While attending USC, I discovered Columbia was a City that had so much potential energy, assets, and great people I knew it would be the place for me to live, work and raise a family.

After USC and a short stint in medical sales, I opened my first business, Birds on a Wire, with two friends on a shoe string budget, but full of dreams. This is where I learned about the challenges of opening a new business - from permitting to inspections, and, of course, managing people.

With overwhelming support from the community, I was able to expand to a larger location and open a second Birds on Main Street. Over the years I have been able to build my company with three Ben and Jerry’s ice cream franchises and a new concept called MoMo's Bistro. Together, we proudly employ more than 100 members of our community.  I could not have succeeded without your help. This is why I put myself in the race for City Council four years ago - as a way to give back to the city I love.

I firmly believe that by working together we can continue to overcome the challenges our city faces. From managing to work within our finances to create a stable base, to placing into action the retention plan that will keep our talented officers, firefighters and employees here in the city, to continuing our efforts to increase the growth in our small businesses by spending our dollars at home – together, we can make Columbia the BEST place to live, work, and raise a family.