Brown Way To Money - Money Talks for Women of Color Entrepreneurs

What if everything you've been told about women and money was designed to keep you stuck?In this urgent and deeply necessary conversation, Stefanie OConnell and Alejandra Rojas dismantle the most dangerous myths about women and wealth—myths that continue to shape how we price our work, negotiate our salaries, and justify our own financial struggles. These aren't just stories. They're systemic narratives that have been weaponized to keep women of color entrepreneurs underpaid, overworked, and convinced that the problem is us.This episode is a masterclass in reclaiming financial agency by rejecting the myth that wealth building is an individual problem. From exposing the lie that women don't negotiate (we do—and we have for two decades) to revealing how "meritocracy" is used to reproduce the same inequalities, this conversation will shift how you see your money story, your ambition, and the systems designed to limit both.Whether you're struggling with financial trauma, avoiding your bank account, or wondering why you're working harder than everyone else but still not getting ahead, this episode offers a roadmap grounded in community, interdependence, and a refusal to internalize what is fundamentally a systemic issue. You'll learn why the solution isn't another certification or another savings hack—it's about changing the environments around you and building the support systems that make sustainable wealth possible.This is not about shame. This is about power. And it starts with understanding that your financial struggles are not a personal failing—they are the outcome of a system that was never designed to let you win. But when you stop blaming yourself and start building in community, everything changes.Important Links:👉🏾 Join us and access more grants + exclusive stories in our newsletter here👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedINKey Takeaways:Women have been MORE likely to negotiate their salaries than men for nearly two decades—yet the myth that we don't ask is still used to justify pay inequityBelieving these myths makes you more likely to blame women for underpayment and less likely to support policies that close pay gapsInequality reproduces itself by masquerading as meritocracy—the qualifications that matter shift depending on who has themFinancial trauma thrives when we turn inward with self blame instead of contextualizing our experiences within systemic forcesEmpowerment is not an internal, individual process—it's about changing the environments around you at the interpersonal, institutional, and cultural levelsYou cannot build wealth alone—interdependence, not hyper independence or hyper dependence, is the path forwardDiversify your sources of income, meaning, support, and community—relying on one job or one person is too much riskAmbition for women is framed as a trade off between public and private life—but that binary only exists for us, not for menThe future of wealth building requires rejecting the framework of what you have to give up and demanding expansive visions of what's possibleYour biggest barrier to wealth is not you—it's a system creating different outputs for the same inputsSubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are ready to stop internalizing their financial struggles and start building wealth in community. This is the permission slip and the roadmap you've been waiting for.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

After surveying hundreds of women of color entrepreneurs, one truth became undeniable: most of us are leaving money on the table—not because we don't work hard enough, but because we're avoiding the conversations that matter most.In this insightful episode, Alejandra Rojas delves into the financial challenges faced by women of color entrepreneurs by exposing the "money trauma" and unspoken conversations that often cause these entrepreneurs to leave money on the table. Drawing from groundbreaking research, Alejandra discusses three critical money conversations that many women avoid, which impacts their wealth building, income streams, and long-term financial growth.Listeners will learn how pricing strategies rooted in fear, indiscriminate funding, and reactive investing contribute to financial setbacks and how shifting their money mindset can revitalize their entrepreneur growth journey. This episode empowers women of color to reclaim their financial power, break free from generational money trauma, and establish sustainable income streams that build real generational wealth.Whether you’re starting your business or scaling toward six figures, this masterclass in financial awareness offers entrepreneur financial guidance that challenges limiting beliefs and paves the way for confident money decisions and wealth creation.Don’t miss this opportunity to stop undercharging, overgiving, and under-planning. Start having these transformative money conversations today and step courageously into the financial future you deserve.Important Links:👉🏾 Download the Full Report (5 Money Conversations): brownwaytomoney.com/5conversations (\"https://brownwaytomoney.com/5conversations\")👉🏾 NEW Podcast Coming March 1st – Side Hustles IRL: Follow now!👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate (\"http://www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate\")👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN (\"http://www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN\")👉🏾 Watch Alejandra's TEDx Talk: Three Ways to Relate to Money (\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wy9IhVnkWY\")Key Takeaways:Women of color are leaving money on the table by avoiding critical money conversationsPricing based on the market alone—without understanding your costs—is a recipe for failureYou need to know your costs, profit margins, and customer elasticity before you set a priceFunding everyone and everything without assessing what you can afford is a financial trauma responseYou cannot support others if you don't know what you can actually fundJumping into "investments" based on hype instead of strategic planning keeps you stuckNot every expense is an investment—know the difference and assess the returnThe Brown Framework: Big Vision, Remove Financial Trauma, Own Your Voice, Wield the Right QuestionsAsk yourself: Does this decision align with my big vision and bring tangible results?Awareness is your first wealth-building tool—start having these conversations todaySubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are ready to stop avoiding money conversations and start expanding their earning potential. This is the roadmap you've been waiting for.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

