Money Talks with a Recovering Workaholic, Brooklyn Wright
Quench Finance: How was money viewed in your childhood? Did your family talk about it?
Brooklyn Wright: I honestly don’t remember my family talking much about money when I was young. However I started my first business at 10 years old (a Kool-Aid and snacks stand), so I had to be thinking about money. My grandmother was the person in my family I looked up to when it came to money. I don’t ever remember talking about money with my family but I learned a lot just through the observation of their actions. I picked up good habits and bad habits from all of the adults in my immediate life. As an adult, I think it’s our job to spend most of our time unlearning the things our family and society taught us.
QF: Have any of your beliefs about money changed in adulthood?
BW: When I was younger I believed in working hard and was easily a workaholic. Now that I’m in my 30’s I no longer see the value in “hustling” or hard work. I also learned that you really have to know yourself to be successful with money. My internal psychology affects my financial decisions. So instead of trying to change to fit a mold, I stay in my lane of genius. For example, I don’t like being a CEO. I did it for a long time, and I found that I actually like to be a supporting member on the executive team and not the main person in charge. In short, I believe money is such a small part of the story. Instead of working to make a lot of money, I now am more focused on creating a life [that] I absolutely love, and frankly, I discovered it doesn’t take nearly as much money as I thought to get there.
QF: What about in 2020 specifically? How did or didn’t you adjust?
BW: Great question. 2020 shifted my entire life unexpectedly. Up until that point I had been an entrepreneur for over a decade and vowed I would never work for a company again. I basically turned my nose up at the concept. However, COVID shut down my consulting business as my main clients [also] shut their doors. This lead me to at least be open to W2 work. In August of 2020, I took a job with a nonprofit (which I never expected) and it was a game-changer. I am happier, stress-free, and I have plenty of money to invest which I consider my new business. This process taught me to be open to shifting. I was holding myself back by not being open and allowing my ego to cloud my decisions.
QF: If you could give your younger self advice about money, what would it be?
BW: Start investing now!! Buy real estate and hold it. Max out your [contributions to your] 401k. Use your credit as leverage to buy assets (real estate). Do this in your 20’s. Earlier if you can. Start investing 50% of your income. More if possible. It sounds like a lot but the more you invest, the more you gain, and the faster you get to financial freedom. If you invest well in stocks and real estate in your 20’s you will be free by the time you get to your 30’s. Start NOW!
QF: Who are your fave money leaders like blogs, vlogs, & podcasts?
BW: I really like the YouTube folks who talk about their journey, but I am sad to say that I only see men dominating the space, especially once you get outside of the basic conversations about financial literacy like credit, budgeting, etc.
Currently, on YouTube I find myself following:
@meetkevin
@myrichjourney
@WallstreetTrapper
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Brooklyn Wright (They/Them/She/Her/Sir) is a proponent of financial empowerment in our communities, & has partnered with groups like StartOut & been featured by Daylight Banking; they also very recently led a talk about breaking through financial ceilings in association with The Alliance for Community Development. Wright serves as Director of Partnerships for Out In Tech whose mission is creating opportunities for their members to advance their careers, grow their networks, & leverage tech for social change. Out in Tech strives to ensure all are seen & heard in the defining sector of our time. Wright also founded Boi Society, the largest and most diverse platform for tomboys, androgynous, and genderless folxs.
