My name is Elijah Boursiquot-Washington, this upcoming semseter I will be studying business because I have always dreamed of owning and running my own company. Entrepreneurship and management have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. As a child, I set up small businesses, including selling candy at school and starting a pressure-washing business at a certain time. I learned from those experiences how much I enjoyed being creative and setting and accomplishing goals. However, they also taught me another thing: I was painfully aware of my shortcomings in building those businesses. I know I could have done so much more with more education and knowledge of running a business, this is why I am intensely interested in pursuing a business education. I wish to learn how to run a successful company, make wise decisions, and turn my ideas into reality. I want to gain the confidence to transform my entrepreneurial instincts into real, long-term success and develop the leadership skills needed to inspire others. I also hope to gain the tools to overcome challenges, build resilience, and ensure my future businesses thrive in any economic environment. I am also driven by the developments I see within my community. Everything is getting more expensive in my area; gentrification has transformed it significantly. A shopping plaza has replaced a grocery store in the community. Because of situations like this, there are such high barriers for people wanting to access basic essentials for life. I want to build businesses that support the community by keeping prices fair and prioritizing people’s needs over profits. Through my career, I hope to set an example of ethical business while actively working to improve life for those around me. Another motivating factor for my passion for business is my family. Their support and sacrifices inspire me to reach for success, not only for myself but also for their well-being. Though it entails sacrifices, providing for them increasingly motivates and places a greater focus on achieving my aims. This scholarship would give me the resources and opportunities to obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to turn my vision into reality. I would develop as an entrepreneur and create ethical and impactful enterprises, allowing me to give back to the community that shaped me. It would empower me to turn my dreams into a reality, benefiting my family, community, and the future businesses I will lead.