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

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.