Exploring Life & Business with Fatima Perez-Luthi of The Grind Coaching & Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fatima Perez-Luthi.

Hi Fatima, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
Every successful journey starts with a single, often small, step. For me, it was chocolate. At 8, I embarked on my first business venture, selling chocolates in my neighborhood. Though I indulged more in my inventory than in selling it, this experience was the cornerstone of an entrepreneurial spirit that would define my life. Growing up in an entrepreneurial household with immigrant parents who came to the United States seeking a better life, I was imbued with tenacity, grit, and a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial ethos – being the architect of your destiny. From chocolates to shoveling snow and mowing lawns, my childhood was peppered with small ventures, each teaching me invaluable lessons. As life unfolded, I climbed the corporate ladder in finance and banking, but the dream of entrepreneurship never left me. Despite life’s challenges – the threat of deportation, health issues, and financial instability – the dream of making an impact continued to simmer within me. Our financial crisis hit shortly after the birth of our daughter in 2016. Despite seemingly doing everything right – good jobs, nice things, ambitious dreams – we were baffled by our inability to afford even the basics. This was a wake-up call. While I was adept at managing a bank branch, team, and underwriting loans, I lacked the skills to manage my finances. This realization sparked a journey of self-education in finance and financial health. Years of research and personal development have finally paid off. We transformed our finances, developed healthy habits, and gained profound knowledge. Our friends and family began to notice – we were no longer just surviving; we were thriving.

In 2020, The Grind Coaching & Consulting was born out of a desire to share this newfound wisdom. In 2021, we got mentored by established professionals; they helped me transform my ‘spaghetti on the wall’ ideas into a thriving, woman-owned business in 2022 that bridged financial literacy gaps, empowering others to take control of their finances and achieve financial wellness (health). 2023 was a landmark year. We became an established business and started to develop software akin to having a financial health coach in your pocket. Our Financial Mentorship app, set for release in 2024, combines education, tools, and personal development into an accessible platform. We also ventured into insurance and owning our agency, expanding our capacity to guide people in planning their finances and protecting their dreams. As of January 2024, I proudly helm two businesses committed to social impact and financial empowerment. The future is bright. Our focus in 2024 is the release of The Grind Mentorship application, and we will expand to introducing The Grind’s principles into workplaces, the education system, and through government contracts. Our journey has taught us that financial health isn’t just about numbers; it’s about relationships – with money, others, and ourselves.

This journey from a chocolate-loving 8-year-old to the founder of a socially impactful enterprise has been more than just a professional quest; it’s a testament to the power of perseverance, education, and the drive to make a difference. At The Grind, we believe in the power of transformation, not just for ourselves but for everyone who dares to dream and is willing to do the work. As we look forward to releasing The Grind Financial Mentorship app and expanding our services, we remain committed to empowering individuals and communities through financial literacy and wellness. We invite you to join us on this journey of growth and discovery, where every challenge is an opportunity, and every dream is within reach. Remember, no matter where you start, you can achieve financial health and create a life of purpose and impact with the right mindset, tools, and support. Let’s grind towards a brighter, financially empowered future together.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Reflecting on our journey, it’s clear that the path of entrepreneurship could be smoother. At The Grind Coaching & Consulting, we’ve experienced our share of peaks and valleys, particularly in 2023, a year that was as challenging as it was rewarding. There have been moments filled with doubt and introspection, where questions like ‘Did I make the right choice?’ echoed in our minds. Tears have been shed, and heads have been shaken in frustration, but each step, pleasant or not, has been a valuable lesson in humility and growth. These experiences have taught us to endure challenges and embrace and build upon them, forging a path of continuous learning and development. Despite the hurdles, 2023 also marked a year of significant triumphs for us. From successfully raising funds and winning pitch contests to conducting free Financial Literacy Workshops and collaborating with various non-profits, businesses, and organizations, we’ve made impactful strides in promoting financial health. Our recent certification as a financial health coach with the National Financial Educators Council was a notable milestone, further solidifying our commitment to this cause.

One of our most exciting developments has been initiating a second business and creating TheGrind Financial Mentorship app. This app, a brainchild born out of the necessity to enhance our services and reach, is a two-tiered platform designed to revolutionize how we approach financial coaching. Its first tier supports our 1:1 coaching for personal and business finance, offering a centralized platform to track the growth and journey of our mentees. The second tier caters to DIY Personal finance enthusiasts, offering a personalized experience tailored to individual financial health, goals, and personal growth.

