Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

I’m inspired by entrepreneurs who solve real problems with meaningful impact. My late father built his own business, and watching him create something from nothing shaped my path. That drive led me to start my own company after experiencing the cost of caring for our family dog Mia, whose medical care exceeded $100,000. We were fortunate to afford it. Many families aren’t, and too often pets are surrendered or euthanized. Solving problems like that fuels my passion for business.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by the process of building—taking an idea, pressure-testing it, and turning it into something real that improves how people navigate the world. Entrepreneurship constantly presents new puzzles to solve and systems to rethink. That challenge keeps me energized. The industries may change over time, but the motivation stays the same: identify meaningful problems and build thoughtful solutions.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The $25,000 would accelerate development of PetHSA’s AI-driven cost forecasting tools. We’re building machine learning models that analyze breed, age, health conditions, and care patterns to help pet owners better predict, plan, and save for future expenses. The funds would support additional product management and engineering support so we can refine these models faster, improve accuracy, and free me to focus on partnerships, growth, and bringing the platform to more pet owners.