Latina Financial Education, Investing & Wealth Building: MoneyChisme

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If you've ever started a side hustle and thought "I'll figure out the taxes later," this episode is the reality check you need before tax season catches up with you.

In this episode, Violeta and Lindsay sit down with Laura Zarrate, a CPA and founder of Athena CPAs and Advisors, where she helps six to seven-figure business owners nationwide keep more of the money they earn and has saved her clients more than $10 million in taxes, to break down exactly what you need to know about business taxes before Uncle Sam comes knocking. Laura opens up about the most common question she gets from new entrepreneurs: do I need to start an entity, and if so, which one? She walks through why most people start with an LLC, why it's actually about liability protection more than tax savings, and the moment a side hustle should start being treated like a real business.

Laura shares the practical first steps nobody tells you about: opening a separate business bank account, understanding what counts as an "owner's contribution" versus taxable income, and why mixing personal and business expenses is one of the biggest mistakes she sees. From there, she gets into the topic everyone's talking about on social media but rarely explaining correctly, the S corp election. Laura breaks down what an S corp actually is (a tax election, not a separate entity), why it can save you real money on self-employment tax, and why switching too soon, before you're earning enough to justify the extra cost, can actually hurt you instead of helping you.

Throughout the conversation, Laura, Violeta, and Lindsay get into retirement account options for the self-employed (SEP IRA vs. solo 401(k)), the reasonable compensation requirement that trips up so many new S corp owners, and the deductions people leave on the table simply because they didn't know to track them, like the home office deduction and vehicle expenses. They also swap real stories about the systems that make tax season easier, and the wildest client write-off attempts Laura has seen.

We cover:

• Why most new business owners should start with an LLC, and what it actually protects you from
• The difference between an owner's contribution and taxable income
• When a side hustle should officially become a business (and why "recurring income" matters more than a dollar amount)
• Why mixing personal and business finances is the #1 mistake new entrepreneurs make
• What an S corp actually is: a tax election, not a new entity
• The real reason people switch to S corp: saving on the 15.3% self-employment tax
• Why switching to S corp too early, especially with losses or income under 50K, can cost you more than it saves
• The "reasonable compensation" requirement and why you have to pay yourself a real W-2 salary as an S corp owner
• SEP IRA vs. solo 401(k): which retirement account to start with and when to upgrade
• Why you can deduct disability and health insurance as a business owner
• The home office deduction most people don't know about, including how home repairs like a new roof or flooring can be partially deductible
• Fully deductible home office purchases: desks, paint, curtains, blinds, and more
• Why you likely can't buy a car directly under a brand-new business, and what to do instead
• How to properly deduct a vehicle used for both business and personal use (and why a mileage log matters)
• Bonus depreciation and how buying a vehicle in 2026 could mean deducting 100% of the purchase price
• Why having a bookkeeping system (QuickBooks, Xero, or even a spreadsheet) is non-negotiable

This episode is a reminder that taxes don't have to be something you dread or avoid until April. With the right systems and the right professional in your corner, you can actually use the tax code to your advantage, keep more of what you earn, and build real, lasting financial habits into your business from day one.

Mentioned in this episode:

Athena CPAs and Advisors: athenacpas.com

Follow Laura Zarrate and Athena CPAs on Instagram: @athenacpas

This episode is part of a two-part series. Check out the companion episode on Real Estate Chisme for real estate-specific tax benefits.

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Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
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Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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If you've ever felt like building wealth as a first-gen Latina means you have to figure it all out completely on your own, this episode will change how you think about your family's role in that journey.

In this episode, Violeta sits down with Diana Lopez Luna, a first-generation college graduate and queer daughter of Mexican immigrants who pivoted from a low-paying research role into a data career, increasing her income nearly fivefold in five years. Diana is also the founder of Mujeres Datistas (Latinas in Data and Analytics) and co-founder of Xuchil alongside her mother, Yolanda. Diana opens up about the common immigrant narrative of "my parents sacrificed everything so I could succeed," and why that story can quietly turn into first-gen kids believing they now have to carry their parents' entire financial future on their shoulders, alone.

