Meet Melinda Carrera

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

Hi Melinda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly I have always known I’d work for myself. My dad was a successful entrepreneur, so I grew up watching him do what he loves and I always admired being like him when “I grow up”. After he passed away kin 2011, I was a little lost but I really was able to realize how much of an individual I really was. I’ve always been a hustler and a creative. I literally was that kid selling things at school as early as first grade lol. By third grade, I was running a full on Pokemon card business during recess lol.

So even though I worked in banking for almost a decade, deep down I knew it wasn’t my final destination. I was one of the top bankers in my division, but I hated what I saw. Banks made so much money off fees, overdrafts, and interest, and they’d actually celebrate that. It didn’t sit right with me. And it really frustrated me that I’d make the bank millions and barely get a bonus, and we couldn’t even get a coffee machine in the branch!!! Being at the bank was so frustrating because they cared more about numbers than actual people!

The biggest push came from the inequality I witnessed. I’d see white clients, often 18 years old, getting approved for $10k or even $15k credit cards as their very FIRST card. Meanwhile, young Black clients would barely get approved for $300 – $500. I realized it came down to education and exposure. A lot of those kids getting the high limits had been set up as authorized users and had the education since they were teens. I didn’t realize this until later but it always stuck with me.

Eventually, I left the bank and started reselling for a while. It was hard, and I took a hit on my own credit. That’s when I dove deep into credit repair. I fixed my own credit, learned the ins and outs, and got obsessed. I already loved finance, which is why I stayed in banking so long, but now I could use that knowledge to empower people who looked like me. That’s what sparked my business. The frustration, passion, and the drive to make financial game plans accessible to everyone, not just the privileged few.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is transparent I am, I am very relatable and I am not afraid to tell people the truth about my credit journey. I am honest about the repossession, the eviction, the collections, the late payments I have had… I’ve been through it. In the Black community especially, credit can be such a taboo topic. But I’ve also spent a lot of time around wealthy non black families where credit is openly talked about because they were taught young. I want to be that kind of resource in our communities. I want people to see that you can come back from anything. I show people where I started, how I lived, and where I am now and the difference came from fixing my credit.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come and how many people I’ve helped along the way. I didn’t just build a business, I built a movement (lol how i feel). It’s not just about credit repair. I’m a teacher. I show people how to truly understand credit so their results last. Because when people only get their credit fixed but never learn how it works, they end up back in the same spot. My passion is teaching and that’s what built my platform. I spent two years posting on TikTok consistently before anything really took off. But now? I’ve taught thousands, and my TikTok page is full of real results and testimonies.

TO BE 100% CLEAR, it was not easy at all! I am born and raised in California and as an adult now, it is super expensive, and anyone who lives here knows how expensive it is. My husband held everything down financially, emotionally, spiritually while I poured everything into this business. And that sacrifice was heavy. It wasn’t easy on our relationship, our family, or my friendships. I missed out on a lot because I was grinding. There were times where I made no money for weeks, and I questioned if I should go back to a 9-5. But I knew in my heart this was my purpose. And I’m so thankful I stayed the course.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to stop giving energy to the 2% of people who don’t support me. I’m an empath, and I truly want to help everybody, so it used to hurt when people tried to tear me down. But I had to remind myself that 98% of people are cheering me on. So why focus on the few who aren’t? I always say, “New levels, new devils.” You can’t rise without resistance and I have learned to stay grounded in gratitude.

What I want the world to know is this: Bad credit is not the end of your story. You have so much power over your credit! more than you think! What you don’t know, they’ll use against you. That’s why I teach credit in a way that’s clear, empowering, and honest. My story is proof that you can change your life. And I’m here to show others how to do it too

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ohhh ok this is how I would want it to go down… If my best friend was in town for a week, It’s on. I’m showing them the real LA! Some of my favorite spots we actually go to. The views, the food, and the good energy, they’re getting it all!

Defenitly going to Culver City Stairs, then straight to Manhattan Beach to relax, catch the breeze, maybe dip our feet in the water and just vibe, grab some food around Hermosa Beach Pier.

After a night out? We’re definitely stopping by the taco truck on Mormandie & Manchester, they’re open till 2am and it hits every time. And we’re not skipping Point Mugu either, it’s 1.5 hr drive, but the hike is magical. You literally see the ocean and the whole city laid out in front of you. It’s not an easy trail but the view is unmatched.

We’d grab breakfast at Hilltop Cafe in Inglewood (Issa Rae’s spot), good people, and the energy is always right. Then we’re catching a concert, game, or event at SoFi Stadium, The Forum, or Intuit Dome, which are all basically in my backyard. Something is always going on over there.

And babyyyy we are not skipping The Meeting Spot, it’s a new outdoor/indoor bar right by SoFi with good drinks, small bites, and all the vibes. We’d be outside in the best way. And we gotta pull up to Cosm too, we can watch games and shows in full surround 360 visuals.

For a downtown day, we’re hitting Perch LA rooftop views, cocktails, and cute energy. Then a chill day in Venice, grabbing drinks, people watching, listening to music, and just soaking it all in.

But let me tell you, one of the most slept on fun spots is Chester Washington Golf Course. YES, we’re going lol! It’s a lot of old heads, but the food is so good. The drinks are heavy handed, the music is good, and the vibes are really fun. Everything is affordable and the energy is unmatched, we’d be a total hit up in there, trust me!

And of course, we’re stopping by my girl Olu’s barbershop, it’s not just a barbershop, it’s a whole vibe. There’s a bar, music, good convo, and it’s just beautiful energy all around.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I have to shout out my husband. He’s truly the reason I was able to go all in on my business. In the beginning, it was rough for both of us, financially and emotionally. In 2020 he landed a solid job, he stepped up in every way and carried everything so I could focus 100% on building my dream. That kind of support isn’t easy to come by, and because of him, I was able to grow a successful business and create the freedom I have now.

The second person I absolutely have to shout out is my friend, Steve Lott. He’s the one who put me on to the world of credit. Back in 2020, when COVID first hit, I was in a tough spot. My credit was terrible, I didn’t have a car (mine had been repossessed), and I was living in a place I honestly hated. I reached out to Steve because I needed a change. He told me he wasn’t fixing credit anymore and that he was teaching it and asked if I wanted to be his first student. I became his guinea pig, and I fell in love with it.

As I learned, I started fixing my own credit and once I saw results, I began posting them on social media. People took notice. Everyone was home, looking to improve their situation, and then people were asking me for help. That moment sparked my business. From 2020 to now, I’ve built a large TikTok following, launched classes, and helped thousands of people fix their credit. My TikTok is filled with real testimonials, because this journey started from the struggle, but turned into something life changing, not just for me, but for so many others.

Website: https://www.melmoneygal.com

Instagram: @melmoneygal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/creatingcreditmasters

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Melmoneygal

Other: Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@melmoneygal