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?

Hanna Olivas and Adriana Luna

In July of 2020, She Rises Studios was BORN. Hanna Olivas and Adriana Luna founded She Rises Studios in the middle of the global pandemic, as they saw a need to help women across the globe. She Rises Studios is the NEXT Global Women’s Network of Empowered Women Leaders. Our mission at She Rises Studios is to inspire, empower, and educate all women who are facing the most impossible situations, and teach them how to navigate through their own personal journeys with hope, perseverance, strength, education, and unstoppable fearlessness. Read more>>

Anthony Carranza

Hello, My name is Anthony Carranza, I am the co-founder of Shape Comics where we make retro style comic books. At Shape Comics, we strive to consistently stand out in the world of comics exploring both new and old topics and attempt to breathe fresh air into the industry. Read more>>

Alicia Gaiero

I am 24 years old and I established my oyster farm at 21. At the age of 14 I was immensely humbled through a life changing experience of being struck at a high rate of speed by a motorcycle on my bike while crossing the road. Since then, I have chosen to live without fear. I have sought to live without concern of traditional expectations and societal norms. Building my own business has come as a result of this life changing experience. Read more>>

Rolanda Watson

First of all, my mission in life is – Accepting people where they are and taking them where they want to be. I accomplish this mission with a focus on tax strategies and business coaching. As a tax strategist for over 25 years I have listened to many people share dream, visions and desires. However, they did not have the insight and guidance to help to them started. Read more>>

Eugenia Peralta

When I was young, I remember going to my father’s house and seeing the artworks that he had on the walls, all of them were fascinating to me. There was one in particular that always caught my attention. It was a seascape with a tremendous storm. When my father died, it took a deeper meaning in my life. I remember falling into that particular painting, feeling like the waves, unsettled. But in the end, there was a ray of light. Read more>>

Moira Reed

As we grow, we hide parts of ourselves away. Hiding is a learned behavior that kept you safe when you were little. Your body and mind did what it was programmed to do for emotional survival. My mission is to rediscover all those parts that you packed away. To bring out the gifts that only you have. We are all born with core feelings of excitement, joy, curiosity and pride. Just look at a baby and you’ll see this. I want to bring this light back out of you, so you can shine in your life and set your spirit free. Read more>>

Venessa Vermeulen

Many people have the wrong perception about HR, because of a direct or indirect bad experience. And too often HR is labelled biased on favour of that experience. Read more>>

Augustina DeLeon

We would love to tell you that Frios Gourmet Pops were made by elves, fairies, or Oompa Loompas because there is so much magic in these frozen treats on a stick (Serious, serious amounts of magic but nothing illegal). Read more>>

Laura Sexton

I was holding my 2 month old baby girl, trying desperately to get her to go to sleep when my husband mentioned something I never thought I would hear – bankruptcy. Already battling postpartum anxiety, I now had to deal with failing to live up to my promises, and the shame that would come with making this choice. Shortly after I mentioned to my mother how I’d never known anyone who filed bankruptcy. She very quietly replied, “Laura, we filed twice before you graduated high school.” My mind was blown. How could I have not known this? Read more>>

Jacintha Payne

We all have an idea of what we want our lives to look like and who we want to be. But some days, life can feel like it’s on autopilot. It’s easy to get lost in the busyness of the day and end up feeling discouraged with the lack of progress. My mission has been to help people cultivate a habit of intentional living where we’re mindfully taking action on the right things at the right time with joy. Read more>>

Jodi Krangle

I’ve been a full time voice actor for over 15 years now but I’ve often seen the voice – and the sound – of a production, pushed to the backburner or thought of last. When that happens, it’s often to the detriment of the project. People will forgive bad video but they won’t forgive bad sound. I noticed a lot of my colleagues and those who were hiring us, were frustrated by how little attention sound was paid when it came to creating a successful project. Read more>>

Lynn Villemure

My mission is to work with as many women as I can, coaching and guiding them through fitness to live the life they deserve. Read more>>

Latrice Cole

Fashion and style have always been in my blood but it wasn’t until my corporate days in HR that I realized fashion (more so style) could be used as something more than having a cute outfit. During my time as an HR leader, I saw first-hand how having the right visual image had a tremendous impact on a person’s confidence, presentation, presence, and overall impression they left behind. Read more>>

