However, her journey hasn’t been without challenges. After working as an instructor for over seven years, an unexpected school closure forced her to face a difficult career crossroads and decide whether to strike out on her own. “Starting a small business is a lot of work, but what motivated me was the positive feedback I got from students and clients on my skills and teaching ability. And as a mother of two, I want to be able to provide more for them. When I was an instructor, I didn’t have a lot of opportunities to earn more income and advance.”

Johany credits joining the FSS+ program with Cambridge Housing Authority with giving her the confidence and the financial knowledge she needed to start her own business. “The program has helped me understand how to organize my finances, which I’m now using as I build my business. I knew right away I needed to have a separate bank account, that I could establish a line of business credit and that would be different than personal credit, things like that.”

About her experience in the program, Johany shares,

“It has been life changing for me and my family because I’ve been passing on all this information I’ve learned. I’m proud of what I’ve learned through the FSS program, because now I’m teaching all these important things to my teenager, my sister, my cousin, even my students.  And I feel so much more confident now when it comes to finding resources, asking my financial coach for help, and solving problems.”

“I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to gain knowledge and resources. I look back and I don’t know where I would be right now. I wouldn’t be in this position to open a business without this level of support. Especially as a mom, you can’t take certain steps without having that sense of security because everything I do affects my kids as well.”

Johany with her two children. Photography by Leah LaRiccia Photography.

And this summer, Denise finally achieved her dream when she and her family bought their first home in Hyde Park, Massachusetts.

Denise shares about her experience, “We are truly blessed to have gone through this process and our biggest dream has come true. Owning a home gives you a different swag to your step.”

We are ecstatic for Denise and her family on this amazing step in their journey. Congratulations Denise!