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?
Rylee Rohner
my mission as a wedding videographer is deeply rooted in my passion for capturing love stories in a way that feels authentic and true to each couple. every couple has a unique journey, and it’s important to me that their wedding film reflects not only the beauty of their day but the genuine emotions, connections, and moments that make their love special. for me, it’s about more than just documenting events — it’s about telling a story that people will want to relive over and over, long after the day has passed. i aim to create films that couples are proud to show their family, friends, and even their children in the future. Read more>>
Giovanna & Ana Tavares
At Morena Beach Tan, our mission goes beyond selling skincare products—we’re about sharing a piece of our Brazilian heritage with the world. Our goal is to empower people to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, while celebrating the natural, sun-kissed glow that Brazil is known for. The inspiration for our brand comes from our own experiences growing up in Brazil, where the beach is a way of life, and skincare is rooted in using natural, nourishing ingredients from the land. When we moved to Miami Beach, we wanted to bring a touch of Brazil to our new home and share that with others through our products. Read more>>
Natalie Mccarty
The story of Gut Instinct honestly begins long before its conception. The background here is that I’ve always been in love with film, literature, and music. I really mean it when I say they’ve shaped who I am. I have always been fascinated by how all three connect. The way a good story becomes the backbone of a great film, but how the cinematography and visuals can create new meanings and interpretations of the written work, all while a soundtrack can work to immortalizes the experience or the feelings of the film. Each a separate work of art in their own right, but can also be artfully woven together in ways that create something timeless. Read more>>
Captain Dwayne Green
Totally Texas Outdoors LLC is a premier hunting and fishing outfitter dedicated to fostering a love for the outdoors within families. Our mission is to ensure that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest member, can participate and enjoy the beauty of nature through hunting and fishing experiences. At Totally Texas Outdoors LLC, we are committed to educating the next generation about the wonders of the great outdoors and the incredible hunting and fishing opportunities available in some of the finest locations throughout the Lone Star State. We prioritize providing top-notch experiences for those who appreciate the thrill of hunting and fishing, and who share our passion for the natural world. Our focus is on quality and creating memorable moments for individuals who value the outdoor lifestyle. Read more>>
Jazmine Lacour
My journey with braiding began before I was even 12 years old. As a survivor of abuse, I struggled with feelings of ugliness—both inside and out. But when I braided my hair, those painful feelings would fade, and I could express myself in a way that made me feel beautiful and strong. This is the heart of my mission. It’s why I opened my Braid Salon and Braid School—to help other young women and youth find their beauty, both inside and outside. Through braiding, I want to offer them not just a skill, but a sense of confidence, a creative outlet, and the possibility of a brighter future. Whether they go on to open their own businesses or simply use braiding as a form of expression, I believe in giving them the tools to shape their lives in positive and meaningful ways. Read more>>
Jenn Lee
hi! After a decade-long career managing viral TikTok creators & influencers from TV show Ink Master, who had millions of followers and fans, I decided to experiment and see if content I posted would resonate with people. It started as a fun project—I’m not in my 20s, so it was just for enjoyment—but to my surprise, it’s been incredibly well-received. That project is now known as “Balcony Boat Views.” My journey to this new passion began after a major life change: I got divorced and moved to Fort Lauderdale without knowing anyone in the area. I found a beautiful condo right on the Intracoastal, and from my balcony, I started filming the stunning yachts that pass by. At first, I just texted these videos to friends, but as the collection grew, I decided to start an account for others to join in. What began as a small hobby has now evolved into a thriving online community. Read more>>
Virginia Lopez
My parents instilled a sense of pride and confidence in me, and taught me and my siblings, all 8 of them the importance of being resourceful as well as the importance of reusing when possible. We were taught to not be wasteful and thrift stores were visited frequently. As I became older, thrifting and antiquing was a fun outing, something I shared with my mom. and cherish those memories. As a mother myself, I taught my 4 children the same values and thrifting and antiquing continued! These values are the principles that guide me on how I live and work today. They helped shape who I am. Read more>>
Cheyenne Porras
