Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My biggest inspiration is the resilience of immigrants and the African diaspora. My parents died when I was 9 & 13, and I grew up rebuilding life in a new country. That experience taught me that entrepreneurship is about creating opportunities where none exist. I’m also inspired by young Africans who are full of ideas but lack platforms. My mission with Tourifique is to build bridges between cultures, unlock opportunities for youth, and show that global experiences can transform lives.

How do you stay motivated?

stay motivated by remembering where I started and the people I want to impact. As an immigrant who rebuilt life from scratch, I learned that every challenge carries an opportunity. I’m driven by purpose—empowering youth, connecting cultures, and building platforms that open doors for others. Seeing young people believe in their potential keeps me going, even when entrepreneurship gets difficult.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest the $25,000 into growing Tourifique, a platform connecting travelers to authentic experiences and onboarding travelpreneurs and travel suppliers. The funding would help us improve our technology platform, onboard more experience creators across Africa, and launch programs that help young people turn culture, tourism, and storytelling into sustainable income. My goal is to build a global ecosystem where travel creates economic opportunity and cultural connection.