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?

Sarah Davies.

I started taking piano lessons at age 7. Like many people, I really didn’t like it at all. Practicing was a constant fight with my parents. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I really started to see myself as a pianist and I was able to unlock a love and passion for piano. I found a lot of confidence and refuge behind the keys. In high school I was hired as one of the youngest featured pianists at Salt Lake City’s esteemed “Roof Restaurant.” Read more>>

Daniela Varela

The story behind the mission of Ruby’s Bagels is to provide a safe space for everyone in our community. I’ve created an environment for my team as well as customers to feel like they are always welcomed and deserve to take up space. There are some businesses that may be a little intimidating by either the environment, esthetic or even a complicated menu, at Ruby’s Bagels we make sure that when you wake up and you want to get a tasty bagel breakfast the thought is seamless, and comfortable and a good experince. Read more>>

Alisa Modronja

Hi! My name is Alisa and I’m from St. Louis, MO. For a long time I had no idea what I wanted in life when it came to a career and I was uncertain of my passions and if they could take me any where. I’d look around and see friends and people I knew saying what their plans were and where they wanted to be. I always felt so lost. I pursued in medicine and then realized I hated it. I thought about teaching and that too wasn’t for me. Read more>>

Caroline Nguyen

The story behind Posh & Posies was to curate a trendy affordable boutique women of all ages can feel beautiful & confident in. Read more>>

Adrienne Romine.

While pregnant with my son in 2021, I knew the moment would come when I would get to utilize my craft for my little one’s ever-growing creativity. I imagined building treehouses and bunk beds for him as he got older, but I didn’t realize is how soon this process would begin. Read more>>

Sandra Whitby Artist

The mission is personal for me. I’ve learned, through my art making, an understanding of who I am… not only as an artist, but also a person. I feel that the more I understand and accept myself, the more I accept others. It in-turn creates a wholehearted life to enjoy and inspire. Read more>>

Maricar Melo

“Believe in your natural Beauty” Any woman who believes in the nature of her beauty (interior and exterior) can conquer the world Read more>>

Carolina Yanez

I aspire to be an artist to create a more diverse population in the world of fine art. I think institutions should not only uplift artists of color and queer artists, but create spaces on executive boards and in educational positions. Read more>>

Shree Kalidass

My story involves career change, debt, failure, and finally through perseverance and hardwork, to be able to put out a product that will forever change many people’s lives. Read more>>

Eboni Smalls

Since I was young I have always loved people. I was the friend who would jump off a bridge for you. Even though that is totally unsafe and risky, I believe it truly shows how much I value others. As I started to walk in my purpose I realized that all of my gifts were to truly be there for others. With God first in everything I do, helping others (whether it’s with words, art, or even a hairstyle) is what I always strive for. Read more>>

Yayi Osuntoyin

The true-story behind what led me to lead and serve through the divine mission as a spiritualist is not only because its my ancestral birthright, but becuase saved me and many others. I also know in my core, it will save the world. I realize all that I experienced in life as a youth until now was preparing me for this journey. Read more>>

Quandell Wright

Starting a fashion brand has been a dream for me since I was 8 years -old. I wanted to create pieces that was different, timeless, and before its time. I want to open up doors for the designers to do the same and flourish as well. Read more>>

Jennifer Geier.

I’m so excited to share with you! My story began 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and everything I knew about baking and cooking changed. So I dove in and found my passion in sharing my food with others. Whether it’s baking sweets or sharing gluten free recipes! Read more>>

Jade Johnson

We want to be an inspiration to others! To show that even as a kid you can be successful at having your own business! Jade loves to make others smile and to see other kids wearing her products makes her so happy! Me as a mother I am proud that I am able to instill in my kids entrepreneurship. When they are older they already have that experience and knowledge! I encourage other parents to do the same and to not rush success but to take it as a journey and just learn and grow along the way! Read more>>

Breea Mitchell

The Love Soldier Brand represents Strength and overcoming obstacles. I created the Love Soldier brand at a point in my life where I was heartbroken and confused about what the future would hold. When people see the Love Soldier Brand I want them to know that even if they’re heartbroken, in the midst of a storm or confused about the future, that they can still create beautiful things. There is so much strength to be shown in the time of trouble. You don’t have to wait until the storm is over to create or dream. You can create and dream through the storm. Read more>>

