How are you supposed to build financial independence when your income is unpredictable, inconsistent, and just all over the place as an entrepreneur?

In this episode of The Brown Way to Money Podcast, Alejandra Rojas sits down with Paula Pant—renowned financial expert, founder of Afford Anything, and host of the award-winning Afford Anything Podcast—to talk about the real strategy behind creating wealth when your money isn’t coming in on a schedule.

From managing volatile income, balancing personal + business finances, to navigating emotional money patterns rooted in culture and childhood, Paula drops gems that every woman of color in business needs to hear.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your empire, this episode is your permission slip to stop playing defense with your money—and start building financial freedom on your terms.

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 Paula Pant on Instagram – @paulapant

• Listen to the Afford Anything Podcast – affordanything.com/podcast

 Key Takeaways:

Volatility Isn’t the Problem—Lack of a Strategy Is It’s not about smoothing out your income—it’s about creating a gap between your lowest income month and your baseline expenses.

Separate Yourself from Your Business (Even Emotionally) Give your business a name, pay yourself like an employee, and treat it like a company—even if you’re a solo founder.

Start with Hypervigilance, But Don’t Stay There Tracking every dollar helps you regain control—but eventually, you need to step back and trust your system.

Money is a Tool, Not a Savior Paula and Alejandra talk time, energy, creativity, and how financial independence is about freedom in all forms—not just your bank balance.

You Can’t Afford Everything, But You Can Afford Anything With intentional timelines and clarity around your goals, financial planning becomes a powerful, values-aligned tool.

 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• How do I build financial stability when my income fluctuates every month?

• What’s the best way to plan for the future when my expenses and income are both unpredictable?

• How can I emotionally separate from my business so I stop making reactive decisions?

• What does it really mean to pay yourself first as an entrepreneur?

• How do I build financial goals that reflect my values—not just some spreadsheet?

• What mindset shifts help women of color reclaim financial power and independence?

Microgrants Section:

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

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Together, let’s redefine what financial independence really means.

About Our Guest:

Paula Pant is the founder of Afford Anything, a platform and podcast dedicated to helping people build wealth, freedom, and intentional lives. She’s a nationally recognized speaker, writer, and thought leader in the financial independence and real estate investing space.

Paula's unique philosophy—“You can afford anything, but not everything”—has empowered thousands to take control of their money and design lives on their terms. She’s been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, and more. When she’s not talking money, you’ll probably find her traveling the world or spending time with her beloved parents.