Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration is my father. 729Beauty is named after the home I grew up in—729 Risley Ave. He was a hardworking NJ Transit bus operator who believed in showing up, keeping your word, and treating people right. After he passed, I turned that pain into purpose. Building this business is my way of honoring his legacy and proving that where you come from can fuel where you’re going.

How do you stay motivated?

First, my faith in Allah. I remind myself that I am Muslim first, and everything I do must reflect patience, discipline, and purpose. That mindset keeps me grounded through every challenge. I stay motivated by remembering why I started—building 729Beauty as a legacy, not just a business, and proving that faith and resilience can turn pain into purpose.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest the $25,000 toward opening a drive-thru luxury beauty supply experience for my brand, 729Beauty—the second of its kind in the country and the first in New Jersey owned by a Muslim Black woman. My vision is to purchase the closed Walgreens near the home I grew up in at 729 Risley Ave in Pleasantville. This funding would bring me closer to creating a convenient beauty destination while staying rooted in my SouthSide community and honoring where my journey began.