Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Taylor.
Hi Ruby, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m Ruby Sunshine Taylor, the UnConventional CEO and Founder of Financial Joy School. My journey to where I am today is a story of resilience, passion, and a commitment to creating a financially equitable world.
Growing up, I had a knack for numbers and a deep desire to help others. I attended Howard University and Virginia Union University, two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), where I gained academic knowledge and a profound understanding of the systemic challenges that many in my community face.
My path took a dramatic turn when I survived a traumatic brain injury. This life-altering experience ignited a new fire within me – a determination to make a tangible impact on the world. As a disabled Black lesbian, mother, daughter, and friend, I wanted to use my experiences to uplift and empower others, especially those from marginalized communities.
In my journey, I realized the significant gap in financial education for Black and Brown youth and their families. This realization led to the creation of Financial Joy School, a virtual educational platform and gaming company. Our mission is to provide diverse financial education and investment tools, helping families build generational wealth.
One of our key initiatives is the legacy! Card Game, which turns financial education into a fun and engaging activity. Through partnerships with organizations like Wells Fargo, Trust & Will, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, and several schools and nonprofits, we’ve reached and impacted many lives.
We’ve achieved significant milestones, such as donating 10,000 Legacy! Decks to low-to-moderate-income communities, winning the Synergies Work EDDIES Award for Social Impact and participating in the Wells Fargo PGA Championship Banking Doing Good Marketplace. These opportunities have increased our visibility and opened doors to collaborate with more community leaders and organizations. We’ve engaged thousands of families through our seminars, like the “We Build Generational Wealth” series, providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their financial futures. Our work has been featured in prominent publications and media outlets, including CNBC, NBC NOW, Inc., Forbes.com, and Mashable.
My story turns adversity into a mission to spread joy and financial literacy. Financial Joy School is not just a business; it’s a movement towards a more just and joyful world. Every day, I’m inspired by the lives we touch and the communities we uplift. Together, we are building a future where financial education is accessible to all and generational wealth is a reality for everyone.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to where I am today with Financial Joy School has been anything but smooth. It has been a journey filled with challenges, but each struggle has been a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. One of the most significant challenges I faced was my traumatic brain injury. It was a life-changing event that brought physical, emotional, and mental hurdles. Recovering from this injury required immense resilience and a complete rethinking of how I approached life and work. It was a challenging period, but it also gave me a renewed sense of purpose and determination to make a difference. Building Financial Joy School from the ground up has also come with its own set of obstacles. One of the primary challenges has been securing funding and resources. As a Black, disabled, lesbian entrepreneur, I’ve often found myself navigating a landscape that wasn’t always welcoming or supportive. Gaining the trust and support of investors and partners required persistent effort and unwavering belief in my mission.
Another significant area for improvement was having a network of business owners, people in the financial space, and the start-up community. This lack of a support network made navigating the complexities of building and scaling a business complex. To overcome this, I began seeking out groups and organizations to join. Over time, I was surrounded by a very supportive network of unique individuals who believed in my vision and were willing to lend their expertise and support.
Another challenge was spreading awareness and getting people to recognize the importance of financial education, especially within marginalized communities. Changing perceptions and convincing people to invest in their financial futures through our programs took time and patience. However, through continuous outreach and partnerships with organizations like Wells Fargo, Trust & Will, and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, we’ve managed to make significant strides. The operational aspects of running a virtual educational platform and gaming company also presented challenges. From developing engaging educational content to ensuring the smooth distribution of our LEGACY! Card Game: every step required meticulous planning and execution. We faced logistical issues, technical problems, and the constant need to innovate to keep our offerings relevant and impactful. Despite these struggles, each hurdle has taught me valuable lessons. The support from my community, partners, and the families we serve has been a constant source of motivation. Winning awards like the Synergies Work EDDIES Award for Social Impact and being featured on major media outlets has validated our efforts and pushed us to continue. The road has been challenging, but every difficulty has reinforced my commitment to Financial Joy School’s mission. The journey has made me stronger, more resilient, and more passionate about making financial education accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Financial Joy School is a virtual educational platform and gaming company dedicated to providing diverse financial education and investment tools to Black and Brown youth and their families. We aim to close the racial wealth gap and create a financially equitable world by empowering families with the knowledge and skills needed to build generational wealth.
What We Do
At Financial Joy School, we specialize in making financial education accessible, engaging, and fun. Our flagship product, the LEGACY! Card Game transforms learning about finances into an interactive and enjoyable experience. Through this game, families can learn essential financial concepts, such as budgeting, investing, and wealth-building strategies, in an informative and entertaining way.
What Sets Us Apart
Our commitment to inclusivity and innovative approach to financial education sets Financial Joy School apart. We understand marginalized communities’ unique challenges and tailor our offerings to meet their needs. Our programs and resources are designed to be culturally relevant, ensuring that our audience sees themselves represented in our content.
Our Impact
We are known for our impactful partnerships and collaborations with leading organizations such as Wells Fargo, Trust & Will, the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, and various schools and nonprofits. These partnerships have enabled us to reach a wider audience and make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of families.
Brand Pride
Brand-wise, we are most proud of our ability to inspire and empower our community. Winning the Synergies Work EDDIES Award for Social Impact and receiving recognition from major media outlets like CNBC, NBC NOW, Inc., and Forbes.com are testaments to our positive impact. Our work has been about educating and instilling a sense of joy and hope for a better financial future.
What We Want You to Know
We want our readers to know that Financial Joy School is more than just an educational platform; it is a movement toward financial equity and empowerment. Our offerings are designed to be accessible to all, regardless of their financial background. Through our seminars, workshops, and the LEGACY! Card Game, we provide the tools and knowledge needed to start and sustain the journey towards generational wealth.
Our services include:
- Financial Education Workshops: Engaging sessions that cover a range of topics from basic budgeting to advanced investment strategies
- The LEGACY! Card Game: A fun, interactive way for families to learn about finances together.
- Partnership Programs: Collaborating with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to bring our resources to those who most need them. Generational Wealth Seminars: Events that bring together experts and community members to share insights and strategies for building wealth across generations. At Financial Joy School, financial education should be a joyful and empowering experience. We invite you to join us on this journey and become part of a community committed to building a more financially equitable world.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
At Financial Joy School, we are driven by a deep dislike for inequality and a profound love for justice and joy. These values are at the core of everything we do. Financial education should be a joyful and empowering experience. We invite you to join us on this journey and become part of a community committed to building a more financially equitable world.
Pricing:
- The UnConVentional CEO How To Build Wealth & Joy In The Midst of Adversity $27.97
- LEGACY! CARD DECK $29 PER DECK sell in Bulk 100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://FinancialJoySchool.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/FinancialJoySchool
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubytaylor/
Image Credits
Jennifer Parkes
