Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration in business is knowing that what I’m doing is adding value to someone else’s life. I’ve worked in education for years and anytime I would resolve conflict for a student, colleague, parent, or vendor, it just brought my heart so much joy. Being in business has taught me that the impact you have on others will take you further than the idea itself. When you establish a rapport with people, you earn their trust and loyalty. Loyalty is what locks your customers in.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by knowing that no one else can be me like I can. Each person is unique in their own way. I always tell people, “There’s only one Ava LaShay!” Once I became comfortable in my own skin, I began to accept myself fully, flaws and all. Also, once I held myself accountable for every action I made in my past, I began to learn valuable lessons. I am the one fully responsible for the trajectory of my life. It’s up to me to put in the effort and be intentional.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 toward branding for my products and services. Some funds would be used for marketing and advertising such as digital billboards, digital ads on platforms such as iHeart radio, Pandora, Spotify, and social media. Being able to host various events around my city will allow me to network and build a community among amazing women. The more people hear and see my brand, the more curious they’ll become to want to learn more about i