Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

After my life’s journey led me to return to Jesus Christ and develop a true relationship with Him, I realized that this world needs more entrepreneurs who carry His heart to not just make their own profits and give to charity where they see fit, but to actually build their businesses around His call to help those most in need. For me, that looked like becoming a capital strategist to find the resources for necessary social services, particularly where government funding is falling short.

How do you stay motivated?

Throughout my adulthood, I've realized that helping others in critical ways motivates me more consistently than just achieving goals for myself. It's why I keep returning to the purposes that God put in my spirit that are bigger than myself and give me bigger reasons to keep going. My primary areas of focus right now are capital strategy and programming for affordable housing, and helping aspiring entrepreneurs who are struggling to find the resources and access they need to be successful.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25K as capital for a collaboration I’m in talks about now to develop a partnership between my company, BonVi Financial Solutions, and the People’s Organization for Strategic Excellence (POSE), a non-profit whose flagship cause is community development and affordable housing. We're seeking to develop innovative, smart programs to maximize our reach to those experiencing housing insecurity, while also filling current program funding gaps.