The Finance Girl Tola

God Blessed 💖

📸: .courag

Atlanta Tech Week owes me nothing.

Inspiring panels. Sharp pitches. Unexpected conversations. Meaningful connections.

I hope you know that building is fun. Learning is fun. Pitching is fun. Spending time with really smart people who want to change the world? Even more fun.

But what made Tech Week so…fun? Work AND play.

It’s easy to get caught up in the grind, AND moments like these remind me that community, creativity, and celebration are just as important as hustle.

I met some amazing founders, saw powerful ideas come to life, and left with new energy for what I’m building with Devn.

Now it’s back to the grind (for fun). 🙌🏾

Just got back from Boston for
…..and it was fantastic, to say the least.

I met so many new founder and tech friends-some of the most driven, curious, and creative people l’ve ever worked with. This weekend was life changing and exactly what I needed in this stage of my solo-founder journey.

I had THE BEST chili cheese dog (probably in my life) at . Mind you - in Atl I would never spend $7 on a hotdog but I ended up buying 2 of them 🥹.

But what really stuck with me was how much is possible when you give yourself full permission to focus. To really build. I’ve always known having a team is essential, but there’s something different about being surrounded by people who are just as locked in as you are-who show up, support, and dream out loud with you. And the energy in the air - indescribable.

To my team: thank you for showing me what true support in a sprint looks like. This experience has also impacted my storytelling abilities 😂 - you know what I mean.

To Dan Nguyen: your idea is genius, and I’m not gonna put it out there for someone to steal, but just know, this thing can change life abroad as we know it.

And to everyone who hopped on my Linkedin follow train: if you ever need a contact in Atlanta, I got you.

Hello Atlanta 🍑

I’ll see you next time, Boston ❤️





P.S. an NDA does not stop someone from filing a patent of your idea. You better get to it before they do 🤣😭

What a journey it’s been — weeks of growth, learning, pitching, and pushing through the unknown. I’m incredibly proud to share that Devn was awarded $500 in and recognized as Peer of the Year by my fellow entrepreneurs 🥳🥳

This recognition means so much to me. I’ve always believed in the power of community, collaboration, and cheering each other on. Being surrounded by passionate, purpose-driven founders reminded me that building something meaningful isn’t just about the product — it’s about the people.

Maurice Cherilus its up from here ‼️

To my Start:ME Atlanta cohort — thank you for the energy, encouragement, and excellence you brought every week. I’ve learned so much from you and am better because of you.

Here’s to rising together, to doing work that matters, and to never building alone.

TODAY I’ll graduate from the Start:ME program—an intensive, 14-session business training initiative powered by Emory University - Goizueta Business School in partnership with local nonprofits. Start:ME Atlanta supports promising entrepreneurs in Atlanta communities like Clarkston, East Lake/Kirkwood, and Southside Atlanta (my cohort). When I began the program in January, I had just an idea and a developer (Maurice) building the web app. Now, I have a full business plan, a go-to-market strategy, and a much clearer vision of how Devn can serve people seeking professional financial help.

The program has pushed me to grow exponentially. I gained confidence, clarity, and a deep sense of purpose as an entrepreneur. One thing that stuck with me was the challenge to commit fully—to stop tiptoeing around the idea and really build the business. That shift changed everything. Start:ME didn’t just teach me the tools; it helped me step into the mindset of a founder ready to scale. This experience laid the foundation for Devn’s future and showed me I have what it takes to lead a mission-driven company with global potential.

Looking forward to celebrating big wins this week!

Heyyy I’m poppin off at the next Pop Up Shop‼️

Enjoy live music, local vendors, and delicious treats-all while making a difference. Every contribution helps spread love and impact lives!

° Blueprint Church
475 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Date & Time: [Saturday March 29th 12-5pm]

Meet Tola – The Advocate’s Advocate! Tola participated in the New American Pathways 2023-2024 Civic Pathways program, where she learned that policy begins at the local level. This realization sparked a passion in her to help others advocate for themselves. Tola works to break down the fear and intimidation often felt around those in power. As she spent more time with politicians, she found herself less intimidated and now aims to make it easier for advocates and their representatives to engage in meaningful, accessible conversations.

Tola’s bold personality and confidence naturally position her as a leader. She’s proud to have found a way to channel her energy into helping others connect with the issues that matter to them. This insight led her to launch a project centered on credit building for immigrants and at-risk communities, specifically addressing long-term financial decisions like buying a house or car. Tola identified a critical gap in credit education, particularly in refugee resettlement. To bridge this gap, she translated resources into English, Swahili, and Burmese, acknowledging these languages as underserved within New American Pathways.

For this year’s New Americans Celebration, Tola’s vision is to make representatives more approachable. She plans to shift the focus from information overload to clear, actionable calls to action, while helping her team communicate more effectively and work efficiently.

Tola will also be facilitating sessions for high school students and training both adults and younger individuals on how to create meaningful impact and become leaders in their communities.

Join us at the New Americans Celebration next week on February 13th!

Register here: https://inspiritus.jotform.com/team/crsa/NAC2025

2024 has been a year of growth, both personally and professionally. Check out this photo of me painting my own house (obviously to save money even though I overspent on materials)! As we approach the new year, I’m reflecting on my financial wins (and lessons learned!) What about you? What financial goals are you setting for 2025?

Before the year ends, there are a few key tax moves you can make to save in 2025. Here’s how to maximize your tax savings before Dec 31st! 💡

The holidays are a time for reflection and connection. One tradition I cherish is giving back to the community. Christmas is all about Christ and to be like him is to be a servant of your community-wherever that is. It could be at home or far away, at church or at work. In town or on vacation. It’s a reminder of what matters most—family, love, and yes, financial wellness too. How do you stay grounded this time of year?