Is Financial Trauma Running Your Business? (For Real)
if you’ve been undercharging, overdelivering, or avoiding your numbers, this one’s for you.
Sis, this is a big one for us…
Have you ever felt like you're doing all the things with your business? Like showing up, posting, emailing, selling, but still wondering why your business feels heavy, or why the money never really feels like it’s going to be good with you?
You might just be carrying financial trauma.
I’m talking about the trauma behind the hustle. The reason why you might be undercharging. The voice that tells you to "just keep going" even when you’re already burnt out. The quiet patterns you didn’t realize were running your business.
Because if we don’t talk about the root of our financial behavior, we’ll keep trying to fix things with budgets and spreadsheets that never touch what’s really going on.
The Perspective:
Financial Trauma Doesn’t Always Shout.. It is not loud but more like a whispers.
We’re taught to believe financial trauma is about significant, dramatic events. Bankruptcy. Foreclosure. Losing everything.
But truthfully? Financial trauma is often subtle, inherited, and generational. It whispers things like:
“Don’t raise your prices — they’ll walk away.”
“You’re not ready yet.”
“Who are you to want that much?”
And that whisper becomes the one that actually makes the decisions. Making decisions based on fear, shame, and scarcity.
Even if you're technically "good with money."
If your nervous system is treating every money decision like a threat, that’s not strategy but pure survival in a business that requires you to disrupt.
The Practicality
Here’s how it might be showing up:’
👉🏾 You avoid looking at your numbers (even when you know you should).
👉🏾 You over-deliver and undercharge, afraid of rejection or being seen as "greedy."
👉🏾 You hoard money or delay investing (In you, in your team, etc…) even when it's time to grow.
More on how it shows up and how to identify it and fix it on the episode below
Rewiring Your Ways
This week, to rewire from letting trauma to make the decisions and grow with your business for financial freedom, then walk through the four questions I am giving in the episode and ask yourself:
What decisions am I making from fear? Is it fear of losing money or fear of not having enough that runs the show?
Then try this:
📓 Track it. Note when you feel activated by money. Even if it’s small, like guilt after charging your full rate or anxiety when looking at your Stripe dashboard.
Shortcut to Build Wealth: Open Calls & Grants You Should Apply For
Money, Money, Money, It’s so funny🎶…. Let’s get into it! Grants are open for you. If any of these resonate, apply without overthinking. There’s money with your name on it.
✨ CÉCRED X BEYGOOD FUND – $500,000 Total
Who it’s for: Hairstylists and salon owners across the U.S.
Why it matters: Salons are sacred. They’re where we transform — not just our hair but our confidence. This fund honors that space and the professionals behind it.
Perks: Capital for salons + scholarships for cosmetology students
More Info: Learn more & apply →
⚡️ BGE Energizing Small Business Grants – $20,000
Who it’s for: Small businesses in Maryland (BGE service area only)
Deadline: June 13, 2025 @ 6PM ET
Perks: $20K to grow, hire, stabilize, or pivot
Eligibility Highlights: 1–25 employees, less than $7M in annual revenue, not a previous recipient
More Info: Check eligibility & apply →
🛍️ eBay Up & Running 2025 – $10,000 Grant Package
Who it’s for: Active eBay sellers looking to scale
Deadline: June 6, 2025 @ 6PM ET
Perks: $10K in cash + $500 tech stipend + eBay education & tools
Eligibility Highlights: Must have listings in the past 6 months + a seller rating of “Above Standard” or “Top Rated”
More Info: Apply here →
Last Thoughts…
Last Thoughts...
I’m working on a new Forbes series, and I want to hear your story.
If you’ve made a money move — raised your rates, stopped people-pleasing, walked away from a survival-mode client — because you’re actively healing your financial trauma, I want to know:
What did you shift? And how did that change you, financially and emotionally?
👉🏾 Pitch your story here — don’t overthink it.
Until next time,
Alejandra Rojas
Founder, Brown Way To Money