Diana shares the mindset shift that changed everything for her family: instead of seeing wealth building as a handoff, where the parents did their part and now the child has to do the rest, she started treating her parents as co-collaborators, not dependents. She talks candidly about assuming her parents weren't planning for retirement, only to realize they'd quietly been taking steps the whole time, her mom setting up an IRA for her self-employed daycare business, her dad maximizing his HSA, both looking into a SEP IRA together as a family. Diana and Violeta both get real about the "parenting the parent" trap so many first-gen kids fall into, especially those who grew up translating for their parents, and how that responsibility can turn into overcorrecting and taking over instead of collaborating.

Throughout the conversation, Diana and Violeta get into how the wealthy already do this, family offices, shared properties, businesses passed hand to hand, and why the collectivist instincts so many of us are taught to see as a weakness are actually an asset when it comes to building generational wealth. They talk about the real vulnerability of receiving help from family without shame, the importance of setting financial boundaries so support doesn't threaten your own security, and how multi-generational housing, family compounds, and shared rental businesses can dramatically cut costs and free up money for real investing.

We cover:

• Why the immigrant "sacrifice" narrative can accidentally put the entire financial burden on the first-gen child
• How family offices work for the wealthy, and why collectivist culture already sets us up to build wealth the same way
• The difference between "parenting the parent" and becoming a true financial co-collaborator with your parents
• Why first-gen kids, especially former childhood translators, tend to assume their parents can't handle their own finances
• How Diana's parents quietly built their own retirement plan (IRA, HSA, SEP IRA) without her even realizing it
• Why communication, not control, is what actually moves a family's finances forward
• Setting financial boundaries so helping family doesn't threaten your own financial security
• Why receiving help from family comes with unearned shame in our culture, when the wealthy do it constantly
• Diana's real experience being on disability for two years and how her parents' rental property business kept her afloat
• The internal shame of receiving family help, and why it took thertherapy to unlearn it
• How multi-generational housing and family compounds can eliminate one of your biggest expenses: housing
• Violeta's own family compound story, buying land next to her parents and inviting her sister and future generations to build there too
• How a family can combine incomes to buy property together, the way Diana and her parents are doing near Rockford, Illinois
• Why this approach only works with healthy, trustworthy family relationships, and isn't a fit for everyone
• Small ways to build a family wealth ecosystem: renting to family instead of strangers, hiring family for paid work, sharing tax benefits

This episode is a reminder that wealth building doesn't have to be a solo mission. It can start small, sharing housing costs, having honest money conversations, learning to trust that your parents are capable too, and grow into something much bigger when a family moves together instead of everyone fighting their own battle alone.

Get in Touch with Diana:

Follow Diana Lopez Luna: @dianadeloslopez

Suchil: "SuchilCo": @suchilco

Mujeres Datistas: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mujeres-datistas/

Support the show

Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
Support/Apoya MoneyChisme

Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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If you've ever been told to "just put it in an index fund and forget it," this episode will make you rethink that advice completely.

In this episode, Violeta sits down with Tina Berger, author of Invest Like a Mother and a former investment advisor and innovation strategist with more than 20 years of experience, to unpack a question most of us never ask: what are we actually funding when we invest? Tina opens up about starting her career with big financial goals and a 401(k) like everyone else, only to spend two decades inside massive corporations watching good social and environmental programs get quietly canceled the moment they underperformed against shareholder expectations. What she saw from the inside changed how she thinks about "good returns" forever.

Tina shares the uncomfortable truth behind headlines like Oracle paying out $4.2 billion in dividends while taking on billions in debt to fund data centers, and Walmart employees relying on food stamps while the company books record profits. She calls this what it is: small investors funding wealth for the already-wealthy while quietly subsidizing the very companies that underpay them. From there, she gets into what she calls "investing like a mother," a mindset that isn't about being perfect or divesting from everything, but about staying intentional, understanding your impact, and asking what your community and future generations need, not just what your portfolio needs.

