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Can You Really Build a Thriving Business with Family? Here's What No One Tells You

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

Release Date: 03/24/2025

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

Is money still running your life from childhood memories? You may be earning, saving, and even investing...but it still feels heavy, disconnected, or like you’re always one step away from losing it all. In this vulnerable and necessary episode, gets real about the financial trauma women of color carry, especially when money was a ghost in the room growing up. She explores why no amount of budgeting or financial literacy feels like “enough” when old survival patterns are still shaping your relationship with money. Important Links: 👉🏾 Sign up for Rewired: 👉🏾Pitch me your...

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

Is your business making money or just moving money? In this episode of The Brown Way to Money, sits down with , founder of Investrio, to unpack one of the most silent but dangerous blocks solopreneurs face: not understanding how their business really operates financially. Joyce shares the behind-the-scenes of building a trauma-informed, automated bookkeeping tool designed for us by us, while Alejandra frames the financial blind spots many women of color entrepreneurs carry as trauma responses. Together, they explore how financial systems aren’t just about numbers—they’re tools of...

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

You’ve done the mindset work, hired the coach, built the business—so why does money still feel hard? This episode is your wake-up call to the role financial trauma may be playing in your entrepreneurial journey. Alejandra Rojas, Forbes columnist and founder of The Brown Way to Money, breaks down how unresolved financial trauma can quietly block your rich life—no matter how much you earn or how smart you are with strategy. From emotional pricing decisions to overworking and undercharging, we unpack the patterns keeping you stuck in survival, not wealth. Important Links: 👉🏾 Pitch me...

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

For more insights on opportunities like this, subscribe we send opportunities like this every week.  In this episode of The Brown Way to Money, we sit down with Latasha Randle, Small Business Program Manager at Block Advisors by H&R Block, to dig into the funding gap that keeps so many women of color entrepreneurs from thriving—and the game-changing grant opportunity that’s here to change that. Apply for this grant here: We explore the Fund Her Future grant, a $100K initiative designed to close the funding gap and give real, accessible support to small businesses owned by...

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

Are you scared to raise your prices in today’s economy? You’re not alone—but you’re not stuck either. In this powerful episode, speaks directly to women of color entrepreneurs grappling with tariff inflation, rising costs, and deep-seated financial fears. If you’ve been absorbing costs, undercharging, or hesitating to raise your rates, this is your wake-up call. Through a trauma-informed lens, Alejandra explores why pricing feels so triggering, how financial trauma influences your business decisions, and what you really need to consider to price sustainably in uncertain times. This...

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

She built a 1.2M business from doing one thing that grew her audience and her business.  In this episode of The Brown Way to Money Podcast, sits down with —better known online as Clover Money Coach—for a no-fluff, high-energy conversation about building financial success and online presence from the ground up. From creating content that actually connects, to managing the chaos of multiple revenue streams, Chloe breaks down exactly how she went from full-time employee to seven-figure business owner in just a few years—by showing up consistently, embracing her “lazy investor”...

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

How can you work with your nervous system and navigate those lower income months anxiety?  In this powerful solo episode of The Brown Way to Money Podcast, explores how financial trauma quietly shapes the way women of color respond to lower-income months—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. If you’ve ever felt intense fear, shame, or self-doubt when your income dips, this episode will help you understand why—and give you a path to heal. Alejandra breaks down how past money wounds, generational stories, and nervous system responses get activated during slow seasons in...

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

How do you create consistent financial growth when the world around you wasn’t designed for your success? In this solo episode of The Brown Way to Money Podcast, pulls back the curtain on three transformative mindset shifts that every woman of color in business must embrace to build real, lasting financial independence. Based on months of interviews, research, and conversations with powerhouse WOC entrepreneurs (including for her Forbes column!), Alejandra breaks down the overlooked inner work that happens before the strategy even starts working. From ditching perfectionism and ego, to...

