yolanda gardner

We had the pleasure of interviewing our finance professional and Bosses Sip Tea™ speaker, Ms. Yolanda Gardner, located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s see what she has to say!

Tell us about yourself!

I am an experienced financial professional on a mission to empower women and families to build financial security and close the racial wealth gap one family at a time. As a financial professional, I aim to expand my impact by educating people of all ages on the importance of financial stability and teaching them how to establish and maintain it. I help families plan for short and long-term financial goals and specialize in being a resource to help navigate through financially traumatic situations.

I am also a speaker and author. I use my platform to promote healthy relationships with money through managing financially traumatic experiences. I have a devotional titled: "Don't Forget Who God Is!," which serves as a resource to empower the reader to lean into strengthening their relationship with God during difficult times. This devotional was birthed out of my own experience of feeling disconnected from God after experiencing difficult transitions.

I have a wonderful son named Elam, who is the light of my life. I serve on numerous boards that aim to empower women to live healthy and meaningful lives. Finally, I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated. I serve on the Executive Board for my local chapter as the Assistant Treasurer.

What is your profession?

I am a financial coach and consultant. I help individuals build tools to establish financial security and experience economic mobility. My areas of expertise include personal finance, homeownership, and helping individuals transition through their money journeys. I speak to organizations and groups on subjects surrounding closing the racial wealth gap, managing financially traumatic transitions, and financial literacy.

Why did you choose the profession you are in?As a first-generation college student and college graduate, I had to learn through personal experiences how to be financially secure. I graduated in the middle of a recession and found myself unable to secure a good-paying job. My first job out of college I made $25,000 a year. I couldn't afford anything! I worked in a financial institution and learned as much as I could. By 25, I was able to purchase my first home and my second home by the age of 30. After recognizing the wealth of personal and professional experiences I had, I began to share this on a greater scale which led to me leaving the financial institution I worked for and start my business, YGM Consulting. I saw firsthand the disparities and lack of access that BIPOC individuals face when trying to build financial stability. I am on a mission to arm BIPOC communities with the information they need to navigate through financial systems and gain access to the resources they need to be financially successful.

Who or what is your number one motivator and why?

My number one motivator is my son. I desire to establish a strong foundation for him to build upon as he grows older. He drives me to be my absolute best and show up every single day.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Honestly, I love to sleep in my free time!

How can the community get in touch with you?

To stay connected with Yolanda Gardner, follow her social media handles below:

Facebook: YGM Consulting LLC

Instagram: itsme_yolandag_