleri). Read more>>

Phyllis Everette

Phyllis Everette founded Saffron Trust because she has a unique understanding of generational poverty—she lived it. Growing up as one of ten children to a single mother, Phyllis didn’t have access to stable housing, education, and critical emotional guidance. When she became a single mother herself, she struggled to stay afloat financially and found herself navigating food insecurity, homelessness and housing instability, and poor physical and mental health while raising her children. Read more>>

Aaron Novak

My story is one of brokenness and the process of healing and acceptance.  I hope that through my experiences I can help others on their own journeys of healing and acceptance. Read more>>

Jon Gray

In my early childhood days, I lived near March Air Force Base in Riverside California. I remember my eyes being drawn upwards to watch the military aircraft that was landing and departing from March Air Force Base. I grew up wanting to be a pilot but had no idea how to accomplish my dream. In my mind, I was as likely to be a pilot as I was to become a professional baseball player. Read more>>

Crystal Perry

When you hear the word pearl you may imagine someone searching the depths of the oceans, discovering a clam, opening said clam, and finding something rare, precious… and white. You wouldn’t be wrong to imagine that. It’s the only version of the pearl narrative we’ve ever been shown. What I know however is that if you searched the depths of black communities, you would easily and readily find black women that carry within their minds thoughts, dreams, and potential that is rare, and precious. In their own way they are pearls. And these are the types of pearls I search for, refine and elevate. Melanated PEARLS. Read more>>

Yeimy Munoz

On my 12th birthday, my mother gifted me my first article of makeup: a small tube of pink lip gloss. I was enamored immediately! Soon after, I introduced myself to the makeup world as a whole. I started watching makeup tutorials online, looking up pictures for inspiration, and following some influencers. It became my passion. When I first started trying to do makeup on myself, you could only imagine how poorly it came out. Over time, I practiced everyday until I became a self-proclaimed expert. I want to help teach women how to put on makeup on because I remember how difficult it was for me when I had first started, and I want every girl to have the ability to feel beautiful. Read more>>

Dameion Henry

(Connectedandrespected) merch (Itsawayoflife). The mission of (Connectedandrespected) is to have (Intergity, morals, Respect) when you embraced your own journey. The ©️®️ way is (God First) & everything else come after but always have intergity with what path you choose. Read more>>

Alicia Sacayon

My mission is to make every single customer I serve feel as beautiful and empowered as they can be. I want to make people escape their everyday lives and feel free and gorgeous so they can do the things they love. I don’t make people pretty, I only enhance the beauty that was already there. Read more>>

Robin Overton

In 2013 when I purchased my first home I was working as a Leasing Manager. There was a bullet point list that I would give my residents and prospects which detailed why renting was better than owning. Once I officially became a homeowner I knew there were some perks to renting but owning had quite a few as well. I’ve worked in Property Management for 10 years but I knew my mission was to assist people become homeowners. I don’t want to be just an agent that finds you a home but helps you understand the process from start to finish. Most people that know me has heard this story 1000 times but purchasing my home is truly what drove me to become a Realtor®. Read more>>

Kayla Cardinal

My motto is “Taking Picture, Keeping Memories.” For me, this means putting the client’s memories above my photography business. I price my photos and sessions at a lower rate than most business, to allow everyone to have access to professional photography. Which, I really believe is important. I want to bring professional type photos to everyone. For me, they are not just photos capturing a moment. They are capturing memories. Read more>>

Shereen Yusuff

I pray that I will be alive to see the day that every child in the world learns how to breathe correctly in school. In a world where children are being diagnosed with ADHD, and anger issues, every child and every adult should be aware of the benefits of breathing correctly, and the benefit it has on one’s temperament. I grew up playing sport and singing, and there is a very common misconception that athletes and vocalists do not have breathing related problems. This is not the case at all. Learning how to breathe correctly, shot up my productivity, allowed me to be more focused and helped me have better emotional management, A person’s performance also goes up significantly, both in their athletic and mental aptitude. Read more>>

Octavia Conner

Our Mission – We exist to eradicate small business failure one company at a time and help entrepreneurs Say Yes To Profits! Our mission was born out of my struggles early in my entrepreneurial journey and the strategies I used to build 7-figure businesses. Read more>>

Roxana Cordero

The Add-Ons Box is a woman owned company created by Roxana Cordero in a season of change in her personal life. When the multifaceted entrepreneur became a mother and took the brave decision to be a full time mom to Anabella and Lucia. It was in that new stage of evolution, where she embraced her new life and undertook on the adventure of becoming her own boss. With a background on high-end retail, a public relations degree and passionate about fashion, Rox created The Add-Ons Box. The Add-Ons Box is the perfect bundle with accessories that you can add-on to any outfit for every season and every person. Read more>>

