00:00:00:00 - 00:00:11:21
Speaker 1
I knew that I would have to walk into places, and trust myself, even if my walk would have would be shaky. But I have to challenge myself and do it.

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Speaker 1
while I was in that homeless shelter, I did not belong there, that it was not in me.

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Speaker 1
However, you still have to perform on a daily basis.

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Speaker 1
what's inside a grace that keeps you going like this.

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Speaker 2
You

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Unknown
Welcome to start with a win where we unpack franchising, leadership and business growth. Let's go.

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Speaker 1
Coming to you from area 15 ventures. And start with a win. Headquarters. It's Adam Contos with. Start with a win on today's episode of start with a win, we're sitting down with Grace Vander Cruz, a powerhouse in investment banking with over 20 years of experience.

00:00:44:10 - 00:01:07:17
Speaker 1
But that's not all. Grace has not only mastered the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions and financial strategies, but she's also a bestselling author and a seasoned adventurer who's climbed over 25 mountain peaks across three continents. If you're ready to get insight from somebody who's been making waves in the financial services sector, you won't want to miss this conversation with Grace Vander Cruz.

00:01:07:17 - 00:01:09:16
Speaker 1
Grace, welcome to start with a win.

00:01:09:16 - 00:01:11:07
Speaker 2
Great to be here, Adam.

00:01:11:09 - 00:01:30:15
Speaker 1
Awesome. You have a very interesting background. I mean, I can't imagine how many different things and places you've seen and done. And part of an immigrant family is just such an amazing story. Take us back how to take us back to the early days. How did you get to where you are today?

00:01:30:17 - 00:02:01:00
Speaker 2
Well, I have to really honor my late grandmother. her name is Hagar. And because there's a, Proverbs which says wherever the stream flows, it never forgets its source. She is my source of inspiration. She had nine children with my granddad in a very small country in South America, Guyana. But in spite of their limited resources, they found room in their hearts to adopt five young sisters that lost their mom.

00:02:01:02 - 00:02:40:13
Speaker 2
So my grandmother raised 14 children. I'm second oldest of seven. my my mother was also the her second child. And therefore I am one of 52 grandchildren. 52. But as we speak in this circle today, I can assure you that I was her favorite. While I was your favorite, because she would look at me in my eyes and said and say to me, Grace, you have lengthened my years, and you have blessed my eyesight.

00:02:40:15 - 00:02:42:01
Speaker 2
And she said.

00:02:42:01 - 00:02:42:23
Speaker 1
Of that, I.

00:02:42:23 - 00:03:08:16
Speaker 2
Know, I know. And you know, part of her verbiage was the fact that she learned to read and write. She told me from learning, from reading the King James Version of the Bible. So here's the the great flow of words, but also her most treasured words to me were believe beyond your limits and believe beyond your limits were words that I couldn't appreciate growing up.

00:03:08:18 - 00:03:32:12
Speaker 2
However, they became more and more meaningful to me as I climbed mountains. And as I sit in corporate boards and I've I've navigated the corporate ladder on Wall Street and also have my own entrepreneurial business. I know what belief beyond your limits mean and what it what it how it resonates with me.

00:03:32:14 - 00:03:38:20
Speaker 1
That's amazing. So, you grew up in New York in an immigrant family?

00:03:38:22 - 00:03:39:19
Speaker 2
Yes.

00:03:39:21 - 00:03:48:11
Speaker 1
I mean, it's that is not an easy task, but it is something that, I mean, is is super inspiring. Tell us a little bit about growing up.

00:03:48:13 - 00:04:19:10
Speaker 2
Sure. So I was, I was I was actually born in South America. came to New York when I was 14. So in the midst of my impressionable teenage years, I had the, opportunity to experience a drastically different culture. And from an early age, learn how to pivot very quickly. we lived in, that side, this in Brooklyn and in that kind of community.

00:04:19:12 - 00:04:51:18
Speaker 2
it is, you know, you, you know, it's it's, it's a very difficult environment for a young woman to start life in. But what was amazing was because I had immigrant parents. Their view of what possibilities and opportunities are is just so expanded. You know, that every day I had a chance to go, focus on education and will have opportunities that are limitless.

00:04:51:20 - 00:05:16:11
Speaker 2
And so I was, very, innovated or energized, I should say, by in a learning environment. And the fact that I was in school, I majored in accounting right away after I took a, an aptitude test and a counselor told me I should major in accounting. Major in accounting. To me, it was easiest breathing for every debit, there's a credit.

