All Things Financial Education for Latinas with Corissa Hernández | Pinkafé

Corissa Hernandez is the Latina powerhouse behind Legacy Full Circle Financial & Insurance Services, The Empire Tavern, House of Xelas, and Nativo HLP. Corissa shared her entrepreneurial journey on the latest episode of Pinkafé, skipping all the formalities and giving us an insight of her inspirational life.

Life lessons of Corissa Hernandez

Growing up as a first-gen kid, Corissa had to find her way through the labyrinth of school and entrepreneurship all on her own. Fast forward to today, she’s lighting the way for other go-getters and business pioneers. With her charm and grit, Corissa shares the lessons she has picked up along the way, aiming to inspire, educate, and uplift those with big dreams and ambitions.

“Women are 80% more likely to end up in poverty during retirement and it’s only because the financial industry is overlooking us” – Corissa

WATCH: Corissa Hernández and how managing our money is key to building wealth

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Who is Corissa Hernandez?

While Corissa’s family was supportive of her, they unfortunately lacked the educational tools to help guide her. This upbringing taught her to be resilient and gave her the ability to be solution-oriented and resourceful. Her academic journey led her to Cal Poly Pomona, where she focused on sociology and gender, ethnic, and multicultural studies.

After graduating college, she ventured into working with at-risk youth, eventually enrolling in UCLA’s education program to become a teacher. Teaching was her platform to help others tap into their talents and pursue their dreams.

In the aftermath of the 2008 market crash and witnessing the impact it had on working-class families, Corissa pivoted. Fueled by a desire to prevent financial disasters, she became a licensed financial advisor. By day, she continued teaching, and by night, she flourished as a financial literacy educator. In 2008, she and her husband Gabriel founded Legacy Full Circle, and since then, it’s become the nation’s most diverse and fastest-growing agency.

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A family business

Beyond financial services, Corissa and Gabriel pursued their dream of owning a bar. The first venture was a series of rookie mistakes, but it laid the foundation for Xelas, a successful retail beer and bar establishment. The lessons learned fueled the opening of Nativo, a restaurant, just in time for the pandemic.
While facing the hurdles of the pandemic, Corissa noticed how there weren’t enough resources, education, and knowledge-sharing within communities of color. Researching loans and government assistance felt like a lonely journey. But, unwilling to give up, Corissa and her team faced these challenges head on, a true testament to the immigrant spirit inherited from their ancestors.

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Building a legacy

In 2022, Corissa took a step further and launched a business consultancy. Her aim is to provide resources and coaching to aspiring entrepreneurs. Throughout her journey, she’s recognized the crucial need for mentorship and the exchange of information. Her consultancy is a platform where she candidly shares the triumphs and heartbreaks of business, acknowledging the hurdles faced by spirited entrepreneurs like herself.

Corissa Hernandez isn’t just building businesses; she’s crafting a legacy of resilience, community celebration, and spirited entrepreneurship. As we journey with her, it’s not just about business; it’s about her contagious vibe of chasing dreams, making mistakes, and coming out on top with a fighting spirit that refuses to be dampened.