Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My father was my first inspiration. Watching him build through food taught me that business can be both practical and deeply human. Today, I’m equally inspired by the immigrant women on our team, whose resilience, work ethic, and pride push me to build MasPanadas not just as a brand, but as a platform for opportunity.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by what this business stands for. MasPanadas is more than a product—it is my family’s story, my roots, and proof that grit can build something meaningful and create opportunity for others. I’m also motivated by the challenge itself. Every day brings a new problem to solve, and I love finding a way through it. Even on hard days, the mission is bigger than the obstacle.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest the $25,000 in the next stage of growth for MasPanadas: packaging, inventory, and production capacity to support larger retail and foodservice accounts. We are at a critical inflection point where a relatively modest amount of capital can unlock meaningful growth. This prize would help us scale faster, strengthen cash flow, and create more jobs in our community.