Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Brooks.
Hi Natalie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always had a passion for teaching and advocating for financial literacy. As a graduate student at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, I was managing more than just coursework. I was traveling for acting projects, training with a professional stunt team, competing in pageants, and building my first business. I learned quickly that if I wanted to pursue all of it—creatively and sustainably—I needed a system to stay financially in control.
That’s what led me to launch an Etsy store called SalaryTea, where I sold digital budget spreadsheets. It started as a simple side hustle, but it took off. I made over $15,000 selling tools that helped people feel more confident with their money. That early success was proof that financial literacy doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs to be clear and empathetic.
I didn’t set out to become a fintech founder—I just wanted to help people stop feeling anxious about their finances. But the messages I got from customers stuck with me. People weren’t overwhelmed by math—they were overwhelmed by what the numbers represented: stress, uncertainty, shame. That’s when I realized the gap wasn’t just technical, it was emotional.
So I built CoStac.
CoStac is a fintech SaaS startup designed to help small businesses scale without needing a CFO or an expensive financial team. We’re building an emotionally intelligent financial co-pilot—something that connects with tools like QuickBooks, visualizes the data, and gives clear, human explanations to help business owners make strategic decisions with confidence.
Since launching, CoStac has been accepted into the Johns Hopkins Spark Accelerator, the Fuel Accelerator, and the JHU Summer Incubator. We’ve received grant funding that allowed me to bring on a team of talented student interns to help shape the product.
Outside of the startup, I’ve used my platform to advocate for financial literacy through national pageants—placing in the Top 10 at both Miss Maryland USA and Miss Delaware USA. And as someone balancing both creative and business pursuits, I know firsthand how important it is to feel grounded in your finances when everything else is moving fast.
At the end of the day, CoStac is about more than just numbers—it’s about giving businesses the clarity and confidence to lead their vision forward. And I’m building it for the kind of founder I’ve always been: ambitious, unconventional, and ready to take control of their future.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of my biggest challenges has been learning to trust myself—both as a business owner and as a creative. When I first started, I struggled with serious self-doubt. I questioned whether I had what it took to lead a company, especially in a space like fintech that can feel intimidating and male-dominated. And at the same time, I wrestled with how to show up authentically as someone who also acts in theaters, performs stunts, competes in beauty pageants, and embraces creative expression. I felt like I had to choose between being “serious” and being me.
There was a period where I didn’t feel like I fully belonged in either world—too analytical for the performance arts, too creative for the business world.
Over time, I’ve learned to see that duality as my strength. The same resilience that shows up when I’m training for a stunt is what I bring into investor meetings. The same attention to detail I use when acting on set is what I apply when designing financial tools for founders. Embracing all sides of who I am has made me a better leader, a more empathetic creator, and a more confident voice in both spaces.
The journey has had doubts, pivots, and burnout—but I’ve learned that you don’t have to feel fearless to take the next step. You just have to keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The journey has had doubts, pivots, and burnout—but I’ve learned that you don’t have to feel fearless to take the next step. You just have to keep going.
As a performer and creative entrepreneur, I’m most proud of how I’ve used my platforms—including the Miss USA beauty pageants—to advocate for financial literacy and empowerment. I believe that understanding your finances is the foundation for true freedom—the kind that gives you the ability to pursue your passions, take risks, and build a life on your terms.
Working in the film and entertainment industry, much of my income came from gig-based work, which required serious financial discipline, smart budgeting, and long-term planning. I’m also an MMA athlete to layer technique and versatility on my movie stunts. On top of that, I was also pursuing my graduate degree in Data Analytics and Risk Management—so I had to be extremely intentional about every dollar I spent and earned. That lived experience helped me see firsthand how powerful financial clarity can be.
This isn’t something we’re taught in high school, yet everyone—especially creatives—deserves to understand and take control of their money. I’ve made it my mission to blend creativity and strategy to make financial tools and education more accessible. Through my work and ventures, I aim to help others not just manage their money, but feel confident in using it to chase their dreams.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has played a role in my journey, but I firmly believe that luck will never outperform hard work and discipline. I’ve been fortunate to have doors open—whether it was getting into grad school, earning grants, or being accepted into accelerators—but those opportunities only turned into real progress because I was prepared, consistent, and willing to put in the work.
Working in the gig-based film industry while balancing graduate studies required a level of financial discipline and time management that most people don’t see. That discipline is what carried me forward—not luck.
Even the setbacks that felt like “bad luck” were ultimately lessons that built resilience and sharpened my focus. They taught me how to budget smarter, think long-term, and stay grounded under pressure—skills that became the foundation of CoStac and my advocacy for financial literacy.
In the end, I see luck as a spark. But it’s discipline that builds the fire—and keeps it burning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalaryTea?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
- Instagram: nathalie.k.b
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/costac/?viewAsMember=true
- Other: https://www.costac.io/