Kayla Rorie

4 The Culture Bakery dedicates sweet treats to everything celebrating black culture. As a black owned business, we are simply creating a fun space to shine a light on the accomplishments, creativity, and overall excellence of important black figures and black culture. It is a fun way to educate and indulge in conversation while enjoying a sweet treat! My dream is to open a storefront location and cover the walls with information about people, places, and things all in relation to black culture. Read more>>

Lauren Lee

I’m Lauren, a.k.a. Lo—founder of Lo Maintenance Living. My journey to opening LML was paved with passions, career heartbreak, loving support, and ultimately blessings in disguise. At a young age, I’d beg my friends to let me clean their closets at sleepovers. In my young adulthood, I began my career in retail management where I lived & breathed floor sets, folding, color order, and the intricate details that set spaces apart. Read more>>

Brandi Johnson

The story behind my mission comes from me becoming a single mother to my beautiful daughter. I was really having a hard time of coping with being a single mother and I had a moment of depression so, the only way that I could get through my hardships were prayers and mediation. As I became much stronger as a single mother, God gave me the vision to start my own nonprofit organization to help other single parents like myself. Read more>>

Brandi Johnson

The story behind my mission comes from me becoming a single mother to my beautiful daughter. I was really having a hard time of coping with being a single mother and I had a moment of depression so, the only way that I could get through my hardships were prayers and mediation. As I became much stronger as a single mother, God gave me the vision to start my own nonprofit organization to help other single parents like myself. Read more>>

Silvia Garcia

IIn March of 2020, at 31 years old, I was diagnosed with Stage IIB Triple Negative Breast Cancer. After 16 rounds of chemo and a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction I was officially in remission. So what now? I was blessed with an amazing support system. Not all cancer patients have this. Read more>>

Alicia Piazza

As a social media marketing agency, we strive to help businesses grow with social media marketing that is authentic, creative and set up correctly (from a technical standpoint). We care about getting results and seeing our clients grow when usign social and digital marketing Read more>>

Carley Kammerer.

I was working with a young man I’ll refer to as Jay for confidentiality. He was actually the first client I’d had post-graduation. I was working as a Drop-In Advocate and Case Manager. We started working together in 2014, and he was in and out of several of our programs over the years. Finally, one day in 2018, he walked into the drop-in center and, in his booming voice, said, “Carley, I need your help. I’m homeless again”. Read more>>

Nicole King

Our world has been heavily impacted by European standards of beauty. Black women in particular have been at war with themselves and others on what it means to truly embrace their textured hair. My natural hair began in 2004 after giving birth to my miracle baby and thinking, ” I do not want her to look up at me and not see tight curl representation.” Read more>>

Charles Rucker

I grew up in a family that was very sports-driven. My dad was a running back for GA tech. He played football and ran track. I had an uncle that played for the University of TN and later went to coach at the University of GA and TX. So sports has always been a big part of my life. I started playing football at the age of 5. Read more>>

Case MicBirn Bruton

My mission is to help players of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds take their game to the next level– whatever that level may be. From the boys and girls who want to make the NBA/WNBA to the middle aged guy who wants to get into shape and make an impact on his men’s league team, I love to help players improve. While helping players improve, I aim to be a mentor to younger players, as a guy who has been in their shoes before. Read more>>

Carrie Wooden

Our organization’s mission is to offer guidance and emotional support to anyone that may be going through some form of a transition within their life. Life is filled with swift transitions. These transitions can occur at any point in an individual’s life. While working as a Case Manager, I saw a need to assist families with coordinating their loved one’s transition from one home to another when they were no longer able to live alone. Read more>>

Latoya Gregg.

By trade I am a nurse. I love what I do and I am good at it. I get satisfaction by providing care for my patients and helping them to live they way they want to live. However, For the last 5 years I craved more but didn’t know what it was. Some things were very clear. I wanted to work on my terms. I wanted to make a lot of money for traveling and explore the world and all it has to offer. I want to initiate generational wealth for my family and others throughout the community. Read more>>

Andrea Reid

As a photographer we strive to capture a moment and freeze it to look back on later. There will come a time when all someone has is a photograph and memories. My mission has been to make sure everyone has those memories, photographic ones. In 2018 I suffered a tragic loss that I will truly never really move on from. I lost my youngest son to suicide. Read more>>

Caroline Brodzinski

I started my career in 1982 after graduating with my barber and cosmetology license. Starting as a barber and growing into using both licenses, I learned how the world of cosmetology worked. This inspired me to want to have my own salon and after four years of experience, with the help of a business partner, we started Shear Reflections Hair and Nail Design in 1986. Read more>>

