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?

Caroline Vaught

We’ve always been cat lovers and had cats of our own as pets, but Our mission started in Atlanta GA back in 2015. It was fall, and a small tortoiseshell cat appeared on our back porch. She was feral and quite fearful of us, but we began to leave food and water out to care for her. A week or so passed before my husband discovered she had kittens underneath our porch, and the process of trying to figure out how to help them (i.e. get them socialized to people so that we could find homes for them) showed me just how limited animal rescue resources are. Every organization I called for help – from shelters to rescues – told me they were at max capacity and wished me luck. The mama cat had hidden the babies out of our reach, and while we could watch them out playing and nursing during the day, as soon as any one of us stepped outside she would send them all back into hiding. And she wouldn’t let us near enough to touch her either. Read more>>

Yooda

The mission is to provide a better opportunity for my family. The mission has certainly changed over the years initially entertainment was just that to entertain. However, that has changed because I have learned about the different opportunities in this industry. Read more>>

Rebecca Todd

The mission behind TruBlu Images is to create impactful photography for brands and organizations that value the environment and their communities. Over the past few years I have been learning more about how our fast-paced consumer society is polluting our Earth and killing our biodiversity. I have shifted my everyday lifestyle to be more sustainable. I overall felt like this wasn’t enough to make a difference, so I decided I should work with brands that are trying to make a difference as well. Read more>>

Lindsey Rabon

In the very beginning of my photography journey, I had the opportunity to work with a local boutique. I call it work, but it was one of the work for exposure kind of deals we all succumb to in the beginning. But this boutique was size inclusive and they were really one of the first boutiques that would feature plus size girls. I absolutely loved that about them and really adored their mission. Read more>>

Cristie Besu

At Eat Me Guilt Free, our core belief is that freedom should not have limitations so in 2021, we launched our “Free Delicious” campaign. The main message of the “Free Delicious” campaign is that eating better-for-you foods that taste good is a choice consumers should make for themselves. For decades, food companies marketed foods with addictive ingredients and misleading messaging. Read more>>

Brianna Jones

What I found is that it was hard to put together outfits as a mother two without spending hours and hours in my closet. By the time I would find something to wear, the baby is now crying, I need to fix lunch for both kids, etc and now I no longer even want to attend the festivities and plans. So I created a brand that solved that problem because I know their are other women with that issue. Rather she is a mother, entrepreneur, businesswoman or a collection and all of the beyond, our time is valuable. Read more>>

Alexa Ferra

In all of my projects, I’ve always embraced approachability, diversity, and inclusivity. With Alexa’s Wine Diary, it started out more than five years ago as a way to remember which wines I had already sampled. It quickly evolved into a delicious pastime—and formal blog—that enriched my own wine knowledge while giving other wine amateurs a relatable perspective on wine tasting. My blog has always been a no judgement zone for learning and showcased a variety of regions, producers, and more. Read more>>

Max Sadik

I’m on a mission to help ambitious entrepreneurs own their zone of genius, build a business that scales, and become wildly in demand. There are so many amazing, smart, and ambitious entrepreneurs nowadays but the one thing a lot of them have in common is burnout. There is a belief that it is supposed to take constant hustle in order to just make ends meet in your business, and I don’t believe it should ever be this way. Read more>>

Vanessa Contreras

My mission is to help small businesses reach their community better through the use of social media and other digital marketing strategies. I realized this was what I was meant to do when a small business owner in my city reached out to me early in my career seeking advice on social media. He wasn’t familiar with the platforms and had no idea what the best way to promote his business was, he just knew that he had to be online in order to be seen. Read more>>

Valencia Carter-Bennett

My mother was diagnosed with a mental illness at 22, which was approximately one year after having me. She told me the story of her first psychotic break and how she knew something wasn’t quite right with her, but she didn’t seek help because when she asked a work friend if she knew anything about the mental health center, the response was “you mean that place where the crazy people go?” That one response kept her from getting the help that she needed at the time.  Read more>>

Kathy Tiberi | Private Chef/Owner of SimplyGourmetbyK

My primary mission is to inspire others though healthy, gourmet food. I also want to serve as a role model and mentor to other women of all ages who are interested in starting their own business, particularly in the culinary industry. Read more>>

