I am a business owner with a small outpatient mental health clinic in North Florida. I was drawn to this scholarship opportunity because I too have had incredible grandparents. While I have a Master of Social Work and I am licensed, I started this company using the grit and determination I learned from my parents and especially my grandparents. All 4 of my grandparents were Entrepeneurs and, while they were not educated in the traditional sense, they were and continue to be fantastic examples of what hard work can achieve. My dad's parents, Joe and Marianne, were mechanics. They had a great shop in their backyard and taught me and my brothers a lot about what it takes to maintain customers and meet the needs of people where they are. My mom's parents, Kenneth and Shirley, were both business owners and showed me that ambition and drive are important in every aspect of life. My Nana Shirley is the only one still here with me and she continues to be my wisest counsel for all things business. She had a restaurant and a real estate business and her mother before her ran a seamstress operation out of her home. Because of their fantastic examples, I have been wiser than my education in business. I have remained debt free with credit available but not used - Praise God! The goal that I am working on at this time is to get personally out of debt. Each step to grow my business requires my own finances to take a back seat as I integrate a new counselor. This money would go directly toward furthering my education in business leadership. It would help me pay for a conference or workshop to further my skills and, by doing so, increase my impact for the Mental Health of my community. A training I have identified is called Entreeleadership and there are different trainings included. I am participating in Coaching and I would like to get a ticket to Master Series or Leadership Summit in 2027. The lowest ticket price is set to be around $2500. Finally, I understand that you will be considering a lot of different applicants and I would like to add that - even if you don't choose me - I appreciate this fantastic opportunity you have put forward. I know that my goals will be met and I am thankful for all the blessings that come my way to help that happen.

1. - I am a therapist with BetterHelp and I have also started my own private practice. I work in Florida in Columbia County. When I started out as a therapist, I worked with some companies that tend to view clients as if they are like any other type of customer. The mental health professionals were being be pushed out of our town because they wanted better jobs, better pay, and the ability to help their clients. As a result, people in need are often left without an option. I decided to start this company with the mission: "The mission of Oasis of Hope Therapy, LLC is to provide high quality clinical and social services to the people of our communities regardless of their financial situation." This is how BetterHelp helped me on my journey toward Social Work Entrepreneur. In order to start my company, Oasis of Hope Therapy - a collaborative, clinician led organization - in 2021, I needed income and resources to help bridge the gap from the job I was leaving into the world of being self-employed. I had very little knowledge of how I was going to get there. I applied to BetterHelp and worked with them part time while I was finishing out my other job. Then, when I was ready to start my own organization, I increased my BetterHelp hours to cover all expenses. It was so easy and convenient. I took Better Help clients before and after my regular work day and it helped me get through months of uncertainty. And for over a year, we literally didn't know which clients would be paid for based on insurances, finances, etc. 2. - Today, my income is derived in my day-to-day business which I have built in my home town. We have really made something to be proud of here. We are reaching more clients each day in Columbia and Suwannee Counties. We are also planning, in the near future, to expand beyond these offices. My student loans are $33,000+ at this time. I have previously used National Health Service Corps to assist in paying them down to this level. However, this year, when I applied again to NHSC, I was rejected. This debt weighs on me and I want to get it paid off. In the future, I may pursue a Doctorate of Social Work program but I will not proceed with that until my student loans are paid. Thank you for your consideration.