Who or what is your inspiration in business?

​My inspiration is rooted in over two decades of mentorship and the brilliant potential of the youth in my community. Seeing a child realize that cooking is actually "edible science" drives me. I am inspired by the idea that culinary literacy can be a gateway to entrepreneurship or "kid-preneurship." My goal is to create a cycle of empowerment where the youth we train eventually become the peer leaders and employees who sustain the program, creating a lasting legacy of skill-

How do you stay motivated?

Motivation comes from the tangible impact of our workshops and the "aha!" moments when a student masters a recipe or a STEAM concept. I stay grounded by collaborating with a dedicated team of educators and family members who share my vision. Every milestone, like seeing our first book sale or securing a lab residency, reminds me that there is a deep hunger for programs that blend practical life skills with academic learning. Knowing that we are building a Community Pillar keeps me focu

What would you do with the $25,000?

This funding would be transformative for our upcoming Lab Residency and May flagship workshops. I would invest in: Certification & Training: Getting our team of moms and youth peer leaders City-certified in Food Handling and CPR/First Aid. ​Equipment & Supplies: Scaling our "Culinary Literacy" kits and mobile kitchen stations to reach more neighborhoods. Community Outreach: Expanding our digital presence and curriculum to provide more credentials for high-risk youth, bridging t