Island Money 365

42: Chambers, Connections & Community Capital w/ Kobey Smith

In this special end-of-year episode of Island Money 365, I sit down with the dynamic Kobey Smith, entrepreneur advocate, bridge-builder, and changemaker at the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. If you’re a current or aspiring business owner—this is your episode. Packed with laughs, real talk, and insights you didn’t know you needed. We cover: * What the Chamber of Commerce really does—and why you should be part of one * How networking with intention builds generational wealth * Why success doesn’t always mean 7 figures * Budgeting, taxes, and the power of paying yourself first * Why financial intelligence > financial literacy * His favorite quote from grandpa: "Don’t eat wooden pork chops” 🐷😂 (yes, we explain it!) From funding your passion to showing up in your community, this episode is a must-listen for anyone rewriting their financial story and redefining what wealth and legacy truly mean.

41: From Bethel Town to Candle Bar Boss 🕯️🔥

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, I sit down with my girl Annie White-Brown — founder of @naturalannieessentials — and we go all the way in! From growing up in rural Jamaica and revival church culture (yup, full revival church vibes!) to building a nationally recognized candle company from her kitchen, Annie shares her inspiring immigrant journey, entrepreneurial pivots, and the power of culture, grind, and growth. 🇯🇲✨ We talk: 💸 Partner savings culture in the Caribbean 👩🏽‍🔬 How she went from skincare to candles 📈 Scaling into 1,000+ retail stores and international markets 💡 Lessons from early money mistakes 💼 The REAL behind-the-scenes of hiring, HR, and staying in your purpose 🎯 And why NaturalAnnie Essentials is destined to become a household name This episode is full of gems, giggles, and goosebumps! If you're an immigrant, entrepreneur, or candle lover — you don’t want to miss this one. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in. Share with a woman who's building her dream! #IslandMoney365

40:💫 From Layoff to Legacy: Evelyn Ruiz’s Journey to Cafecito Dreams ☕️

After a 17-year corporate career ended unexpectedly, Evelyn Ruiz didn’t stop—she pivoted. In this episode of Island Money 365, we sit down with the powerhouse behind Hasta Luego, Friend—a mobile café and soon-to-be brick-and-mortar rooted in family legacy, resilience, and delicious coquito-infused drinks.  From selling her beloved sneaker collection to hauling a vintage trailer from Florida, Evelyn takes us behind the scenes of building a business from the ground up—with no barista experience, just heart, hustle, and heritage.  We talk setbacks, wrap jobs gone wrong, balancing entrepreneurship and caregiving, and how Evelyn honors her abuela’s migration story through every cafecito she serves.  Listen now and get inspired to bet on yourself—even when the path isn’t clear.  Hartford-based  Puerto Rican-owned  Fueled by culture, community, and coquito  Evelyn reminds us that we don’t need everything to start—just a dream, a plan, and the guts to go after it.  Island Money 365 — where money stories and migration journeys meet.

39: Healing Through Heritage: Gullah Geechee Wisdom, Tea & Storytelling

In this episode of Island Money 365, I sit down with Sasha Allen Walton, Hartford native, Gullah Geechee descendant, and founder of Sasha’s Whole Earth, to explore how ancestral wisdom, spiritual practices, and plant medicine come together in her work as a healer, storyteller, and culture keeper. We talk about: 🌿 What it means to be Gullah Geechee and why cultural preservation matters 🍵 How Sasha’s healing journey led to her powerful tea and herbal blends 📰 Her leadership of Northend Agent’s, Connecticut’s longest-running Black-owned newspaper 🔮 Misconceptions about Hoodoo and the sacred responsibility of land stewardship 🖤 Creating spaces where Black and BIPOC people feel seen, held, and healed Whether you're curious about herbal medicine, decolonizing wellness, or the power of media to uplift communities, this episode is full of grounding insight, love, and legacy. #GullahGeechee #AncestralHealing #BlackWellness #BlackHerbalists #IslandMoney365 #BIPOCFarmers #Hoodoo #SashasWholeEarth

38: Every Mickle Makes a Muckle: Peta-Gaye Tomlinson on Public Health, Purpose & Prosperity

In this powerful episode of Island Money 365, Petra-Ann sits down with Peta-Gaye Tomlinson — a dynamic public health administrator, quality improvement expert, and media consultant — to talk about faith, financial wisdom, and the fight for better community health. 🇯🇲💪🏽 Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and raised in New York, Peta-Gaye shares her inspiring journey from working in women’s shelters to becoming a leader in public health for the City of Hartford. She opens up about her passion for HIV/AIDS awareness, sexual health education, and empowering Black and Brown women to take charge of their wellbeing — physically, mentally, and financially. 💬 In this episode: * Why sex education still matters — and how stigma is holding communities back * The truth about HIV: prevention, testing, and living a full life * Peta-Gaye’s personal money mindset shift from scarcity to abundance * Building multiple income streams with purpose and faith * Her Jamaican roots, her mother’s influence, and the wisdom behind “Every mickle makes a muckle” * WiV1Jiy9wLGP79YIWOSX