What if the money in your bank account is funding the very systems you stand against?In this urgent and deeply necessary conversation, Alejandra Rojas sits down with Jasmine Rashid, author of The Financial Activist Playbook, to expose the hidden ways your money moves through systems of harm—and how women of color can redirect it toward collective safety, dignity, and freedom. This isn't just about immigration policy or political protest—it's about understanding that every financial decision you make is already political, whether you realize it or not.Together, they unpack the 2018 movement that pulled $2 billion in financing away from private prisons, the strategic actions you can take today to fight ICE with your wallet, and why financial activism doesn't require perfection—just participation. From where you bank to how you spend, invest, and show up at work, this episode is a masterclass in using your money as a tool for resistance, community protection, and generational healing.This conversation is not about shame or struggle medals. It's about reclaiming your financial agency in a system designed to keep you complicit. Whether you're navigating a household where your values don't align with your partner's, trying to protect your community without burning out, or simply asking yourself "what can I actually do?"—this episode will give you a roadmap grounded in strategy, empathy, and real-world impact.Important Links:👉🏾 Forbes Article About Contracts: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2026/01/26/these-companies-palantir-att-deloitte-have-the-biggest-ice-contracts-as-dhs-funding-under-fire/ 👉🏾 Download the Financial Activism Guide: www.brownwaytomoney.com/financialactivism (https://open.substack.com/pub/jasminerashid/p/financial-activism-for-migrant-solidarity?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer)👉🏾 Read the Full Newsletter: brownwaytomoney.substack.com👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN👉🏾 Get The Financial Activist Playbook by Jasmine RashidKey Takeaways:Your money is already moving through financial systems—the question is whether it's funding harm or healingFinancial activism isn't about perfection—it's about participation and momentumIn 2018, grassroots organizing pulled $2 billion in financing from private prisons—proof that collective action worksICE enforcement today is psychological warfare designed to isolate, overwhelm, and disrupt organizingYou don't have to speak up publicly to be a financial activist—actions speak louder than wordsWhere you bank, shop, invest, and work are all strategies for financial activismCommunity is our greatest form of wealth—and protecting community starts with protecting yourselfYou deserve financial agency even in relationships where your values don't align with your partner'sCreative disruption—like buying and returning ice scrapers at Home Depot—sends a signal that business as usual is unacceptableWhat we're fighting for is more powerful than what we're fighting against—hold that vision to stay sustainedSubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are ready to use their money as a tool for justice, protection, and collective freedom. Your financial decisions are already political—make them intentional.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

What if the courage to leave everything behind is what gives us the courage to build everything we want?Are you leaving money on the table? Find out the 5 Ways Women Quietly Leave Money on the Table after reviewing more than 300 money stories www.brownwaytomoney.com/5waysIn this deeply moving conversation, Alejandra Rojas sits down with Morgan Radford, NBC News co-anchor and debut novelist, to explore the immigrant family story that shaped her understanding of money, belonging, and freedom. This isn't just a conversation about journalism or storytelling—it's about the generational courage that defines how we see safety, security, and the lives we're building for the next generation.Together, they unpack Morgan's great-grandmother's journey—a Black Caribbean woman who left Jamaica for Cuba, then Cuba for the United States, searching for a place where her family could be whole. They explore how that story of migration, sacrifice, and resilience shaped Morgan's father's relationship with money as security, and how Morgan herself is now redefining financial freedom as a mother, journalist, and novelist. This episode goes beyond financial literacy—it's about financial behavior, generational healing, and the creative power that motherhood unlocks.This conversation is a masterclass in using your voice, your story, and your creativity as a wealth-building tool. From writing a novel as an act of financial and emotional freedom to navigating painful professional moments with grace, Morgan shares how she's building a world where her daughter doesn't have to choose between comfort and passion—and how you can do the same.Important Links:👉🏾 Pre-Order Morgan Radford New Novel: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/now-then-morgan-radford?variant=44107253809186👉🏾 Financial Freedom Toolkit: stan.store/wealthforbrowngirls👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedINKey Takeaways:Financial growth isn't just about literacy—it's about understanding why we do what we do with moneyFor immigrant families, money often means security—but true freedom means choosing passion over comfortWomen can get trapped by the seduction of comfort—financial safety shouldn't mean sacrificing dreamsMotherhood unlocks a level of creativity, productivity, and dreaming that didn't exist beforeWriting a novel became Morgan's path to being valued, compensated, and seen for her talent beyond journalismYou don't have to be reduced to one thing—multiple streams of income are freedomFiction allows you to put shape around your life and define the meaning of what happened to youBuilding the world you want isn't passive—it's an active, creative, financial actThe letter Morgan wrote to her daughter at the end of her book answers the unanswered questions—and reveals the real-life connectionsYour story outlasts you—leave a legacy of courage, creativity, and financial freedomSubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are navigating motherhood, creative ambition, and the courage to build multiple streams of income. This conversation is the permission slip you've been waiting for.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

