For generations, the oil and gas industry has impacted my family both in business and opportunity, offering little room for error but endless room for success. With deep family involvement and close ties to others whose legacies are rooted in energy, I've grown up immersed in a world of innovation, risk, and constant growth. Since a young age my dreams have often been described as my parents would say "too big for my britches", but that simple sentence only helped to fuel my determination to one day become a female entrepreneur in a industry that has traditionally remained male-dominated. Growing up wasn't easy when all I was interested in was reading business books, understanding how money works, and visiting "the shop"---my uncle's midstream business specializing in compression manufacturing. From those early experiences I realized my future wasn't meant for the desire to sing, compose art, or perform on stage, instead I desired the creation of natural gas, stemming from my experience growing and watching the continuous up's and down's through the business's my family ran. To me art isn't just paint on a canvas or movement on a stage, art is the creation of something new, beautiful, and in the case of natural gas, convenient. I firmly believe that the oil and gas industry is the backbone of society and has powered everything from manufacturing to transportation. And in a world driven by progress I can't find a more desirable field to study and someday be a part of. Not only am I deeply interested in the energy workforce, but I am also actively involved in learning how the industry affects those outside of the workforce, specifically trading stocks. My grandfather, who trades daily focuses on businesses within the energy sector that often fluctuate for his benefit. Through my grandfather's experience owning numerous business's involved in midstream operations such as compression, mechanical work, and even the ownership of several pipe lines, his knowledge has helped shape me into who I am today by teaching me the importance of strategic thinking, making calculated decisions, and defining myself through discipline and a strong work ethic. The oil and gas industry isn't just a industry to me, its a home. It has been the foundation for my family and countless others who've built their lives around the stories of success and opportunity. Over the years, I have been captivated by the strong-willed individuals within the industry who have shown me what it means to push the boundaries and never settle for less. I understand that my aspiration to succeed as a female entrepreneur may seem ambitious in this male dominated field, but I've never been one to let others define my potential. I will continue to challenge myself, encourage growth in others, and accept every opportunity that brings me one step closer to my goals.