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

Can a Side Hustle Really Replace Your 9–5? Here's How Nicole Made It Happen How are you supposed to grow your business, stay financially sane, and chase your independence when you're exhausted by bias, your 9–5 isn’t built for you, and uncertainty seems to be the only thing guaranteed? In this episode of The Brown Way to Money Podcast, host Alejandra Rojas sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur Nicole Leon—a proud Latina, devoted mom, and self-made business owner who turned two side hustles into six-figure brands. Nicole didn’t just start a lash business and ride a wave. She created...

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

How are you supposed to grow, and stay financially sane in your business when global tariffs are rising, the economy is unstable, and financial stress is hitting everyone around you? In this episode of The Brown Way to Money Podcast, is flying solo to break down what’s really going on from the highest U.S. tariffs since 1909 to world latest economic moves—and what it all means for women of color in business. You’ll get grounded, practical strategies to keep growing your business in a time of uncertainty. Whether you’re a service provider, product-based entrepreneur, or somewhere in...

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More Episodes

Ever wondered if working with your mom (or any family member) could actually grow your businessor just make the holidays awkward?

In this episode of The Brown Way to Money Podcast, Alejandra Rojas sits down with Vonmarie Thomas, a brilliant NYC-based accountant, fractional CFO, and Afro-Latina powerhouse, to explore the beauty and boundaries of working with family in business. From onboarding her mom as a business partner to setting emotional and contractual boundaries, Vonmarie shares the behind-the-scenes of building generational wealth while keeping relationships strong.

If you’ve ever thought about working with your parents or family—but fear the tension, blurred lines, or cultural hierarchies—this episode is your permission slip and your playbook.

Important Links:

Important Links:

Visit The Brown Way to Money – www.brownwaytomoney.com
Rate & Review This Podcast – www.brownwaytomoney.com/rate
Follow Alejandra Rojas on LinkedIn – www.brownwaytomoney.com/LinkedIN
Follow Vonmarie on Instagram – @vonmarie_breakaway_ba
Connect with Vonmarie on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/vonmariethomas

Key Takeaways:

Business + Family Can Work (If You Set the Rules)
Contracts, clear communication, and defined roles are essential—even when you’re hiring your mom.

You Are the Authority—Even in Family Dynamics
Vonmarie shares how redefining “authority” helped her lead confidently while maintaining deep respect for her mom.

Soft Skills Are the Secret Sauce
Kindness, humility, forgiveness, and emotional awareness are non-negotiables when business meets family.

Generational Wealth is More Than Money
From passing on business knowledge to creating travel memories, Vonmarie shows how wealth lives in both assets and experiences.

Don’t Wait for Permission to Lead
Learn how to stand in your power—even when you're working with people who raised you.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

  • How do I set boundaries when working with family in my business?

  • What contracts and expectations should I have in place before hiring a parent?

  • Can I still be a good daughter/son and also be the boss?

  • How do cultural expectations impact our leadership style as women of color?

  • What are the emotional and financial benefits of involving family in business?

  • How do I prevent business from taking over every personal moment?

Microgrants Section:

Did you hear the secret word? Apply now to win a $500 microgrant to fuel your business, career, or financial growth. Apply here.

Subscribe & Join Us:

This episode is just the beginning. Tune in every week for actionable strategies, personal stories, and expert insights to help women of color build wealth and success.

Subscribe to The Brown Way to Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Let’s redefine financial independence together.

About Our Guest:

Vonmarie Thomas is a skilled accounting professional with expertise in complex bookkeeping, financial reporting, budgeting, cloud technology, and auditing. As a bookkeeper, controller, and fractional CFO, she brings both technical excellence and a bright, approachable personality to her work with small business clients.

She serves a variety of industries including Trust & Estate, social media creators, nonprofits, hospitality, and professional services. Based in NYC, Vonmarie leverages cutting-edge tech to simplify bookkeeping, tax prep, and financial operations for entrepreneurs. Outside the office, you’ll find her vibing at live concerts or jet-setting to tropical destinations with her friends.