Throughout the conversation, Tina and Violeta get into the tension so many of us feel once we become financially literate: wanting security for ourselves while realizing that security means nothing if the world around us isn't secure too. They talk about self-directed IRAs, community investment funds, becoming an angel investor, and simple, human ways to invest directly in people, like seller financing a first-time homebuyer, without needing a finance degree to do it.

We cover:

• Why "set it and forget it" investing hides where your money is really going
• How companies like Oracle are turning shareholder profits into cash grabs for the already wealthy
• Why big companies get punished by Wall Street for investing in employees, sustainability, or communities
• The difference between a growth company and a dividend company, and how that's changed over time
• Why we're subsidizing the true cost of low wages, data centers, and corporate tax breaks as taxpayers
• What "investing like a mother" actually means, and why it isn't about being perfect or gendered
• How to evaluate an investment beyond just "what's my return"
• Self-directed IRAs and how to use old 401(k) funds for real estate or other investments
• The Magnolia Fund story: how a Houston community pooled resources to buy back their own commercial kitchen
• Becoming an angel investor and directly funding people and businesses you believe in
• How seller financing can help someone become a first-time homeowner, without needing a bank
• Why ethical real estate investing means fixing hazards like lead and asbestos instead of ignoring them
• How awareness changes your risk tolerance, even if you don't overhaul your whole portfolio
• Why financial security for yourself means little if the world around you isn't secure too

This episode is a reminder that investing isn't just a personal finance decision, it's a relationship. Every dollar you invest creates an impact somewhere, and once you see that clearly, you can't unsee it. Tina's invitation isn't to sell everything and start over, it's to stay intentional, plant seeds where you can, and start asking better questions about what your money is really doing in the world.

Mentioned in this episode:

Invest Like a Mother by Tina Berger 

Follow Tina Berger on TikTok 

Magnolia Fund, Houston, TX 

Support the show

Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
Support/Apoya MoneyChisme

Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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If you've ever believed that once you land the "good job" and start saving, financial freedom will naturally follow, this episode is the reality check you need.

In this episode, Lindsay and Violeta sit down with Ingrid Morales, a first-gen Latina from Colombia who built financial freedom from scratch, to talk honestly about what that journey actually costs. Ingrid opens up about growing up watching her mom live paycheck to paycheck, discovering that the personal finance books everyone recommends (like Rich Dad Poor Dad) assume you already have money to invest, and realizing that for first-gen Latinos, the path to wealth almost always starts with your own sacrifice, not inherited capital or connections.

Ingrid shares the exact moment everything shifted for her: a COVID-era conversation with her mom that revealed her mom didn't have enough saved in her 401(k) to retire on. That realization sent her into what she calls her "Mulan moment," the sudden, heavy understanding that she was the only one her parents could call for help, and that she had to lock in immediately. From there, she talks candidly about wearing the same worn-out sneakers for years while quietly building an emergency fund for her parents, saying no to family trips and holidays to protect her savings, and having to explain to her own mother why she wasn't spending money the way she "should" be.

Throughout the conversation, Ingrid, Lindsay, and Violeta get into the tension every first-gen Latina knows well: wanting to help your family right now versus building real, lasting stability so you can help them even more later. They talk about setting boundaries without guilt, bringing parents into the financial conversation with empathy instead of judgment, and why slow, steady growth beats chasing everything at once.

We cover:

• Why personal finance books often assume a starting point most first-gen Latinos don't have
• The "Mulan moment" of realizing you're the only safety net your parents have
• Why stability has to come before investing, and how to know when you're actually ready to take risks
• The difference between building stability for yourself versus carrying your entire family's stability
• How to set financial boundaries with family without it feeling like abandonment
• Why saying no to trips, gifts, and spending in the short term can mean more support for your family long term
• How to have the "money talk" with parents who see finances as taboo
• Why sitting down with your parents to actually handle their accounts (Fidelity calls, mortgage paperwork) is its own form of sacrifice
• The mindset shift from "working hard" to "working smart" and creatively growing something of your own
• Why patience and slow growth, not urgency, is what most successful investors actually recommend
• How to reframe helping family as playing the long game instead of constant, immediate giving
• Ingrid's mantra: "Less YOLO, más portafolio"

This episode is a reminder that building wealth as a first-gen Latina rarely looks like the highlight reel. It looks like quiet sacrifice, hard conversations with parents, and boundaries that feel uncomfortable in the moment but protect your family's future. Financial freedom isn't just about the numbers, it's about being able to show up for the people who raised you, on your own terms and your own timeline.

