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

TERRANCE, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

TeeTalksMoney was born out of my realization that investing was a powerful way to overcome poverty and build wealth. When I entered corporate America, I quickly learned how financial decisions could shape my future, something I was never taught growing up.

Much later, I realized that schools weren’t teaching financial literacy, leaving many young people without the knowledge to make informed financial choices. That’s what inspired me to start TeeTalksMoney. I wanted to bridge that gap by sharing my personal journey and breaking down wealth-building concepts in a way that’s relatable and accessible.

My goal isn’t to be a financial advisor but to empower others, whether young people or professionals, to take control of their financial future. Through speaking engagements, I help people shift their money mindset and understand that building wealth isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s possible for anyone with the right knowledge and habits.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Terrance Bacchus, the founder of TeeTalksMoney, a speaker, author, and nonprofit leader dedicated to financial empowerment and wealth-building education. My journey started from humble beginnings. I grew up on the lower end of poverty (Boston, Massachusetts) and didn’t have access to financial literacy conversations. When I entered corporate America (General Mills, Inc.), I quickly learned that investing was a way to build wealth and create opportunities. That realization changed my life and set me on a path to financial independence.

After a 34-year career in corporate America (29 at General Mills, Inc. and 5 years at NielsenIQ), I made the decision to retire and focus on my passion: helping others gain the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their financial future. That’s why I launched TeeTalksMoney, a platform where I share real-world financial lessons through speaking engagements, workshops, and content designed to shift mindsets and break generational cycles of poverty.

Beyond financial literacy, I lead My Brother’s Keeper Cincinnati, a nonprofit focused on closing the wealth gap by empowering young men of color through education and coaching. We partner with schools, businesses, and community leaders to improve graduation rates and reduce absenteeism, ensuring that every young person has a pathway to success.

I’m also the author of Financially Empowered: Achieving Success Through Sacrifice, where I share my personal journey and the lessons I’ve learned about financial freedom, resilience, and breaking barriers. My book serves as both inspiration and a practical guide for anyone looking to transform their financial future.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just teach financial literacy, I live it. I speak from experience, not theory. I know what it’s like to start with nothing, navigate corporate America, and build a foundation for long-term financial success. My approach is practical, relatable, and focused on real results.

I’m most proud of the impact my work is having, whether it’s helping young people develop a money mindset, supporting professionals in taking charge of their finances, or working with community leaders to create systemic change. For anyone looking to shift their financial future, build wealth, and take control of their opportunities, my message is simple: it’s possible, and it starts with the right mindset and action.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Purpose (My Why): A book that deeply influenced my thinking is Half Time by Bob Buford. It helped me understand the transition from success to significance, shifting from simply building a career to making a lasting impact. My purpose is to close the wealth gap by equipping others with the knowledge and mindset to build wealth and opportunities for themselves.

Presence (Building My Brand): Throughout my career, I’ve had access to various trainings and worked for organizations that truly support employees bringing their authentic selves to work every day. Reputation is everything. I’ve learned to be intentional about who I want to be and to focus on reliability, professionalism, and leadership. Success isn’t just about talent, it’s about making choices that align with long-term goals and consistently showing up with integrity.

People (Building My Network): No success happens in isolation. I make it a point to follow money-minded individuals like Warren Buffett, who emphasize patience, long-term thinking, and financial discipline. Surrounding yourself with the right influences, whether mentors, peers, or thought leaders can shape your mindset and open doors to new opportunities.

These Three P’s: Purpose, Presence, and People serve as my foundation in both business and life. They’ve helped me transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship, grow my brand, and create real change in my community. If you can leverage your purpose, show up with presence, and build the right relationships, you can accomplish anything.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

As President of My Brother’s Keeper Cincinnati, I believe that leadership starts with respect. Every person on my team is a volunteer, giving their time and energy because they believe in our mission. That’s why I make it a priority to foster an environment where they feel valued, heard, and empowered.

I encourage creativity, autonomy, and accountability, giving people the space to bring new ideas to the table while ensuring that we all remain committed to our shared goals.

Additionally, I focus on:

1. Leading with Purpose: When people connect with a strong ‘why,’ their motivation remains high. I ensure our team stays aligned with the impact we’re making in the community.

2. Clear Communication: Volunteers juggle multiple responsibilities, so I strive to set clear expectations, respect their time, and ensure that meetings and initiatives are efficient and meaningful.

3. Recognition & Appreciation: A simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way. I make it a point to acknowledge the contributions of our board members and volunteers, whether publicly or in one-on-one conversations.

4. Flexibility & Support: Since everyone is balancing this work with other commitments, I emphasize flexibility, understanding that life happens, and we all need grace at times.

Ultimately, managing a volunteer-led organization requires inspiring, not just directing. When people feel ownership of the mission and see real results from their efforts, morale stays high, and the impact grows stronger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teetalksmoney.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrance-bacchus
• Other: https://www.mbkcincinnati.org

Image Credits

1. Terrance’s Book “Financially Empowered: Achieving Success Through Sacrifice”
2. TeeTalksMoney logo
3. My Brother’s Keeper Cincinnati logo
4. Terrance’s award for sharing his story of resilience with NielsenIQ associates