Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration comes from the people I’ve loved and lost to mental health and addiction. Those experiences shaped my desire to create spaces where people feel supported and where healing and connection are possible. Through Authentically Rooted Wellness, I’m building a business that helps people reconnect with themselves, with community, and with hope.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by keeping a small circle of strong support around me. These are the people who remind me why I started this journey and the impact I hope to create. I’m also constantly learning from trailblazers who came before me as a female Indigenous entrepreneur through podcasts, books, and leaders across many fields. The growth can be uncomfortable, but seeing the impact my work has on my community and clients makes it incredibly rewarding.

What would you do with the $25,000?

This funding would allow me to expand access to equine-assisted wellness programs for frontline workers and helpers who carry immense emotional responsibility in our communities. It would also support my subsidy program for families navigating the welfare system who face barriers accessing mental health support. Finally, it would help train additional facilitators so we can serve larger groups and expand our programs each week.