My path into the realm of business isn't like most people's. Outside of TV shows, I had little to no exposure to the world of business. My family members didn't own a small business, I didn't have that stereotypical summer lemonade stand, and I wasn't the smartest kid in class. My desire to go into the world of business only began a few years ago but it's grounded in my need to effect positive change in the businesses and community around me. My initial motivation for getting into the realm of business was because of the money that you can make, however, an encounter I had with a local business owner I had a year ago changed my perspective. I loved hearing her story about how she created her business to honor her grandmother's memory. I enjoyed the way that she set up programs and classes to teach children and adults alike how to cook and bake, and of course, I loved her food (especially the banana pudding). I remember visiting her shop to get some banana pudding after a haircut, and it was no longer there. I called her immediately and she told me that, after a year of the business struggling to break a profit she had to close down. I remember leaving and saying to myself, "I don't want to see any business owner's dreams get crushed because they didn't have any business help." The golden rule for every business is this: empathy and trust are the cornerstone of successful interactions. It's going beyond the surface and resonating with the experiences and needs of others. When you put people first and serve them, that's when you can know their pains, and give them what they need, and thus you are paid in proportion to the problems that you solve. These are my guiding principles in the world of sales and business: building trust. Not merely as a transactional step, but fostering meaningful connections and understanding the human behind every decision. This experience cemented my desire to get into the world of business beyond money. It made me see how important it is to get into the minds of those who I want to serve and see things from their point of view. It ignited a passion within me to make meaningful connections, to understand the human behind the business and their decision, and put myself in a position where I am not just selling a product or service but seeking to help people, genuinely. My pursuit of business consulting isn't just another career path; it's a personalized canvas where inspiration, empathy, and a commitment to making a difference converge. With the experience and wisdom I am gathering through internships, student leadership, volunteering, and networking with business owners, I'm ready to dive into this dynamic world with a purposeful, impact.

Hello, my name is Isaiah Freeman, and I'm a senior at UNCG looking to graduate with my Bachelor’s in Business. While at UNCG, I've enjoyed conducting a personal project interviewing business professionals, participating in UNCG's intramural sports volleyball team, and volunteering with organizations like The Josh Level Foundation and community churches. Outside of school, I love playing guitar, exercising, and hanging out with friends and family. I also enjoy reading about human psychology, communication, and leadership. The limited financial circumstances of my childhood have shaped my worldview. The revolving cycle of debt, bills, living to the next paycheck, and a lack of financial management constrained my worldview and made me feel as though my options were few. Despite our situation, my family, teachers, and peers believed in me and that I could walk a different path. They saw how hard I worked in school and how I never gave up. They believed in me and encouraged me to go to college to seek out a better future. I chose to study business and finance because I wanted to understand money better and give that knowledge to myself, my family, and my peers. I learned a lot through internships and doing my own projects. I also saw through my internships that businesses have problems similar to individuals. That's when I got interested in consulting, which is all about helping businesses solve their problems and make better strategies. About a year ago, I met a lady who owned a bakery. She started it to honor her grandma and made the most delicious desserts (my favorite was the banana pudding). It was inspiring to see how much love she put into her business. But even with all her hard work, the bakery struggled and eventually closed. It made me realize how important it is for businesses to have good strategies and support. The experience sparked a fire within me that motivated me to learn more about business management and growth so that I can help people who put their lives and passions into their business(es). Now that I'm a year away from graduating college, I'm excited to use what I've learned to help others. I want to keep getting better at solving problems and thinking critically. These skills will help me as a consultant, where I hope to help local businesses grow and make my community stronger. I also want to use these skills on a personal level to help individuals manage their expenses better so that they do not have to be stressed about bills and debt. After establishing myself in my career path, I want to launch a mentorship program where I can help people within my community develop holistically. From finances and credit to fitness and mental wellness. I want to develop my community with the knowledge I receive from my career and personal journey. Receiving this scholarship would mean more to me than more money to help with my tuition and school fees. Even more than that it would mean that a professional is willing to invest in my dreams, future, and vision. It would mean that I am one step closer to accomplishing my dreams of changing my community and personal circumstances for the better. It shows that prominent people believe in me and my ability to make a difference. I'm going to make the most of this opportunity to learn and grow while I am in college and through my internships so I can help business owners and individuals within my community succeed. Thank you for this scholarship opportunity and for giving back to the community!

