Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

I’m inspired by people who build something real from almost nothing. Growing up, the mindset was always improvise, adapt, overcome. Blacksmithing showed me that skill and persistence can turn a box of scraps into something powerful. My goal in business is the same—build something honest that inspires others to create, learn, and realize they’re capable of more than they thought.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by staying curious and keeping my hands busy. I believe progress is built one step, one hammer strike, one lesson at a time. I didn’t start with much, but I learned that if you keep showing up, keep learning, and keep building, you can turn scraps into something powerful. My drive comes from wanting to create, improve, and show others what’s possible.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest the $25,000 into creating a community makers studio focused on hands-on skills and learning. The funds would go toward forges, anvils, tools, safety equipment, and workspaces where people can learn blacksmithing, fabrication, and creative problem solving. My goal is to build a place where anyone—from kids to adults—can walk in curious and leave realizing they’re capable of building something with their own hands.