For many years, my identity was entangled in my spouse and his leadership role. I was always referred to as “Antonio’s wife”. I wanted to develop something that gave me an identity and stoked the passion that was within me. I developed a love for coffee at a young age, younger than most would consider appropriate. My grandfather would take me and my brother to church on Sunday mornings. It was there that my love for the rich, bitter brew was ignited. Sipping from a Styrofoam cup while the steam permeated my senses, as my grandfather gently blew his to cool it down. Now, gone, this memory of his is truly where my love for coffee developed, and for that I am eternally grateful. Read more>>
Aesha, Samera Bhavsar, Kathuria
At Unify Chai, we are a team of passionate high schoolers dedicated to amplifying the voices of advocates and change-makers. We have a shared commitment to social impact and empowerment, which we strive to amplify through interviewing South Asian female advocates all around the world. We were inspired to create this organization to inspire a new generation of passionate young women to change the world. We wish to amplify the voices of many minority change-makers who are making the world a better place, but don’t get the recognition they deserve. Read more>>
Debra Prinzing
I have had a long career as a journalist, both as a newspaper business reporter and a home and garden features writer for daily newspapers and major lifestyle magazines. About 15 years ago, I began to write about flower farms for gardening magazines, telling their stories to help readers (gardeners) learn to grow their specialty crops and emulate their sustainable practices. As a former business writer, I was enthralled by the flower farmers and their stories in which small, sustainable growers could not compete on an uneven playing field against lower-cost, imported flowers. That inspired me to tell a different story, to inspire readers – gardeners, really, who were my audience – a better way to beautiful. Read more>>
Angie Krulcik
Kinderfit is a mobile physical education business that services preschools in our community, and other communities as we expand. As a female Business owner, who never dreamed of owning a business, I’ve learned that your gift truly makes room for you. My heart and passion is to see people walk in the truth and freedom that Christ came to give us. In this journey, and dealing with many families over the years, I have seen time and time again the damage that brokenness in a family can cause in children. These children become the unhealed adults that we work and live with everyday. Our goal is not only to get into these schools to do physical education with these children, but to impact their lives in a positive way. Read more>>
Don Nechtman
Off-Stitch started as Super Soles in 2013 when I was just 12, and while the name has evolved, the mission has stayed true. Off-Stitch is here to innovate and make its mark in the constantly changing fashion world. As a proud American, I’m committed to giving back by creating local jobs in South Florida, embracing sustainability to protect God’s green earth, and offering premium quality at an affordable price so everyone can access great fashion. Off-Stitch isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement, redefining fashion one stitch at a time. Read more>>
Johnny Michael
Hi 👋, Johnny here. The mission behind my company (Hi 👋 or Happy interactions) is to be one of the friendliest brands in the world. I think there’s opportunity to create something that helps connect people and spark pleasant interactions. In order for humanity to thrive we need to keep finding ways to reach each other. Saying Hi is a spark that can lead to so many things — in a simple way, it leads to kindness, and kindness leads to trust, and that creates foundations for friendships and leads to love. While there are many different social circumstances and anxieties people have about meeting each other, I think we can all agree, that acknowledging each other and creating a culture where it is common to look each other in the eye and honor one another as human beings is a good thing for our world. Read more>>
Tina Burnette
My mission is to help people earn while traveling. People can turn their love for travel into a profitable business venture. I love to travel and help other experience the finer things in life! Read more>>
Francesmary Loughead
At BFF Indy, our mission is deeply personal to me. When I moved to Indianapolis in 2021, newly married and working remotely, I found myself in a city where I didn’t know anyone. It was challenging to make connections, and I quickly realized that building friendships as an adult isn’t always easy. After trying different ways to meet people, I noticed there were a lot of other women in my situation, searching for genuine connection but not knowing where to start. Read more>>
Eshé Hughes
