Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration in business is a man named Benjamin Rucker. Benjamin Rucker, also known as Black Herman, was the most prolific and prominent African American magician of his time. Uncommon at his time, he performed for both black and white audiences all over the country. He was a performer and public figure, but also an entrepreneur whose businesses created dozens of jobs for black Americans and provided resources for his Harlem neighborhood during the 1920s and 30s.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by stepping outside of my apartment building. The south Bronx is a place where the problems that persist here are made obvious just by taking a look around. And when I see problems, I can not stop myself from looking for solutions. This motivates me to keep going. I know that the business I am building has a far greater impact than simply allowing me to support myself. Businesses like mine will usher in a change in the socio-economic landscape of this area and its people.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The $25,000 will be used to move us out of our current location - an office space inside of a lobby - into a storefront space in the neighborhood that is available. Moving our location will allow us to better serve the community. Our current space is limited and we have already reached capacity for the amount of people we can serve and the amount and extent of the resources we can provide. Specifically, the $25,000 will be used to purchase the furniture and computer equipment we need to expand.