Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration is the women in my family who built abundance from limited resources through discipline, pride, and care. I’m also inspired by the small business owners of Downtown New Rochelle who open their doors every day, know their customers by name, and keep the district alive through hard seasons. They remind me that hospitality is leadership, and success means creating opportunity for others.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by the people who count on KRAVE as a destination for themselves and their families. When a guest brings family back, or when an event night keeps Downtown New Rochelle buzzing, I feel the purpose. My BID work keeps me accountable, and our sauces, seasonings, and drinks launch keeps me excited about building something that lasts, beyond our four walls.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to launch our line of KRAVE sauces, seasonings, and drink mixers as a retail ready line that turns my recipes into jobs, local vendor spend, and a New Rochelle product people can share, making me an Entrepreneur of Impact. Funds will cover developing compliant labels and nutrition panels, safety and shelf testing, small batch packaging, bottling tools and lot coding, plus photography, sampling, and ecommerce so we can sell in house, online, and through local retailers.