00:05:16:12 - 00:05:32:12
Speaker 2
The trial balance balances my linearity. Mine really took to this, field. And so excelling academically helped me to adjust tremendously to what would have been a very difficult, transition.

00:05:32:14 - 00:05:41:17
Speaker 1
Wow. And so my understanding is you finished your undergrad while you're in a homeless shelter. Is that. Yes. Correct. Yeah. How did that happen?

00:05:41:19 - 00:06:29:19
Speaker 2
That happened because, I was I was commuting in my undergrad years, and between my second and third year on a beautiful summer day, I went home. as I normally would. Around four in the afternoon, as I turned the corner of my block, I saw the tremendous, sirens and fire and police cars and so forth. As I walked closer, it's that sinking feeling that this chaos is all centered around our small brownstone where my family, my, my mom, dad and six siblings share a family of nine just up in flames.

00:06:29:21 - 00:07:05:14
Speaker 2
And, I think, or in that moment, it was so traumatic that what was supposed to be an American dream for all of us became an American nightmare. in the midst of the ashes, my dad was determined that we, as a family of nine, would stay together. Adam. He always reminded us the saddest day of his life was when he was orphaned at the age of eight and was, separated from his two siblings.

00:07:05:16 - 00:07:37:20
Speaker 2
So he was determined that we stayed together. And the only place we can seek refuge together as a unit was a New York City homeless shelter. And. Walking into that shelter with a 13 gallon trash bag which held all of our possessions that I could have salvaged after the fire, with lots of room to spare in that bag.

00:07:37:20 - 00:08:34:23
Speaker 2
And walking into that shelter was, I think, the most dreadful walk of my life journey. but I must say, we were grateful to still be together as a family and to have our lives intact and to know that we're living and breathing. And this is we're at moments like those where my grandmother's words became real and real to me of believing beyond your limits, because my grandmother firmly believed that you should never plan your goals based in your current life circumstances, that actually your current circumstances are so limited it does not have the capacity to hold what's in store for you in terms of your future goals, dreams, visions, and so believing

00:08:34:23 - 00:09:07:17
Speaker 2
beyond your limits. I mean, I instinctively knew that while I was in that homeless shelter, I did not belong there, that it was not in me. And it was sort of the jolt I needed to really, allow me to refocus and redouble my efforts and education and the passion I had with schooling, because I knew that education was the bridge between that homeless shelter and where I need to be in life.

00:09:07:19 - 00:09:32:19
Speaker 1
Wow. I tell you, that is so inspirational. And, I mean, from there, you, So you graduated with your accounting degree, and then you got into business. I mean, tell us about your your business life, because, I mean, you've taken companies public. I mean, you've worked on billions and acquisitions. I mean, you've you've made a big impact on the financial community in major businesses.

00:09:32:19 - 00:09:34:09
Speaker 1
So tell us a little bit about that.

00:09:34:11 - 00:10:02:10
Speaker 2
Yes. What's been really fascinating was when I graduated from Pace University in accounting. My goal back then was to become a CPA and and I did the normal audit, career track. I was working for about five, 4 to 5 years when I started getting very bored with it. And I knew that, there was much more that I can do to fulfill my potential.

00:10:02:11 - 00:10:41:23
Speaker 2
And I became very interested in finance, in the complexities of business. What's interesting with accounting is that when you go into doing audit, everything you look at is historical. You're looking at past financials, auditing, past numbers and so forth. Working on Wall Street allows me to really be in the driver's seat of directing the future of a company, of really learning how, the company can direct its growth and and future strategic initiatives by raising capital, whether it be debt or equity or any hybrid securities.

00:10:42:01 - 00:11:17:17
Speaker 2
And it really gives me an opportunity to to work in that aspect of the company. In addition, you've got the science of the valuation and the markets, but also the art, business negotiations and, relationship dynamics in, in, in, negotiating transactions, which I find absolutely fascinating and invigorating. So the way I got from the working at UI in accounting to working at Merrill Lynch and Wall Street was I took two years off.

00:11:17:17 - 00:11:44:07
Speaker 2
I got a finance degree from the Wharton Business School, interned on Wall Street, and that became my career. The reason, that I am so passionate of the work I do because right now I advise is in the mergers and acquisitions of in the insurance industry, is that I tell all of my insurance clients that I am not just an advisor in this industry.

