Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My inspiration is the opportunity to shift mindsets through storytelling. I believe film and media can change how communities see themselves and their future. Through Vollywood®, I aim to reshape Virginia’s motion picture industry while creating opportunities for new voices, local talent, and stories that deserve to be seen.

How do you stay motivated?

I originally studied chemistry in college, but photography changed everything. Once I picked up a camera, I couldn’t put it down. Storytelling through images became my passion. That passion keeps me motivated every day. Beyond that, I’m driven by responsibility—to my family, my team, and the people who believe in the vision we’re building together.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would reinvest it directly into production. My team is developing a WWII project based on letters discovered in the archives of my client, The New Journal and Guide. These museum-level documents were written by a war correspondent who covered the Tuskegee Airmen. The film will bring this history to life for new generations, similar in spirit to the recent 6888 project produced by Tyler Perry.