Diana Riley

Chef Diana Riley’s mission is to serve others through her boutique cooking company and teach the fundamentals of cooking and the significance of sharing simple, nutritious, affordable and pleasing meals with family. She teaches how to cook for educational, self-care and entertainment purposes. Besides operating a business, she is a Certified ProStart Educator. Read more>>

Julie Barrett Cataldo

I have a very short “hate” list, but textile waste is definitely on it. The U.S. throws away up to 11.3 million tons of textile waste each year, which is approximately 80 lbs per person. While sustainability has become a major topic in the fashion industry, there is much more to be done to curb the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills across the world. Even in my youth, my heart was in textiles! I realized the negative impact of shoddily made garments. Read more>>

Latoya Mathews

At 18 I decided to terminate a pregnancy. That decision left me feeling like I had no value, or couldn’t be forgiven. I knew if I felt that way there were other women feeling the same. I want women to know that God can use our past. That no matter the past pain, the past hurts, or past mistakes it can be used for good. Pain can actually bring us freedom if we surrender. Read more>>

Liz Higgins

I imagine that most business owners’ visions are born from their own struggle, and I am no exception. Almost 11 years ago, I was engaged to my partner, and even though we had a healthy and positive relationship with each other, I experienced a lot of anxiety during that engagement phase. I often wondered how people could POSSIBLY know that they found “the One”, and what that meant in the first place. I felt a lot of uncertainty in myself about being good at commitment and showing up for the demands of modern day life and love when I was also just beginning to explore my career path. Read more>>

Stephanie Coley

The story behind my mission is to fulfill the Law of Dharma. “My purpose in life”. In this lifetime, I am sharing my gift of pure love, empathy and happiness. I advocate for the underserved and unspoken individuals who suffer from mental health. I speak up because I once needed a voice to speak up for me, when I almost took my own life. I advocate Mental Health Awareness through fitness. I express myself and connect with others through “Blessed X Fitness Apparel Podcast,” I visit different cities and countries to talk about Mental Health Awareness while exercising with individuals who love to work out and take care of their mental health. Read more>>

Erin Malone

My name is Erin, a kidpreneur that was diagnosed with ADHD. I opened my business on September 4, 2018, at 9 yrs. Old to inspire kids and adults with disorders that they, too, can still achieve their goals in life. My essentials serve as a reminder to believe that you can overcome and achieve anything with consistency and a positive mindset. “I AM” outgrowing my ADHD by continuously challenging myself through therapeutic approaches, healthy habits, and optimism. When you look at my essentials, I want you to remember that an 11 yr. Old sold you an excellent product that strives for greatness no matter the challenge. I want to be your positive example of hope and belief for yourself. Read more>>

Rhonda Parker

My “Why” for Founding Parker Autism Center. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021, 19.1 persons with a disability are employed compared to 63.7 percent without a disability. One of my memorable experiences in supporting individuals with diverse abilities was being employed as an Employment Consultant. I trained a client name Rosita for her first job at the age of 50. Read more>>

Seerel Meadows

When I first moved to Dallas five years ago, I was astonished by how much this amazing city had to offer. All my life, I’ve always been the first to know about new restaurants, pop-ups, concerts, and events. I’ve prided myself on being the ultimate tour guide of wherever I lived. When I moved to Dallas, I had my work cut out for me! After a few years of pounding the pavement and vetting the leisure scene, I realized this information should not just be shared with my visiting guests, Read more>>

Macole Moody

Skin Sculpt Spa is a Chicago-based health spa specializing in personalized and comprehensive care for clients seeking sustainable solutions to their unique skincare needs. What sets us apart from our competition is that our facials are inspired by and named after holistic yoga practices I mastered during my tenure as a yoga instructor. A few of my favorites include the Hatha and Restorative facials. In yoga, hatha refers to a fundamental set of poses and simple breathing techniques designed to open the body’s channels to the free flow of energy. Read more>>

Zachary Steele

others. We live in our heads, creating worlds, characters, political structures, and even new religions. We carry this journey to the end, hoping to find someone willing to take our story and sell it to a publisher. But it truly can’t be done alone. A writer needs a community. They need programming to learn, to connect, to grow and to improve. I needed it. So I started one. I launched Broadleaf Writers, hoping to create a community of writers helping writers reach their dreams. Read more>>

