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Building a Legacy: An Interview with BuildrFi Co-Founders Stephanie Del Valle and Isabel Rodriguez
Wealth Stream News welcomes Isabel Rodriguez and Stephanie Del Valle, the dynamic duo behind BuildrFi, an innovative company transforming the construction landscape for entrepreneurs. Driven by a shared passion for empowering their community, Isabel, a seasoned construction professional, and Stephanie, a FinTech expert, have joined forces to address the critical challenges Hispanic contractors face in accessing capital and building financial security. Their vision for BuildrFi goes beyond mere financial gain; it aims to create a legacy of freedom and empowerment for Hispanic entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and leave a lasting impact on their community.
Wealth Stream News: Welcome, Stephanie and Isabel, to Wealth Stream News! We're thrilled to have you here today to discuss BuildrFi, your innovative company, and the exciting future you're building for Hispanic entrepreneurs in construction.
Stephanie: Thank you for having us! We're passionate about empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs in construction, and we're excited to share our story with your readers.
Isabel: We're both proud to be Colombian-American and to be building a business that directly addresses the challenges faced by many in our community.
Wealth Stream News: You both grew up with families involved in construction. Could you tell us about the "aha" moment that led you to create BuildrFi?
Stephanie: My experience in the U.S. mirrored that. Even here, contractors are often at the bottom of the payment chain, facing the same challenges. We saw a clear need for a solution to help contractors manage their cash flow and gain access to capital. That's what BuildrFi is all about.
Isabel: Seeing the financial struggles my father and brother faced in the business was a huge catalyst. They were constantly dealing with cash flow issues, having to front costs for labor and materials, and waiting months for payments. I witnessed firsthand how these challenges impacted their ability to grow and thrive.
Wealth Stream News: Being a woman in a male-dominated industry, you've certainly faced unique challenges. How have those experiences shaped your journey?
Stephanie: Being young and a woman in construction, you sometimes don't even realize the barriers you're facing until later. Looking back, I see patterns and trends that made things harder for me than they might have been for my male counterparts.
Isabel: It’s definitely a bold move to be a woman in this industry, but I think the industry is changing rapidly, and that change is only accelerating because of the labor shortage. We're seeing more and more women entering construction, and that's exciting!
Wealth Stream News: Access to capital is a major obstacle for Hispanic entrepreneurs. How are you tackling this challenge?
Isabel: Financial literacy is key! We need to educate our community about the importance of financial planning and how to navigate the loan process. We need to close the knowledge gap, especially when it comes to things like loan applications and qualifications.
Stephanie: And then, of course, there's the network aspect. Building strong connections within the Hispanic community is critical to unlocking access to private equity and other forms of capital.
Wealth Stream News: You’re at a pivotal point in BuildrFi’s journey. Tell us about your fundraising plans and how you're building your support network.
Isabel: We're excited to be expanding our team and securing capital to fuel our growth. We're evaluating different financing structures and partnerships to create a sustainable model for the long term.
Stephanie: We've been fortunate to have the support of the Techstars Miami Accelerator Program, which was incredibly valuable, especially with their focus on Latino-founded businesses. It's been vital to have that network of mentors and advisors.
Wealth Stream News: You're building a legacy. In 5-, 10-years from now, what do you envision for BuildrFi? How will you give back?
Isabel: My dream is to create a legacy of freedom for entrepreneurs, to empower them to explore their talents and build businesses that truly thrive. I envision a future where BuildrFi is a force for positive change, not just in the construction industry, but also in the broader Hispanic community.
Stephanie: For me, it's about creating a model for other women, especially Latinas, to see themselves as successful leaders in traditionally male-dominated fields. We need to break down those barriers and show that anything is possible.
Wealth Stream News: Finally, how do you define wealth?
Isabel: Wealth, to me, is the freedom to pursue your passions, to have the security to go beyond survival and think about growth, and to be able to invest in yourself and your community.
