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?
Entity
I’m originally from the inner city of a major city. I was the oldest of three girls. I knew early on that I wanted more than what my environment had to offer, that I wasn’t going to let my circumstance define me, and I needed to be sure that I was a good example to my sisters. Read more>>
Shayanne Brents
At Shy Girl Baking Co., our mission is to provide custom cakes and unique bakes that not only taste amazing but are equally as, beautiful in aesthetic. We are an online, home-based (Cottage) bakery (no shipping currently). Read more>>
Sophia Mendelson
In addition to making fabulously delicious ice cream, it’s our mission to create sustainable livelihoods and fulfilling career paths in the food service industry. Having worked various food service and farm jobs prior to starting Sugarwitch, as well as studying food systems and this question of equitable labor along the whole food chain, we went into Sugarwitch with sort of this question of “is this possible?” Read more>>
Hollee Freeman
I started Freeman Educational & Business Consulting to support organizations and individuals with their grant writing and strategic planning. During my tenure as an Executive Director of a mid-sized non-profit serving Central Virginia’s students, teachers and administrators, I began to think about what actions and experiences that I need to feed my own soul. Read more>>
Mariko Hickerson
Our mantra is that “We work with people we enjoy and brands we believe in.” What that means is that we’re really focused on creating great work (in the form of graphic design, website development and SEO) for good people and brands. Doing great work for clients is easy when you’re passionate about a brand and want the people behind that brand to succeed. Read more>>
Alli Singletary
Believe it or not my business actually started with selling Self Care Kits: a spa in a box you can enjoy at home or on the go ! However, in starting up my own business from scratch I ran into several obstacles. I noticed there wasn’t alot of affordable support for someone in my position to mentor or guide me in the right direction. Read more>>
Syreeta C
I have always been captivated by clothing’s ability to communicate on behalf of the wearer. Growing up, I used fashion as a tool for expression. Not only did I grow up fairly timid and introverted, but I have also experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss twice. When words eluded me, clothing grew to be a resource for me development of self-efficacy & self-esteem. Read more>>
Amanda Lunsford
While growing up I was a feisty foster child who moved around often, because I kept getting into fights with the other kids. After aging out of system and building myself up to become a successful adult, I ended up in a domestic violent relationship and it resulted in having my jaw broken when I was three months pregnant. Read more>>
Cody Hill
I was writing a research paper for the University of Alabama and I chose the topic Veteran Suicide. While writing that paper I had received news that one of my brothers I served with had committed suicide and it really hit home seeing I was doing the research on that topic. Read more>>
Shannel Stallworth
I got started in the photography industry back in 2005. My mother passed away at the young age of 40 and when we went to gather images for her obituary, I quickly noticed that our choices were far and few. Read more>>
Brianna Rambo
the mission for Pucker up is simple. We want to ignite the belief that one’s natural beauty is truly the foundation, and our products are just the accessory. Read more>>
Janine & Julia Geisel
A healthy lifestyle has always been our passion. Living in New York City where life can be hectic, it can be difficult to follow a healthy diet and getting in all essential nutrients. Especially during the Covid pandemic, the importance of health and providing the body with the right nutrients has become vital. Oftentimes supplements contain proprietary blends or amounts that can be harmful to your body. Read more>>
Lauren Stirzaker and Kelsey Dennard N/A
Our mission at the Collective Studio has always been rooted in the idea that every individual is beautifully unique. No two people are the same, and every person is a canvas on which we get to display their beauty. Read more>>
Christian Goldstein
We created Code: Lockdown as a safe space during the pandemic with live streamed music events, but as the pandemic ended, we threw ourselves into the live event industry. A year later, with over 17+ events, and over 60+ national and regional artists, we’re not stopping anytime soon! Our events create a positive light in the industry, specifically for bass music. Read more>>
Sophy Liv SophyEats, LLC
The story behind SophyEats, LLC is extremely meaningful to me and I hope that it inspires at least one other person. As I mentioned in my previous VoyageBaltimore article in April 2022 , it was until recently that I was struggling to find my purpose and place in life. Read more>>
Sarah Welch
Makers’ Market’s goal is to cultivate a supportive environment where handmade is appreciated and worth supporting. I had been in many bazaars and fairs that had antiques and multi-level marketing representatives with a sprinkling of handmade vendors to say it was a craft fair. Read more>>
Taylor Brown
After moving from apartment to apartment and collecting meaningless and boring items, or even nothing at all when moving into a new apartment, we realized the critical need for a curated gift that leaves a lasting first impression. As we explored this need, we discovered that others were yearning for that genuine welcome! There is nothing like receiving a gift that is curated specifically for you. Read more>>
Raquel Haralambou
Retro Renos is a two family owned and operated business that was started in the Haralambous garage in 2019. Daniel Haralambou purchased a Scamp travel trailer for $800 and planned to renovate it. His 8 months pregnant wife and co-founder Raquel Haralambou thought this idea was a bit insane. Read more>>
Brian Bauer
For as long as I can remember, I have loved music, sports, and entertainment. In fact, since the mid-‘90s I’ve collected stacks of ticket stubs in my nightstand as a journal of extraordinary experiences and incredible memories. Above all else, I’m definitely a fan. Read more>>
Nicole Kerkeni
The corporate world gets us stuck in this mindset that we have this ladder that we need to climb. The higher we are on this ladder determines our success but I want to challenge what the definition of success is. Most people think success is a title or lots of money but what if success was based on your happiness ? I want to encourage people to look within themselves for happiness and to provide them the tools to help heal themselves. Read more>>
Stanley Aryanto
About – Stanley Aryanto Where passion turn into ART If today were the last day of my life, would I do what I’m about to do today? Read more>>
Steeve Legerme
Growing up, I was intrigued by the artistry of music videos and documentaries. Throughout the years, I have gained the title of the historian in my family as I am able to recall memorable family moments. This has been the motivation behind my mission, “Capturing life’s irreplaceable moments”. Read more>>
Demishia Samuels
The mission behind Corporate Hustle University is to make sure that working professionals have a space to monetize their skills inside and outside of corporate America. Read more>>
Ashlie Thomas
This would be a great opportunity to discuss why I am passionate about gardening, and how I am leveraging to teach and create greater food security for myself and community. Read more>>
MOONFLWR.
