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

Deahna, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

If I could change one thing about the education system, it would be making financial literacy and entrepreneurship a core part of every student’s experience.

I was fortunate; I got a taste of that early. In high school, I took a Virtual Enterprise class where we built e-commerce stores, created brands, and learned how to pitch and work as a team. At 17 & 18, I was already learning what it meant to be a vendor and business owner. It reminded me of a recent moment at Invest Fest in Atlanta, that same energy of community and reconnecting by supporting each other or taking in a new skill by learning from experts & peers.

At home, I had a strong foundation, too. I was taught early about saving, tithing, and side hustles. When I started earning money on my own, those lessons stuck. I understood the value of budgeting because I’d lived it.

In college, my dad told me, “Whatever major you choose, make it worth it in four years.” That advice led me to spend time in the Career Development office, where I eventually landed a co-working opportunity in the Scholarship office that even helped with tuition for my last two years at my HBCU.

All of this taught me that youth thrive when they’re given real-world tools, not just theory. We need more classes that teach practical skills, more conversations about online presence, and more experiences that prepare students for the life they want to build.

Deahna, 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?

didn’t learn about money in a classroom first — I learned it at the kitchen table.

As a kid, I sat quietly during family tax meetings, watching adults discuss money with intention and purpose. I didn’t fully understand it then, but I was absorbing the foundation of financial literacy. That early exposure planted seeds that would eventually grow into Budgets by Joi.

By the time I reached high school, I was already passionate about budgeting and Accounting. College only sharpened that focus. I earned my degree in Accounting from Tennessee State University, an HBCU that taught me not just academics, but also philanthropy. From there, I jumped into the real world, taking on roles in healthcare, higher education, the music industry, and small business operations. I wasn’t just clocking in; I was building a toolbox.

And then, in 2017, I leaped.

I started freelancing — and quickly realized that many individuals, small business owners, and nonprofits were struggling with finances, not because they were irresponsible, but because no one had ever taught them how to manage them effectively. That’s where I came in.

Budgets by Joi was born out of a desire to help people feel safe, confident, and capable when it came to their money. Because financial peace isn’t just about numbers, it’s about clarity, legacy, and choice.

Through Budgets by Joi, I offer services that meet people where they are — whether that’s ground zero or growth mode:

For Individuals & Entrepreneurs:

Financial Foundation Package – A 3-session plan to build a confident budget, identify goals, and create a system that works for your lifestyle.

1:1 Financial Clarity Chats – Get unstuck in just 45 minutes with practical advice, no judgment.

For Small Businesses & Nonprofits:

Grant Writing & Strategy – Helping nonprofits and startups secure funding that aligns with their mission.

Operations Support – For growing businesses that need strategy, systems, and someone who understands the numbers and the vision.

Financial Literacy Programs – We integrate financial education into the core of every program, whether it’s housing assistance, youth development, scholarship initiatives, or career readiness.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My social media journey really took off when I started using TikTok, not just to post, but to merge my two worlds: yoga and financial education. At first, I was simply sharing yoga flows and mindset tips, something that had always been a passion of mine. But as I began to also share financial lessons, the kind I was taught growing up, like budgeting, saving, and understanding money on a deeper level, something clicked.

People weren’t just engaging with my content because it was “helpful,” they connected because it felt holistic. I wasn’t just telling people to budget; I was helping them feel more balanced in their approach to money. Yoga gave me the tools to talk about financial literacy with compassion, mindfulness, and intention, not shame or stress.

It became clear that this blend set me apart. I was showing up authentically, sharing my why, my story, and even moments like when I was in college or during the pandemic, working as a nanny by day but still finding ways to weave in yoga and money lessons with the kids I cared for. That experience inspired my first kids’ financial literacy workbook, proof that your story has the power to shape your work. My advice for those starting out?
Start by showing up as your full self. Don’t be afraid to merge your passions. Let people in on the why behind what you do, not just the results. Consistency matters, but connection matters more. Speak to people’s lives, not just their goals, and your audience will grow with you.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of my biggest pivots happened during the COVID era. I had the unique opportunity to become a full-time, in-house nanny, something that naturally evolved from my earlier days as a babysitter. While many parts of the world were shutting down, I found myself stepping into a role that offered both structure and unexpected space to build what would become Budgets by Joi.

During the day, I cared for kids, but during nap time and after hours, I was laying the groundwork for my business. I’d be stretching on the floor, FaceTiming friends to guide them through simple yoga flows or helping them brainstorm their monthly budgets, sometimes all within the same few hours.

That season of life taught me discipline, creativity, and balance. Being a nanny wasn’t a detour; it was a doorway. It gave me the flexibility to merge my passions, see my littles grow up, test my ideas, and build a brand rooted in real-life rhythms. That pivot shaped everything Budgets by Joi is today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.budgetsbyjoi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/budgetsbyjoi/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/budgets_byjoi/100064550272273/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deahnamoore/
• Twitter: https://x.com/BudgetsbyJoi
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYjIjJdKDcqBP9QkQjFaISg
• Other: yoga instagram page – https://www.instagram.com/joi.djm/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

Image Credits

Brittany Grodeman, Aaron Ingram, and Elijah Lightfoot with “The Lightfoot Studio”