Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

I’m inspired by founders and conservation leaders who build with purpose - aligning profit with impact. People like Yvon Chouinard, alongside grassroots conservationists, prove business can drive real environmental change. What stands out is their ability to scale meaningful impact and meeting people where they are at, without compromising values. That balance is what I’m building with SOSA.

How do you stay motivated?

Motivation comes from proximity to impact. Being in the field - experiencing wildlife and working alongside conservation teams - creates urgency and perspective. It reinforces why both storytelling and immersive travel matter in reconnecting people to nature. I stay grounded by building something bigger than myself and by surrounding myself with driven people. Consistency and shared purpose are what keep momentum high.

What would you do with the $25,000?

We would use the funds to scale both our immersive conservation travel experiences and real-time storytelling capabilities. This means refining our ability to capture and turn around authentic, on-the-ground stories as they happen while enhancing the guest experience that brings people directly into conservation. The goal is to create a tight loop between experience and media - converting attention into action through awareness, funding, and long-term impact.