I grew up in a household where talking about money was somewhat taboo. We could afford things or we couldn’t, but we didn’t discuss it. We lived on Section 8, and over the years I saw how much my mom struggled, but I learned not to ask about it. I also saw her immense compassion and generosity toward others whose situations were tougher than ours. She worked at a shelter and would share the little resources we had to help people in need, and that gave me a lot of perspective; all of that has shaped my journey and how I approach building a legacy for myself and my children.
Being a single mom, I found myself in a similar cycle where I was nervous to speak about money with my kids or to ask anybody for help.
The WANDA program came into my life at the perfect time. I was sitting in a Starbucks trying to figure things out when a woman approached me to tell me about WANDA, and after learning more about the program, the opportunity felt like an answered prayer. Joining the program became an incredible opportunity to learn how to really use money and not let it restrict you. I learned the importance of saving, how to budget and invest, and how to build safe habits that helped me move past my preconceptions and understand that money shouldn’t be something you fear or worship, it’s simply a tool you can use.
Becoming a WANDA mom also opened an entire community to me, allowing me to connect and learn in a safe space with women in similar situations. Some of those relationships have even carried on, eight years later.
I am proud to partner with a former single mom to run DNNC Steps for Success, an organization shaped by her vision and my experience in the WANDA program. We provide scholarships to women pursuing cosmetology, beauty, nail, or massage school, fields that offer flexible income and can accommodate their children’s needs. We also provide a vehicle to one deserving single mother each year and have previously awarded one to a WANDA participant, as a way for me to give back.
Since graduating from WANDA, I’ve been running my business, Beauty Makes Cents, which provides specialized pedicures. This enables clients to receive safe, spa-quality care that helps them avoid painful foot issues and costly ER visits. In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, I was incredibly grateful for the foundation WANDA provided. Being in an industry without regular paychecks made it a scary time, but thanks to what I learned through WANDA, I had an established emergency fund to fall back on.
Today, my business is thriving, and I am now working to build out and expand an additional component of my business, the C.E.N.T.S Health Equity Navigator, which uses the power of AI to help people track their foot health and any symptoms they’re experiencing, and use that information to advocate for their care. We’ve won a few pitch competitions, and now we’re looking for investors and an opportunity to pilot with a health clinic or health organization.
I’ve also been able to share what I learned with my kids. Over the years, we’ve had open conversations about what’s realistic for our budget, and I’ve allowed them to be a part of the decision-making process when it comes to spending what we have, like whether they’d prefer to have a big Christmas or to instead have smaller gifts or experiences throughout the year. I have deeply enjoyed witnessing their progress in learning about money. Now my oldest, who is 15, is starting to understand how money works and how important budgeting is. He’s really tuned into the importance of managing your finances and has started to understand the value of saving. He’s even talking about what he wants his future to look like and has shared how important it feels to find a place where you can afford to live comfortably.
If there are any moms out there who are considering WANDA, I want to encourage you to give it a try. Often as single moms, we try to find programs for our kids, but we don’t do that for ourselves. I want to encourage you to invest in yourself. WANDA can help you grow financially, but it also helps you grow spiritually and mentally. The knowledge you gain stays with you and becomes something you can pass on, helping build generational wealth for today and for the future. The classes are all very rewarding, and you leave feeling inspired and like you’ve accomplished something. If you can, make the time and give back to yourself while providing a solid future for your family, you won’t regret it.