Meet Viviana Vazquez

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Viviana Vazquez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Viviana, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

Watching my dad financially support a family of five on a $28,000 income. I watched him work tirelessly day in and day out to give us a better life. Despite us living in poverty, he always gave more than he could. He would tip waiters, delivery people, and baristas more than a wealthy customer would. I would always ask him why, to which he would respond, “I’ve been in their shoes. They depend on tips like we do.” I told myself from a young age that I would work hard to be able to do the same, except without sacrificing my own financial wellbeing. That’s why I’ve always wanted to have so much — so that I could give much more.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a full-time Senior Marketing Manager, Financial Content Creator, and Founder of First-Gen Wealth, LLC. As a former teacher and first-generation college graduate, my passion for financial education is deeply personal—rooted in my own journey of breaking the cycle of generational poverty and building wealth from the ground up.

Today, I use my platform to empower fellow first-gen individuals and marginalized communities through free educational content and a value-packed newsletter. I hold a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and am currently pursuing my MBA, with over six years of experience teaching financial literacy—including two years in NYC public schools.

Through my growing online community of 120K+ across social platforms, I share relatable money lessons, practical tips, and encouragement to help others take control of their financial futures—because wealth-building should be accessible to everyone, not just the privileged few.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Being Ambitious:
I refused to settle for the limits others tried to place on me. After two years of teaching, I made the bold decision to pivot into tech. I broke in through an entry-level role, job-hopped strategically, and tripled my income within a few years. I don’t regret taking calculated risks for long-term rewards, and I encourage others to do the same.

Advice: If you’re early in your journey, don’t be afraid to dream big—even if your path looks different from those around you. Set clear goals, do your research, and take intentional risks. Bet on yourself and don’t be afraid to pivot when opportunities arise.

Staying Humble:
No matter how far I’ve come, I’ve always stayed grounded. I live below my means and avoid lifestyle creep, even now as a multiple six-figure earner. I don’t spend on luxury clothes or cars—instead, I invest in the stock market, in my growth, and in my family. This mindset has helped me build sustainable wealth without losing sight of what truly matters.

Advice: Start building good financial habits early. Practice gratitude, celebrate your wins, but don’t let income increases derail your priorities. Focus on building a strong foundation first—invest in your future, not just in what looks good right now.

Giving Back:
This has always been my “why.” Increasing my income has allowed me to support my family in ways I couldn’t when I was a teacher. And through my social media platform, I give back to my community by sharing free financial education—not for profit, but from purpose. I think people can sense the authenticity behind what I do, and that’s been a huge part of my success online.

Advice: Find your “why” early. Purpose will guide your decisions and keep you grounded when things get tough. You don’t have to have a huge platform to give back—start with what you know and who you can help. Impact grows with consistency.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I feel overwhelmed often—especially since I’m technically juggling three jobs. It’s a lot. But when those feelings creep in, what helps me the most is taking a step back and reflecting on how far I’ve come.

I remind myself that I was the first in my family to graduate from college. At the time, that felt like the biggest accomplishment of my life. Then it was earning my first $57,000 salary as a teacher. Later, it was landing my first six-figure role. Every milestone felt impossible until I achieved it.

So when I feel anxious, stressed, or stretched too thin, I ground myself in gratitude and perspective. I reflect on the fact that I’ve already accomplished so much—things my parents didn’t have the opportunity to do—and that alone is something to be proud of. I remind myself: I’ve made it through hard things before, and I can do it again.

Advice: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause and give yourself credit for everything you’ve already overcome. Sometimes we get so focused on the next goal that we forget how much progress we’ve made. Reflecting on your journey can be the grounding force you need to keep moving forward with purpose.

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