A Fearless Money Maven With an Entrepreneurial Passion to Serve
Dominique is proud alumna of Bowie State University, where she received her Bachelors of Business Administration with a focus on Banking and Finance. She earned a Master’s of Science in Financial Management from University of Maryland, University College.
Dominique began working at major brokerage firms such as UBS Financial Services and Edelman Financial Services at the early age of 21, focusing on clients with more than $10 million in investable assets. From there, Dominique started her own business, Finances De•mys•ti•fied & The Social Money Tour.
Possessing a strong passion for young professionals and entrepreneurs, Dominique has been asked to share her financial expertise at universities such as Georgetown, Howard, Maryland, and corporations such as NBC Universal and numerous non-profits. She has also received various accolades such as the Top 30 Under 30 in Washington D.C. and named one of the top Financial Advisors in the United States for Millennials. Her work has been highlighted on Yahoo!, Black Enterprise, Ebony Magazine, USA Today, and others.
We introduce a fearless money maven with an entrepreneurial passion to serve millennials.
WHAT WAS GROWING UP LIKE FOR YOU?
DB: I had a really amazing childhood. I always say that if I could go back and be five, I would do it again! Both of my parents were entrepreneurs. Even my stepdad was an entrepreneur. I was the only child for about seventeen years, so I was spoiled. I was the only grandchild for a very long time too.
WHO DID YOU LOOK UP TO AS A KID?
DB: I looked up to my mom, my dad, and my grandfather. I always looked up to my grandfather. I don’t know if there were any celebrities that I looked up to as a kid. I didn’t look up to them. They were entertainment. I actually looked up to Raven Symone because she’s a good businesswoman.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTION PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT MONEY?
DB: The most common misconception is that more money will solve all of their problems. I was reading a book called No Excuses. Its revealed research studies, after all of your basic necessities are paid for, more money did not equal happiness for most people. Most people who are financially stressed are stressed because they can’t pay their bills, not because they can’t go to Disney World.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?
DB: I got my Master’s at Maryland and it’s interesting because as an entrepreneur, nobody really cares that you have a Master’s (laughs). It was just that thing that everyone was doing, so I did it. I was an entrepreneur, I was making money. When I was like eight, I would sell bracelets. As I got older, at 14 I became the vice president of my friend’s company. We taught kids how to use software, so we were making decent money there. Even at that age I wanted to learn how to invest. I started reading investment books and I sat down with my grandfather and he was like "Look how I made $2,000 today." So that’s kind of where my interest originally began.
TELL US ABOUT FINANCES DEMYSTIFIED, WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
DB: I started about three years ago. After working at all these big firms and becoming a stockbroker, my friends kept coming to me asking me for help. I realized they couldn’t go to these big companies because they didn’t have the money, so I started Finances Demystified to promote the conversation of money and provide low cost financial planning services. I felt like these are the people who needed the help the most, but no one would talk to them. Financial advisors wouldn’t pay them any mind. My business is to help the person making $50,000 eventually be worth $100,000 and so on.
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE WORKING ON MILLION DOLLAR ACCOUNTS TO WORKING WITH SOMEONE MAKING $50,000?
DB: I think that’s what makes what I do effective. I am really able to think bigger for my clients. Yes, you may have 50k, but this 50k can turn into a lot more if you do the right things for yourself. Without that experience and credibility, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do now.
WHAT IS YOUR PASSION AND WHEN DID YOU KNOW?
DB: That’s a good question! I’m very passionate about helping people and I think my bigger passion is to create generational wealth for myself and others. I think it’s extremely frustrating to see people accumulate wealth, then spend it all before they die. I really love to guide and educate people to create a better future for themselves. To me, that’s what entrepreneurship is all about.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN YOUR 20’S THAT STILL STICKS WITH YOU TODAY?
DB: It’s a quote that I go by, this is my favorite quote: “Don’t fear failure, fear regret”. That’s how I live my entire life. I’m not scared of failing, I’m scared of waking up in those golden years wishing I had done these things, things that I wanted to do, but I was too scared of failing.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER?
DB: I would say my biggest challenge has been… hmmm, there were a lot of challenges! I would say, the financial problems that I went through early in my 20’s were a huge challenge for me. They mentally just broke me down. But I would say outside of the financial things I went through, I would say being a black woman in finance can be tough. As a financial expert or educator, there are not a lot of people who look like me. Overcoming stereotypes is something that comes with the territory.
WHAT IS THE DNA TO YOUR SUCCESS?
DB: I would say, like all entrepreneurs, I’m a little bit crazy. It really drives me to be an entrepreneur, to get up and do this everyday. Success takes time and I think that a lot of people aren’t patient enough to outlast the struggle. Me being patient has really helped. But, I’m a hard worker, I’m a smart worker, I’m extremely fearless and I keep going.
WHAT FRUSTRATES YOU THE MOST ABOUT TODAY’S CULTURE?
DB: What frustrates me the most is that today’s culture is to me the reason why people are so broke. People are keeping up with The Jones’ and they’re Keeping up with the Kardashians. I see how reality tv is like screwing people over financially.
Interested in learning more or connecting with Dominique?
Instagram/Twitter: @DominiqueBroadway
Website: www.dominiquebroadway.com/
Email: Info@DominiqueBroadway.com