00:11:44:09 - 00:12:15:11
Speaker 2
I am a fierce advocate for financial wellness and financial security, because had my family had a safety net that homeless shelter could have been a brand new apartment. And because I'm so, passionate about making sure that families are educated on what a financial safety net means, I am proud of the industry and what it does to really spread financial security and wealth creation.

00:12:15:16 - 00:12:35:06
Speaker 1
Amazing. Truly amazing. I mean, you've done so much and I mean it. It's so impactful. Yet you found time to go climb some mountains also. I mean, tell us about that. That that seems like just I mean, well, you sit around going, I think I'll go try and climb mountains.

00:12:35:07 - 00:12:36:00
Speaker 2
Know, I.

00:12:36:02 - 00:12:37:01
Speaker 1
Just.

00:12:37:03 - 00:13:03:03
Speaker 2
I didn't just wake up one morning and say, look, I'm going to climb some of the world's highest peak. I was in 2004, I came to work one morning, and, I had, looking through my emails. I had an email from a former professor at Wharton and the subject line grabbed my attention. It says invitation to expedition.

00:13:03:05 - 00:13:34:21
Speaker 2
And as I read it, it, the professor had, a vision of inviting leaders from around the world, globally to have an expedition with him where we would be outside of our comfort zone because he believes in order for leaders to really enhance their their leadership abilities, they have to be outside of their comfort zone. We would be hiking and climbing, in the country of Bhutan.

00:13:35:03 - 00:14:03:12
Speaker 2
We would climb, to 20,000ft in elevation, eight days up, six days down. We would climb and hike during the day, and at night we'd have a bonfire, discussion on a relevant business issue. And so as I read this invitation, you know, it was so intriguing to me. Now, just put in the perspective 2004 911 was still fresh in my mind.

00:14:03:12 - 00:14:34:01
Speaker 2
And being on Wall Street a 911, I had made a commitment to myself to really live like this fullest and take meaningful vacations. And this fell into that bucket. However, I must say, Adam climbing a mountain didn't seem natural to me because when I was eight years old, I almost lost my leg. Literally. The amputation of my life was already scheduled because I had a serious accident.

00:14:34:03 - 00:15:00:08
Speaker 2
So I grew up with pins in my leg. And so, I mentioned to you I excelled academically. Part of it was I knew that I was not going to be playing sports, and I always focused academically. So this was a real challenge for myself. But back as I looked at the invitation, I knew that I had already seen the best version of me at that time.

00:15:00:10 - 00:15:27:11
Speaker 2
I was the first woman, first African American to be promoted to managing director in my unit. So I knew was the best version of me looked like. But I wanted to know what the next best version of me would look like, and I knew that I would have to challenge myself. I knew that I would have to walk into places, and trust myself, even if my walk would have would be shaky.

00:15:27:16 - 00:15:46:19
Speaker 2
But I have to challenge myself and do it. And so I looked at this invitation and said, you know what? I'm going to do it. It's almost like a calling challenge yourself. And so I went, climbing. And that began my journey.

00:15:46:21 - 00:16:13:14
Speaker 1
While I was listening to you, I, you know, when you look at challenges, you have people who are challenged and you have people who challenge themselves. And I feel like you're you are the type of person who seeks challenges to overcome instead of letting challenges overcome you. I mean, what what kept you going through all of these different things.

00:16:13:14 - 00:16:34:22
Speaker 1
Why. And I, I loved you know, believe beyond your limits from your grandmother. I mean that, that just stuck with me and it seems like obviously that is a big, you know, rocket ship for this. However you still have to perform on a daily basis. How do you do what's inside a grace that keeps going like this?

00:16:34:23 - 00:17:02:18
Speaker 2
I think part of it is the growth mindset. It's the it's the mindset of, yes, you're you know, I'm great with what I currently do, but can I learn more? Is there is there more out there that I can, challenge myself to do you know this? Don't rest on your laurels. I always think of that and how complacency can really seep into our lives.

00:17:02:18 - 00:17:53:11
Speaker 2
And we living in a world where it is easy to just say, I'm tired, I'm exhausted. I can just stand still. And, you know, bills will still get paid. But the question is, at the end of the day, when I'm lying in bed and, recounting what I did that day, I still have to be satisfied that I pushed myself beyond the limits, that I pushed myself to learn that I went the extra mile for a client, that I, I give more in in terms of the, educating high school students on financial literacy that I, you know, I think what we leave behind is the impact on other people's lives.

