I am part of the 33% of small businesses that fail within the first two years. However, despite this setback, it has not stopped me from pursuing my entrepreneurial dreams and advancing my education to better prepare myself for my next endeavor. Rather than focus on my failure, I took the lessons I have learned and applied them to my next business plan. I believe that failure is inevitable and only those who are willing to get back up and try again will find success. I also believe that small businesses are what make our economy and society so wonderful. All large corporations once started out small, and the small business community is what brings people together, provides a thriving local economy, and brings character and joy to our daily lives. The small business owners I admire most have had many of their own failures and it is their courage to get back up after each setback that I find most inspiring. That is why I am continuing to build my small business even after the failure of another one. Although my financial resources are slimmer this time around, what I lack in funding I have gained ten-fold in life lessons and knowledge that prepare me for my future. My goals for my next business are to start online, thereby reducing the start-up costs of a brick and mortar location. After taking some time to build an online presence, I will enter Phase 2 in which I intend to obtain real estate to eventually build a physical location. Finally, in Phase 3 I intend to help other small business owners by creating a collaboration model in which their services and products can be featured and promoted within my physical location, as one of my larger goals is to help others who are lacking capital or access to capital, start their own business. By putting aside short-term profits I intend to create a long-term sustainable model in which small businesses collaborate together and thrive. In the words of Winston Churchill “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm" and I can honestly say I have not only maintained but intensified my enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and I am now, more than ever, poised to pursue my dreams. This scholarship will help by putting me one step closer to the valuable education needed to expand my skill set in areas I know I need additional knowledge. In the meantime, I will keep moving forward, pivoting as needed, and continue to search for ways to make my dreams a reality.

I am 41 years old, bankrupt, and having to start over. I invested in a business venture that despite my best efforts, had some issues and was drastically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. My spouse and I both lost our jobs, our business and for a while, we were not sure if we'd still have a home for our three children. During my time at home with the kids, I realized I didn't want to necessarily go back to a high-stress corporate job, especially when so much is unknown as the kids "return" to school in the Fall. I also realized that we only get one chance in life and now is the time to overcome the challenges and find a way to live your dreams and pursue your passions. I have college-level education (and the student loans that accompany higher education), but after the events of the pandemic (losing my day job and my business), I had an awakening and realized my true passion and calling in life is in the health & wellness industry and helping others lead a more balanced lifestyle. I am abandoning my corporate career to pursue my dreams with no savings. As the primary provider for my family, this causes much fear, but I know that following my passion is the best example I can set for my children, and in the end, I will be a better person for it. My long-term goal is to open a wellness center that helps people manage all aspects of healthy living, from physical wellbeing to emotional wellbeing to nutritional wellbeing to spiritual wellbeing. I also want to help others through mentorship and entrepreneurial leadership, as I believe failure is a part of business, and it is those of us who decide to get back up after such failure, that ultimately succeeds. Despite all the challenges of the past year, I have overcome these challenges by remaining positive, leading a healthy lifestyle, and never giving up. As cliche as that sounds, I credit my ability to get up and keep going every day, to my family. As my mother of three young children, I know the example I present to them today will help them in their lives and I think it's important for your kids to see you fail. Our society is so focused on "winning" that we rarely take time to teach our youth that failing and learning from it and the ability to get back up and try again, is what makes us truly successful. Everyone who is considered "successful" in our society has failed at something and sharing those experiences helps others learn, grow, and not be afraid to fail. The challenges I have faced today have shaped my goals for the future because they have forced me to really evaluate my life, what is truly important, and what brings me joy in my life. I have realized that the things I am really passionate about can be a part of my day-to-day living and I can make a career that not only helps others but feeds my soul as well. I have also realized that there is no "right" way to get where I am going, and sometimes I am not even sure, but I have started to focus more on the journey, realizing that it's okay to change course along the way. I am excited about what the future brings and I know that no matter the challenges, I can, and will, overcome them. I also realize that it's okay to ask for help, which is why I have turned to scholarships and grants to help fund my continued education. I realize that going back to school at my age is going to present new challenges, but I also know I can find a way to proceed. This scholarship will help me cover the tuition costs associated with my program and take action now, versus waiting 2-3 years for my credit score to improve and my savings to be rebuilt. I would be honored and grateful to receive such an opportunity to restart and rebuild.