Simone Merritt

The ultimate story behind my mission is to still give ladies the luxury of a braid shop in their own space. At the spark of the pandemic it was hard to find booths and suites to work being that it was a pandemic so I decided to travel to still make sure a women needs are meet starting with the CROWN on their head. Read more>>

Cyrus Oliver

The story behind my mission is, I wanted to create a brand in which revolves around feelings that are somewhat relatable. My brand mainly preaches “it’s okay to express how you feel through art”. We live in a day and age where it’s a challenge to express how you feel without someone making you feel less than how you are. So one way I figured out how to escape from that is to show not only is it okay to tap into your feelings but it’s also possible to do that through art. Read more>>

LaToya Bray

Not Your Size is based on the plus-size shopping experience. It’s the experience regarding shopping for something you like to later find out it doesn’t come in your size or if it does come in your size it doesn’t fit properly. The concept of dressing in themes is not new, but it’s something we subconsciously do every day. We wake up and decide to wear the persona that’s at the forefront of our minds. That persona could feel like wearing grunge or sweatpants, whatever is decided reflects how we want to be seen that day. Read more>>

Porsha Ellis

A life-long student with a zest for learning and a passion for personal development, growth, and community. She serves her passions as the CEO of Black Girls Conquer All, Vice President of Community Outreach at Jim Reynolds Asphalt Contractor, Inc. (a family-owned business), and as a Kentucky Mobile Notary. Read more>>

Jonathon Ferguson

Generations of the past used to say ‘youre lucky to be in the room’ and that never sat with me the right way. As an untraditionally trained creative I’ve used my voice to connect countless curators and artists to larger platforms to create special moments in culture. Read more>>

Bri Norberg

The Women of Sacramento was launched in January 2018. I saw a need for a different type of networking community. One less professional and more relatable. Too often I found myself sitting awkwardly at networking events with women twice my age in pantsuits armed with business cards. That just wasn’t relatable to me. I felt I needed to put on a facade and prove my worth in those rooms. Read more>>

Sade Howard

Our mission at Ssential Aesthetics is to encourage all our present and potential clients to make self-care their top priority. Putting yourself at the top of your list is essential. As individuals, we often dedicate so much of our time to taking care of others. Here at Ssential Aesthetics, we acknowledge that it is absolutely necessary to pour into your own cup. Read more>>

Kendra Payne

The Herbal Scoop is here to get people to advocate and take control of their own wellness. In my own journey, I have felt small and disempowered when it came to my own health. I was afraid to ask my doctors the questions that needed to be asked. I always let “them” be the experts of my body instead of standing up for what I know. Read more>>

Alyssa Malchiodi

I’m on a mission to make the law more accessible to online business owners and to give them legal peace of mind. Let’s be honest – lawyers are annoyingly expensive, hard to understand, and tend to get a bad rap. I get it. I’ve been a practicing attorney for over 10 years (suits and courtroom appearances). I wouldn’t want to afford me either at $550 an hour – especially when just starting a business. Entrepreneurs need an alternative to those old, stuffy law firms. Read more>>

Sarah Mondet

For as long as I can remember I have loved design, aesthetics, nature, peaceful places, and creative outlets. I’ve always wanted to create something outside the framework of disposable consumer products that would offer a meaningful experience. For a long time now this desire has been developing into the concept of creating luxury picnics, as it encompasses all of the things that speak to my heart. Read more>>

Brittany Chatman

Established in 2018, Chat With Bee is a chic motherhood &lifestyle social community. Since its inception, Chat With Bee has experienced exponential growth and reach as demonstrated below. Bee regularly shares insight that relates to her passions with her audiences on all platforms including her blog and social media platforms. Read more>>

Darrell Gambrell

The best part about my mission is my story. I love that I possess a passion for making other’s vision come to life and helping them showcase their love to those closest to them. Read more>>

Stevaughn Bush

I started my law firm because of the lack of zealous advocacy in the legal industry. I strive to provide legal protection to minority-owned businesses and families, which is lacking in the industry due to a number of factors. Read more>>

Felix “Spillz716” Cuevas Rodriguez

Growing up in The cities westside of Buffalo New York there’s not that many opportunities. My Father past when I was 2 in Angola Ny and my mom could only do so much with me. I ran to the streets and ended up landing myself in prison for 6 years. After paying my debt to society I worked in the kitchens for restaurants in Buffalo. That was NOT my calling! Music always been in my life I just never chose to take it serious. Read more>>