Who or what is your inspiration in business?

I’m inspired by the small business owners and makers who show up to our markets every weekend. Many are building their brands while balancing full-time jobs, family, and limited resources, yet they continue to create and invest in their dreams. Their resilience and creativity motivate me to build more opportunities for local entrepreneurs and strengthen Charlotte’s small business community.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by the small business owners we work with. Seeing vendors have a great sales day, make a new connection, or tell me a market helped them feel more confident in their business reminds me why I started Manifest Market in the first place. I’m also really driven by the bigger vision of building something that creates real opportunities for local entrepreneurs in Charlotte.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If awarded $25,000, I would invest it in expanding the infrastructure behind Manifest Market and creating more opportunities for local small businesses. A portion would fund a short-term shared retail pilot where vendors can stock products without attending long market days, improving accessibility. The rest would support marketing, staffing, and systems that help us grow our audience and create more consistent sales opportunities for vendors.