Blazing Paths: Black Women in Financial Empowerment

Short Description: Discover inspiring Black women in finance, automation tips, and entrepreneurial success strategies.

Igniting the Spark: From Education to Empowerment

Every journey begins with a single step, often taken with nothing more than curiosity and a desire for something greater. Natasha Carrillo's path to financial empowerment began during her time as a teacher, when a conversation with a co-worker first sparked her interest in a financial advisory career. While her initial foray into finance was brief—quickly realizing that the role was more about insurance sales than genuine financial guidance—this pivotal moment planted a seed she would eventually help other women nurture and grow.

Years later, as a stay-at-home mom exploring the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) pathway, Natasha faced a challenge familiar to many Black women: doubting whether she could balance ambitious dreams with real-life demands. Although she set her CFP dream aside for a time, Natasha’s underlying passion never wavered. Instead, she and her husband experienced first-hand the difficulty of finding a trustworthy financial advisor who truly understood their needs.

Rather than accept defeat, Natasha and her husband boldly turned to self-education, diving into books, podcasts, and blogs to master investing on their own. “Black and Brown Make Green,” the financial empowerment podcast they launched, became a beacon—offering the knowledge and support they’d once sought for themselves to others who needed a trusted guide.

Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

No journey toward success is without obstacles. At one point, Natasha felt ready to give up on her growing financial coaching business, tempted to switch careers entirely. When attracting clients felt nearly impossible and comparison crept in, she wondered if her impact would be greater elsewhere.

But in a moment of clarity—and serendipity—Natasha saw another path. Inspired by a friend’s experience joining a collective agency for photographers, she searched for a similar community in financial coaching. Her discovery of Bolder Money, an agency supporting financial coaches, opened doors to collaboration, mentorship, and validation. Instead of leaving her passion behind, Natasha found the fuel she needed to persevere and flourish.

Practical Takeaways: What Natasha’s Journey Teaches Us

• Trust the small steps. Natasha’s financial empowerment podcast began as a simple idea but set her on a transformative journey—reminding us that even humble beginnings can lead to powerful change.
• Pivot with purpose. When confronted by roadblocks, Natasha stayed true to her vision while exploring new ways to align with her passion and strengths.
• Seek out support and community. Finding a collective of like-minded professionals renewed Natasha’s energy and conviction, showing that no one succeeds alone.

Tools and Tips: Automating for Excellence

One of Natasha’s most powerful pieces of advice—and a cornerstone of her own financial well-being—is to automate the things that have a positive impact on your life. Whether for business or personal finances, technology can simplify and strengthen your money management journey.

Natasha's Favorite Tools for Financial Success

• RelayFI: As a business owner, Natasha uses RelayFI to automate financial flows—organizing money for taxes, business expenses, owner’s pay, and profit with clear intention.
• Sofi Vaults: On the personal side, these tools help her set aside funds for various goals and keep her finances neatly sorted.
• Automatic investments and savings: By setting up recurring deposits into retirement accounts and savings buckets, Natasha ensures she’s always moving toward her goals, no matter how busy life gets.

Proud Moments and Words for the Next Generation

Just as important as milestones are the moments of validation along the journey. For Natasha, stepping onto a stage as a featured speaker at a major business conference—and receiving heartfelt feedback from successful entrepreneurs—proved that her impact reaches far beyond her own story. Even when self-doubt whispered, "You're too small," the community affirmed that her lessons, perspective, and experience truly mattered.

From Self-Doubt to Standing Ovations

For many Black women breaking into industries where representation is still lacking, imposter syndrome can become an unwelcome companion. Natasha’s experience speaking at a conference for high-earning business owners was a powerful example of moving through self-doubt. Despite feeling “too small” among top-level speakers, the overwhelmingly positive attendee feedback was a true turning point.

This recognition didn’t just highlight Natasha’s expertise; it affirmed that her story, strategies, and presence truly belonged on any stage. Anyone on the journey to entrepreneurship and financial freedom can relate to those moments of uncertainty. Natasha’s advice? Cherish the wins, share your knowledge freely, and let community feedback remind you of your value.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Wisdom for Black Women Dreamers

At the heart of Natasha’s journey is her commitment to lifting as she climbs. Her roadmap is rich with actionable tips any aspiring financial expert, entrepreneur, or goal-setter can follow:

• Automate what uplifts you: From savings and retirement contributions to daily habits like exercise, make your positive routines easy to repeat so that progress happens effortlessly.
• Create barriers against negative temptations: Remove your credit card from those shopping sites that drain your resources, and uninstall apps that distract you from personal growth and business-building.
• Plan with intention: Reserve time for what matters—be it networking, learning, or wellness—so that your actions align with your biggest dreams.

“Put friction between the things that are negative forces or could hold you back from your dreams.” This practical wisdom is Natasha’s guiding principle, and it’s a lesson all ambitious women can embrace.

Building Community and Amplifying Impact

Natasha’s story also proves that success accelerates within community. When isolation or discouragement crept in, finding an agency of like-minded professionals provided not just a support system but new opportunities for growth. If you take only one lesson from her journey, let it be this: Your network can help you see both your potential and your impact more clearly than you ever could alone.

Whether by launching a podcast, joining an organization, or simply starting conversations with people who share your values, collaboration multiplies progress on the path to financial empowerment.

Conclusion: Lessons from a Trailblazer

Blazing a path in finance—or any male-dominated industry—demands more than expertise; it calls for courage, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to one’s mission. Natasha Carrillo’s journey is a testament to how one Black woman refused to be sidelined, choosing to share her knowledge, build her business, and uplift others along the way.

• Start where you are—even if you feel unsure.
• Pivot with integrity and curiosity.
• Automate your success to free up space for what matters most.
• Seek community and lean into feedback—it’s your proof that you belong.
• Help others find their light, just as you found yours.

Natasha’s voice and story echo the heart of what it means to be a trailblazer: persistent, strategic, and generous. If you’re ready to blaze your own path, let this be your inspiration—and your toolkit—to turn setbacks into stepping stones and ideas into empowerment.

Your journey to financial success and impact can start today. One step, one connection, and one automated act of self-investment at a time.