Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration comes from people. Artists, athletes, travelers, entrepreneurs -all take their own unique path. Realizing there is no "right" way to get from point A to point B, in business or in life, inspired me to take the leap into entrepreneurship and continues to when things don't go to plan. And, not to be cliché, but my parents’ support, whether in trying a new sport, moving to a new state (or continent!), or pursuing a completely different career, has inspired me.

How do you stay motivated?

I absolutely love learning, growing and become better every day. With every new level I take my business (and myself) to, I unlock the next challenge for myself, and that cycle fuels me. As my business has grown, so have the opportunities, and that constant expansion of what's possible excites me. The feeling of achieving a win, big or small, because you earned it is the best feeling. Starting a business is the most rewarding thing I've done, and the chance to keep building motivates me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Propel us into our next phase of growth with experiential marketing. I have invested heavily into inventory & product development, which has left no marketing budget. ÉVOQUER isn’t just a product - it’s a brand born from experience, curiosity, and the desire to inspire others to live presently & fully. There are so many in-person marketing campaigns that capture this philosophy that I can't afford to create as a one-woman, bootstrapped business.