Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My biggest inspiration is everyday people who refuse to quit. I come from a family of truck drivers who built a living through hard work and persistence. That mindset shaped me. I’m inspired by builders—people like Steve Jobs, Daymond John, and countless small business owners—who take an idea and turn it into something that helps others. BLKGPT was created from that spirit. I wanted to build technology that gives people access to knowledge, tools, and opportunity.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by remembering why I started. I’m a father first, and I want to show my daughter that you can build something meaningful from nothing but hard work and belief. Driving trucks taught me discipline, patience, and consistency. Building companies like BLKGPT reminds me that every small step forward matters. Motivation isn’t a feeling—it’s a commitment to keep building, learning, and improving every single day.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest the $25,000 directly into expanding BLKGPT. Our goal is to make AI tools more accessible and culturally aware for everyday people—students, entrepreneurs, creators, and small business owners who may not normally have access to cutting-edge technology. The funding would help us improve development, expand the platform, and launch educational resources that teach people how to use AI to create businesses, build skills, and solve real problems.