Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My greatest inspiration is my father, who passed in 2025. He was one of the first Black men to own a grocery store in my hometown of Beaumont, Texas, alongside my uncle Joe, and later a gas station on Washington Blvd. Watching him build something of his own inspired me deeply. After the company he later worked for shut down and took his benefits, I realized true security comes from ownership. His story drives me to build a business that will provide for my family for generations.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by remembering why I started. My father worked hard his entire life, and when the company he depended on shut down, everything he earned disappeared. That showed me the importance of ownership. I’m building something that can’t be taken away—something that will support my family for generations. Every challenge is just another step toward that legacy.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If awarded $25,000, I would invest it directly into bringing my beverage brand, Hydromelon, to market. The funds would go toward product formulation, lab testing, and small-batch production, along with packaging and distribution to begin reaching customers. My goal is to create a clean, natural sports drink made with real ingredients, and this funding would help turn that vision into a scalable business.