Mentioned in this episode:

Links Mentioned:

Free Latinas in Real Estate Community

Learn more about Hustle With Ingrid (waitlist open now)

Follow: Ingrid Morales_ on all platforms

Support the show

Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
Support/Apoya MoneyChisme

Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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I am breaking down the real cost of a last minute family vacation to Mérida, Mexico, including flights, an Airbnb, excursions, food, souvenirs, airport transportation, and pet sitting. I also share the financial tradeoffs of celebrating a milestone birthday while juggling rental property expenses and other debt.
If you are planning a Mexico trip and want a realistic look at what can get expensive fast, especially when plans change and you book close to departure.

Key topics
I share a  rough, honest vacation budget after overspending on my 40th birthday trip.
The biggest expenses were flights, the Airbnb, and an unexpected extra night after a flight delay.
I also cover how much an excursion cost that included Chichen Itza, a cenote, a meal with a Mayan family, and a stop in Izamal, plus extra entrance costs and food.
Transportation lesson from the trip: taxis from the airport were far more expensive than Ubers, and airport pickup rules can be confusing.

00:00 — Overspending on vacation
01:57 — Turning 40 and choosing Mérida
03:20 — Family trip and extra day cost
04:35 — Flight costs and last-minute booking
06:02 — Hotel cancellation and Airbnb switch
07:28 — Airbnb review and heat in Mexico
08:52 — Chichen Itza excursion breakdown
10:26 — Uber vs airport taxi lesson
12:17 — Entrance fees and extra excursion costs
13:55 — Food and rooftop restaurant spending
15:23 — Souvenirs and artisan market finds
18:17 — Why handmade goods cost more
21:40 — Total trip cost estimate
22:55 — Thinking about buying property in Mexico
24:22 — Flight issue from passport name mismatch
26:32 — Missing the flight and extra hotel night
27:50 — Pet sitting and hidden vacation costs
28:47 — Final budgeting lessons

Support the show

Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
Support/Apoya MoneyChisme

Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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Quit the 9-to-5 and build your dream career. Lynn shares her real story of leaving nursing to launch a telehealth practice in California.
If you've ever dreamed of ditching stability for freedom and entrepreneurship but felt overwhelmed by legal, financial, and marketing challenges, this episode is your wake-up call.

Lynn reveals the behind-the-scenes of her journey, from navigating California’s strict licensing laws and forming the right business structure to overcoming imposter syndrome and marketing herself confidently.
You’ll discover:
How to plan financially for a career shift, including setting up safety nets like savings, income buffers, and strategic investments

Mindset shifts that help you embrace risk and overcome fears
The importance of community, networking, and creating your own opportunities in the digital age
This episode is perfect for career changers, Latina entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling stuck in a stability trap—ready to take control, plan smart, and unleash their true potential.

Lindsay Barrientos is a nurse practitioner turned business owner, balancing her new practice and real estate portfolio, with a clear focus on helping others create financial and personal freedom. Her story proves that with strategic planning, legal knowledge, and mindset resilience, you can build a thriving, sustainable business from scratch.
Whether you're contemplating your own career pivot or seeking insights into health entrepreneurship, this episode provides actionable advice to turn your dreams into reality.

Sign up for telehealth (California Only!)

https://www.guidancepsychiatryservices.com

Support the show

Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
Support/Apoya MoneyChisme

Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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If you've ever felt like reaching financial freedom would automatically bring peace, only to realize you're still battling comparison, hustle culture, and the pressure to always be doing more, you're not alone.

In this deeply personal birthday episode, Violeta reflects on turning 40 and the lessons she's carrying into the next decade of her life. While celebrating a milestone in Mérida, Mexico with her family, she shares how achieving financial freedom hasn't eliminated old habits—it has simply revealed new opportunities to redefine what success truly means.

