In this episode, Jannese Torres chats with marketing strategist Kar Brulhart, who turned a COVID layoff into a major glow-up story. Kar went from corporate burnout to building her dream business on Instagram and she’s spilling all the tea on how she did it.

They get real about what it takes to show up online with confidence, why networking matters (even if it scares you!), and how to stop scrolling and start using social media to make money. Kar also breaks down her go-to strategies for building a personal brand, growing an audience, and using email marketing to boost sales. If you’ve ever doubted that you can start late, pivot careers, or make money being you, this one’s for you.

You’ll Learn:

💡 How Kar went from corporate life to full-time entrepreneurship after being laid off

💡 Why Instagram is still a powerful tool for business growth

💡 The secret to sharing your story and building trust with your audience

💡 How to network without feeling awkward or fake

💡 Tips for treating your social media presence like a real business

💡 Why email marketing is a must for long-term success

💡 How to stay consistent and show up even when you’re over it

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In this week's episode of Yo Quiero Dinero, host Jannese Torres sits down with Andrea Ramos, founder of Building Gen Wealth, to talk about her journey from a first-gen saver to a full-time entrepreneur and money coach. Born in Peru and raised in the U.S., Andrea shares how her parents’ example of hard work and quiet money lessons sparked her own path toward financial independence—and how a moment of family crisis led her to reimagine what building wealth truly means. Andrea opens up about the challenges of leaving her 9-to-5, becoming a mom, and redefining success on her own terms. From navigating variable income to healing generational scarcity mindsets, she reminds us that wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about peace, possibility, and purpose.

💡 You’ll Learn

[07:15] The turning point that changed how she viewed saving, wealth, and security

[09:00] Why representation matters in the personal finance space

[16:30] How she built Building Gen Wealth while working full-time

[20:30] The key lessons she learned transitioning from employee to entrepreneur

[23:30] The “third skill” of money everyone needs to master—how to make more of it

[25:50] Managing money as a business owner and paying yourself with discipline

[34:00] How motherhood reshaped her relationship with money and ambition

[37:20] The mindset and practical steps to go from saver to investor

[42:30] The importance of being a lifelong learner when it comes to money

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Making money is a skill. Whether you’re in a 9-to-5 or running a business, it’s something you can learn and grow.
• Saving is your foundation. It’s not the finish line—it’s what allows you to invest, build, and sustain wealth.
• Healing scarcity takes time. Emotional regulation around money is part of the work, especially for cycle breakers.
• Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but it’s empowering. Building income from your ideas takes grit, adaptability, and faith.
• Your season matters. Success looks different in every phase of life—especially in motherhood.

📲 Connect With Andrea

Follow Andrea at @building.gen.wealth on Instagram for relatable financial education and visual breakdowns of investing, saving, and wealth-building.

❤️ Connect With Yo Quiero Dinero

Follow @YoQuieroDineroPodcast on Instagram and subscribe on YouTube for weekly money convos with Latinas who are owning their financial power.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Yo Quiero Dinero, Jannese chats with Norma Rapko, who proves that creativity and faith can change your life. Norma went from being a high school dropout battling anxiety and depression to becoming a multi-million dollar inventor, author, and creator of the revolutionary Crystyler tool—featured in 1,100+ Michael’s stores and on HSN!

Norma’s story is a masterclass in resilience, self-belief, and breaking cultural expectations. She opens up about growing up as a first-gen Mexican-American in L.A., overcoming mental health struggles, and learning how creativity can literally rewire your brain. We also talk about the power of networking, owning your story, and redefining what success looks like on your own terms.

This convo is your permission slip to chase your wildest ideas — even if no one else believes in them yet. 💡✨

✨ You’ll Learn:

[02:17] Growing up first-gen in L.A. — how Norma’s family business and work ethic shaped her entrepreneurial mindset

[04:40] Turning pain into purpose — how she faced anxiety, depression, and dropping out of high school and still built a new path

[07:03] From crafts to cash — how selling picture frames at a local fair led to $3K in one day and a nationwide business

[11:48] The birth of The Crystiler — how a tedious task became a million-dollar invention 💎

[13:29] “We’re all inventors” — why the best businesses are born from your personal problems

[14:38] Why creativity makes you uncontrollable (and why society tries to silence that power)

[17:33] How art and creativity can rewire your brain and support mental health, backed by neuroscience 🧠

[23:06] The divine $25K connection — how faith and community opened doors for her invention

[27:05] Norma’s real talk: nothing worthwhile happens overnight — consistency is key

[32:34] Networking for introverts — how to show up, give value, and attract the right people

[41:08] The power of storytelling and authenticity in connecting with your audience

[42:06] Only 2% of Latina inventors hold patents — and why Norma is on a mission to change that 🇲🇽