Mark Girard

I’ve been in the coaching arena for over 25 years and have coached at many levels from youth to professional. However, my passion has always been coaching youth and helping them achieve their goals & dreams. So, with that in mind, I decided to open EDGE Soccer Programs to help as many youth players as I can. Watching them believe in their self, gain confidence, and try new skills & master them is the best thing ever. It’s not just about soccer though, it’s also about helping the kids with life skills and the soccer ball is just the tool we use. Read more>>

Marita Esteva

The heartbeat of Cuatro Manos Y Cinco Volcanes Farms and Cacao is deep consensual relationship to land and it’s medicina. We teach an old way of relationship, one handed down to me for generations in which all of nature is sacred, has a beingness and sovereignty if it’s own apart from humans. Humans idea of value and worth created by consumerism does not replace the inherit value of land, nature and in this case cacao. Read more>>

Jennifer Tremain Dudgeon

I always strive to provide you with education and solutions to solve the difficulties you may have with your hair, all the while achieving the results you are looking for in between your color appointments. When I’m serving you I understand you’re taking time out of your busy schedule to have a relaxing & rejuvenating experience and that’s what I plan on providing. Aside from being a passionate stylist, I am also a wife, a mother of two and a huge animal lover. Read more>>

Gary Harris Jr.

410 BBQ was created to bring great BBQ food for people to enjoy. Far to often I would go to different BBQ restaurants and the food was just not good. I would say to myself “My BBQ is better.” So after many years working in the restaurant industry, 24 years at one of the most famous restaurant in the industry “The Cheesecake Factory” and becoming an Executive Chef I decided to open my own BBQ food truck. Read more>>

Legion D. Wise

I wanted to create a situation to facilitate my work and work with artists that I felt had a high level of skill and talent but were in my opinion underappreciated. I wanted to do this in a grass roots way that wouldn’t require the artist to pay any money while still having the opportunity the create what they wanted freely. Read more>>

Sara Reichardt

As an artist and designer, I strive to spark joy. I realize that I am not saving the world, but feel the best I can do is try to brighten it through color, pattern and playfulness. I think the design world takes itself too seriously. Read more>>

Mia White

I lost my brother at a young age and my parents didn’t know anything about life insurance nor had the funds to bury him, so a lot of the burdens fell down on me at the age of 16. I going to create a life insurance awareness where people understand the true meaning of life insurance. Life insurance is what it is “life insurance” while we are living. There are so many agents that’s feeding ONLY death benefits but leaving the main benefit out which is the living benefits. So if you have a policy that only comes with death benefits then you have the wrong policy. Read more>>

Joey Lusvardi

A few years ago, my cat started having some behavior problems. He would follow me around the house at night and make this sad sounding meow, wrap his tail around him, and try to bite me. The poor guy is normally very, very sweet so this was concerning. I didn’t know what to do other than set up a vet appointment. I couldn’t get him in for a month and in the meantime I was relying on advice on the internet. Some of it was questionable at best looking back on it. His vet was extremely helpful, but I didn’t realize there were people out there who could help cats who have challenging behaviors! Read more>>

Amber Genuske & Cassandra Klepac Red Riding Hood Productions

Our mission statement is: “Red Riding Hood Productions is a new kind of full-service creative company that specializes in enviable video and photo production. By creating custom-tailored roadmaps we’re able to craft soulful stories from abstract narratives, forge ahead by bringing conceptual ideas into fruition, and tease out the central force that is the animating soul behind every brand. Read more>>

Jasmine L Rucker

The mission is to encourage young people to use all of their God-given talents as a means to build generational wealth. The plan is to spend a lifetime dedicated to advancing positive change in the community. By gaining contextual knowledge of the law in different areas, then studying and mastering hobbies (new and old), I am now on my way to pursuing my passion and purpose as a Juris Doctor, Entrepreneur, and Author by using my God-given talents. God gave them to us. We should not be limited to mastering one. Read more>>

Rockstar Richie

I want my clients and potential clients to fall in love with their curls. I want them to feel beautiful and embrace their curls. I want to be the best curly hairstylist and it’s my passion to travel and learn all different textures of curly hair. Read more>>

And I Thought Ladies

We started this journey with the simple thought that life is different from textbook or what society told them. They missed some things. They forgot to to teach everything needed to be a successful women in today’s world. The ladies came together to write a book about what they have learned along the way throughout their lives. They discuss everything from surviving domestic violence to throwing the perfect twenty dollar party. Read more>>

Sue Davis

We all say we love animals, but many eat their bodies on a daily basis. My mission is to give people a choice to choose compassion, to change minds about how you can eat healthy, affordable and delicious food that does not contribute to animal cruelty. Read more>>

Tracy Sandidge

Tracy Sandidge, this shining star, was born January 7, 1972, in St. Louis Missouri and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Management; her footprints are everlasting in the industries of Human Resources, Training & Development, with a specialized focus in Learning Management Systems. Tracy’s background in recruitment, vendor management, and workforce improvements provided the platform for her to network and implement processes to a population of over 3,000 individuals worldwide. Read more>>