When I think about creating a legacy, I think about more than just making money or being successful. To me, a legacy is about leaving behind something meaningful—something that not only impacts my own life but also helps others and continues even after I'm gone. I want to be remembered as someone who used their talents and ideas to build something valuable, not just for myself, but for my community, my family, and the people who come after me. One day, I hope to create a business that blends creativity, community, and purpose. I’m interested in opening a business that supports young entrepreneurs, like a community-based co-working space that also serves as a mentoring hub and resource center. It would be a place where people can come not just to work, but to learn, grow, and get the support they need to bring their ideas to life. I want to create a business that’s not just about profit, but about lifting others, especially young people who might not have access to opportunities otherwise. I also think a lot about how I can use my experiences and skills to give back. I’ve volunteered with my family’s businesses, and that’s helped me understand what it takes to build something from the ground up. It also showed me how important it is to stay connected to your roots and support the people around you. I want to keep that energy going—staying grounded, staying humble, and always finding ways to make a difference, no matter how big or small. In terms of how I shine my light, I think it comes from my energy, my mindset, and my willingness to keep pushing forward. I try to stay positive even when things are hard, and I always try to bring good vibes to the people around me. Whether I’m helping out with a project, supporting a friend, or just showing up and doing my best, I believe that positivity is contagious. I try to inspire others by being real, staying motivated, and encouraging them to go after their goals too. I also shine by always being open to learning. I don’t pretend to know everything, but I’m always willing to grow, ask questions, and try new things. I think that’s an important part of building a legacy, staying curious and never getting too comfortable. That kind of mindset helps me stay creative, driven, and ready to take on whatever challenges come my way. At the end of the day, I want my legacy to be about impact, inspiration, and intention. I want to build a business that helps people, live a life that reflects my values, and make sure the light I shine encourages others to shine theirs too.

Honestly, I haven’t had much deep experience with finances yet, but I’ve started learning the basics. I’ve volunteered a lot with my family's businesses, and that’s where I started to understand how money works on a day-to-day level. Helping out meant I had to keep track of small things like change, counting inventory, and even balancing some small cash amounts. That might not sound like a big deal, but it made me more aware of how every dollar counts and how quickly money can be spent if you're not paying attention. Through that experience, I also started learning how to budget my own money. Whenever I’d get paid for helping out or when I received money for birthdays or holidays, I had to make decisions about what to do with it. At first, I’d spend it all on things I didn’t even care about a week later—like snacks, random stuff online, or games. But after a while, I realized that I wanted to save for bigger things, like a car or even just having a savings cushion. That’s when I started setting small goals, like putting away a certain percentage of any money I got. My parents have been helpful too. They’ve talked to me about things like building credit, avoiding debt, and being responsible with spending. But honestly, a lot of what I’ve learned has come from social media. I’ve seen so many TikToks and YouTube videos explaining stuff like credit scores, passive income, taxes, and even investing. Some of it I had to double-check because not everything online is true, but it’s still been a big help. I think it’s kind of crazy that I’ve learned more about real-world money stuff from creators on the internet than from school. Speaking of school, I wish financial education were taught more seriously. We spend years learning math, science, and history, but barely anything about how to manage money in the real world. Most people I know have no idea how to open a bank account, what interest rates mean, or how credit cards work. That’s why I’ve made it a goal to teach myself now, so I don’t end up going into adulthood clueless or making dumb financial mistakes. Looking forward, I want to use everything I learn to make smarter choices with my money. I want to avoid unnecessary debt, especially credit card debt and student loans, if I can help it. I plan on saving early, investing wisely, and being consistent. My long-term goal is to become financially independent. I want to be able to afford the things I need without constantly stressing or living paycheck to paycheck, like I’ve seen some adults around me do. I’ve seen how stressful money problems can be, and I want to break that cycle for myself. In the end, I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m excited to keep growing my knowledge. The more I understand now, the more control I’ll have over my future—and that’s something I’m aiming for.