For many midlife women, especially immigrants, money can feel like a complicated mix of survival, responsibility, and hope. Between supporting children, caring for ageing parents, and navigating new careers or countries, financial freedom can seem like something that happens to other people. But Maria Kamilla Gonzalez and Juan Pablo Molano, co-founders of Finanzo, are changing that story. Their mission is simple but radical: to empower women with the knowledge, confidence, and community to take control of their financial future, in their own language, and on their own terms. Through culturally intelligent, practical education, Finanzo is helping women move from financial uncertainty to clarity, resilience, and long-term independence.

You’ve dedicated your work to helping women, particularly immigrants, take control of their financial futures. What inspired you to create Finanzo, and why do you believe this mission is so vital right now?

Finanzo was born from the deep desire held by Maria Kamilla Gonzalez and Juan Pablo Molano to empower immigrant men and women who have historically been excluded from the world of investing.

They saw that many women in Canada, despite their efforts, remained stuck in the daily grind without the tools or education to grow financially. In a rapidly changing world where AI is transforming the economy, it’s more urgent than ever to give women access to the knowledge they need to be free, diversify income, and build lasting security for themselves and their families.

Many midlife women, especially immigrants, carry financial responsibilities for both children and ageing parents. What practical steps can they take to balance caregiving with saving for their own future security?

The program teaches a three-pillar strategy:

• Free up hidden capital using AI tools that identify money leaks and restructure spending.
• Create new income sources without quitting their job, through freelancing or monetising talents with technology.
• Automate savings starting from as little as $50/month and invest with a long-term mindset, prioritising consistency over amount.

Financial literacy often feels intimidating, especially for those who didn’t grow up learning about investing or budgeting. How do you make these topics accessible and empowering rather than overwhelming?

Finanzo transforms financial education with emotional and cultural intelligence. It includes sessions on money psychology, step-by-step mini videos, tools in Spanish, and a safe community where no question is “silly.” The method is designed for people with zero financial background who want to learn by doing, without giving their money to anyone else.

In your experience, what are the biggest financial blind spots or misconceptions that women in their 40s and 50s tend to have about retirement planning?

A major blind spot is thinking “it’s too late to start.” Others include relying solely on savings accounts or letting money sit idle without growing. Many are unaware of tax-advantaged accounts in Canada (like TFSA or RRSP) or that they can own stocks or real estate with small amounts. Fear of risk often clouds long-term thinking.

Finanzo focuses on culturally relevant and multilingual education. How does culture influence the way women approach money, saving, and financial independence, and how do you meet them where they are?

Many cultures often link money to guilt, fear, or scarcity. Finanzo addresses this at the root: healing inherited beliefs, financial assumptions held by families, and emotional trauma related to money. The content is multilingual, grounded in real-life examples, and delivered in a community where being an immigrant is seen as an advantage, not a barrier. Our classes are delivered both in-person and online.

Many women in midlife are navigating major life transitions, career pivots, divorce, and relocation. What’s your advice for rebuilding financial confidence after a big change or setback?

First, go back to step one: Personal Reinvention, redefine who you are beyond that relationship, job, or country. 

Then, complete your financial self-assessment and build a financial fulfilment plan that includes income, investing, and emotional well-being. It’s deeply empowering to see so many women rebuild from zero… and become investors.

You’ve worked with over 100,000 immigrants across North America. What have you learned about the emotional side of money, and how can women start healing their relationship with it?

We’ve learned that money is deeply emotional. It’s tied to dignity, fear of not belonging, and the shame of failure. Healing our relationship with money is the real starting point of financial freedom. That’s why Finanzo includes sessions on childhood wounds, money mindset, and neuro-finance.

For those who feel “behind” in saving or investing, what are three small, realistic steps they can take this month to start regaining control and momentum?

1. Complete a financial self-assessment to know where you really stand.
2. Open a tax-free savings account or a high-yield savings account, and start investing just $50. Automate it.
3. Join a community or work with a mentor, where you’ll see real examples of success, and get both technical and emotional support.

Finanzo isn’t just about numbers; it’s about empowerment. How do you define financial freedom for women in midlife, beyond wealth itself?

Financial freedom means having options: working for passion, not obligation. It means being able to care for your kids or parents without sacrificing your peace. It’s knowing your money is growing while you live. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about being in control of what you do have.

If you could leave midlife women with one truth about money, independence, and possibility, what would it be?

You’re not too late. You’re right on time. The money you don’t know how to generate yet lives in the future version of you, the one who educated herself, empowered herself, and leapt. That version of you is one decision away. Choose to become your best investment.

Maria and Juan remind us that money isn’t just about numbers; it’s about self-worth, belonging, and possibility. Whether you’re starting over, rebuilding, or finally ready to grow what you’ve worked so hard for, the truth is this: you’re not behind, and it’s never too late. Financial freedom begins the moment you decide to understand your money, heal your money story, and build a new relationship with it, one based on confidence, not fear. As Finanzo so beautifully teaches, the power to change your financial future isn’t waiting for you out there; it’s already within you.

Take a moment to imagine what financial freedom means for you, not in numbers, but in feelings.

Ask yourself: What would money feel like if it weren’t a source of stress or guilt, but of safety, confidence, and possibility? What small step could you take this month to move closer to that feeling?

Remember, change doesn’t begin with wealth; it begins with awareness, education, and a single brave decision to take control of your future.

If my words have helped you, a small contribution here will allow them to continue reaching the women who need them most. Also, don't forget to join me on Substack, where I share my Love Notes, a gentle pause in your week to reflect, realign, and reconnect in midlife. It’s not just another newsletter; it’s an intimate circle where I offer fresh intentions, soulful prompts, and simple but powerful shifts to inspire purposeful, creative living. Together, we’ll uncover the small but meaningful changes that help you design a life that feels beautifully your own.