Meet Kelly Zúñiga | Money Mindset Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Zúñiga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
One affirmation I repeat to myself on the daily is “I am always learning.” As a recovering perfectionist who used to believe perfect was better than done, I need to befriend messy action. As a chronic overachiever, I have needed to get reacquainted with being bad at something new. My business journey reminds me of the time I learned to swim in my early 30s: I hated every second of it in the beginning, but I knew I would continue to fear water if I did not sit through the discomfort of being an amateur who accidentally drinks pool water. To know I am always learning gives me permission to try new things, to fail plenty, and to ask for help along the way.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have been a money mindset coach since 2021. I started my coaching business to change the narrative around money and to increase access to financial literacy. Growing up, I rarely heard people talk about money. Whenever money was mentioned, it was brought up in the context of hardship, intense labor, or as a means to purchase material things. Don’t get me wrong, I do have positive associations with money: I remember my dad saving up to take us to our favorite fast food restaurants or theme parks, just like he saved to help us pay for college. Overall, I grew up feeling financially secure and safe thanks to my parents. However, money always felt like this foreign object that had enormous power over our lives. The things I heard growing up were, “We have to save money because we’ll be poor without it” – encouraging a narrative of scarcity. The mantra, “we don’t need money to be happy,” implied that people who wanted money were chasing the wrong thing.

When I graduated from my master’s program with more than $45,000 of debt in a job that paid less than $50,000 a year, I knew something had to change. I knew I needed to change my relationship with money, and I craved community along the way. This is when I was introduced to the world of money coaching; after my own money awakening, I decided to join the movement to help other women of color build wealth. I am most proud of helping over 30 clients redefine their relationship with money so that they can budget, save, and invest for their future self and generations to come. Financial literacy is how we level out the playing field.

If you have ever started your own business, you know entrepreneurship is full of small difficult decisions. You quickly realize you can have it all, but you can’t do it all. Building a business means saying no to people, situations, and activities. Starting something from scratch means pouring your energy, money, and belief into something you’re not sure will work. As a result, you have to change your mindset, lifestyle, and routine. For me, since I still work a full-time job, I dedicate evenings and weekends to my business and clients. Beyond logistics, I have made changes in my social circle to be surrounded by people who support my vision and zest for life. All of these shifts symbolize small but difficult decisions I make on the daily, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am on a mission to get more wealth into communities of color!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am an urban hiker which means you can find me on a nearby hill or park when I am not working. I would likely take my friend to a hike of their choice – something like Griffith Park or a hike in Pacific Palisades – and then we’d cool down at a local cafe or restaurant for brunch. During the summer, I would look for a show at the Greek Theater or Hollywood Theater. In the winter, I would suggest taking in the LA Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. To shop, we would seek out a vendor pop up, mercado, or farmer’s market to support small business. As for food and drink, instead of giving you a list, I’ll tell you my strategy: I google or yelp small businesses that are owned by people of color, or LGBTQIA+ folks, and go from there. If I really love you, I’ll take you to my most favorite taco shops or hikes. I do not gate keep financial knowledge, but I might be guilty of keeping some local Angeleno spots to myself LOL

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my biggest support group and motivation in life: my family. My parents modeled dedication, love, kindness, and faith in ways that have shaped me into the driven and compassionate woman I am today. I know that to serve is to live, and to connect with others is to love. My parents paved the way for my siblings and me in this country – giving us everything they had so we could thrive. As for my siblings, they are my best friends and I couldn’t imagine doing life without them.

Along with my family, I would love to shout out my fellow rule breakers and lovers of life. I am blessed to have a rich circle of close friends, extended family, and business friends – all who remind me to show up fully every day. My friends and family are my rock when I feel disconnected from my purpose. My beautiful entrepreneurial community reminds me that ANYTHING is possible. When life feels too challenging to navigate, I only need to look around to see that collectively we are changing the world.

Website: https://kellyzuniga.com/

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