Love is a verb - Gary Chapman It is said that heroes and villains are both exposed to evils and hardships. The only difference between the two is that the hero says "I was hurt, and alone and know what that is like. Let me create a world where no one has to experience that again". The villain says "I was hurt, and alone, and know what that is like. Let me give the world what they gave to me". Coming from a socio-economically challenged background was my pain. Seeing my parents struggle with money, putting their hopes into the next paycheck, and doing their best to provide food, shelter, and clothing, was the hardship that I faced. As I grew older, I realized how my parents sacrificed their dreams and desires to provide for me and my siblings. It opened my eyes to the struggles of not only my parents but my community as well. It ignited a fire in me to give back to my community, and to help parents with their children: Teaching children how to be better people and shepherding them through their schooling became a source of purpose for me. I lived out this new purpose and passion, birthed out of hardships and struggles by volunteering at City Gate Church and The Boys & Girls Club. During my time at City Gate Church, it was a pleasure to see the kid's faces light up as I taught them how to play sports, get through that tough math problem, and make new friends. At the Boys & Girls Club, I was able to cultivate deeper bonds with the children I was caring for. Even after my summer ended, a few of the kids would come up to me in public and hug me, yelling “Isaiah”. Through my volunteering here, I know that the kids felt Agape love from me, and I know that I made a lasting impact on their worlds. In my most recent volunteer experience at the Josh Level Foundation, I had the privilege to serve my community once again through our Christmas Drive. When they announced that we would be partnering with another non-profit to sponsor a family for Christmas, I felt so motivated and driven. After reaching out to all my contacts, and coordinating with my team, we were able to raise a little over a thousand dollars to sponsor a family in need during Christmas. Seeing the smiling children and adults with their gifts and clothes, let me know that I was displaying Agape love in my community and making sure that those kids didn't experience the pain that I went through. As I go into this final year of my undergraduate journey, I know that this scholarship will enable me to continue to serve my community and the next generation through the campus and international organizations that I am part of without the financial burden of school bills. I will be able to display love as a verb and embody Agape love as I give to my community and peers that I come in contact with.

Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you. — Shannon Alder My journey into the realm of business was not born out of a family business. I did not run that stereotypical lemonade stand in the summer, and I was not very articulate when I was younger. My pursuit of business only ignited in the last few years but it has become a deeply personal and passionate pursuit grounded in my desire to effect positive change. The experience that shaped my passion for creating a legacy and impacting the lives of business owners around me started with a conversation I had with a bakery owner named Mrs. Kim. We talked about how the business was founded in the name of her Grandmother "AnnaFaye" and how she taught her how to bake. We talked about their fond memories in their home kitchen, and how much she loved making her favorite pastries. Kim wanted to preserve her grandmother's knowledge through her baking program devoted to the next generation and she ran it diligently for about a year. After a year or so, I came to her shop to get my favorite treat, banana pudding. I walked up to where it was supposed to be and it was gone. I immediately called her, and she told me the unfortunate news; she had closed her doors. After months and months of barely breaking even, she had to shut down. This broke my heart and ignited a fire in me and I said to myself I never want to see a business owner's dreams go down due to a lack of funds. I want to be able to teach small to mid-sized businesses within my community and state, how to grow and scale so that they aren't just treading water or breaking even; I want them to thrive. My passion and vision were cemented in my non-profit externship with PWC & Bottom Line. In the externship, I and my cohort helped Bottom Line restructure their volunteer model so that they could make a bigger impact through their volunteers. I made my light shine through my consistent effort, and collaboration with peers, which merited me some of the highest ratings of of the cohort. I also learned I could help businesses in solving their problems. With this, the idea sparked that I don't have to be on the "frontlines" to serve my community, but I can support those on the frontlines to streamline their processes and become more efficient. All in all, I know that receiving this scholarship will enable me to move one step closer to my vision that I have as I complete the last year of my undergraduate journey. This scholarship will allow me to increase my connections, gather experience through internships, and take risks without the extra stress of financial lack. You only get one life to create your legacy; your death cements it. I want in this life to carve my impact into the hearts and minds of my peers and community. I want my legacy to be a living one through the business that I create, and I want it to live past my death as a continual aid to businesses and people alike. Through strategic consulting, I will enhance the legacies of the businesses that I serve, carving our impact and our story into the hearts of our community.