Brandon Jerrod

As an artist with my Intersections; Black, Dark-skinned, fat, non-binary to name a few, it is my mission to ensure that I am my story and the stories of people who share my identities. I grew tired of waiting for other people to reflect myself through their art. Read more>>

Jen Liepis

Our mission is to connect people with small businesses and the sustainable products they make and/or grow. Read more>>

Kelsie Deardeuff

In spring 2019, I was pregnant and expecting our first baby who was due to make his arrival in October. I had always dreamed of getting into photography someday, but at the time, I just wanted a camera so I could document all of our children’s milestones. I never wanted to miss a moment, so I made the investment into a decent camera body and lens and got to work learning everything I could about my gear. Read more>>

Daniel Hughes

My work comes from a postmodern desire to examine my identity and the authoritative structures that shaped me. I grew up in south Georgia with a Baptist presence and as with most people considered digital natives, I had access to the internet. These two entities influenced me by providing a basis for my spiritual identity and another for self expression and resources to better understand my sexuality. Read more>>

Eboney Byrne

My mission is to empower women to take control of their finances after divorce was born from my own divorce journey. After my ex-husband quit his six-figure job in order to avoid paying his agreed-upon child support I found myself scrambling to make ends meet. I knew how to budget and save but with the cost of daycare, rent, and everyday living expenses piling up my savings didn’t last very long. I ended up living off of credit cards just to stay afloat. Read more>>

Lisa Rossi

The George Snow Scholarship Fund’s mission is to help hard working students in South Florida to graduate from college by providing financial aid and wrap-around support services. Our goal is to ensure that no student is deprived of an education because of a shortage of funds or lack of support. Read more>>

Michael McConnell

The Rebel Camp’s mission is to help foster a new style of representation for start-up owners and provide out-of-the-box creative ideas for established brands. We provide Creative Concepts, Build Community, Develop Go-To-Market Strategies, Video Production, and more. The best part of our work is that we journey with our clients through thick and thin. My passion is in MAKING it HAPPEN for my clients and businesses that I have ownership in. Read more>>

Elston Brown

We are a digital marketing company focused on showing the importance of customer engagement. The better engaged your customers are, the longer you’ll be able to retain them, and the more loyal they will be to you. Ultimately, this has help our business grow, reduce customer churn and increased our company profits tremendously. Lastly, we are very big on providing an exceptional customer experience this has helped us increase credibility. Read more>>

Fr. Taylor Tracy

Christ the King Independent Catholic Church (CtK) was founded in the early days of 2020 as the pandemic began to roar its way through our nation. Amid isolation, confusion, and panic, CtK quickly became of refuge and place of emotional, social, and spiritual clarity, solace, and comfort. Read more>>

Jessica Houchin

In the summer of 2020, I was talking to my close friend Meg, now business partner, about our friend Lacy who would have a baby in the Fall called Ursula. I said, “we should welcome Ursula into our coven”. In the following days, I would google “mystical baby products”, “witchy baby items”, etc., and kept coming up empty-handed. I then half-jokingly returned the information to Meg saying, “we should open a witchy baby store”. Read more>>

Jeri Miles

To have a lasting affect on each client with impeccable service, quality cooking, and food made with love. We hope each client is left with an unforgettable dining experience. Read more>>\

Thuggizzle

Thuggizzle Appalachian Mountain Spring Water Is Here To Make Drinking Water Look Cool. I was extremely concerned about the increasing consumption of sugary drinks among the youth and young adults today. The lure of sugary drinks is leading to serious health complications, and several diet related illnesses such as obesity and diabetes. They don’t want to drink water mainly because they don’t like it. I tried to find a solution that would give them a healthier drinking solution than these harmful sugary drinks, but also impress with a fresh, delicious taste so that our consumers find it more appealing than regular drinking water. Read more>>

Charlotta “Lotta” Sjoelin

In 2014 a friend mentioned to Charlotta (‘Lotta’) Sjoelin that the local homeless shelter for women and children, HomeStart, could use some pillows. Shocked a shelter would not have pillows, she visited with pillows in tow to donate, and was even more shocked to see the bleak condition of the shelter. A homeless shelter is supposed to be a place to transform one’s life, yet the physical environment Lotta saw was depressing, not inspiring. Deeply saddened by the living conditions available for the homeless, she went home and cried… then got to work! Emotion and action combined are powerful tools. Read more>>