Who or what is your inspiration in business?

I was inspired by women at a beekeeping conference complaining about their suits. “The crotch is at my knees!” one said, “I bend over and stuff falls out of the pockets!” said another. Women are the fastest-growing segment of new beekeepers, and they are frustrated with baggy, boxy, ill-fitting suits designed for men. With 20 years' fashion design experience sewing for real women, I said, "I'll design it." Cheers all around the room! And that was the spark.

How do you stay motivated?

Big picture, I am a lifelong artist always seeking new creative challenges and opportunities for what's next. Day to day, I start with a morning run to clear anxious energy, arrange priorities, and hatch ideas. I carry my sketchbook everywhere, stay on tasks with lists, and take my laptop to the local library for office work. I check in regularly with contractors to monitor progress and feel its momentum. Of course I stay centered around my WHY: this creative project, its purpose and potential.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use it to increase marketing, expand the product line, and seek new markets. -Extend the contract with my marketing contractor -Fund expansion of the product line from suit itself to include separates and accessories -Increase selection of suit fabrics appropriate to different climates -Bid and order larger production runs with domestic manufacturers -Purchase a vendor booth and travel expenses to Apimondia international beekeeping conference in Copenhagen Q3-2025 to sell worldwide