As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Maria Kamilla Gonzalez.
Maria Kamilla Gonzalez is the co-founder of Finanzo. She has been an investment psychologist, entrepreneur, and international speaker for more than 15 years, with over 100,000 people trained in her programs. Her greatest passion in life is helping people awaken their greatness, break free from old patterns of scarcity, and transform their relationship with money. She combines the best financial strategies with a deep understanding of human behaviour to help her learners achieve their goals, manage emotions, overcome financial stagnation, and achieve abundance in all areas of life
Maria Kamilla founded Finanzo with her partner, Juan Pablo Molano, who has more than a decade of experience in the world of banking and investment. He has guided thousands of people on their path to financial freedom, helping them make informed decisions and to build a prosperous future. His training includes in-depth knowledge in portfolio diversification, obtaining the best strategies from the Certified Financial Educator Instructor (CFEI ®) certification, as well as the latest in capital markets updates from Yale University and the University of Toronto.
His commitment to financial education allows him to share my specialized knowledge of financial markets and investments to multicultural communities in North America, empowering each person and family to take control of their future and achieve the financially fulfilling abundant life we all deserve.
In this interview, she reveals the mindset shifts, bold moves, and lessons that helped her turn ideas into impactful online businesses.
What inspired your leap into entrepreneurship, and what personal experiences sparked the idea behind your current venture?
I’ve always turned my personal challenges into opportunities to create. Every obstacle I’ve faced has become the seed of a program, a project, or a mentorship. Entrepreneurship, for me, is about healing my own story, reshaping my relationship with money, inspiring my community, and growing on a personal level. I launched my very first venture at just 10 years old, and ever since, creating has been my way of adding value and making meaning.
What core problem does your business solve, particularly for women or underserved communities—and how does your approach stand out in today’s competitive space?
Financial education is something most of us never received in school or university. For women, the gap is even greater—because historically we haven’t spoken openly about money or investing. While women are great money managers and often outperform men as investors, we invest far less due to cultural roles, inequality, and lack of confidence.
Finanzo solves this by bringing financial education and empowerment directly to women and the Latino community—helping them shift their mindset, build confidence, and grow wealth.
What were some of the toughest obstacles you faced early in your journey as a woman entrepreneur, and how did you navigate through them?
The biggest obstacles were internal—my own mindset and unconscious biases. I used to believe I wasn’t good enough with numbers or finance because I came from a background in social sciences and human development. Those limiting beliefs kept me small until I learned to break through them and step into the woman I am today.
When the going gets tough, what keeps you grounded and motivated to keep pushing forward?
I remind myself of my past victories. I came to this country as an immigrant with just two suitcases and built everything from scratch. I also became a mother at 17. Those experiences remind me I’m built for big things—even when challenges feel overwhelming, I know I can overcome them.
What daily habits or non-negotiable routines help you stay focused, creatively energized, and balanced as a founder?
Two things keep me grounded. First is exercise—it gives me clarity, energy, and pride in keeping a promise to myself. Second is my morning routine: journaling, reading, and writing before I step into the world. It’s my way of connecting with myself first and starting the day energized and empowered.
What’s been the most effective growth lever for acquiring new clients or expanding your customer base?
Digital marketing. It has allowed us to grow quickly, stay top-of-mind, reach across provinces, expand our social media presence, and share our message powerfully. It’s been the vehicle that connects us with people everywhere.
What branding or marketing decision had the biggest impact in elevating your business and building trust with your audience?
Our biggest differentiator was bringing psychology and finance together. This unique integration makes our brand about more than financial literacy—it’s about transforming your mindset, healing your relationship with money, and becoming the person who can truly build wealth.
How do you personally define success—not just as a business owner, but as a woman living a purpose-driven life?
Success, for me, is measured by how much I smile and laugh each day. It’s about enjoying the process, feeling grateful, expanded, and motivated. More than reaching the top, it’s about living joyfully along the way.
Can you share a mistake or misstep that taught you a lesson you still carry with you today?
One of my biggest mistakes was partnering with people who didn’t share my values. They were overly focused on money and results, seeing people as numbers. That experience made me lose direction but taught me a lifelong lesson: my greatest treasures are my community, my students, and my peace of mind—and those will never be negotiable.
What’s your best advice for women just starting out—especially first-time entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed or unsure of their next steps?
Take massive action. As The 10x Rule says—plant more seeds than you think you need. At first, you may not see results, but eventually the harvest comes. Believe in yourself, trust the process, and never stop planting.
How do you approach risk and innovation, especially when breaking new ground in a male-dominated or fast-changing industry?
Risk is part of my life. I embrace fear, failure, and uncertainty as part of creating. Women are natural creators—we give life not only to children but also to projects and visions. Some thrive, others fail, but the value is in the courage to try and the joy of the creative process.
If you lead a team, how do you foster a culture of trust, inclusivity, collaboration, and growth?
I care deeply about my team—not just their work, but their lives. I create spaces where we connect as people, not only as colleagues. I also give them freedom and trust, balancing self-leadership with clear direction. This mix builds trust, motivation, and growth.
What are the top 5 mindset shifts or personal practices that helped you overcome self-doubt and grow your confidence as a woman entrepreneur?
- Realizing most critics haven’t achieved what I’ve achieved.
- Only listening deeply to people who inspire me.
- Respecting all opinions but not internalizing negativity.
- Valuing feedback from mentors and role models with the life I aspire to.
- Reframing criticism as fuel for growth instead of a reason to stop.
If you could spark a global movement through your work, what would it be—and why is that mission meaningful to you?
I want to build the largest Latino investor community in North America. For too long, we’ve been undervalued and taught to believe in scarcity. This movement is about reclaiming our power, believing we are made for greatness, and shifting from survival jobs to becoming empowered investors who create wealth and impact.
What’s a quote, philosophy, or guiding belief that shapes how you lead, create, and live every day?
I believe in God, life, the universe, energy, Buddha, and spirituality in many forms. Anything that connects us to something greater makes us stronger. My rituals remind me that life always supports me, and that belief fuels how I lead and create every day.
Where can our audience connect with you, explore your work, or follow your entrepreneurial journey online?
You can explore my work and follow our journey at www.finanzo.ca.
