Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My biggest inspiration in business is my sister-in-law, who battled melanoma with incredible strength. Watching her fight every day changed how I view health and the responsibility of the products we create. It pushed me to build Tallow Balm Co. with integrity focusing on real ingredients that support the skin instead of working against it. Her courage reminds me daily why this mission matters and why I must keep showing up to build something meaningful.

How do you stay motivated?

I don’t rely on motivation because it comes and goes. What drives me is consistent hard work and commitment to the mission. If you give your best every day, you move closer to the goal. Proper goal setting is critical because it outlines what you’re building. Real resilience is doing the work when no one is watching. My mindset is simple: the bigger the dragon, the bigger the story.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If awarded $25,000, I would invest it into scaling production and expanding our reach. The funds would allow us to purchase additional mixers, piston fillers, and a labeling machine to streamline production and fulfill orders more efficiently as demand grows. I would also upgrade packaging and create PR kits for affiliates and creators to increase brand awareness. A portion would go toward strategic digital marketing to grow our online presence. We also plan to host a melanoma awareness event to