Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Candace Okin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Candace, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

The one thing I would change about the education system is to require classes that teach and emphasize skillsets that students will need emphatically to thrive as adults in the world. A specific class would include money management. While schools currently require math classes like Algebra I and II to graduate, a small percentage of all students who take these classes will actually use it within their career fields. Everyone, however, will use money management skills in no matter what career they choose, as well as in their personal lives. We are providing a huge disservice to the next generation’s workforce by not equipping them with the most basic and essential education and skills they need to succeed. This is one of the main reasons why Mason Makes Money Fund exists – to fill the void in traditional education.

While there isn’t one story to share, I have visited many classrooms and community organizations across Houston to impart entrepreneurial and money management education to kids of all ages. What I’ve encountered and have been shocked by is how many (up to 70% of classes I teach) students lack basic information, but hunger for it, nonetheless. There is a dire need for this, and students are incredibly receptive to receiving this education. Our students and society will be bettered as a result of classroom instruction like money management.

Candace, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a writer by profession, having crafted a more than 10-year long career comprising a variety of writing techniques including creative writing, grant writing, marketing, scriptwriting and a host of other writing styles.

Most recently, I’ve used my skills to engage children through imaginative literature, which highlight practical life skills. My first book turned inspiration for Mason Makes Money Fund, Mason Makes Money, chronicles a child’s journey through fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship and money management.

Pulling from my more than 10 years of experience in the nonprofit space, I established Mason Makes Money Fund in 2020, where I direct and lead all programs in service to youth entrepreneurs.

Mason Makes Money Fund accomplishes its mission by providing free in person and virtual workshops which cover an array of entrepreneurial and financial topics which include marketing, budgeting, customer service, business planning, tax preparation, and more. The crown jewel of our program is our awarding of three micro-grants to three kid entrepreneurs each year for $500 to be used to fund their businesses.

Since we began operating in 2022, Mason Makes Money Fund has engaged more than 5,000 people through funded grants, free in-person or virtual workshops, money management education, and literacy-based programs.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I believe my business itself is the testament to resilience. In 2019, I lost my job due to budget cuts, and it was a very hard time for my family. I was especially sensitive to my son then, as I wanted to make sure that as his model, I rose to that hardship as best as I could. I wrote a children’s book called; Mason Makes Money. My hope was to educate him and other children about money management to perhaps thwart them from making mistakes I had made that led me to dealing with my financial challenges. I was so inspired by the response by readers and their parents, that I wanted to keep the conversation around entrepreneurship and money management going. From there, Mason Makes Money Fund was incepted. I could have very well concentrated solely on myself and getting another job, but I thought it was important to pay it forward. We go through hard times in life, but it’s important that we understand the purpose of those hard times. Someone beyond me should learn and grow from it, and this was my way of making that possible.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I suppose the greatest lesson I’ve unlearned is expectations and what the entrepreneurial journey really is. Entrepreneurship is incredibly romanticized. I bought into that for a long time, expecting rapid success, hard work yes, but great output with great input. This is not always the case. The entrepreneurial journey is anything but linear. You are always working. There is always sacrifice, and the rewards may be few and far between, especially in the beginning. It is all worth it, as I believe I’m making a difference, and that my business’ mission is important, however, I’ve had to unlearn expectations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.masonmakesmoneyfund.org
• Instagram: @MasonMakesMoneyFund
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMMoneyFund
• Youtube: Mason Makes Money Fund

Image Credits

Jonathan Brown