00:17:53:13 - 00:18:04:03
Speaker 2
And I believe I'll always, I will not rest easily knowing that I didn't push myself to do more.

00:18:04:03 - 00:18:24:01
Speaker 1
Amazing. I, I mean, it seems like, you know, I love the financial literacy piece. I think that is something that is massively missing in society. Is teaching financial literacy as well as, you know, financial opportunity, I guess because, you know, you you look at going from a homeless shelter to a millionaire, you're the title of your book.

00:18:24:03 - 00:18:24:17
Speaker 2
Yes.

00:18:24:17 - 00:18:53:11
Speaker 1
And it it it really is inspirational. how do we, you know, you're you're a very worldly person. You're you're very well known in the business community and very well respected. What advice do you have for younger people when it comes to them saying, I can't or I won't, or I'm afraid to, what can you tell them to help them, you know, really have that drive that you've had?

00:18:53:13 - 00:19:20:01
Speaker 2
Yes. I will tell them that success leave clues that, one of the things that you do is in spite of your fear is to start and start with fear, you know, take very long for the journey. Just don't let that be the loudest voice you hear. And so in my book, in my very first chapter, I go over the concept that we all have our money stories.

00:19:20:01 - 00:20:00:00
Speaker 2
Every ethnic group, every country, every community, every family, every person have a money history. And if we were to carefully examine our money history, look at what's our first money memory. We will find lack, scarcity mindset, some type of fraud, promises made and not kept. And if we were to really understand where we are and make an assessment of our money the way we assess our medical history, most of us are suffering from some form of financial PTSD and the way you move forward is the first.

00:20:00:00 - 00:20:38:02
Speaker 2
Acknowledge that to first rewrite your money script. Rewrite with money means to you how you're going to be the one that breaks generational curses. You'll be the one that may be the first millionaire or billionaire or trillionaire in your family, but there are no limits in what you can do. And in the in the world of building wealth, think of money as an abundance resource is, and shifting your mindset will allow you to not only create, but build wealth in the way you'd like to.

00:20:38:04 - 00:20:58:02
Speaker 2
And so what my book is, is a step by step guide, very much like climbing a mountain of how you can bring along tools and resources. And really, I really work on this shifting the mindset from, a lack to one of abundance as you start building your wealth.

00:20:58:04 - 00:21:15:23
Speaker 1
Wow. Amazing. I tell you, this is exciting. Please tell the audience, where can we find you online and where can we find your book? Because I encourage everybody to go get a copy of this is this is a great way of improving yourself, improving your wealth and creating financial literacy.

00:21:15:23 - 00:21:40:10
Speaker 2
Sure. So my company is Grace Global Capital, the Grace Global capital.com. My book Homeless The Millionaire. It's six pillars of financial abundance can be found on Amazon and every find. Bookstores and my masterclasses on financial abundance can be found with financial abundance with grace.com.

00:21:40:12 - 00:22:01:10
Speaker 1
Awesome. Make sure you check those out. Check out Grace online, get a copy of her book and also check out her masterclass. Very important information here folks. You can't start soon enough when it comes to understanding your finances, really, and your success in these ways. And Grace is a incredible instructor on this. Please make sure you check her out.

00:22:01:12 - 00:22:14:16
Speaker 1
Grace, I have a question. I ask all the amazing guests on the show, and I'm sure you have a very personalized and incredible way of doing this. How do you start your day with a win?

00:22:14:18 - 00:22:41:18
Speaker 2
I start my day with a win by meditating. I think it's important before I jump up. When I go to my Jared Tonic class, which is one of my favorite ways of working out, is to really, be in a position of stillness. I believe in a position of stillness is where I can begin to really free my mind from the noise that's going to be bombarding me during the day.

00:22:41:20 - 00:23:06:09
Speaker 2
Give me a sense to really sit in a space of quiet stillness and gratitude. I think every day I wake up is a gift, to the universe. And I want to start my day with at least 20 to 30 minutes of stillness before I can return that gift to the universe.

00:23:06:11 - 00:23:28:09
Speaker 1
I love that! Thank you so much for sharing that Grace Vander Cruz, an incredible leader, incredible woman. I mean, you've done so much and you've just begun. I mean, this is this is awesome to be, you know, on this podcast with you. And thank you for sharing all of this inspirational wisdom. We appreciate what you do. And thank you for being on start with a win.

00:23:28:11 - 00:23:33:23
Speaker 2
Thank you so much, Adam, for being here. It was such a pleasure to visit with you in the audience.