Drawing from her experiences as a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and creator of Money Chisme, Violeta opens up about leaving behind the constant pressure of social media, letting go of unrealistic timelines, and embracing a slower, more intentional way of living. She explains why building wealth isn't just about reaching financial milestones, but about creating a life that aligns with your values, gives you freedom, and allows you to be fully present for the people who matter most.

Throughout the episode, she encourages listeners to stop measuring success against someone else's journey. Whether your goals take longer than expected, your business grows more slowly, or your priorities shift over time, your path is still valid. Violeta also shares her vision for the future—from investing in Mexico and supporting Latina entrepreneurs to giving back through affordable housing and community impact.

We cover:

• Why financial freedom doesn't automatically free you from hustle culture
• How social media can quietly steal the freedom you've worked so hard to build
• Why slowing down is one of the greatest forms of success
• The importance of defining success on your own terms instead of following someone else's timeline
• How infertility, surrogacy, and life circumstances changed Violeta's investing journey
• Why being work-optional is a bigger win than chasing arbitrary millionaire milestones
• How she's reimagining Money Chisme to prioritize impact over endless growth
• Why intentional business building creates more freedom than constant scaling
• The mindset shifts she's leaving behind as she enters her 40s
• Her plans to become an angel investor supporting Latina entrepreneurs
• Why affordable housing and ethical real estate investing have become central to her mission
• Her vision for investing in both the United States and Mexico while creating a life rooted in flexibility, family, and purpose
• How reflecting on your own definition of success can help you build a richer life—not just a bigger bank account

This episode is a reminder that wealth isn't measured only by your net worth—it's measured by the life you're able to create. Financial freedom isn't the finish line; it's the opportunity to live more intentionally, pursue what truly matters, and build a legacy that extends far beyond money. Your timeline doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be successful.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Free Latinas in Real Estate Community
• Real Estate Chisme Podcast
• Sign up for the Money Chisme Newsletter
• Cash Libre by Lucy (pre-order)

Support the show

Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
Support/Apoya MoneyChisme

Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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If you've ever felt jealous watching someone else hit a financial milestone while you're still working toward your own goals, you're not alone.

In this solo episode, Violeta opens up about something we don't talk about enough in personal finance: envidia (jealousy). She shares why feelings of envy don't make you a bad person—they're often a signal pointing toward a dream, desire, or goal you've been afraid to pursue or haven't given yourself permission to believe is possible.

Drawing from her own experiences as an entrepreneur, content creator, and real estate investor, Violeta explains how she has learned to recognize jealousy without shame, uncover what it's trying to teach her, and transform comparison into action. From seeing creators go viral to navigating feelings around business growth and financial success, she shares practical mindset shifts that have helped her stay focused on her own journey instead of someone else's timeline.

Throughout the episode, she encourages listeners to stop treating jealousy as something to suppress and instead use it as valuable information. By identifying the root of those emotions, challenging scarcity thinking, and taking small, intentional steps toward their own goals, listeners can turn comparison into motivation and continue building wealth with confidence.

We cover:

• Why jealousy is a normal human emotion—not a character flaw
• How envy can reveal the financial goals and dreams you've been avoiding
• Why comparing yourself to others often stems from scarcity mindset
• How childhood comparisons and cultural expectations can shape your relationship with success
• The difference between admiring someone's success and feeling defeated by it
• How Violeta processes feelings of envy in her own business and investing journey
• Why someone else's success doesn't take away your opportunities
• How to use comparison as a learning tool instead of a source of discouragement
• The importance of curating your social media feed to protect your mindset
• Why taking one small action is more powerful than endlessly comparing timelines
• How writing down your financial goals can keep you grounded in your own definition of success
• Violeta's "Envidia Reset" framework for turning jealousy into personal growth and financial action

This episode is a reminder that jealousy isn't the enemy—staying stuck is. When you learn to acknowledge envy instead of hiding from it, you can uncover what's truly important to you, let go of comparison, and refocus your energy on building the life and financial future you want. Someone else's success isn't proof that you're behind—it's proof that your goals are possible too.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Real Estate Chisme Podcast 
• Sign up for Money Chisme Newsletter

Support the show

Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
Support/Apoya MoneyChisme

Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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A beautiful website is great—but if it doesn't clearly communicate who you help and guide visitors to take action, it's probably costing you clients.