My mission is to inspire people show them that real music still exists. Give the world genuine energy and love cause it seems to not exist anymore commonly. I hope when people hear my art they can relate and pick their heads up when they day not going so well. Read more>>
Mayo Ogunmakinwa
It was September of 2021, I got back from my trip to Mexico and bought some cute beaded bracelets as souvenirs. I thought to myself “I could make my own bracelets and maybe even some earrings.” So a couple days later, my mom took me to Michaels. I bought string, some beads, jewelry pliers, charms, earring hooks, and jump rings. Read more>>
Jimmy Le
I’ve been doing music as a Vietnamese rapper that rap in Vietnamese since 2007. I grew up in a family that love music and celebrities. I’ve always wanted to impress my family, I always fantasized one day, my family would watch TV and all of suddenly they would see me on there. 2009, on a trip back to my country from the States after graduated from high school. Read more>>
Cara Bevilacqua
Since the conception of my company Coastal Design Workshops in 2019, my mission has stayed the same: Building community through creativity. We emerged as an in-person creative workshop event service, providing fun and engaging creative events for apartment complexes in the city of Boston. Think “paint and sip” nights or terrarium building classes. Read more>>
Jenna Goar
My husband and I just moved to Columbus, Ohio in May 2022 from Iowa City, Iowa. I worked for a great private practice in Iowa called Rock Valley Physical Therapy, which is where I started my career. For 3.5 years, I had the opportunity to manage a head and neck specialty clinic for this company. I loved my job and the people I worked with. Read more>>
Bill Wisneski
The best part of being a documentary filmmaker is having the ability to shed light on issues people know very little about and give a voice to those you don’t often hear from. In my career I’ve been able to meet and interview a very diverse group of people. Read more>>
Barbara Allen
The other aspect does include “legacy” – the why is important, the change seen and impact of efforts has surprised me and keeps me motivated. Just this morning I reached out to our health department – they said “of course we respond to you immediately, you are you!” Never could I have foreseen the future at my son’s funeral. Read more>>
Lesline Pittman
My mission is to serve busy moms through yoga, breath work, and mindset coaching. When I first became a mom I found myself feeling overwhelmed with my kids, my husband, and myself. One day I found myself having suicidal thoughts and what’s even scarier is that I had thoughts of wanting to harm my 3 month old baby girl. Read more>>
Marie Sanabria
My name is Marie Sanabria and I am the owner of Vessels for your soul. This business did not start as something planned, but as a process. We moved from Puerto Rico in 2016 because the company transferred it. After a year of being here, my husband lost his job. and we lost the house. Read more>>
Julian Cavazos
My mission as a family and event photographer is to deliver images that are filled with natural, authentic emotion. I want my clients to look back on their photos time and time again and relieve those memories captured, and have it be part of their legacy. Read more>>
Larissa McGowan
My name is Larissa McGowan & my business name is Wake & Cake. I have been doing custom cakes and pastries professionally for 5 almost 6 years. My mission is not just to be successful but to create a space of peace for myself & allow myself a path to truly be happy . Read more>>
Travis McAshan
Travis McAshan, the Founder and CEO started GLIDE in 2003 with a vision to be “an INDUSTRY LEADER in web design for ROI” with a mission to “Create RAVING FANS by making KICK-AWESOME WEBSITES, providing FANATICAL SUPPORT and delivering quantifiable BOTTOM-LINE RESULTS.” Literally, word for word his vision and mission, LOL. Interesting so far? Read more>>