Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My journey into cannabis entrepreneurship was inspired by my grandmother, who, at 88, made a remarkable recovery after using cannabis following an aneurysm. Witnessing her transformation ignited my passion as a nurse to study cannabis. Learning its healing potential and the devastating impact of the war on drugs on my community drove me to act. I educated thousands, advocated for equitable laws in CT and became a licensed dispensary and cultivator owner determined to rebuild communities.

How do you stay motivated?

What keeps me motivated is my desire to create a more equitable world for my community and others like it. I’m driven by the opportunity to build a legacy I can pass on to my children, showing them the power of determination and purpose. Knowing my community depends on me fuels my persistence, and I strive to be a visible example for those who look like me and come from where I do, proving that success is possible while uplifting others along the way.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would amplify the work I’ve dedicated my life to: creating opportunities and rebuilding communities devastated by the war on drugs. While the amount may not transform my entire operation, it would fuel essential initiatives—enhancing community education, expanding access to resources, and ensuring my dispensary, Lit New Haven, continues to serve as a model of equity and empowerment. Every dollar would reflect my commitment to creating generational wealth for US.