Welcome to episode 130 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!
Nicole Stanley, founder of Arise Financial Coaching, shares her powerful story as a Puerto Rican woman raised in Florida who turned personal financial struggle into a purpose-driven business helping hundreds of families take control of their money.
In this episode, Nicole reflects on her upbringing in a money-conscious Puerto Rican household, the financial stress she witnessed growing up, and how those early experiences shaped her relationship with money. She opens up about getting married at 22 with significant debt, cultural identity challenges, and the mindset shifts that helped her and her husband pay off $30,000 in debt in just 10 months.
Nicole takes us through her journey from initially pursuing a traditional professional path to discovering her passion for financial education and coaching. She shares how her own transformation led her to create Arise Financial Coaching, a business that has served over 600 clients since 2020, offering free workshops and personalized coaching to help people build stability, confidence, and long-term wealth. She also discusses how her immigrant identity and cultural background shape how she approaches money conversations today.
With Love, Heidy
Connect with Nicole:
Threads
TikTok
Looking for a tax preparer for the 2026 season? Get your taxes done with me and the Dedicated Tax Pros Family! Send me an email for a free estimate: delacruz.dedicatedtaxpros@gmail.com
You can now become an official supporter of The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast for just $10 a month!
Your support helps cover production costs, ensuring we continue bringing powerful immigrant stories to life. And as a thank you, you'll get exclusive access to:
✨ Behind-the-scenes content
🎙️ Special Q&A sessions with me
🔓 Ad-free episodes!
If this podcast has inspired you, moved you, or made you feel seen, this is your chance to be part of its growth. Your support truly makes a difference!
Sign up now and join our exclusive community on Substack!!! 💛
Check out the full list of different ways you can support the podcast.
*This podcast is sponsored by
Ir Al Sol Swimwear
Capital BPG
Far From Home Podcast
Kaza Law Immigration
Barbara Perez Law
For sponsorship opportunities, send an email to Heidy@heidydelacruz.com
Make a one-time donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2C3JDALUGTS6E
Start your podcast in 6-weeks or less with The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course! Learn everything from tech, podcast hosting sites, editing, Podcast SEO, and more! Find out more information here. And if you refer a client to me and they sign up for 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, you will receive $50!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.