Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My dad inspires me. A serial entrepreneur, he retired early, lost everything in 2008, but rebuilt and retired again by 2012. His resilience is a blueprint for perseverance. Earnest is my other inspiration—we’re building tools to help farmers eliminate or reduce chemical use, improving human health and protecting the environment. Seeing our work help farmers adapt to challenges while reducing chemicals is deeply fulfilling and keeps me striving for more impact every day.

How do you stay motivated?

Building something meaningful motivates me, especially when it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Earnest isn’t just a company; it’s a mission to transform agriculture. Knowing that we’re helping farmers improve yields and soil health keeps me going. Also, I’ve invested family money, so there’s no room for failure (half-joking). The impact we’re making, combined with the responsibility I carry, fuels me to push through every challenge.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The $25,000 would directly fund Earnest’s mission. It would cover two months of payroll, ensuring our team continues driving innovation. Every dollar supports field trials, product development, and scaling our technology to reach more farmers. This funding isn’t just money—it’s an investment in helping farmers grow better, sustain the planet, and make agriculture more resilient in the face of global challenges.