Maleika Waller of Raleigh will be able to fulfill her lifelong dream of opening her own salon thanks to a $250,000 lottery prize.

“This whole thing has been a dream,” Waller said. “I told myself this year that I’m going to do what I’ve always been dreaming of, and now I can.”

Waller bought the $250,000 Platinum Payout scratch-off ticket at Nation Vapor & Tobacco on Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh.

“I was only planning on getting a Powerball ticket,” Waller said. “But something told me to get a scratch-off, so I did.”

When she scratched the $5 ticket she was in shock.

“I didn’t believe it,” Waller said. “I was so excited I went home and woke my son up to show him.”

Waller claimed her prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $173,754.

“This was meant to be,” Waller said. “I already have the equipment for my salon, now I just need the building. This is a dream come true.”

$250,000 Platinum Payout launched in September 2016 with six top prizes of $250,000. Two top prizes remain.

Ticket sales from games like $250,000 Platinum Payout made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $634 million for the state last year. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in Wake County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.