Balancing rapid business changes with the demands of daily operations and strategic planning was a formidable challenge in 2023. It pushed us to seek help more openly, raising questions about our capabilities and leading us to collaborate with attorneys, graphic designers, marketing agencies, software developers, account managers, and trusted professionals. This phase was critical in our evolution, teaching us the importance of delegation, trust, and teamwork; looking back over the last 13 months, our growth has surpassed our expectations. We are immensely grateful for every lesson learned, every obstacle overcome, and every failure encountered, as they have collectively strengthened our resolve and enhanced our ability to serve others. These experiences have shaped The Grind into a more resilient, capable, and impactful entity, ready to face the future with confidence and a renewed purpose.

Thanks for sharing that. So, next, you can tell us more about your business.
The Grind Coaching & Consulting, a beacon of financial empowerment, stands out as a woman-owned, Latin-owned enterprise that prides itself on bilingual services in English and Spanish, backed by a decade in the financial industry. Our unique position is not only defined by our professional expertise and certifications but is deeply enriched by our journey through economic challenges. As we mentor individuals in establishing a healthy relationship with their finances, we offer a personalized roadmap and ongoing support tailored to navigate each client’s unique challenges and opportunities. Our philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that financial literacy and resources should be universally accessible. We deliver practical tools and strategies that balance the demands of daily life with achieving financial confidence.

Our commitment goes beyond professional guidance; it’s a personal journey. We walk alongside our clients, providing literacy, support, and accountability. We empower them to create comprehensive financial plans, guiding them toward a brighter, more secure future. Our expertise spans personal and business finance, and we are dedicated educators to all age groups. Our active community involvement through workshops, board memberships, and volunteering highlights our commitment to societal well-being and financial wellness.

Our professional expertise, personal experience, and diverse cultural and linguistic capabilities set us apart. As a woman-owned and Latin-owned business, we bring unique perspectives and insights that enrich our services. Our ability to communicate in English and Spanish allows us to reach a wider audience, ensuring that our message of financial empowerment and resilience is accessible to a diverse client base. We have personally navigated the economic challenges we now help others overcome, proving our guidance theoretically sound and practically. This firsthand experience enhances our empathy and understanding, allowing us to connect deeply with our clients and intimately comprehend their struggles and aspirations.

We want to convey to the readers of Voyage KC The Grind Coaching & Consulting is more than a financial consulting/coaching practice. We are a symbol of transformation and inclusivity in financial literacy. We don’t just teach financial wellness; we embody it. Our mission is to guide you toward financial empowerment and independence with the authenticity and understanding of someone who has walked the path. As a woman-owned, Latin-owned, and bilingual organization, we are incredibly proud to represent and serve a diverse community, empowering them toward a future of financial confidence and success.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
In reflecting on the entrepreneurship journey, particularly with The Grind Coaching & Consulting, I’ve recognized that the most pivotal quality for success is a blend of resilience and adaptability. Entrepreneurship is inherently challenging, demanding hard work and many other attributes, such as the willingness to sacrifice, maintain balance, assess risks accurately, and stay positive yet realistic. However, at the core of all these attributes lies resilience – the grit and tenacity to persevere through setbacks and learn from failures. This resilience allows us to view every challenge as an opportunity for growth and every failure as a lesson. It’s the driving force that keeps us humble yet ambitious, ensuring that we remain grounded in our values while continuously striving for improvement.

Moreover, adaptability complements this resilience. The entrepreneurial landscape is ever-changing, and success often hinges on our ability to adapt – to rethink strategies, forge new connections, and cultivate meaningful relationships. It requires an openness to change and a willingness to evolve, not just in our business practices but our mindset. These qualities have been indispensable in our journey with The Grind Coaching & Consulting. They’ve enabled us to navigate the complexities of financial coaching and consulting, to connect deeply with diverse communities, and to remain committed to our mission of empowering individuals through financial literacy and wellness. Through resilience and adaptability, we’ve turned obstacles into stepping stones and continue to grow as individuals and a business. So, to anyone embarking on their entrepreneurial path: Show up for yourself, cultivate resilience, and embrace adaptability. These qualities will guide you through the highs and lows of your journey and empower you to make a lasting impact in your chosen field.

Pricing:

• Free 30-Minute Personal Finance Consultation

Contact Info:

• Website: www.grindcoachingandconsulting.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/f.perez.luthi/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-perez-luthi/

Image Credits
Headshot – Radiance by Sammie, Workshop – LHEAT Workshop – Omni Circle Pitch – Greater Topeka Partnership Pitch – Omni Circle