Stephanie: Beyond financial abundance, wealth is the ability to make choices for a better future, to empower others, and to leave a positive impact on the world. It's about having the flexibility to build a life of meaning and purpose.
Wealth Stream News: Thank you both for sharing your story and your vision. We’re inspired by your work and believe that BuildrFi will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Hispanic wealth creation in construction. We look forward to seeing your continued success!
Disclosure: Please note that the information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.
Wealth Stream News: Welcome, Stephanie and Isabel, to Wealth Stream News! We're thrilled to have you here today to discuss BuildrFi, your innovative company, and the exciting future you're building for Hispanic entrepreneurs in construction.
Stephanie: Thank you for having us! We're passionate about empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs in construction, and we're excited to share our story with your readers.
Isabel: We're both proud to be Colombian-American and to be building a business that directly addresses the challenges faced by many in our community.
Wealth Stream News: You both grew up with families involved in construction. Could you tell us about the "aha" moment that led you to create BuildrFi?
Stephanie: My experience in the U.S. mirrored that. Even here, contractors are often at the bottom of the payment chain, facing the same challenges. We saw a clear need for a solution to help contractors manage their cash flow and gain access to capital. That's what BuildrFi is all about.
Isabel: Seeing the financial struggles my father and brother faced in the business was a huge catalyst. They were constantly dealing with cash flow issues, having to front costs for labor and materials, and waiting months for payments. I witnessed firsthand how these challenges impacted their ability to grow and thrive.
Wealth Stream News: Being a woman in a male-dominated industry, you've certainly faced unique challenges. How have those experiences shaped your journey?
Stephanie: Being young and a woman in construction, you sometimes don't even realize the barriers you're facing until later. Looking back, I see patterns and trends that made things harder for me than they might have been for my male counterparts.
Isabel: It’s definitely a bold move to be a woman in this industry, but I think the industry is changing rapidly, and that change is only accelerating because of the labor shortage. We're seeing more and more women entering construction, and that's exciting!
Wealth Stream News: Access to capital is a major obstacle for Hispanic entrepreneurs. How are you tackling this challenge?
Isabel: Financial literacy is key! We need to educate our community about the importance of financial planning and how to navigate the loan process. We need to close the knowledge gap, especially when it comes to things like loan applications and qualifications.
Stephanie: And then, of course, there's the network aspect. Building strong connections within the Hispanic community is critical to unlocking access to private equity and other forms of capital.
Wealth Stream News: You’re at a pivotal point in BuildrFi’s journey. Tell us about your fundraising plans and how you're building your support network.
Isabel: We're excited to be expanding our team and securing capital to fuel our growth. We're evaluating different financing structures and partnerships to create a sustainable model for the long term.
Stephanie: We've been fortunate to have the support of the Techstars Miami Accelerator Program, which was incredibly valuable, especially with their focus on Latino-founded businesses. It's been vital to have that network of mentors and advisors.
Wealth Stream News: You're building a legacy. In 5-, 10-years from now, what do you envision for BuildrFi? How will you give back?
Isabel: My dream is to create a legacy of freedom for entrepreneurs, to empower them to explore their talents and build businesses that truly thrive. I envision a future where BuildrFi is a force for positive change, not just in the construction industry, but also in the broader Hispanic community.
Stephanie: For me, it's about creating a model for other women, especially Latinas, to see themselves as successful leaders in traditionally male-dominated fields. We need to break down those barriers and show that anything is possible.
Wealth Stream News: Finally, how do you define wealth?
Isabel: Wealth, to me, is the freedom to pursue your passions, to have the security to go beyond survival and think about growth, and to be able to invest in yourself and your community.
Stephanie: Beyond financial abundance, wealth is the ability to make choices for a better future, to empower others, and to leave a positive impact on the world. It's about having the flexibility to build a life of meaning and purpose.
Wealth Stream News: Thank you both for sharing your story and your vision. We’re inspired by your work and believe that BuildrFi will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Hispanic wealth creation in construction. We look forward to seeing your continued success!
Disclosure: Please note that the information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.
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