I started a brand in April 2024 called GAAG, which is an acronym for Gender-Affirming Athletic Gear, that is focused on creating athletic gear and athletic events for trans athletes. As a transman that started transitioning late in my twenties, I realized I was uncomfortable playing the sports I love because I was fearful of the seclusion I would receive from cis-male participants. It’s funny because growing up I had always played with the boys and now that I am one, inside and out, it’s not permissible. Transathletes, whether professional or amateur, go through these social transitions that can make us second-guess our abilities, our value, our skills, and that was a feeling I did not want to go through anymore; I know there are people like me in the world that feel the same. Read more>>
Rehana Khan Patel
Our brand symbol is a Phoenix, rising from the ashes. Our brand’s mission is to create a Better Society, a Better World. While we aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel, we aim to harness the best of both worlds. We envision a future where modern technology and science coexist harmoniously with the timeless basics of early days. Plant-powered ingredients have a profoundly positive impact on our overall health. In our fast-paced, fast-fashion society, we’ve unfortunately contributed to issues like land degradation, global warming, and microplastics in our bodies. By steadfastly adhering to our values and implementing them one step at a time, we believe we can achieve the best of both worlds. Read more>>
Chelsea Ryle
Great question, my mission is to truly guide women to confidence. Starting with taking control of your body and then taking control over you mind. The purpose of a wax is obviously to remove your hair, but it’s so much deeper than that. With every appointment my clients return more confident and comfortable in their own skin. Confidence starts within in the most vulnerable places, we strengthen that confidence with every service. Read more>>
Marie Decosse
I created NOMAD Travel Groups out of a deep passion for travel and a desire to make accommodation more accessible and affordable. While working as an international tax specialist prior to the COVID pandemic, I found myself disillusioned with the traditional 9-5 office routine, which clashed with my love for travel. As remote work became more common, I saw an opportunity to blend my career with my travel passion while meeting client needs. Frequent travel revealed the high costs of accommodation, turning a desirable experience into a costly privilege. Determined to address this issue, I set out to develop a solution that would revolutionize the travel industry and make frequent travel more attainable for everyone. Read more>>
Tom Vazhekatt
I started my company, Routora, in my dorm at UT Dallas. I was inspired by a project where I worked closely with a small business in the delivery space. That experience revealed a massive gap in the market—while large corporations had access to sophisticated route-planning solutions, small businesses, and gig drivers were left with nothing. Seeing how much time and money could be saved with better routing, I decided to build Routora to address these inefficiencies and help underserved segments optimize their routes more effectively. Read more>>
Elise Shaw-smith
Growing up, my mom committed suicide when I was about 11 years old. She dealt with addiction, and a lot of various mental health issues. I could tell it was very hard for her to take care of herself when it came to hygiene, along with many other things. As time went on I realized I had some of the same mental health issues, as well as the disease of addiction. The two together don’t mesh very well, and I was left with the same issue of taking care of myself. The depression made everything very difficult. I felt like showering, taking care of my skin, brushing my hair, even teeth was a huge chore. I decided to start creating skincare products that not only benefit one’s skin, but also were fun and a great way to make self care exciting, and something to actually look forward to. I found my way out of active addiction 1 and a half years ago, and can not be more proud of the women I’ve become. Self care is something we all deserve. We need to make ourselves a priority. Because if we can’t be there for ourselves, how can we be there for others? I create skincare products in unique, fun scents. I also like to create some fun color ways, and one of the things that is very aesthetically pleasing is the swirls we top off our body butters with! Read more>>
Dana Imbesi
My mission with my spray tanning business is to provide an alternative and healthier way of tanning, other than the sun and UV ray exposure. I am a mobile service, and although I have had actual locations for clients to visit prior, being mobile has really allowed me to create an elevated, luxurious client experience. Traveling to my clients provides them with an over all sense of ease, better time management, as well as convenience and comfortability, all in their own home! Read more>>
Jo Isaacson
Our mission was born from the dreams of our founders, two of whom were professional touring musicians. They had several poor experiences with recording studios and producers; people who were hoping to leech off of their artistic dreams. Not only was it difficult to find someone who would produce quality results, but it was also nearly impossible to find complete solutions from one source–especially one that wouldn’t impede on their creativity and individual ideas of success. Read more>>
Stephanie Washington