Maida Curran

We strive to bring wonder and safe spaces to our local communities through costumes and volunteering. We started out as an idea a few friends had to create a storybook group in 2016. With the mission of giving back to our community through various outreach programs, we have continued to grow our group and expand to serve much of Arizona. Read more>>

Caleb McGrew

Skn Elements is a rapidly-growing skin wellness brand that focuses on helping modern-day individuals achieve their skincare goals in a chic, open and relaxing environment. When it comes to skin care, cosmetic procedures, and beauty treatments, we fundamentally believe in “undetectable enhancements”. We want our clients to be complimented on their beautiful brows, not on their “perfect microblading”. Let them notice your beauty, not your Botox. Our core treatment philosophy is to always err on the side of natural-looking results. Read more>>

Wen Zhang

Wen Zhang is an entrepreneur and accomplished technology marketer who has succeeded in a fast-paced, technology business environment with startup companies and established corporations. Wen, who was born and raised in a rural mountain town in China dreamed of seeing the world. Over a span of four years, she taught herself English on cassette tapes, before journeying to the United States in 2011. Read more>>

Diann Floyd Boehm

I have always been a storyteller, verbally, acting and singing, and now in print. My goal for my readers is to embrace imagination. I want to encourage the reader to believe in themselves and be kind to others even if they may be a little different. I want them to love themselves and take a moment and enjoy the clouds and just let their minds have the freedom to embrace the beauty around them. Read more>>

Kyendal Eaton

The story behind the mission simply starts by the desire to change the narrative. I am a licensed Master of Social Worker in the state of Georgia that began my journey in the trucking industry in order to not be a part of a systemic problem, but rather to be an active solution. I always desired to create job opportunities for those in need, especially offenders. I have a wealth of experience working with offenders and found that the common barrier among my clients was access to jobs and resources. Read more>>

Mona and Neda Derakhshan

As daughters of immigrants, we were always pushed to go the extra mile in life. Cooking, hosting and creating beautiful cuisine is part of our culture, heritage, and one of the key elements of our upbringing. We both grew up in different parts of the word (Neda in Canada, Mona in Dubai), with similar passions, so when we met, we clicked on so many levels, mainly because we shared a passion of cooking, creating in the kitchen and watching our friends and family enjoy our edible creations, whether it was a graze board, traditional meals, appetizers or a simple spread. Read more>>

Joe Pellerito

After working in corporate environments for over 20 years, I wanted to pull my focus to small businesses and give them the tricks of the trade to scale their business and grow profit and spend less time working. Forming ARC Business Consulting gave me the opportunity to share the knowledge I have attained over the years to help small business owners reach a new level. Read more>>

Lisha Vibe

“We Got You Sis” was founded by Lisha Vibe author, global award winning coach and influencer . Here’s a community of women all ages, ethics, careers, and cultures who come together to heal, help, and grow while learning the importance of words. “We Got You Sis” has a private group on Facebook. Inside this group Lisha Vibe educates her community of women by posting daily affirmations and quotes that’s guaranteed to change one’s perspective on life. Her teaching will touch someone who need to hear it at that given time. Read more>>

Marina Mohan

I began my bikini brand with little knowledge that it would lead me to cofounding a nonprofit for artists. I had always envisioned being able to collaborate with artist especially within my community to employ brand ambassadors as well as employees, and being an artist myself, I always aimed to be apart of the culture. I was approached by artist Dubeu about creating a community built on knowledge and resources. I have always wanted to work with artists especially in the music industry. Read more>>

Mallory Herrin

Our mission is to create work environments that make a positive impact in the lives of our clients’ employees, while helping our clients to achieve growth and success. I think this is really something that all HR professionals aim to accomplish, but this is our mission due to my own experience early in my career. Read more>>

Prudence Fields

The walk-in “chop shop” hair industry needs help! When I became a single parent in 2003, I had to go back to work. I was very fortunate to get into a couple of high-end salons, I trained under international stylists for 2 years. When my oldest child started school I had to find a salon closer to where I lived. I worked in a chop shop for 2 years. Very unhappy with my work place, and having to work with disrespectful and disturbing stylists in very toxic environments, I decided to go on my own. Read more>>

Tracy Tesauro

My mission is to help others become healthier, stronger and overall a better version of themselves. To help people be happy with themselves and to pass it on to others. Read more>>