About
Financial Sprouts
Financial Sprouts aims to empower BIPOC, LGBTQ, and working class people through interviews with a diverse array of business owners who overcame difficult circumstances to build financial success.
By collecting inspiring journeys and hard-won wisdom, we explore how struggle can foster resilience. Our goal is to help budding entrepreneurs jumpstart their own journey to financial freedom and personal fulfillment.
The Roots of Financial Sprouts
Many people dream of working for themselves, of turning their side hustle or passion into their day job. But even the strongest resolve can be tested by economic barriers. From growing up in poverty to fighting economic recession as an adult, the path to entrepreneurship can seem insurmountable. So where do you turn for advice?
There are plenty of financial advice books on shelves, but they aren't written accessibly. The problem?
- They're full of financial jargon and complex formulas.
- They come across as elitist. Authors ignore the unique challenges faced by different socioeconomic groups and assume there is a one-size-fits-all solution.
- They only focus on the facts. With no relatable narrative, the reader is left feeling uninspired and disengaged.
The Optimal Sunlight
When we're trying to grow and gain financial literacy, we could all use practical guidance and someone who understands the struggle to shine a little light on what we don't yet understand. Although poverty is a multi-faceted, systemic issue that no one person (or podcast) can solve, Financial Sprouts is here to do our part to lift each other up and focus on what we can improve.
Together, we'll direct our energy towards learning and building a foundation of financial understanding. It's not an easy journey, but with support from this community and the right mindset, there's no doubt you'll thrive.
The Best Water You Can Find
Our stories are meant to give entrepreneurs actionable advice, but also nourish through inspiration. We're always looking for new voices and stories to share.
The stories you hear could explore topics like:
- How a POC who grew up in a redlined neighborhood redefined themself and emerged from poverty.
- How a woman who grew up in generational poverty in the rural South (20.5% of the population is poor) escaped the cycle.
- How a LGBTQ+ person disowned by their birth family and forced into poverty found financial security and their chosen family.
Your Host Zoe Gershuny
Zoe became a financial literacy nerd while serving underserved communities. It was obvious to her that those residents lacked the level of accessibility and resources available to others. She earned the title of "spreadsheet guru" for developing complex queries to compile, analyze, and report out the data.
Zoe got her start in business through buying, selling, and trading baseball cards. With the help and wisdom of a mentor, she continued to learn and even began offering budgeting and investing advice to friends. She made her official debut with her bookkeeping firm Finrise, helping clients save time, gain financial insights, and drive growth.
She is endlessly inspired by small business owners and entrepreneurs who overcame their financial challenges. She admires their resilience, bravery, and commitment to make a better future for themselves.
Join the Conversation
Growth Starts Here
Get new episodes delivered directly to your inbox.
We'll send you updates and news (but not too much).