For my whole life, I struggling figuring out what I wanted to persue. It held a huge toll on me as I was constantly asked what I wanted to do in the future. However, for Valentine's Day, 2024, I wanted to gift my friends a rose bouquet out of ribbon. I purchased all the supplies and spent hours gluing each petal. Initially, this was a one-time project, but my friends saw potential and encouraged me to start a business. That idea stayed at the back of my head for a while. A business is a huge risk that requires dedication and money, but it could benefit me and bring others content. I started practicing techniques and selling them to my family for low prices. Progressively, I opened to a wider audience through social media. I started each order instantly as my passion for my business was growing rapidly. Quickly, I learned how to work efficiently and how to price my bouquets for reasonable profits. This unexpected side hustle gave me a sense of purpose, taught me how to promote, and know my worth. Thats when I knew I wanted to be in a business related field. Although I am not sure what exactly I want to persure, going into college as business undecided will allow me to explore various majors. From finance, to accounting, to marketing, and many more, I will discover which major I am passionate about. Receiving a scholarship will ease my worries in going to a more expensive college that offers amazing opportunities like internships. Pursuing a business degree will allow me to fulfill my goal of creating a positive impact in my community. Small businesses are the backbone of any community, providing jobs, services, and economic stability. However, they often lack the resources and expertise to compete with larger corporations. I’ve personally seen this struggle with my own business and with other entrepreneurs I know. Many are incredibly hardworking but may not have the financial literacy or business acumen needed to grow and scale. That’s where I believe I can make a difference. By pursuing a career in business, I aim to equip myself with the skills to guide small businesses through the challenges they face, from improving operational efficiency to developing strategic marketing plans or managing finances effectively. I am passionate about helping these businesses not only survive but thrive. Whether it’s through consulting, offering financial advice, or helping them navigate the digital landscape, I want to be a resource for entrepreneurs who are determined to make a positive impact in their communities. I believe that small businesses are crucial to economic growth, and by empowering them, we can build stronger, more resilient communities.

My name is Abigail Almonaci. I am a girl who is still trying to figure out who she is. As I am applying to college as business undecided, I am excited on whichever college I go to has to offer. I am looking foward to diving into many different business majors and figuring out which suit me. With a business major I want to create a positive impact to my community. Businesses hold power as they can shape our economy, environment, community engagement, and daily life. Pursuing business will allow me to collaborate with others and make organized decisions that will go on to improve our future. A time I have once volunteered at an outside organization was with the Chicago Public Library at West Lawn Park. It was an animal themed childrens’ event where they get to paint, color, do treasure hunts, and make bracelets and pins. My specific role was to help with the treasure hunts. I would pass out sheets to children to go around the library and find the list of animals that are on the sheet. If they seemed to be having trouble and wanted help I would go ahead and assist them. Once they completed it, they would go ahead and spin a wheel to win a prize. I would talk to parents and little children in English and Spanish for any questions they had. I found this volunteering experience extremely rewarding and enjoyable as I saw all the smiles on the kids' faces. At the end of the event, I helped clean up the library. Obtaining a scholarship would be a tremendous help for me, as my Hispanic parents have worked tirelessly to support our family, yet they still face financial struggles. My parents have always instilled in me the value of hard work, perseverance, and education. Despite their sacrifices, they have not been able to provide the financial resources necessary for me to pursue higher education without significant burden. Their long hours of labor and dedication have allowed us to get by, but the rising costs of tuition, books, and living expenses make it nearly impossible for them to fully support my academic goals. A scholarship would alleviate this financial pressure, enabling me to focus on my studies without the constant worry of how to afford my education. It would also honor the sacrifices my parents have made to give me opportunities they never had. A scholarship would allow me to give back to them by pursuing my dreams and one day helping to improve our family's circumstances. Moreover, receiving financial support would not only relieve the stress on my parents but also serve as a reminder of the importance of community and opportunity, showing me that with determination and support, anything is possible.