[45:08] Redefining success — what “enough” looks like when you build on your own terms

[53:39] Norma’s message to her younger self: “Love yourself, believe in yourself, and know it’ll all work out.” 💖

👉 Connect with Norma Rapko:

• 🌐 Website: normarapko.com
• 📸 Instagram: @normarapko
• 💫 Join Creativa The Movement — a free creativity & journaling program on her site

💌 If this episode lit a fire in you, share it with your comadres and tag us @YoQuieroDineroPodcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful and deeply healing conversation, Jannese sits down with Priscilla María Gutierrez, a certified trauma-informed life coach and keynote speaker known online as The Cycle Breaker Coach. Together, they unpack what it really means to be a cycle breaker — especially as first-gen Latinas navigating cultural expectations, family pressure, and inherited trauma.

Priscilla opens up about her personal journey through childhood abuse, unhealthy relationships, and the moment she chose to reclaim her voice and purpose. She shares how she transformed her pain into her profession, helping others break free from toxic patterns and live authentically aligned lives. From healing your relationship with money to setting boundaries with family and unlearning generational beliefs — this episode is your reminder that it’s possible to break cycles and still love where you come from.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• (00:02:00) How Priscilla discovered her calling after walking away from law school
• (00:06:30) The connection between unresolved childhood trauma and adult coping mechanisms
• (00:10:45) The pivotal moment that led her to finally leave a toxic relationship
• (00:14:30) Why self-validation is the foundation of healing and empowerment
• (00:17:30) How first-gen trauma shows up in our relationship with money
• (00:23:00) Setting boundaries with family and learning to say “no” without guilt
• (00:28:30) How to parent with a trauma-informed lens and break harmful patterns
• (00:31:20) The cultural belief Priscilla had to unlearn to step into her full power

🔗 Connect with Priscilla María:

🌐 PriscillaMaria.com

📸 Instagram: @cyclebreakercoach

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we’re diving into one of the most avoided — yet absolutely essential — conversations in personal finance: estate planning. Host [Your Name] sits down with Alexandra Sepulveda, Head of Legal at Trust & Will, to break down the myths, cultural taboos, and emotional barriers that often keep us from preparing for the inevitable.

Alexandra shares her deeply personal journey that began after a close brush with tragedy in her own family — and how that experience ignited her passion for helping others protect their legacy. Together, they discuss how to start the conversation with loved ones, why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy, and how digital tools like Trust & Will are breaking down barriers to make legacy planning more accessible than ever.

From defining what an “estate” really is (hint: it’s everything you own!) to understanding the difference between a will and a trust, this episode is your crash course in protecting your hard-earned assets and ensuring your loved ones are cared for — without the financial chaos.

💬 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

[00:03:25] Why talking about death and money doesn’t have to be scary — it’s an act of love 💛

[00:08:10] How Alejandra’s family story inspired her mission to make estate planning accessible

[00:15:20] The difference between a will and a trust (and why you might need both)

[00:22:45] When to create or update your estate plan (hint: it’s sooner than you think!)

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Estate planning isn’t about death — it’s about legacy.
• You don’t need to be wealthy to need a will or trust.
• Life changes fast — keep your estate plan updated!
• Digital platforms like Trust & Will make it easier than ever to protect what you’ve built.

🛠️ Resources Mentioned:

• Visit trustandwill.com to start your estate plan today.
• Explore the Trust & Will blog for guides on wills, trusts, and family planning.

💌 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

DM us or tag @YoQuieroDineroPodcast to share your estate planning journey! Your story could inspire someone else to take action.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Yo Quiero Dinero, Jannese sits down with Cristina Olivarez—award-winning visibility and leadership coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Social Butterfly Gal and Hustle + Socialize. Cristina shares her journey from chasing the “perfect” career path in broadcast journalism to building her own platforms that empower Latinas and women of color to step into visibility unapologetically.

From navigating rejection in traditional media to creating her own conference, Cristina opens up about the power of storytelling, embracing pivots in business, and how authenticity builds lasting leadership. If you’ve ever struggled with showing up online, owning your voice, or figuring out how to lead in your community, this episode will inspire you to embrace your visibility as a superpower.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

15:49 The “cookie-cutter” script many Latinas are given—and how Cristina rewrote it for herself.

23:52 Giving yourself permission to pivot in business and in life.

24:56 The origin story and impact of the Hustle + Socialize conference.

26:11 Why centering Latinas and women of color in business is both revolutionary and necessary.

28:45 Why visibility is more than marketing—it’s about legacy and leadership.

