Who or what is your inspiration in business?

To share my culture and cuisine of Kenya with other diverse communities. My village Gachie, is a great motivator to make it better than what it was when I was growing up. There were no social amenities or gathering places, and 30 years later, it’s still the same. Now as a tenured business woman, and certified swim instructor, I am inspired to start a development center where my community can gather, to eat, play, learn various life and water safety skills.

How do you stay motivated?

Knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of others. If I can help even one person’s life be better, breathe a little easier, then I’am on the right track. Having grown up with no electricity, running water or paved roads, my entertainment was reading books. I now give back by shipping donated books to schools in Kenya,and encouraging children and adults to keep reading and writing. We are currently in Nairobi, doing a needs assessment to build community swimming pools.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Put it towards building a swimming pool and development center for my community. We have already started the work by building a perimeter wall, and solicited bids for construction of the swimming pool and amenities. We need a total of $250,000 for the project. The swimming pool will serve five area schools, with a population of over 1,000 students, as well as adults interested in learning to swim, and water safety. The development center will be a community gathering place.