Our Mission is to foster healthy communities of homeowners by helping individuals build strong financial habits. What sets us apart is our holistic approach to financial wellness — we don’t just focus on getting people into homes, we focus on ensuring they’re financial prepared to sustain homeownership long-term. The reality is, many organizations are addressing the symptoms of the problem, like getting people into homes quickly, but they’re not addressing the root cause — things like affordability, income stability, or financial education. Too often, we see people put into homes they can’t afford, with no solid understanding of how to budget, save or grow their income. The result is a vicious cycle where individuals are still financially vulnerable, even after achieving homeownership. Read more>>
Alicia Aragon
My mission is to help women, men, and everyone in-between to feel their best and most confident in their own skin. Growing up my issues with my skin were a lot different then most my age well everyone else was learning to mange acne I was struggling with eczema and had no clue how to manage it, making me very insure especially when other would ask about it or point it out. My issues with my skin definitely pushed me towards going to school to be part of the beauty industry and to help people with any concerns that they have. I love every moment I get to see my clients walk out a little bit taller with a smile absolutely more confident and comfortable in their own skin. Read more>>
Maxime Sigouin
I do what I do at Fit Vegan Coaching because over 3 years ago I lost my late partner to breast cancer.I was her caregiver and partner for almost 5 years as she battled cancer. She got diagnosed within 3 months of us dating. I loved her and stuck by her side until the very end. I was vegan many years before I met her and when she got diagnosed the doctors gave her 1 year to live. So I helped her transition to eating whole food plant-based vegan and she was able to live just over 4.5 years with an amazing quality of life. Read more>>
Brenda Lopez
My name is Brenda Lopez. Owner of Nataly salon & spa in Sacramento, California. I am a licensed cosmetologist that specializes in beautiful acrylic nails. What inspired me to open my business , after working in the beauty industry for several years, I noticed a lack of personalized care and attention in many salons clients were treated as just another appointment, rather than as an individual with unique needs. My dream is to create a beauty haven where clients return not just for the service, but for the experience of feeling cared for and beautiful. Nataly salon is more than just a business , it is a deeply personal journey for me. It was created as a way to honor my precious baby girl Nataly, who now watches over me from heaven. Through this salon I carry her name and memory forward in everything I do. At Nataly salon , our mission is to create a space where clients feel truly Read more>>
Aniah Morrison
Touch Of Love Cleaning Co. was created to help people. For a long time I battled with depression and my life was basically circling the drain, I was unable to help myself or even have the energy to perform basic functions some days but thanks to God I was able to pull myself out of that and create something beautiful from my experiences. My mission with this business is to literally add a Touch Of Love back into people’s lives by helping them clear up some of that stress and what better way to do that then to come home to a nice clean house. Read more>>
Jessica Ann Disciacca
My journey as an author began last January when my debut novel, “Awakening the Dark Throne” was signed to a small house press. As you can imagine, I was elated and optimistic about the possibilities this new avenue would provide me. I am a perfectionist which is a curse and a blessing. With that being said, I dove into the world of publishing and learned everything I could about what it took to get a book from the authors hands to the readers. As time progressed, I found that I was unhappy with the process the press I had signed with provided. I was doing a lot of the leg work to get my work out there and to build connections with the readers and the book community. Read more>>
Caitriona Quirk
I am a queer, adventurous, artist. My passion for equity in access to photos has driven me to have a budget forward model. I grew up in a home where we couldn’t afford nice photos, so that is something I aim to make accessible. As a queer artist, I create a safe space for others to be authentic in front of the camera. Working with such an amazing community makes my heart happy. Read more>>
Uduak-obong Dan
The mission behind my art is deeply rooted in my personal journey and experiences. Growing up in Ini Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, I was surrounded by a rich tapestry of daily life activities, cultural diversity, and the beauty of human interactions. These experiences became the bedrock of my artistic expression. As I evolved as an artist, especially after my formal education at the University of Uyo and my time teaching visual arts during my national service in Ogun State, I began to realize that art could be more than just a reflection of life—it could be a tool for change and understanding. The world around me inspired me to use my art to highlight the simple yet profound truths that often go unnoticed in our daily lives. Read more>>
