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?

Mohammed Qamar

Creation with meaning. Our experiences shape us into who we are today all while drawing out our individuality and every piece of art leaves behind a piece of its artist. The fragment that is left behind can’t change the world, but it can affect it like a butterfly, touching different people along its journey, possibly changing them, making them reflect or react. I had initially set out with the goal of successfully providing individuals with forms of escapism that would have a positive impact on their lives. Read more>>

Souraya Woods

I grew up in an inner city, through many traumatic experiences, without many examples of how to create a healthy, wealthy, and whole me. I always knew there was more for me and never felt that I fit in, however, being accepted within my environment was important to me so instead of embracing my desire for more, I shrank to attempt to fit in. My mission is to help others develop a wealth mindset, despite what they may have experienced, so that they can live in abundance rather than lack and survival… and this is not just about money! Read more>>

James Thomas

The mission behind Brain Freeze is that I wanted to make sure that anyone and everyone who may be going through a tough time in life or just a bad day, can come to my setup and get a taste of happiness that escapes them to their happy place. Brain Freeze was conceptualized during the covid lockdowns where everyone was separated and depressed and lonely but I wanted to change that to bring people together to bring happiness and a smile to peoples faces. Covid was hard enough being divided from the people you love the most, why not bring people together over something they love and create new relationships. Read more>>

Shemitria Smith

For as long as I can remember, I have always cared about the well-being of people. I have always believed that people are amazing and rare and special and are destined for greatness. During the pandemic, I set my fears to the side and pursued what I believe is one of God’s purposes for my life – to pour into people; to pour love, to pour motivation, determination and a pursuit of belief. When we believe in ourselves, we can accomplish anything. The Visionary Associate’s mission is to not let YOUR dream, just be A dream. Let us help you accomplish your dreams. We believe that most of the time people just need to be spoken into. Life has allowed their light to be diminished and we are here to put that flame back to the light! Read more>>

Shanee Taylor

My business name was SHEEE Creates up until a few weeks ago and i felt an urge to change it and as of now the new name is SHEE Creates Vision. S.H.E.E. means She healed evolved then Emerged. My mission is to help Woman and young girls, bring to life their dreams and visions so they can See that All things are possible. No matter their background, their environment, their age, their past or current stage, it’s never to late to live out your dreams. Read more>>

Evgeniya Ignatushchenko

My name is Evgeniya and I am the founder of the only on demand nail service in Miami – Nail Patrol. It was originally designed for the modern woman who is always on-the-go, whether it is business, family or a spontaneous adventure. We believe in empowering women by helping them feel beautiful and confident through our services booked at the last minute notice. Our clients can obtain the services they need, anywhere and any time. On the other hand, we believe we are only as strong as our team and we pride ourselves in empowering our group of beauty professionals. Our business model was designed with the goal of providing a flexible schedule they can arrange themselves, marketing & promotion as well as training and education on the latest techniques. Read more>>

Vibi Murali

Hey there, I’m Vibi and I own a small business photography business, based in Bellevue WA. Ever since I was a kid growing up in my grandparents farmhouse back in India, I have had a deep love or all things animals, and amongst them elephants were even more close to my heart. These majestic beings had an aura about them, that just captured my imagination and I took every chance I could get to interact with them. Fast forward a few years, I ended up getting my bachelors degree in Architecture and picking up a deep love for photography along the way. Shortly after, I met my husband and moved to the US to be with him. Read more>>

Michael Grecco

Appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken. I guess everything we do has some sort of level of risk to it. Without “jumping off the cliff at times,” you will never get the reward of breaking new ground. It might be trite to say it, but with no risk there is no reward. But it’s totally true – . I am a big risk taker, and doing that means I have failed just as often as I’ve succeeded. Read more>>

Amanda Hauser

Hi, I’m Amanda, the creator and writer behind Impish the Elf. Before you learn anything else about me, you must first understand that a I’m a devoted wife and mother of eight children (yes, eight). And though my professional titles and experiences include “educator, children’s author, parenting blogger, curriculum writer, and business owner,” they are not how I identify. My children, and the preservation of their childhood, is the basis of everything I do. My mission is to keep magic a part of childhood, and to do that, I create meaningful and memorable experiences for our children. What began as a desperate mother’s attempt to protect her children from a potentially challenging world has now come full circle with the creation of the Impish the Elf business. Read more>>

