I was honored to serve as a judge for the SUU State Bank Business Challenge, where I offered guidance to early-stage startups and awarded the winning team with several hours of free marketing mentorship. It was a meaningful way to give back to the entrepreneurial community that helped shape my own journey

In December 2024, I ran the Santa Claus 10K, fully suited up, cookie-fueled, and full of holiday spirit. I had the joy of coaching my younger brother-in-law through his first official race, and crossed the finish line with all the cheer of the holly jolly elf himself. I even received an Honorary Santa Award, and while I may not be Santa, I do my best to follow in his footsteps.

I studied in the school of business and graduated as summa cum laude in Marketing. I worked full time on my business while studying full time. I focused deeply in my marketing classes and tried to apply what i was learning through my business. I especially enjoyed my strategic management class and analytic marketing.

I was honored to be the Grand Prize Winner of SUU’s S4 Competition, an exclusive, invite-only entrepreneurship challenge known as Spring into Summer of Success. As the highest-stakes competition in the university’s program, it brought together top entrepreneurs to pitch their ventures. I competed among a talented group and took home the grand prize. Learn more about the S4 Competition.

I served as the Entrepreneurship Student Representative on the SUU Business Council, where I advocated for student startups and helped grow the entrepreneurship program. In this role, I planned events, addressed student needs, and contributed to the creation of the Entrepreneurship Minor, graduating as the first student to earn the minor at SUU.

I’m a proud Google Local Guide because I believe great marketing starts with real-world experience. Wherever I go, I leave thoughtful (and often entertaining) reviews, sometimes even in the form of poetry or song. This quirky habit has earned me some unexpected rewards, including an official pair of Google socks. You can check out my Local Guide profile.

Hiking Kilimanjaro was a rite of passage. I needed to take on a physical challenge that was designed to stretch me, and I went to the Tanzanian Mountain. It was a five-day trek filled with every kind of obstacle. We began the journey with food poisoning on day one, and from there, each step tested our strength and mindset.

Summit day was the most physically demanding experience of my life. We started at 4 a.m. by scrambling up the infamous Barranco Wall, also known as the “Breakfast Wall.” Every part of me wanted to stop, but grit and determination carried me forward. Reaching the top of Uhuru Peak and looking out over the Kibo Crater and the Serengeti beyond was unforgettable.

That mountain taught me a lot. I learned that I can do hard things, that the struggle is part of the journey, and that it’s the small moments—breaths, views, laughs—that become the memories we carry forever.

Winning First Place in our Neighborhood Chili Cook-Off might not sound like a big deal, unless you know the stakes. This annual competition is fiercely competitive, with neighbors testing recipes year-round and judges known for their strict standards. My friend and I gave it everything we had, and our secret weapon (a bold dash of peanut butter) helped us take the crown. Easily the most intense and delicious competition I’ve ever been part of.