Lawyer Turned Financial Educator, Delyanne Barros
What was the most challenging moment in your career and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part of my career was making the decision to permanently leave it behind. I had worked so hard for it. Three years of law school, $150,000 in student loans, and 14 years of experience. As an immigrant and WOC this was difficult because I knew how much of a sacrifice it was to achieve what I did and how rare it is in our community. However, I realized that I am not my profession. My career does not define who I am and what I have to offer. There are many ways that I can still serve others and make a difference. Once I realized that it was my ego getting in the way, I was able to peacefully walk away from my career and a steady $200,000 salary. Thankfully, today I get to serve thousands of people and continue my mission to elevate communities of color.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have for amateur investors and aspiring entrepreneurs?
There's a lot of noise and hype around opportunities to make money. That has always been the case and it's no different now. Be vigilant and do your own research to confirm anything you see online. If something sounds too good to be true, it is! There is no get-rich-quick scheme that works except for the person pitching it. Whether it's investing or starting a business, both take diligence and time. Invest in your education first, get your bearings, and then start. If you're afraid or overwhelmed to go at it alone, get a coach with a good reputation and proven results. My sister, Nathalia Copeland, is my business coach and I would've never been able to grow my business as I have without her guidance.
Why did you decide to start Delyanne the Money Coach, and what are your company's future goals?
I started my business because the lack of financial literacy and diversity in the financial space is a modern-day crisis. For every dollar a White man owns in wealth, Black and Latina women own a penny. The fact that I had never given investing in a second thought beyond my 401k until I was 36 years old is incredibly frustrating to me. All anyone talked about was buying property as the only way to build wealth. I quickly realized that the information about investing in the stock market was not reaching the people that really need it. As I started to share my personal journey online towards financial independence (my goal is to retire by 45), my community began to quickly grow. Less than 15 months later, Slay the Stock Market has almost 2,000 students enrolled and my business has generated over $600,000. I hope to keep expanding the reach of Slay the Stock Market, my online course that teaches new investors how to achieve financial independence, and to keep educating women of color about the power of financial literacy.
You initially started your career as an attorney and eventually became a financial educator. What were some valuable skills you gained as an attorney and what advice do you have for aspiring attorneys?
Becoming an employment attorney showed me the power of advocacy. So few women or people of color advocate for themselves at work. It's crucial that we stand up to injustice when we see it or experience it. This means negotiating contracts before signing them, asking for a raise or a promotion, and speaking out if you think you're a victim of discrimination. Attorneys are not immune to these issues. I suggest you get informed about your rights at work and consult with an employment attorney before joining a firm so you can start from a position of power. This skill has translated to my role as a business owner when I'm negotiating with brands and publications. People of color are often low-balled in the influencer space so it's vital to sharpen this skill.□
Article Credits
Instagram: @delyannethemoneycoach
Twitter: @delyannebarros
Pinterest: @delyannethemoneycoach
TikTok: @delyannethemoneycoach
Website: mastermyfire.com