Meet Jannese Torres-Rodriguez | Latina Money Expert & Host of Yo Quiero Dinero

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jannese Torres-Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jannese, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I stumbled upon the concept of FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early). I started listening to a ton of personal finance podcasts, devouring everything I could find. I was shocked that no one I knew was talking about how you can use invest to achieve financial freedom and independence. I desperately wanted to connect with other Latinas who were talking about personal finance, building wealth and financial independence. Surprise, I couldn’t find any! And so, the Yo Quiero Dinero podcast was born.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Growing up, I thought the only way to earn a living was to go a more traditional route: school, get an education, and get a good-paying job with benefits. I had no entrepreneurs in my family, and the idea of owning a business and working for myself was never something I thought was an option for me.

I had a very limited understanding of what being a Latinx business owner could look like. The only Latinx-owned businesses that I had ever seen growing up were mom-and-pop stores like bodegas, salons, or restaurants, but I didn’t want to pursue any of those options.

In 2007, I graduated from college with a degree in molecular biology and chemistry, and I pursued a career as a process engineer. After five years of job hopping, even though I was making $75,000 a year in my 20s, I was unsatisfied. I wrestled with feelings of guilt because I felt like I should be happy and grateful for what I had. My anxiety was at an all-time high, and I started seriously considering quitting my job and starting over.

I didn’t give up. Instead, I started side hustling, and over time I built a business that makes me six figures a year. That made it possible for me to walk away from my 9-to-5 at the age of 36.

Becoming a full-time entrepreneur is one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. For the first time in my life, I feel like limits don’t exist. I am in full control of my schedule and my earning potential. I no longer have to request time off or accept mediocre pay raises.

Entrepreneurship has taught me valuable lessons about myself and what I’m capable of. It has grown my confidence and helped me get a clear vision of what my ideal life looks like. And it all started with a side hustle and a dream.

My best advice for someone who wants to turn their side hustle into their main gig: Start today, commit to the journey, and prepare to work. Trust me, when you’re on the other side, you’ll realize that it was totally worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
THE BEACH! I fell in love with the Gulf Coast as soon as I arrived, and it’s because it’s the home of some of the best beaches in the country. I’m a huge foodie, so I love discovering new places, and finding places with awesome vibes. Some of my fave spots in the Tampa Bay area are:

Restaurants:
Ulele
Armature Works
Oxford Exchange

Beaches:
Clearwater Beach
Honeymoon/Caladesi Island
Fort De Soto (St. Petersburg)

Sites:
The Tampa Riverwalk
Straz Center For The Performing Arts
The Florida Aquarium

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents get all the praise. They are part of the Puerto Rican diaspora, and left Puerto Rico in their teenage years in order to achieve a better life and that decision made everything possible for me. I have enjoyed privileges that I never would have had access to if they’d stayed on the island. I thank them every day for making the very difficult decision to leave, and for providing me with a love of learning, a supportive home and for being my biggest cheerleaders.

Website: yoquierodineropodcast.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoquierodineropodcast/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannese-t-974421151/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DineroPodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoquierodineropodcast

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjyPFk9zzMBr_nVI6KmoIA