Sarah May
The mission behind my photo booth business is to create memorable, joyful experiences that bring people together in authentic and engaging ways. It’s not just about capturing photos, but about facilitating moments of connection and happiness, whether at weddings, corporate events, or brand activations. This mission is deeply meaningful to me because I believe that in a world increasingly driven by digital interactions, real connections are more important than ever. Seeing the smiles, laughter, and excitement that our photo booth brings to people reinforces my commitment to helping others create lasting memories and authentic engagement. It’s about fostering joy and connection, one snapshot at a time. Read more>>
Ravenn Burs
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. Giving myself a “yes.” I wanted to develop a workshop series that taught Creative Entrepreneurs how to streamline and manage the operations side of their businesses. I conducted cold outreach for months before giving myself the “yes” that I was seeking. I self-funded and produced the workshop which was successful and is now sought after by various collegiate and professional organizations. Read more>>
Dawn Bova
I have an unwavering passion for helping others embrace creativity and self-care. I’m an intuitive artist, best selling author, nurse practitioner, and angel mom. I am dedicated to helping others awaken brilliance after life’s darkest moments due to my own experiences of tremendous loss and grief, yet I am living a happy, joyous, and free life. My own personal experiences have given me a powerful understanding of the healing power of art and creativity. Through my weekly podcast, “Catch Some SoulShine,” I share wisdom and tools to guide others on their journey towards a more fulfilling and empowered life. Read more>>
Kellie Hill
My hope is to tell stories that give the readers/listeners an escape from reality. Life is already hard. Everyone needs a break from their troubles, and they turn to entertainment. Storytelling has been and will always be a form of entertainment, education, communication, and bonding. Being someone who not only has the imagination for fictional storytelling but also enjoys it, made fictional storytelling and writing the ideal job for me. I realized that my love of stories came from the two men in my family; my grandfather and my uncle, who both share the same name. My grandfather is a social butterfly. He can and will talk to anyone about anything. But it is always some kind of story about something. Even the ones I’ve heard before, the way he gets into it, I’ll still just sit and listen. He’s always been a fast reader and devours books faster than he could get them. So I learned about reading from a very early age. Read more>>
Rey Contreras
ur journey began in the summer of 2019 with wood-burning bonfire experiences, creating cherished moments for both locals and tourists. However, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in the following summer prompted a profound shift in our perspective. Observing the newfound pristine condition of our local shorelines during months of minimal human activity, the BLULITE brothers recognized an opportunity for positive change. This transformative moment ignited our vision to pioneer cleaner, brighter bonfires that would be enjoyed responsibly for years to come. In response to community concerns about unsafe bonfire practices and the environmental impact of traditional materials, we committed ourselves to innovation. By replacing firewood with propane tanks and adopting eco-conscious substitutes for other bonfire amenities, we strive to create beach experiences that not only leave lasting memories but also contribute to the improvement and sustainability of our beach community. Read more>>
Sam Maclean
Part of my travel blog Type 1 Travelling’s mission is to inspire fellow type 1 diabetics to travel the world without letting their chronic illness hold them back. This is something that I know from experience is easier said than done as there’s no hiding it, we face more challenges than the average traveller. Through Type 1 Travelling I want to draw on my own experiences of overcoming these challenges and get more helpful and practical information out there for fellow diabetics to not only use but be reassured and inspired by! The story behind this mission begins back in 2018. After graduating university, my girlfriend Lucy and I decided to head off to Australia for a one-year Working Holiday while also backpacking through a few other countries along the way. Read more>>
Tara Knight
Goodknight Agency was born out of interest and evolved out of necessity. When I first started, my mission was to help content creators and small business owners quit losing sleep over their business. After scaling my agency to 2x our first-year goals in only 4 months, I faced a medical issue requiring me to take a significant step back. At the time, I was operating where I was the driving force of day-to-day operations for several of my clients, and I could no longer commit to doing that with needing to focus on my health. It was an eye-opening experience because I was faced with realizing my business was so reliant on me to function that I could not take time off if I wanted to or, more importantly, if I needed to. Read more>>
