We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Veronica Barnes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Veronica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Several key factors drove me to start Mindset2Money. During the pandemic, I witnessed its disproportionate impact on individuals based on their personal financial situations. I felt some people were forced to choose between their life and their livelihood solely because of their financial status. Additionally, through volunteering with youth organizations, I heard firsthand their concerns about pursuing goals due to financial limitations, lack of access, worries about student loans, limited exposure to the process of achieving their goals, or the absence of a supportive environment providing trusted, expert advice. I believe money is a tool that can help you achieve what truly matters in life, such as health and strong relationships. However, it’s important to recognize that simply saving isn’t enough to build wealth. This is why M2M focuses on both income generation and money management through personal finance education, while also developing a strong support community. What excites me most is my vision of empowering individuals to take control of their finances, build a brighter future, and prevent personal finances from being a barrier to achieving their full potential.

Veronica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Veronica, the founder of Mindset2Money, an organization dedicated to addressing economic inequities. My background includes experience at four Fortune 100 companies, along with Project Management Professional (PMP) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certifications. Prior to my HR career, I worked for an education nonprofit, supporting a high school transformation. I began my career in finance, an experience I credit with building my business acumen. I hold a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University, focusing on Human Organization & Performance, and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from North Carolina A&T State University. I’m also an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) and an alumna of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurship Center Milestone Maker program, further enhancing my expertise in financial guidance for entrepreneurs.

Mindset2Money arose from my volunteer work and helping friends and family with finance and career questions. I realized a need existed for holistic personal finance information that focused on both income generation strategies and money management. One specific instance stands out: speaking with a college student interested in a medical career but concerned about the potential debt. Our organization empowers marginalized communities through holistic financial literacy education. I firmly believe that access to the right information, combined with encouragement and support, can unlock individual potential and help people achieve their dreams.

At Mindset2Money, we offer tailored, interactive workshops, conferences, and digital resources, all designed to equip participants with critical financial skills. We focus on providing ongoing education to help individuals navigate their personal finance journey and ultimately break down the financial barriers to success. We cultivate a supportive network, ensuring that financial literacy becomes a tool for empowerment and achievement.

I began with workshops for university students and nonprofit organizations to increase access to information. In 2023, I co-organized a financial wellness conference in Madison, WI. After moving to Chicago in 2024, I expanded the reach to include youth, adopting a multi-generational approach encouraging families to attend together, continuing the conversation at home. These conferences have broadened our outreach and facilitated partnerships with numerous community agencies and organizations. We’re thrilled to be hosting our 2nd annual Generation Wealth Conference in Chicago on Saturday, April 26th. This year’s theme is “Community Capital – Building Financial Futures Together.”

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My background is deeply rooted in corporate America, and I continue to work in that space while building Mindset2Money. Even with that corporate experience, stepping into the entrepreneurial world three years ago required a significant shift in mindset and approach. One example of my resilience is the story of our inaugural Generation Wealth Conference. Initially, I considered postponing it for a year, feeling apprehensive about being in a new city and relatively new to event planning. However, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees at our very first event, coupled with the unwavering support of friends, family, and colleagues who readily offered their help, fueled my determination.

Even with the initial hurdles, the event was a resounding success! We delivered an impactful experience for nearly 90 attendees, and we secured several sponsors who believed in our vision. In the beginning, outreach was challenging; it felt like I wasn’t gaining any traction. But throughout the planning process, I connected with incredible speakers, enthusiastic volunteers, and generous sponsors who shared our vision and the belief in the positive impact we could create together. This experience taught me a vital lesson: It’s absolutely okay to dream big, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Resilience is about embracing those challenges, finding support, and pushing forward, even when it feels difficult. It’s about turning initial setbacks into opportunities for growth and ultimately, creating something truly meaningful.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I began my career in corporate finance, an experience that was instrumental in developing my business acumen. However, in my mid-20s, I experienced a sort of quarter-life crisis. I realized I didn’t envision myself in corporate finance long-term. This led me to make a career switch to human resources. I gained valuable experience in this new field while working for an education non-profit. Following that, I pursued my MBA, focusing on Human Organization & Performance, and then transitioned into corporate HR. One key takeaway throughout my career has been the realization that diverse experiences can work together, allowing me to approach challenges with a multifaceted perspective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mindset2money.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindset2money/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mindset2Money/100075875779418/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindset2money/about/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mindset2money798

Image Credits

nerdy shoot – Sterling L. Gilmore, https://nerdyshoot.com/