Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration is from my personal healing journey as an adoptee. At 14, writing a poem helped me process the unacknowledged grief of maternal separation. That poem sparked a lifelong commitment to helping others find healing and wholeness through creative expression. Now, I use my experiences to empower adoptees and women to reclaim their stories and build resilience. Witnessing their transformations inspires me daily and drives my mission to create trauma-informed spaces that save lives.

How do you stay motivated?

Knowing that adoptees are 36.7 times more likely to attempt or die by suicide than non-adoptees drives my commitment to creating spaces where they can process their pain and find themselves. Seeing adoptees and women reclaim their stories, heal trauma, and move toward wholeness reminds me why I started Migrating Toward Wholeness. My own healing journey also fuels me—providing the support 14-year-old me needed keeps my purpose clear and my passion strong.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I'll focus on scaling & sustainability for Migrating Toward Wholeness©. $15,000 will provide scholarships, ensuring adoptees & women have access to trauma-informed healing regardless of financial barriers. $5,000 will fund a robust marketing strategy to increase visibility, attract more participants, and grow the business. $5,000 will go toward improving operations, enhancing the program curriculum, & attending key industry events to expand my reach & impact.