Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My family is my biggest inspiration in business. Years ago, my uncle owned two bakeries in Durham, where my parents worked tirelessly to help him succeed and provide jobs for others. After a devastating fire shut down one bakery, my family lost everything, including their jobs. At just 17, I decided to break the cycle. I launched YouthVibra, supporting youth in entrepreneurship and mental health, and Tasty Bites Durham, a pay-what-you-can food service. Today, I’m building a legacy of resil

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by remembering my "why"—the people and passions that drive me. My family's resilience inspires me to keep going, even when things get tough. Currently, my parents don't have a job as it is hard for my immigrant parents to have a basic job. Reflecting on how far I’ve come and the impact I’ve made helps me push through challenges. Plus, I stay grounded by focusing on self-care, gratitude, and the bigger picture of creating positive change in my communit

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would focus on scaling my ventures and creating lasting impact. For YouthVibra, I’d expand programs to enhance resources for entrepreneurship and mental health, and host workshops to break barriers. For Tasty Bites Durham, I’d secure proper licensing, improve food-handling operations, and invest in equipment to expand the pay-what-you-can model. Additionally, I’d use funds to support in my dad DJ venture and offer cooking equipment for my mom to make and sell fr