Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My business inspiration comes from my Panamanian abuela. She taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and chasing dreams no matter the obstacles. As The Brand Alchemist, I channel her strength and wisdom into helping others create luxury brand narratives. My passion lies in transforming challenges into opportunities and empowering small businesses to succeed. Inspired by her legacy, I’m driven by creativity, strategy, and a commitment to making dreams a reality.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by remembering my why— the dreams I’ve set for myself by my younger self. My resilience inspires me to push through challenges, and my faith keeps me grounded. I focus on the lives I’m impacting, the businesses I’m helping grow, and the vision I have for my future. Celebrating small wins, staying connected to my goals, and seeing the results of my hard work motivate me to keep going, even on tough days.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I will allocate the $25,000 strategically to scale the operations of my marketing agency, Branded AD Inc., and community impact. $10,000 will enhance marketing efforts, including targeted campaigns for digital products and influencer marketing services. $7,500 will fund technology upgrades for automation and analytics tools, optimizing client results. $5,000 will support cash flow and build an emergency fund for sustainable growth. The remaining $2,500 will be donated to a community non-profit.