Meet Jessica M. Garcia

We were lucky to catch up with Jessica M. Garcia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jessica M. with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic was forged in the heart of my family’s story. I was brought to the U.S. from Ecuador at just six months old by my parents, who were only 20 and 22 at the time. They left behind lives of relative comfort, driven by a desire to build a more secure future for me. Though they didn’t speak the language, they taught me the power of education, kindness, and community—not just through words, but by example.

They instilled in me the belief that I could be whatever I wanted to be, as long as I was willing to work for it. They showed me that reading opens doors, that helping others matters, and that the energy you bring into the world matters.

Their unwavering dedication to shaping a brighter path for me, their respect for others, and the grace and grit with which they handled life’s challenges became the blueprint for my own values.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

At the heart of what I do is financial empowerment—especially for women navigating the emotional and practical complexities of divorce. I’m a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA), Certified Divorce Coach, and Family Financial Mediator, guiding individuals and couples through one of the most financially vulnerable times in their lives.
My work blends strategy, compassion, and education, helping clients gain clarity, confidence, and a stable path forward.

What’s most special to me is the trust my clients place in me. Divorce isn’t just about dividing assets—it’s about reconfiguring a family. I consider it a privilege to support my clients as they make some of the most important financial decisions of their lives, while also helping them envision a future in which they trhive.

Lately, I’ve been focused on expanding the reach of my work. I’m developing tools—like financial workbooks and templates—for new divorce coaches, with the goal of licensing them so that more professionals can support clients in a grounded, informed way. I also teach a course at the College of Divorce three times a year, helping new coaches build a strong financial foundation for their practice.

On a personal note, I’m an aspiring abstract painter and have made a commitment to creating time for it alongside swimming and self-care. I’ve learned that I serve my clients best when I’m nourished and grounded myself.

As I look ahead, my vision includes publishing a book in an effort continuing to advocate for clarity and dignity in the divorce process. It’s all about supporting transformation—financially and emotionally—with care and confidence.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Great question! Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey most profoundly are resilience, curiosity, and financial fluency.

Resilience has carried me through every phase—from building a business to navigating personal transitions. It’s not about always being strong; it’s about being willing to keep going, to adapt, and to grow. One of the phrases my father has said to me for years is, “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying.” That perspective has stayed with me—reminding me that effort, risk, and even missteps are part of meaningful progress. For anyone starting out, don’t be afraid to stumble. That’s often where the real growth happens.

Curiosity has kept me open, evolving, and connected to others. It’s what fuels my desire to understand not just financial systems, but people—their goals, fears, and values. Curiosity helps you see possibilities where others see obstacles. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: stay curious. Ask why, how, and what if. It will keep your work fresh, your relationships strong, and your confidence growing.

And of course, financial fluency has been foundational. Understanding money—not just technically but emotionally—is empowering. I’ve spent over two decades in banking, credit, and investments, and those years taught me that knowledge is a powerful form of stability. For those early in their path, I encourage you to build your financial literacy brick by brick. It will serve you—and your clients—in ways you can’t even imagine yet.
I’d like to take that a step further and tell women to develop and maintain an ability to earn income – always@

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Well, being self-employed can feel a bit lonely at times so definitely! Actually, I deeply value collaboration, thinking, especially when it creates a more empowered and supportive experience for people navigating divorce. I’m always looking to connect with divorce coaches, therapists, attorneys, mediators, and financial professionals who are aligned in their mission to help individuals move through transition with clarity, confidence, and dignity.

Whether you’re a new divorce coach looking for financial foundations training and tools, a therapist seeking a trusted referral for your clients facing complex financial decisions, or a family law attorney who wants a financial expert to support their client become better informed and prepared for the conversations of separation and divorce—I’d love to connect. Also, I can talk for hours about the work I do so being a podcast guest on women and divorce would be amazing!

I’m also developing a suite of tools that I plan to license, so I’m especially interested in collaborating with other divorce professionals who see the value in expanding financial literacy within their practices.

If you’re reading this and would like to explore how we can support one another’s work, the best way to reach me is through my website www.brainstormingwomen.com or LinkedIn — or feel free to send me an email directly.
I believe there’s real power in working together to make the divorce process a more supported, strategic, and humane experience.

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