Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

I’m inspired by the entrepreneurs and local makers I help every day. The artists, dreamers, and builders who bring creativity into the world. I love shining a spotlight on their work and helping turn ideas into thriving businesses. Creativity plus action fuels progress, and the changemakers willing to step forward and build something new inspire me the most.

How do you stay motivated?

What keeps me motivated is seeing the real impact my work has on entrepreneurs and local makers. Watching someone build confidence and succeed in business is incredibly rewarding. I’ve faced my own challenges—COVID, hurricanes, and health issues—but I’m a “glass is refillable” person. I trust my gut, stay resilient, and keep moving forward knowing the work makes a difference.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to launch iShine Business Design™, a scalable platform designed for organizations—not one-on-one coaching—to reach entrepreneurs at scale. Built from lived experience supporting hundreds of founders, this is a proven, results-driven system—not theory. By equipping public sector, entrepreneur organizations, financial institutions, and workforce programs, we can help thousands build sustainable businesses and drive measurable economic impact.