Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration in business comes from my mother, Jennifer Parris, who owned a corner store in the US Virgin Islands after my dad lost his job. As a kid, I helped run the store—managing inventory, buying supplies, and cleaning daily. This experience taught me the value of money and hard work at a young age. Today, as an educator and mentor, I use those lesson to build Money Movez: Cook or Be Cooked a app and board game to gamify financial literacy and mental wealth early

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by focusing on my purpose: empowering others through education and financial literacy. Seeing students, families, and communities grow and succeed keeps me inspired. My own journey, from helping run my family’s corner store as a child to mentoring on a national level, reminds me of the power of resilience and hard work. I’m driven by the belief that everyone deserves tools for success, and through projects like Money Movez, I’m able to make a lasting impact.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With $25,000, I would invest in developing the Money Movez game technology. This includes finalizing the mobile app for the App Store and Google Play, adding engaging features like new levels, animations, and financial literacy challenges. I would also create teacher-friendly tools to align the game with educational standards and launch marketing campaigns to increase adoption in schools and communities. Additionally, funds would support ongoing updates and maintenance of APP.