Rita Farruggia

I, like many others, had experienced the struggles and challenges that life often presents. Throughout my journey, I discovered the power of self-care and how it could transform one’s life. I realized that by taking the time to care for my body, mind, and spirit, I felt more empowered, confident, and happier. My own transformation fueled a deep passion within myself to share this revelation with others. Read more>>

Platinum Nexx

Platinum Nexx known by her stage name PlatinumFiii is a renowned commercial model known for her striking looks and unique style. With her captivating presence and confident demeanor, she effortlessly graces the runways of major fashion shows and adorns the pages of top fashion magazines worldwide. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA Platinum developed a passion for fashion at a young age. Read more>>

J’Lan Johnson

I always wanted to pursue art. I also had this passion where I wanted to be a clothing/shoe designer as well. When I graduated from South Carolina State University with my Biology degree I couldn’t get a job at first. I then attempted to customize a pair of Jordan 4s for my wife and when I posted them on Facebook & Instagram, I got some good feedback. I never looked back since. Read more>>

Gobi M. Rahimi

I started out producing and directing gangster rap videos in the late 90’s. I ended up creating over 350 music videos and commercials. During this time, I became Tupac’s production partner, photographer and director. I produced and directed some of his most iconic music videos. A week before he was fatally shot in Las Vegas, we had a 3 film, pending deal. I also ended up sitting security watch for him for six nights in Vegas from 12-8am. I’m developing a book and screenplay based on my experiences with him. Read more>>

Jessica Karpinske

At Rooted In Wellness, my mission is to guide you on your personal journey to find a nurturing lifestyle so you realize just how good you can feel in your body. Rooted In Wellness provides health coaching, personal training, buddy training, yoga and tai ji classes designed to help you build a foundation of true wellness that is sustainable for you. I chose the name Rooted In Wellness because I want to be known for providing more than just yoga or just fitness for the sake of being fit or moving your body. Your overall health and wellness is so much more than moving your bodies or eating healthy foods. Read more>>

Sydney Nikolofff

After embarking on a journey of moving to the mountains, my love for nature grew as did my curiosity for the world unseen. Crystals were fascinating to me as I started to feel more drawn to collecting and working with them, it was something that brighed physical nature to the mysteries of life. Sharing what is, in my opinion, the finest of the Earth’s creations, has blossomed into my greatest passion. Read more>>

Thaddeus Kornegay

We provide fun and challenging outdoor group workouts that anyone can do! What sets up apart and really drives our mission is the community and camaraderie we have out on the “HUSTLE FIELD.” Since owning and operating 2 workout locations here in orlando Fl! We have been able to grow our fitness business to levels that have impacted the community in a positive way! From hosting popup group workouts, leading 5K warmups, showing up on teacher’s appreciations week to provide healthy food options and topics to talk about and also providing health and wellness advice at company health fairs! Read more>>

Paige Hendricks

I have two businesses. One being an artistry business and the other being a massage therapy and energy wellness business. In both businesses my mission, or goal, is to help people feel good, and have a space where they can be authentically themselves. Art and healing are my two fuels in life. They are my purpose, and I truly feel that my gifts provide healing and happiness for other people. In my art business I don’t stick to one medium, I do different styles of art with different mediums, and I’m kind of all over the board. But that’s apart of who I am as an artist. Read more>>

Octavia Lewis

Gentry Unveiled, LLC is an alternative to existing clothing lines which offers the opportunity to create your own personal style with a new brand of affordable, fashionable, and comfortable apparel. The collection brings a fresh approach that will appeal to the gender fluid society. We aim to create high quality clothing that appeals to who you are and what makes you feel comfortable, despite society’s standards of beauty, social class, race, or gender norms. Our personal views should not hinder our ability to show others compassion. We are a brand that acknowledges the uniqueness and differences in lifestyles, body structure, and gender identity. Representation matters and helps to promote healthy body image. Read more>>

Quantavius Dumas

Our Mission is To educate High School and Collegiate student-athletes and their families on every aspect of athletic recruiting, collegiate academic eligibility, and social responsibility, thereby inspiring increased academic awareness and empowering them to make informed decisions that lead to excellence at the collegiate level, in both sport and the classroom. We provide innovative tools to help athletes increase their chances of playing sports in college, including online education and performance training, expert recruiting guidance, data-driven college matching tools and access to more college coaches than any other college recruiting service in the Metro Atlanta area. Read more>>

