Who or what is your inspiration in business?

Kat Cole inspires me because she proves that where you start doesn’t determine where you finish. Like me, she didn’t follow a traditional academic path, yet she built an extraordinary career through grit, curiosity, and relentless work ethic. Even more inspiring is how she pays it forward—mentoring others and opening doors for the next generation of entrepreneurs. That combination of self-made success and generosity is the kind of leadership I deeply admire.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by gratitude for the freedom to steer my own course. I love knowing that my path is mine to shape. At the end of the day, every win or setback belongs to me alone, and that responsibility fuels me. If something succeeds, I celebrate it. If it doesn’t, I learn from it. Either way, the journey is mine, and that keeps me moving forward.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If awarded $25,000, I would invest part of it in a board seat with Build.org, a nonprofit that helps inner-city students discover their entrepreneurial potential and build real businesses. The remainder would support my new startup, Wicked Good Entertainment, helping develop and produce original content. It’s a way to both give back to the next generation of entrepreneurs and continue building something meaningful of my own.