Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration started in childhood. Growing up with little, I created dolls from sticks and leaves and imagined entire worlds. That taught me creativity isn’t about resources, it’s about vision. Later, becoming the first hijabi Miss World Somalia and Miss Universe Somalia showed me that breaking barriers isn’t just visibility, it’s creating new possibilities for others.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by the promises I made to myself as a little girl in a refugee camp. I said I would build a life beyond what I could see. Every challenge reminds me why I started. My purpose is bigger than me. I want girls like me to know their beginnings don’t define their future.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to launch the first stage of an inclusive swimwear brand inspired by my pageant journey. Competing internationally, I saw a clear gap where women were forced into one definition of confidence. My brand will offer styles from modest to bold so every woman can choose what feels right for her. The funding will go toward design, samples, fit testing, and initial production to bring this vision to life.