Student loan debt is crushing a generation of entrepreneurs before they even start. But what if there's a way out they're not telling you about?In this eye-opening conversation, Alejandra Rojas sits down with Haleini Vasquez, founder of Your Evolved Mind, to expose the truth about student debt—and the strategic paths that can save you tens of thousands of dollars. This isn't about shame or struggle medals. It's about reclaiming your financial power before debt defines your entire career.Together, they break down the hidden opportunities most first-gen students and women of color miss: community college transfer strategies, overlooked scholarships tied to corporate ERGs, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and how to navigate higher education without sacrificing your financial future. This is the roadmap no one handed you—but you absolutely deserve.This episode is a masterclass in strategic education planning, financial empowerment, and refusing to let systemic barriers dictate your worth. Whether you're currently in school, supporting someone who is, or still paying off loans from years ago, this conversation will shift how you see debt, opportunity, and your right to build wealth on your own terms.Important Links:👉🏾 Pitch Alejandra your story: Submit here👉🏾 Financial Freedom Toolkit: stan.store/wealthforbrowngirls👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN👉🏾 Connect with Haleini Vasquez: Your Evolved MindKey Takeaways:42% of Latino graduates carry student loan debt—you are not alone in this struggleCommunity college can save you up to $20,000+ if you transfer strategicallyNot all credits transfer—research your path before you enrollCorporate ERG scholarships exist and are massively underutilizedEssay-based scholarships are overlooked because people assume they won't win—apply anywayEmployer tuition reimbursement programs often come with strings—know the terms before you commitAsk about tuition benefits during the offer stage, not the first interviewFinancial shame thrives in isolation—student debt is a systemic issue, not a personal failureYour degree is an investment, but it shouldn't cost you your financial freedomIt takes an average of 35+ years to pay off student loans—don't let that be your storySubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are navigating education, debt, or financial decisions that will shape their future. Knowledge is power—and this conversation is the roadmap they need.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

Only 2% of women get venture capital. But what if the real barrier is readiness?In this powerful conversation, Alejandra Rojas sits down with Jo Wong, founder of Let's Grow BFF, to break down what it actually takes to become fundable as a woman of color entrepreneur. This isn't about chasing investors—it's about preparing yourself to be unignorable when the right opportunity shows up.Together, they explore the difference between needing funding and being funding-ready, how to position your business so investors see you as a partner (not a project), and why your first investor should always be you. From understanding your valuation to knowing when to walk away from bad money, this episode is a masterclass in building investor confidence from the inside out.This conversation goes beyond pitch decks and profit margins. It's about skin in the game, strategic vision, and the kind of hunger that makes funders say yes. Whether you're bootstrapping, applying for grants, or getting ready to pitch VCs, this episode will shift how you see your business, your worth, and your path to capital.Important Links:👉🏾 Take the groundbreaking research survey now: https://brownwaytomoney.com/survey👉🏾 Pitch Alejandra your story: Submit here👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN👉🏾 Follow Jo Wong: @JoWong on all platforms👉🏾 Let's Grow BFF: @LetsGrowBFF on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedInKey Takeaways:You are your first investor—if you won't bet on yourself, no one else willInvestors don't just want your pitch—they want to see your investment in the visionNot all money is good money—choose investors like you'd choose co-foundersReturn on investment isn't always financial—impact and mission matter tooKnow your long-term vision before you take short-term capitalService-based businesses can be valued like products—you just need the right strategyExiting a business isn't selling out—it's strategic wealth buildingThe struggle medal doesn't exist—stop doing it aloneShow investors you've already put yourself on the shelf—literally and figurativelySubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are ready to stop chasing funding and start becoming fundable. Your preparation today is your power tomorrow.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

Everyone prepares for the breakthrough, No one prepares for after it hits. Are you ready financially?In this conversation, Alejandra Rojas brings you into the real moment every woman of color entrepreneur dreams about, but rarely prepares for: the moment when everything you manifested actually shows up. The opportunities. The visibility. The house. The stages. The revenue. The pressure.Together, you explore the financial whiplash that happens when your elevation arrives faster than your systems, energy, or bank accounts expected—and what it really takes to stay grounded when your life upgrades overnight.Important Links:👉🏾 Take The groundbreaking research now  https://brownwaytomoney.com/survey 👉🏾 Join us and more grants and exclusive stories in our newsletter here👉🏾 TEDx Talk: Three Ways to Relate to Money 👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedINSubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe to your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are building their brands while holding down careers. There’s more than one way to do this—and your way is valid.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