Naeomi Samuel

Destined 2 Educate (D2E), is a holistic learner-centered experience that offers authentic and innovative educational services to all learners. It is our mission to “Transform Knowledge Beyond Limits.” The story behind our mission started in 2008 when I served as an Extended Day Instructor at a DC Public Charter School during my junior and senior years of my undergraduate studies at The University of Maryland-College Park. I connected with the students in a way that empowered them to go beyond the basic requirements of their learning experience and to push the limits on what they could achieve. I experienced positive behavior changes, improved grades, better communication and respect amongst their peers and instructors. Read more>>

Cristina Pimentel

Our firm was originally born from wanting to educate and inspire women of all shapes and sizes to dress themselves in alignment to their core selves. We offered personal styling and wardrobe development services to design an image and assortment that complimented their lifestyles, budgets and aspirations. That organically segwayed into content creation and branding support with the birth of social media. During Covid, we were no longer able to service in-person and many of our clients were trying to adapt their businesses and personal brands to the new demand. Read more>>

John-Michael Lander

As an entrepreneur, I have developed many projects based on my experiences as a former Olympic diving contender, sexual abuse survivor, and the founder of An Athlete’s Silence. I created Webberland Enterprise LLC as an umbrella for them. I have spoken globally and presented many programs like “Are Your Thoughts Killing You,” The Predatory Grooming Trifecta©,” The Predatory Internet Grooming© (PIG),” “Locker Room Talk,” and “Change the Myths—Change Your Life,” etc. While advocating and speaking for those who are voiceless, I discovered that many survivors are still struggling with mentally identifying as a victim. Read more>>

Chanel Arrington

I wear many hats as a wife, entrepreneur, and author but one of my most important roles is as a mother of two awesome girls–one daughter living with sickle cell disease. At the time our family began our journey of learning more about sickle cell disease, I noticed there were not many age-appropriate or inspirational stories shared about the condition. So, I decided to combine my career experiences along with my craft of writing to highlight an inspirational story about sickle cell disease. As I was creating this first project, Clemmie: Walter Clement Noel and the Discovery of Sickle Cell Disease, a children’s biographical book, my passion for sickle cell advocacy and education expanded. It was then that I created InspiHeard Now to serve as an advocacy platform for various issues, especially literacy advocacy and sickle cell education. Read more>>

Rachele Brooke Smith (Palafox)

I am an actress, film producer, inspirational speaker, wellness advocate, and co-founder of Relationship Renegades, where my husband/partner, Emilio Palafox, and I are on a mission to help the world set new baselines for what’s possible in life, love, & relationships. I’ve been on a mission of empowerment ever since I was young, as I went through one of the most profound life experiences… Read more>>

Danielle Matthew

At Made From Dirt, our meaningful mission is to harness the boundless power of nature and create a transformative journey that nurtures both the skin and the soul. We believe that true beauty lies in authenticity and a deep connection with the earth, and it is this belief that drives our commitment to crafting extraordinary relief for pain, sleep, and skin issues that are inspired by nature’s gifts. Our mission is anchored in three core pillars: Natural Authenticity: We are passionate about honoring the authentic beauty of natural ingredients. Read more>>

Carly Carroll

The mission behind Carly Carroll Voice is to empower students to embrace their creative voice. This mission came from feeling like there was a deep need to give vocalists the freedom to be creative. As a singer, things are often delivered to us in a black and white format. As i’ve learned more about the voice and gained experience teaching, i’ve learned how damaging this can be for students. Singing is all about figuring out what works for you, and then being able to replicate these things over and over. Voice science, although it is important, really doesn’t do much for a student if they’re dealing with cognitive dissonance that doesn’t allow them to walk out of the comfort zone in a way that feels safe to them. Read more>>

Nicole Eubanks

Friendship Bridge is a nonprofit organization that creates economic opportunities for impoverished women in Guatemala. One way that we help do this is by providing health services to our clients through a program we call Health for Life, because if you don’t have your health, you can’t thrive in other areas of life. Providing health services is so important, because our clients face many barriers to accessing health care. They face a language barrier because many do not speak Spanish—they speak an indigenous Mayan language. Read more>>

Scott Clary

Starting the Success Story Podcast wasn’t a business move for me; it was a personal one. I kept seeing friends, family, and colleagues struggling with the same questions I had: How do successful people really make it? What can I learn from them? Is there a way to understand success without falling flat on my face first? That’s when I knew I had to do something. Education & Learning – Why Should You Care? You don’t need me to tell you that the world is changing at breakneck speed. It’s not enough to learn something once and call it done. We all need to keep learning, keep growing, and keep challenging ourselves. That’s where the Success Story Podcast comes in. Read more>>

