Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

As a teenage kid living on the river, I wondered how I could put a spin on the classic lemonade stand — so I took the concept of an ice cream truck, and I made it seaworthy! Troupe’s Treats combines summer fun on the waterfront, my love of boating, and tasty ice cream into a business that's really making waves. Selling frozen treats to boaters, I’m reaching customers where they are, creating memorable moments with community connections, and turning an original idea into revenue

How do you stay motivated?

The happiness Troupe’s Treats brings my customers motivates me to be on the water every weekend all summer. My customers are always excited to see me, and their infectious energy is so rewarding. Seeing their smiles and hearing them shout, “Ahoy, matey!” as I float nearby playing the ice cream jingle, and knowing people look forward to engaging with me, makes going out a lot of fun. And I’m motivated by the pride of earning my own money through hard work and creativity.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’m already grateful that my efforts so far are beginning to pay off. But if I receive the prize, I would like to get a bigger boat with a larger capacity freezer. I would also allocate part of the grant toward my professional development. I’ve already learned a lot from just running Troupe’s Treats. But I know that a formal education, combined with my real-world experience, is the best investment in my future as an entrepreneur.