Changing the world starts with passion and is realized by planning and execution. My passion for helping others was unlocked when I first volunteered at my local youth center at City Gate Church. I found myself caring for young children and teenagers, helping them with school assignments, playing sports, dancing, and teaching them about morality and good citizenship. My passion was continually developed while volunteering at my local Boys and Girls Club and cemented in my most recent volunteering experience with the Josh Level Foundation. My experience at the Boys and Girls Club allowed me to cultivate deeper bonds with the children I was caring for. Even after my summer ended, some of the children would come up to me in grocery stores and hug me, yelling “Isaiah”. Through my small contribution, I felt as though I made a significant impact in their world. In my most recent volunteer experience, I had the privilege to help raise a little over a thousand dollars to sponsor a family in need during Christmas. Seeing the smiling children and adults with their gifts and clothes, ignited a desire in me to continue to support and help my community. Even though I have been privileged to be a part of so many resources, opportunities, and community aid centers, I believe that I and my community could be provided with greater value. Although giving is good, and community events are engaging and exciting, I believe teaching the community how to achieve wellness and become better people will have a much more significant impact on the community. With this in mind, my partner introduced me to the 8 dimensions of the holistic wellness model, which aims to teach people how to be well in every part of their life. It encompasses the following areas of growth and development: Emotional, financial, environmental, intellectual, physical, occupational, spiritual, and social. From the centers that I've been to and been a part of, I've learned about 4 of the aspects of growth. Some important lessons that I did not learn were about what it means to find a purposeful career (occupational), how to manage money to get your first car and living space (financial), how to manage emotions and manage other people (emotional), and how to keep your body in shape and eat well (physical). These are invaluable lessons that young people need to learn to get ahead in life and live well. My experience with adversity and socio-economic challenges have driven me to establish a holistic community. Through mentorship, we’ll empower individuals to thrive, despite the challenges they may face. The mentorship program will help individuals gain the strength and knowledge to understand what it means to reach their goals and make life better for themselves and those around them. We will also provide a safe and supportive environment that encourages them to take risks and network with individuals who have achieved a level of wellness. In my vision I hope to unlock people’s potential, expand their perspectives, and accelerate personal growth, creating a center of optimum wellness that helps people of all ages. All in all, I know that receiving this scholarship will enable me to move closer to this service-centered vision that I have as I complete the last year of my undergraduate journey. This scholarship will allow me to increase my connections, participate on campus, gather experience through internships, and serve my community through volunteering opportunities. These goals are how I will make a positive impact on the world. They are how I will touch and change my community and honor the memory of Destiny McClain.

Education has always been very important to me. As a child, its value to taught to me repeatedly by parents, teachers, and many figures of authority. I have seen firsthand the impact of those who pursue education (both in college and outside of college) and how their lives are very different from those who do not. I grew up in a low-income neighborhood where those who did not pursue education were limited to the geographical area of their upbringing and confined by a lack of knowledge and options. This made me realize the value that education gives in the form of opportunities, potential, and personal growth. I want to use education as a resource, not just to have a degree and get a good job in consulting or finance, but I want to use it as an avenue to grow and develop myself, meet new people with amazing stories, and work with that for people who want to make the world more accessible to struggling people from all walks of life. This is why I truly enjoyed my 4 years of volunteering with a local non-profit, City Gate Church, to give food to the homeless, to teach kids the value of education, personal development, morality, and having a strong community. This is why I enjoy my non-profit internship with Josh Level because I get to help families give their kids amazing experiences through our events, and come together as a community to celebrate the talent that these young kids possess as upcoming basketball players. As I leverage the opportunity that going to college at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro has afforded me, I want to provide value to my employer and business owners who are struggling with business problems through consulting. I also want to help those around me who did not grow up with financial literacy being taught to them and show them how to manage money, grow it, and change their outlook on life through being a financial advisor. In short, education is very valuable to me. It's valuable because it affords me the opportunity and potential to grow personally and professionally. It's valuable because it allows me to reach those who have not been as fortunate as me help them grow as well, and meet new people with diverse worldviews. It's valuable because I can use what I know to reach and impact my community in the form of local children who aren't taugh the value of education and personal development, to the local bakery owners who is struggling to solve her business problems, to the mother and father who struggle to pay off their bills and need someone to give them financial advice. I can, through education, help all of these types of people. This is why education is valuable to me.