Ilay Ron

My company, POLLINATE, is a multi-platform art installation that aims to raise awareness about the declining bee population. We partner with renowned artists and photographers like Reka Nyari who are aligned with our mission and want to get involved with the cause. I’ve always been passionate about environmental conservation, but the true driving force behind POLLINATE is a personal commitment to continue the work of my late husband, Kenny Davis, who founded the company before his untimely death 8 years ago. Read more>>

Siera Gunnett

As someone who’s two passions are fashion and sustainability, I found a lot of conflict. These two industries are very anti-each other. This forced me to turn to innovating a solution. Read more>>

Schanell Sanders

Schanell Marie Carol was born December 28th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Schanell was raised in Columbus, Ohio where she went to study Criminology and Spanish Education at the Ohio State University. WilberForce University, and the University of Cincinnati. Schanell first begin her adult film career in 2005. After conquering the adult entertainment industry by producing and directing Schanell retired in 2014. Schanell transitioned into a successful entrepreneur. Read more>>

Matt Harris

Since I was young I’ve been driven by my imagination and passion to tell stories through art. This passion for artwork and story telling has led me on my journey to make a living creating illustrations for a variety of science fiction and fantasy books, games and other media. Along with my commissioned work, I am also writing and Illustrating my own book. The story is set in a post apocalyptic ancient fantasy world where new civilizations are rising from the ruins left in the wake of a great era of cataclysms. My mission is to create images that tell stories in a compelling way that hook the viewer’s attention and draw them in to the narrative of each piece. Read more>>

Melchez Giovanni

My mission is to create and provide TOP Tier talent in the musical & visual entertainment industry. Always providing new and fresh ideas to a market that’s ever changing. Read more>>

Kimberly Beam

I decided in high school to become an English teacher and writer. I graduated from college with a double major in Middle School and English. I also had a minor in Secondary Education. I earned my masters in creative writing in 2002 and my master’s thesis, an adolescent lit novel was published a year or two after graduation – it is now out of print. I taught middle school and high school for a total of 12 years and I wasn’t satisfied. I kind of felt like Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Disney version), “there must be more to this provincial life.” In 2010, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma – facing death and surviving altered me – transformed me. Read more>>

Lorrie Myers

We are a Creative Reuse Center located in Southwest Colorado Springs. Our tiny 400 sq ft pop up shop has grown to a 12,406 sq ft Creative Hub with a classroom, movement room and 14 subsidized private artists studios. All of this funded through the donations of Art and Crafting supplies that are sold in our retail shop. We boast being the 1st Public Benefit Corporation allowed in the state of Colorado. Our mission is trash diversion. Read more>>

Jason Johnson

I spent my first 24 years of service: as a Military Police Officer in the Army, Police K-9 Handler and Trainer, a K-9 Handler in Iraq and Afghanistan protecting the U.S. Ambassador, and as K-9 Instructor and Course Developer for the Federal Government. In that time, I worked with over 2,000 Military Working Dogs and Police K-9s. When I noticed that they didn’t get any assistance after their service to our country, specifically with medical bills. I decided to quit my high-ranking federal job and start a nonprofit, Project K-9 Hero, to change the way these heroes were being treated for generations to follow. Read more>>

Jacqueline Moran

My mission is to teach and inspire others with the power of healing crystals and stones by supporting holistic well being and connecting back to nature. Read more>>

Kasey Ma

Hi there! I’m Kasey Ma, a full-time content creator since 2015 with a combined following of 207,200 (verified as of 2022 on IG, Twitch, and Tiktok), Reality TV star on Amazon Prime’s “The One That Got Away”, and partnered Twitch streamer. I also am the Founder of Untamed Agency, an AAPI-focused influencer talent management agency in which I mentor and help creators like myself make money, and also gain access to exclusive events, networks, and communities. Read more>>

Shaqueal Adkins

My community lacks representation when it comes small businesses. Our community has gone without movie theaters, local clothing stores, and most importantly: a bookstore. Read more>>

Eugenia Gamero

The mission behind BuyMalandra.com is to offer unique and sustainable designs from Latin America at an affordable price focusing on a slow fashion business model. Read more>>

Joanna Stein

to create a safe space of people with special needed.. so anyone regardless of your challenges you face. never give up . Read more>>

Quantarius Dean

My mission is to give back to the community and to be the person I wish I had growing up. Read more>>