Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My child inspired me to act. Their bravery as a trans teen navigating a mental health system that wasn’t built for them opened my eyes to the urgent need for change. I’m also driven by the countless youth in crisis, who deserve more than waitlists and isolation—they need real connection and care that actually works.

How do you stay motivated?

The 600+ youth we serve remind me every day why this work matters. Hawaii ranks last in mental health care access, and kids across the U.S. are suffering in silence. Knowing that Spill the Tea Cafe provides them with community, belonging, and hope keeps me focused on our mission to disrupt and rebuild a failing system.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’d use the $25,000 to grow Spill the Tea Cafe’s impact. We’d create more in-person programs to combat the isolation driving the youth mental health crisis, expand culturally rooted therapies, and train LGBTQ+ youth to lead the change in their own communities. This funding would help us scale our model across Hawaii and beyond, proving there’s a better way to care for our kids.