Alejandra Rojas is joined by Rachel Rodgers, entrepreneur and founder of Hello Seven, to explore what it means to own your voice…all the way to producing your own TV show. Join her Kickstarter campaign here. We have already supported it, and you?Together, they explore how Rachel is transforming her book, We Should All Be Millionaires, into a visual, global movement, why women of color must take up space in media, and the real behind-the-scenes of building a business and a brand in front of the camera.This episode is a masterclass in media ownership as a wealth strategy. From navigating creative control to crowdfunding six-figure budgets, Rachel shares what it really takes to bring visibility, impact, and integrity to reality storytelling. Whether you're in the early stages of your brand or ready to scale with your full self, this episode will shift how you see representation, production, and power.Important Links:👉🏾 Join us and more grants and exclusive stories in our newsletter: Brownwaytomoney.com/newsletter 👉🏾 Microgrant for WOC Entrepreneurs: www.brownwaytomoney.com/microgrant👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN👉🏾 Support Rachel’s Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hello7/the-million-dollar-show📣 Subscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe to your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are building their brands while holding down careers. There’s more than one way to do this—and your way is valid.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

Why do Latina founders still receive less than 2% of VC dollars?In this powerful episode, Alejandra Rojas is joined by powerhouse investors Laurel Mintz (Fabric VC), Ashley Balla (Halogen Ventures), and new angel investor Julissa to expose the reality of raising capital as a woman of color founder. Together, they share what they actually look for when funding startups, what makes them say no, and why diverse entrepreneurs—especially Latinas—need to own their voice in the venture space.This episode is a masterclass in becoming VC-ready without compromising who you are. From building community trust to navigating investor conversations with confidence, you’ll get the unfiltered truth about what it takes to raise money, build wealth, and stay rooted in purpose while doing it. Whether you’re just learning what venture capital is or actively pitching your startup, this conversation will reframe how you see money, power, and your place at the table. Important Links:👉🏾 Join us and access more grants + exclusive stories in our newsletter here👉🏾 Microgrant for WOC Entrepreneurs: www.brownwaytomoney.com/microgrant👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN👉🏾 Halogen Ventures: https://halogenvc.com👉🏾 Fabric VC: https://fabricvc.comKey Takeaways:Representation on both sides of the table—founder and investor—shapes the future of fundingCommunity traction matters more than pitch perfection—bring your data, not just your dreamYour lived experience is not a liability—it's your leverageInvestors want trust, resilience, and clear vision—not just a polished deckYou can learn VC language for free—access is no longer the barrierLatinas don't need permission to lead—just capital and communityEmotional intelligence is a business advantage, especially in underfunded industriesAsking for money isn't begging—it's building legacyYou don’t have to be a Latina to invest in Latinas—but Latinas must start owning more seats at the tableSubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are dreaming big, building boldly, and navigating funding conversations. Remind them: the system wasn't built for us—but we're building something better anyway.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.

In this heart-centered conversation, Alejandra Rojas is joined by recruiter and content creator Jalonni Weaver to dismantle the myth that you have to choose between your career and your calling. Together, they explore how Jalonni built a thriving personal brand while working full-time and how that brand became a stream of income, community, and confidence.This episode is a masterclass in using your voice to build something that lasts. From building trust with your audience to negotiating brand deals on your own terms, Jalonni shares the real behind-the-scenes of being a woman of color navigating corporate life, motherhood, and content creation all while staying grounded in purpose and integrity. Whether you're brand new to showing up online or wondering how to make your content mean something, this episode will shift how you see your voice and your value.Important Links:👉🏾 Join us and more grants and exclusive stories in our newsletter here👉🏾 Microgrant for WOC Entrepreneurs: www.brownwaytomoney.com/microgrant 👉🏾 Subscribe + Review: www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate👉🏾 Follow Alejandra Rojas: www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN👉🏾 Jalonni’s Newsletter: https://chitchatswithlonni.beehiiv.com/👉🏾 Follow Jalonni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalonniweaver/Key Takeaways:Your personal brand is the only asset you take with you if you leave your jobContent creation doesn’t require perfection—just consistency and authenticityYou don’t need a course or book to monetize your storyNine-to-fives can fund your vision without silencing your voiceIt’s not just what you say, but how you say it—especially on LinkedInA community that trusts you is worth more than followers who scroll past youBoundaries protect your peace, not just your scheduleBrand deals don’t require virality—they require valueThere’s power in building before you need itSubscribe + Share CTA:Loved this episode? Subscribe to your favorite podcast platform and send it to three women in your circle who are building their brands while holding down careers. There’s more than one way to do this—and your way is valid.Keep walking your Brown Way to Money.71427321893