Rob Mckee
The mission of TriYou is to create an online community of rabid movie geeks, book nerds, and music lovers–and to give them a platform devoid of politics, religion, negativity, and distracting minutiae. We want to create real, profound, and human to human connections that last, with a strong foundation of shared interests. Read more>>
Reco Maivia
I want to change the world through effective investments and creativity. Coming from a music back ground I have always had to be creative from the ways I used instrumentation to problem solving. Since a child, I have not only seen the potential in myself but also the potential in other people. I like bringing out the potential in others and showing them things are possible if they put the work in and believe in themselves. Read more>>
Heather Henderson
I started my business because I wanted to use clean products on my skin and couldn’t pronounce the ingredients in my shower gel. I went to school for aromatherapy and then to learn how to make body care products. I started making products in my kitchen. I was caring for my mom at that time and she became an integral part of my process, watching me in the kitchen, doing the dishes while I formulated, and trying everything I made. I work for my brother who is a veterinarian and I realized people in that industry are very empathetic and introverted. Using my aromatherapy and product knowledge I began makeing products for people in the animal hospital to be a “hug in a bottle”. Read more>>
Crystal Cavitt
The path to connection, along with mental and emotional well being is non linear. “There are no maps of the change.” Our journey is unique but we are not alone. Learning consent, and the language of boundaries and self care are the formula for change and the foundation for growth. We must love ourselves in order to love another. Isolation is at an epidemic level. Suicide rates have increased by 36% between 2020 and 2022 with a person committing suicide every 11 minutes according to the cdc. (https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html) These sobering facts do not properly convey what it feels like to be lonely. They do not elaborate on the long term consequences of participating in toxic language and/or habits alone, in partnership, and among family members. We are taught to people please, to accept touch from family members, and to forgo our needs for the job, partner, or community with little understanding of the balance that’s needed to maintain physical and emotional health. Read more>>
Jazzmin Pitts
In 2019 I completely blew up my life. I got a divorce and had to figure out who i was outside of being a wife and a mother. I had never taken the time to dive into myself as a woman and a lot of my past traumas showed their ugly heads during my marriage. I was broken but desired to take a deeper dive into myself, my pain, and my purpose. Along this intention rollercoaster of a journey, I found tools that helped me understand myself better, heal, and face giants in my life. Real progress began to happen, and I had the desire to see other women who looked like me see real progress in their lives as well. In 2021, I decided to start the Facebook group Healed Black Women. We held events focused on growth, healing, and connection. Read more>>
Vanessa Chinopoulou-mccoy
My mission with fruit spoon sweets is deeply personal and rooted in my Greek heritage. Growing up, these sweets were more than just a treat; they were a symbol of love, tradition, and community. In Greek culture, making and sharing these sweets often marks special occasions and brings people together, embodying the spirit of generosity and connection. For me, this mission is a way to honor my roots and continue a cherished family tradition. It’s about using my passion and skills to bring a piece of my heritage to others, helping people experience the joy and comfort that these sweets represent. By sharing these delicacies, I aim to offer more than just a taste—my goal is to spread a sense of warmth and togetherness. Read more>>
SEBASTIAN GOMEZ CAMORINO
I wanted to create an alcoholic spirit that captured the Spirit of Patagonia; sustainably, respectfully, authentically and uniquely. That spirit is TRÄKÁL. Read more>>
Christy Bloodworth
Omega Support Center started as an outreach program in Stone Mountain, GA, quickly becoming one of the most extensive outreach programs in the 30083,30084 and 30087 zip codes. In 2016, Omega Support Center was rebirthed as a nonprofit organization and continued with community outreach, financial literacy, homebuyers’ workshops, and small business and nonprofit establishment. Christy Bloodworth, the founder of Omega Support Center, started the programs to help teach women how to generate extra income and gain financial stability in their homes and businesses. The center added programs to help meet the community’s needs over the years- and opened the programs to everyone so that entrepreneurs can start, maintain, and scale a business or non-profit. Read more>>