Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

As an African American, I know how it feels to be discriminated against and made to feel "lesser than." This is true for members of the Deaf community who use American Sign Language as their most proficient/preferred method of communication. Often referred to by derogatory terms such as "Deaf & Dumb"/"Deaf Mute," which they are not. Sign Language is not based on English, but derived from and more closely follows French sentence syntax; English is a second lang

How do you stay motivated?

Believe it or not, it is you, Daymond John, who helps to keep me motivated. Knowing snippets of your early career, persistence, perseverance, and determination, inspires me. I was also born and raised in Brooklyn (Crown Heights) and had family in Hollis, Queens, at that time, so knowing your story and the environment in which you grew up and started out, I intimately know from which you came and overcame. So, every time I am ready to give up, I think of your story, which keeps me motivated.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I am still in the start-up phase. I have been bootstrapping and buying equipment, supplies, and whatever else is needed as much as I can over the years while on a fixed income and taking occasional odd jobs (virtual, teaching, and otherwise). The money would finally enable me to afford all the fees needed to establish a real legal entity. Meanwhile, over the years, I have been voluntarily working with members of the Deaf community, paying out of my own pocket. Their needs keep me motivated.