Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration in business derives from my passion for the barber industry. After thirteen years as a professional , I have decided to transition into education. In 2023 , I opened West Texas Barber Academy, which is also the first African American owned barber school in Lubbock, Texas. There’s a clear and obvious lack of opportunities and resources in my community. My responsibility is to equip my students with the knowledge & skills to go out and provide a quality life for their fami

How do you stay motivated?

I truly believe that I am in alignment with my purpose in life . As an educator, i understand the significance of my role. I wake up everyday inspired to give my students my all. The fact that they have not only chosen to pursue a career in barbering , but also allowed me the opportunity to be their instructor is an honor. The positive feedback I have received from my graduates has been the most fulfilling and validating experience of my life.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Winning this grant would allow me to provide a much better educational experience for my students. I opened this school on a tight budget. I had to purchase the more affordable paper Curriculum at the time . We are currently using books and doing all of our assignments on paper. Upgrading to the online system would give my students access to educational videos and content not provided in the paper curriculum. I will also purchase Chromebook's that can be issued to all students for work at home!