We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aitzarelys Negrón, CPA. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aitzarelys below.
Aitzarelys, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.
In the early days of building my business, I was a classic “yes” person. Every opportunity felt like it could be the opportunity, so I said yes to everything, thinking that hustle was the only path forward. As my coaching practice grew, I kept expanding my programs to accommodate every client’s needs and schedule preferences. The problem? I was still working a full-time job, which meant all this business building was happening during my supposed “downtime.”
Before I knew it, I was trapped in a relentless cycle working non-stop, often until 3 or 4 AM, grabbing a quick three or four-hour nap, then dragging myself to my day job. I was running on fumes, and eventually, I crashed hard.
That crash was my wake-up call. I realized I wasn’t bringing my full self to either my day job or my business, and that definitely wasn’t the coach my clients deserved. They were investing in me to show up powerfully for them, but how could I do that when I was barely showing up for myself?
I had to step back and reconnect with my why the deeper purpose that drove me to start coaching in the first place. Then I did something that felt revolutionary at the time: I wrote down the business boundaries I wanted to have. It sounds simple, but acknowledging that I needed time for myself too was actually a radical shift in how I viewed my worth and my business.
The boundary that changed everything was deciding to stop coaching every single day. I designated specific days of the week for coaching sessions, and that was it. If a potential client couldn’t work within that window, then unfortunately, my program wasn’t the right fit for them.
I won’t lie… it was terrifying at first to say no to prospects. There’s this fear that you’re leaving money on the table or that opportunities won’t come again. But I had to do what was right for me too, not just what seemed right for the business.
Regaining control of my time allowed me to find balance again, and here’s what surprised me: the business actually grew. When I showed up more rested and focused, I was a better coach. Eventually, I transitioned to group coaching, which gave me even more time freedom while allowing me to serve more people simultaneously. I even expanded my services to support entrepreneurs with their business finances too.
The lesson? Sometimes the most productive thing you can do for your business is to protect your own well-being first.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Aitzarelys Negrón, founder and CEO of Strategies & T.E.A.®, where we help both ambitious professionals and six-figure entrepreneurs take control of their finances with strategy, structure, and soul. Our services range from money coaching to full-service bookkeeping and cash flow management, so whether you’re trying to stop living paycheck to paycheck or scale your business with clarity, we’ve got you.
What sets us apart is our culturally grounded, CPA-level approach that blends financial education with emotional intelligence. As a first-gen, English and Spanish-speaking accountant who built a business on her own terms while working a full-time corporate job, I know what it’s like to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to grow. That’s why I created our signature framework moneyCLARITY, moneySYSTEM, moneyGROWTH™ to help clients move from chaos to confidence.
For modern professionals, our moneyFLOW$™ 90-day coaching program helps you ditch money shame, master your cash flow, and build a foundation for long-term wealth. For established business owners earning $100K+ annually, our bookkeeping and CFO-level services offer the backend support you need to scale, get funding-ready, and finally stop DIY-ing your numbers.
Right now, we’re excited to welcome new clients who are ready for serious financial transformation. If you’ve outgrown survival mode and are craving strategic support that actually sees you, we’re here to help you lead with purpose and profit.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three things really stand out as game-changers in my journey: public speaking, organization, and tenacity.
Public speaking might seem obvious for a coach, but it’s so much more than just being comfortable on stage or in front of a camera. It’s about communicating your value clearly, connecting authentically with your audience, and having the confidence to share your expertise without apologizing for it. Early on, I realized that if I couldn’t articulate what I did and why it mattered, no one else would do it for me.
Organization became crucial as my business grew beyond just me juggling everything in my head. I had to create systems—for client onboarding, for tracking progress, for managing my own workflow. Without solid organizational skills, that burnout I mentioned earlier would have happened much sooner and been much worse.
But tenacity (the “T” in Strategies & T.E.A.®)? That’s what kept me going when everything else felt impossible. There were so many moments when I wanted to quit, when rejection stung, when I questioned whether I was cut out for entrepreneurship. Tenacity isn’t about being stubborn, it’s about staying committed to your vision even when the path gets messy.
For those just starting out, here’s my biggest piece of advice: focus less on perfection and more on production. I see too many entrepreneurs getting stuck in endless planning, tweaking, and “getting ready to get ready.” Instead, ask yourself: How are you being productive in your business, not just busy? Because there’s a huge difference between motion and progress.
One of the most productive things you can do is actually tell people about your service or product. Seriously, how many times this week have you told someone they can buy from you? We get so caught up in creating content, building websites, and perfecting our offerings that we forget to actually sell (trust me! it happened to me in 2024). Your business won’t grow if people don’t know what you’re offering.
Run a lean business, especially in the beginning. Know your money story inside and out (your costs, your revenue, your profit margins). Too many entrepreneurs are flying blind financially, and that’s a recipe for stress and poor decisions.
Most importantly, take it one step at a time. I tell my clients this all the time: give yourself grace and go at your own pace. Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. There’s no prize for getting there faster if you burn out along the way. Build something sustainable, something that serves both you and your clients well.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, absolutely! I’m always looking to partner with employers, corporate organizations, and nonprofits that genuinely care about advancing financial wellness and entrepreneurial success in their communities.
Through Strategies & T.E.A®, I offer culturally competent financial literacy programming that actually meets people where they are. We’re talking about helping employees reduce that money stress that keeps them up at night and building real confidence around their finances. For entrepreneurs, I provide technical assistance and workshops focused on the nuts and bolts they need—bookkeeping, money management, and business finance that makes sense in the real world.
I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible organizations like Miami Bayside Foundation, Aerotek, Prospera, HACCOF, and Florida International University (FIU) to name a few. These partnerships have allowed me to lead workshops and trainings that aren’t just informative, but they’re actually transformational for the people in the room.
If you’re looking to enhance your employee benefits package or expand support for founders, especially those from underrepresented communities who often don’t get the resources they deserve, let’s talk. I’d love to explore how we can work together.
You can reach me directly at hello@strategiesandtea.com, or check out www.strategiesandtea.com to learn more about what collaboration could look like for your organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.strategiesandtea.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesandtea/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aitzarelysnegron/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
