Who or what is your inspiration in business?

Two people who inspire my business. First is my grandmother, who recently passed. I learned that she had an 8th-grade education, went back for a GED, and eventually went to college for teaching at the age of 50. As a teenager, I had opportunities to visit her classroom. I knew then that I wanted to be a teacher. Then I saw a movie about my second inspiration, Marva Collins. Marva Collins was an educational pioneer for black children. Despite all odds, she started her own school in 1975.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay inspired by watching students and their "AHA" moments. The joy of learning becomes real when students grasp a concept and can teach it. I have taught many students on various levels, but to watch students when the confusion goes away, and the confidence is louder, it's amazing. I am motivated to keep giving all I can back to the community and the world by building confidence in ALL of my students that inspires them to be and do more.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have learned a lot from being in business for 8 years. I have made some great choices, but have also made some poor choices due to a lack of understanding. Now that I understand how to capitalize on my business a lot more, I want to focus on building assets that will help the community as a whole. I would use the $25,000 to help purchase land for my school and begin phase 1 of my business project. This facility will revolutionize education as we know it.