Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

Daymond John's journey from a $40 budget to building FUBU into a $6 billion brand showed me that resourcefulness matters more than resources. That mindset drives Chimney Studios. I saw businesses drowning in AI hype with no real plan, so I built an agency to bridge that gap. My deeper inspiration is watching a small team unlock massive efficiency after an AI audit. The look on a founder's face when they realize AI can save them 20+ hours a week is what keeps me building.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by focusing on tangible results. Every company we audit at Chimney Studios has untapped potential, and seeing that potential come alive through AI implementation fuels me. I also stay close to the founders and teams we serve. Their wins are my wins. On harder days, I remind myself why I started: to make AI accessible for businesses that need it most, not just those with big budgets. Community, client impact, and a relentless belief in the work keep me going.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would allocate the $25,000 as follows: $10,000 (40%) toward marketing and sales to acquire enterprise clients. $7,500 (30%) toward hiring two part-time AI specialists, creating new jobs and strengthening our delivery team. $5,000 (20%) toward building proprietary AI audit tools that streamline our process and boost client results. $2,500 (10%) toward upskilling our current team with advanced certifications. Every dollar maps to revenue growth and expanding employment in the AI space.