My journey into the realm of sales and marketing isn't like most people's. I did not have family members in the world of sales or marketing, I did not have that lemonade stand in the summer, and I was not very articulate when I was younger. My pursuit of sales only ignited in the last few years but it's grounded in a deeply personal and impassioned pursuit buttressed by the desire to effect positive change. The more I study and pursue sales, the words of Simon Sinek resonate deeply within me: "In sales, it's not about what you do; it's about why you do it." This encapsulates the heart of my pursuit - to make a genuine difference by understanding the "why" behind every action, not just the "what." The "why" behind every customer and business, not just the "what." As said by Zig Zigular, "If people like you, they'll listen to you, but if they trust you, they'll do business with you." This is my guiding principle in the world of sales and business: building trust. Not merely as a transactional step, but fostering meaningful connections and understanding the human behind every decision. Although the money you can make is substantial, and, I am ashamed to admit it used to be the only reason I considered this path. I am driven no longer solely by financial outcomes but by a desire to immerse myself in the lives of people. These words by Orison Swett Marden, "The golden rule for every business is this: Put yourself in your customer's place," remind me that empathy is the cornerstone of successful interactions. It's going beyond the surface and resonating with the experiences and needs of others. When you put people first and serve them, that's when you can know their pains, give them what they need, and thus you are paid in proportion to the problems that you solve. Rand Fishkin's quote, "The best way to sell something: don't sell anything. Earn the awareness, respect, and trust of those who might buy," is a guiding principle. This vision transcends mere business tactics; it encapsulates the art of building bridges of understanding and connecting with others on a human level. I believe that sales and marketing are the lifeblood of not just businesses but of the broader community. These disciplines have the power to fuel growth, solve problems, and foster prosperity. Yet, they must be grounded in empathy and a genuine desire to help people. Zig Ziglar's words, "Stop selling. Start helping," are appropriate here. It's about recognizing actual needs, exploring people's needs, and offering solutions that improve their problems and lives. My pursuit of sales isn't just another career path; it's a personalized canvas where inspiration, empathy, and a commitment to making a difference converge. With the wisdom of these guiding quotes and all the experience I am garnering through work and being a student of sales giants, I'm ready to dive into this dynamic world with a purposeful, driven impact.

My preeminent vision is to live as a godly man, ensuring the well-being of my family and fostering a loving environment by leading with humility, wisdom, and strength; I will shed all sinful influences through my continual connection with God, enabling me to lead a purposeful life that inspires and sustains both my loved ones and my community.

Hi! My name is Isaiah Freeman. I am a Junior at UNC Greensboro. Over the past few years, I have become very fond of playing and making music both on my guitar and piano. I have been playing guitar for three years and piano for about six months. Playing music for friends, family, and strangers alike brings me pleasure and joy. I love spending time with friends and family, whether we go out to eat, go to arcades, or just walk and talk in our respective neighborhoods. I have already made many fond memories with my friends from college, and I look forward to making more. I also take deep pleasure in attending my local church, as I do learn how to live as an effective Christian, and human being. I am attending UNC Greensboro to receive a bachelor's degree in business finance and eventually become a financial advisor. While I am here at UNC Greensboro, I also will diversify my skillset as I learn how to code/program, and copywriting. I also want to learn how to be more emotionally intelligent, and further develop my ability to speak, write and think critically. These skills, along with my degree of choice, will allow me to effectively impact my community and the people around me. I will be able to successfully guide those who lack knowledge about finance and cannot properly steward their money with practical advice, and clear, compelling communication. Growing up my parents, like many other parents, did not teach me about money or how to steward it properly. I know I am not alone in this and many, if not most people, grow up this way with one of the most important topics in life (finances) never being explained. Seeing my parents struggle, living paycheck to paycheck, and arguing over money problems, is something I strive to free myself and others from. To do this though, I need to cultivate the knowledge and wisdom about money so that I am apt to teach people about finance and proper money stewardship, and college will give me this. Without basic financial knowledge, many people, both young and old, end up having to go at their "money lives" alone, and sadly most fail. So, I want to help others in the future who do not have a vast financial vocabulary or even a basic understanding of money. I want people, as well as myself, to make wise and stable financial choices, and live at higher standards.

My name is Isaiah Freeman. I am a Senior at Alamance Community College. I enjoy attending my local church, playing my guitar/making music, and hanging out with friends. I want to attend college to receive a bachelor's degree in business finance and eventually become a financial advisor. I want to eventually open my own business helping others to manage their money, and live better lives. Growing up my parents did not teach me much about money and I know that many, if not most people, grow up this way with one of the most important topics in life (finances) never being properly explained. Without basic knowledge, they end up having to go at it themselves and most fail. So, I want to help others in the future who do not have a vast financial vocabulary, so that they will be able to live at higher standards and make wise and stable financial choices.

I want to positively impact the world by fulfilling the needs of people whom I most frequent, and by growing a person. The well-known phrase ¨the man in the mirror¨ lives with me, and as I seek daily to impact the people around me, I realize that if I am not rooted in Jesus Christ, then I cannot influence the world to the degree which I hope. Last summer, I had the privilege of volunteering at my local Boys and Girls Club, which was very eventful! One important principle that I have learned with this experience is that my peers have most, if not all, of the same needs that I do. So, when I came to this realization, I started to treat my peers how I want to be treated, seeking to fulfill their needs, and in doing this, I made a positive impact on them. The second thing I realized is that I enjoy being around children. Playing games with them, making crafts, laughing, etc. I also enjoyed teaching good morals through various Bible lessons, and by being a living example. Although I do think at some points I could have been better, I know that I helped them to realize that life is not all about them, but about their peers also and preeminently about Christ.