In this episode of Money Chisme, Violeta sits down with branding and website designer Gabriela Teran to discuss what every entrepreneur should know before creating or updating a website. From identifying your ideal client to improving your SEO, Gabriela shares practical strategies that help websites do more than just look good—they become powerful business tools.

Drawing from over 10 years of experience helping women of color build brands and websites, Gabriela explains why clarity always beats complexity, how to create trust with potential clients, and the small website changes that can lead to more traffic and better conversions.

Whether you're building your first website or refreshing an existing one, this conversation is packed with actionable tips you can implement right away.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why defining your ideal client is the foundation of an effective website
• How your website copy should speak directly to your target audience
• The essential pages every business website should include
• Why your About page is one of your most important marketing tools
• How to build trust using testimonials, results, and social proof
• The importance of keeping website copy short, clear, and easy to scan
• Why displaying your pricing can improve conversions
• How your brand and website should evolve as your business grows
• Common website mistakes that confuse visitors
• Simple ways to increase website traffic without paying for ads
• Why blogging is still one of the best long-term SEO strategies
• Easy SEO practices every business owner should know
• Why you should replace Linktree with your own website links page
• The importance of connecting your Google Business Profile to your website

Need to create a brand and website you can feel proud of and convert your visitors into clients? Get in contact with Gaby.

[email protected]

Web: teranmediadesign.com

Tiktok @teranmediadesign

IG: @teranmediadesign

Support the show

Sign Up for the MoneyChisme & Raíces Newsletter

Resources:

Start Investing with M1Finance or Fidelity
Finance Books to Start Your Journey

Open a High Yields Account
Support/Apoya MoneyChisme

Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

*Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: MoneyChisme Affiliate Links and Paid Advertisers Disclosure.

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If you've been working hard on your financial goals but still feel like you're doing it alone, it may be time to take a closer look at the people you're surrounding yourself with.

In this solo episode, Violeta explores how your relationships, friendships, and community can have a powerful impact on your financial journey. She explains why building intentional friendships with people who share your goals, values, and mindset can help you grow faster, stay motivated, and make decisions with greater confidence.

Drawing from her own experiences—from hearing well-meaning but fear-driven advice from family members to intentionally seeking out like-minded Latinas and entrepreneurs—Violeta shares how expanding her circle expanded her vision. She discusses the difference between networking and building genuine relationships, why not every friend has to fill the same role, and how finding the right community can be the catalyst for your next financial breakthrough.

Throughout the episode, she encourages listeners to audit their current circle, seek out communities that align with their goals, and remember that sometimes the biggest shift in your finances comes from changing your environment—not just your budget.

We cover:

• Why your financial growth is influenced by the people you spend the most time with
• How friends and family can unintentionally keep you in survival mode
• The difference between networking and building meaningful friendships
• Why expanding your circle can expand your financial mindset
• How financial anxiety from loved ones can impact your decision-making
• Why it's okay to have different friend groups for different seasons and goals
• How finding like-minded people helped Violeta grow as an investor, entrepreneur, and content creator
• The importance of seeking communities that encourage growth instead of fear
• How intentional friendships can provide accountability, motivation, and valuable resources
• Why your next financial breakthrough may come from being in a different room, not creating a better budget
• Questions to ask yourself when auditing your current circle and support system
• How to start building relationships with people who align with the future you're creating

This episode is a reminder that you don't have to build wealth alone. The right community won't just cheer you on—they'll challenge you, inspire you, and help you see opportunities you may never have discovered on your own. Sometimes the fastest way to level up your finances is to surround yourself with people who already believe in the life you're trying to build.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Free Latinas in Real Estate Community
• Real Estate Chisme Podcast
• Branding episode featuring Gabby

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Disclaimer:
I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for information provided in this video. Please be careful! This video is for general information purposes only and is not financial advice.

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