Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration for entrepreneurship comes from the freedom to be creative and build something meaningful that can create wealth while positively impacting communities. Through my health startup, Essence Health, I work to make healthy living accessible and convenient, especially for communities like the one I grew up in. Through Movespot, we aim to create healthier, more meaningful social connections by reimagining how people interact online and in person.

How do you stay motivated?

The greatest joy and motivator for me is simply waking up each day, everything else is extra in a sense. As a former athlete, I learned that no matter how hard you work, losing is always a possibility, which built resilience in me. When challenges arise, I process the moment, analyze the problem, and look for solutions. I enjoy solving new problems, and knowing my ventures can uplift my family and communities motivates me to keep building.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If awarded $25,000, most funds will be invested into growing my ventures, supporting new developments, expanding operations, and increasing access to our services. A portion will reduce debt, allowing me to focus more fully on building and scaling the businesses. The remaining funds will be invested into safe, long-term assets to build financial stability that can continue supporting the ventures and their impact in the future.