Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My greatest inspiration is witnessing the moment a woman puts on an outfit and something shifts — her posture changes, her eyes light up, and she feels like herself again. When a customer tells me she wore a piece to her interview or simply to feel good on a hard day, that is my fuel. I don't just sell clothing; I curate confidence. Those moments of authentic self-expression inspire me to keep going.

How do you stay motivated?

On tough days, I return to my "why" — I built Cloth & Steele because every woman deserves to feel seen and celebrated. When doubt creeps in, I revisit messages from customers who say our boutique changed how they see themselves. That feedback is more powerful than any metric. My community reminds me that this work matters beyond the bottom line — because the right piece, at the right moment, can truly change how a woman moves through the world.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest in two areas that directly serve my customers — expanding our curated inventory with more inclusive sizing so every woman sees herself represented, and growing our brand through targeted marketing that reaches women who haven't yet discovered Cloth & Steele. Visibility is impact. This investment wouldn't just grow the business — it would multiply our mission.