33:54 Practical first steps to start building your personal brand and showing up online.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Cristina on Instagram: @thesocialbutterflygal | @hustleandsocialize
• Listen to her podcast: Unapologetically Visible (Apple, Spotify, YouTube)
• Visit: thesocialbutterflygal.net
• Get your free guide: The Financially Lit Latina

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Yo Quiero Dinero, host Jannese Torres sits down with Elena Gergis, the creator behind Made With Sazón, to talk about the journey from beauty blogging to becoming a viral Puerto Rican food content creator. Elena shares how rediscovering her cultural roots led to explosive growth online, why niching down matters, and how consistency pays off when building a brand. From her viral coquito recipe to monetizing her website and landing brand deals, Elena gives a real look into what it takes to grow as a solo creator while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship. This conversation is full of practical lessons for anyone thinking about launching their own content brand.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

2:01 Elena’s transition from beauty and lifestyle blogging to food content

4:30 The power of embracing your culture and niche to stand out online

7:26 What it feels like to go viral—and how to prepare for it

13:30 Elena’s income streams: ads, brand partnerships, and social media monetization

21:13 What she's accomplished so far

24:34 What Inspired her to build on Youtube

26:21 How she structures her days as a mom and creator

35:00 The role of AI and automation tools in her business

37:46 Elena’s vision for the future—including cookbooks, TV appearances, and more

Resources & Links:

• Follow Elena on all platforms:@madewithsaz0n
• Visit her website for recipes: https://curlsnpearlsss.com/
• Learn more about Jannese: yoquierodineropodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Yo Quiero Dinero, Jannese sits down with economist, author, and changemaker Anna Gifty to unpack the hidden costs women of color face in every stage of life — what Anna calls “The Double Tax.”

From beauty standards and career hurdles to childbirth, caregiving, homeownership, and even retirement, Anna breaks down how racism and sexism compound to leave women of color overcharged and underpaid — and what we can do about it.

You’ll hear:

• [05:00] Anna’s personal story of navigating wealth gaps from childhood through academia
• [20:00] The shocking reality of how inequality shows up in parenting, childbirth, and childcare costs
• [29:00] How empathy reshaped Anna’s perspective on her own family — and why men must read this book too
• [32:00] Why retirement hits women of color harder — and the data that proves it
• [44:00] Practical steps you can take — individually and collectively — to close the gap

Anna reminds us that we’re not imagining the struggle, and we’re not alone in it. With empathy, community, and action, we can begin to dismantle the structures that hold us back.

📚 Grab your copy of Anna’s new book, The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid, available September 16 wherever you buy books.

🔗 Follow Anna: Instagram | BlueSky | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Yo Quiero Dinero Podcast, host Jannese Torres sits down with relationship coach, podcaster, and corporate baddie Karina F. Daves to talk about balancing it all—motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship—without losing yourself.

Karina shares how she built a six-figure business while working full-time, what it really takes to stop “doing it all,” and why outsourcing, building support systems, and setting boundaries are non-negotiable for women chasing big dreams. From navigating mom guilt and missed birthdays to strengthening her marriage and growing her platform to over 240K followers, Karina keeps it real about the messy, hard, and beautiful parts of pursuing purpose.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to build a six-figure side hustle as a busy mom
• Why harmony matters more than balance in motherhood
• How to navigate mom guilt and missed milestones
• The role of outsourcing, nannies, and structure in creating freedom
• Why choosing the right partner is the biggest life investment
• How to align your finances and family goals to build the life you want

👩🏽‍💻 About Our Guest:

Karina F. Daves is a relationship expert and host who helps couples repair trust, improve intimacy, and rebuild strong partnerships. She’s also a mom of two, wife, and entrepreneur who’s passionate about helping women reclaim their time, energy, and confidence.

📲 Connect with Karina:

Instagram & TikTok → @karinafdaves

Website → https://www.karinafdaves.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you do everything “right”—go to college, land the six-figure job, make your family proud—and still end up buried in debt, burned out, and feeling trapped? In this episode, Jannese sits down with Rose Han, a first-gen wealth builder, YouTuber, and now author of Add A Zero. Rose opens up about her journey from over $100K in student loan debt to becoming a self-made millionaire, and the mindset shifts, financial strategies, and rebellious choices that made it possible.

We talk about:

• The real impact of student loan debt on millennials & Gen Z’s version of the American Dream
• Why “employee income” is the least free kind of income (and what to focus on instead)
• Rose’s Add A Zero framework for going from negative net worth to your first million—step by step
• How money identity, family conditioning, and cultural expectations shape our financial choices
• Why sometimes you have to ignore your parents’ advice and carve your own path
• The freedom and fulfillment that come when you stop playing small and start building wealth on your own terms

If you’ve ever felt stuck in debt, confused about money, or pressured to follow someone else’s script for success, this conversation is your permission slip to rewrite your financial story.

📘 Grab your copy of Add A Zero at addazero.com and get access to Rose’s bonus content.

📺 Follow Rose on YouTube and socials: @itsrosehan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.