By: Jhanae Winter
Lakeisha Rolle, Financial Coach and founder of The Financial Academy, designed her business to give Bahamians access to affordable financial literacy products and services.
The business caters to teaching young people how to manage money and instill values and principles for finance to help them lead successful lives. There are also options available for interested adults.
“The Financial Academy was established to instill positive money management habits within the lives of our young people. The Financial Academy was established to provide access to affordable financial literacy products and services that will transform persons’ money thoughts and break the cycle of financial illiteracy and poverty. We are all about helping individuals to embrace their ‘financial future’,” Lakeisha said.
Her services are not simply coaching but she also distributes products to guide for a practical experience. She provides “Saving Kits for Kids”, “Personal Finance Starter Kits” for teens and adults to give them an introduction into the financial world.
Lakeisha is filling the gaps in the educational systems with her business by teaching children all about money and setting them on a path to success. With her webinar for ages 9-12, “How to Control Your C.A.S.H.”, children are able to learn about financial literacy, including budgeting, money responsibility and creative ways to save money as a child.
“We have received amazing reviews from parents who sat in on the webinar and even provided us with a snapshot of the notes their child took during the session just to show how much of an impact it had and how it got them thinking about the importance of making good choices with money,” she said.
And for adults The Financial Academy offers a “30-Day Financial Wellness Program” (every January) to begin the new year with the right financial mindset and set the tone for the remaining months. Likewise, a 30 minute and 60 minute “Financial Road Map Consultations”, 4-Week “Personal Financial Management” Course and a “Planning for Profit & Sustainability” Coaching Program for Entrepreneurs in just a few weeks.
There is something for everyone.
Through the products and services offered, the business owner is adamant about creating a safe environment for all Bahamians to learn about finance in a different way and develop a country of “financially literate citizens”. “It’s my calling”, she said.
“It’s time for that to change and we are on a mission to show people that the cycle can in fact end with them. The cycle of living paycheck to paycheck, living above your means, keeping up with the Joneses, borrowing without the intention of ever paying people back, speaking poverty over your life and the list goes on. The cycle can and will end with you and it all begins with a financial literacy education,” Lakeisha said.
Before The Financial Academy was established in November 2019, Lakeisha was in the financial service industry for close to seven years. As a fund accountant and securities analyst, she became well versed in the areas of investment management, securities regulation, investor education and fund administration, she said, giving her the ability to impart such knowledge to others.
Lakeisha gives God all the credit for her skills in the financial industry and the heart to not just keep the information for herself, but the grace and ability to empower, enlighten and free others from financial bondage.
“The journey has been absolutely amazing! It is only by the grace of God that I am successful at what I do and that’s because He placed it on the inside of me. This business has everything to do with fulfilling my purpose in life,” the business owner said.
She uses the scripture “Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust Him along the way, you’ll find that He pulled it off perfectly!” Psalm 37:5 (The Passion Translation) to guide her walk as a business owner.
She also expressed gratitude to those who have supported along the way. To those who have offered her assistance for free, sowed seeds into her business and given her advice when needed. Those helping her on this journey, she said, “I am forever grateful for their support”.
Although her journey as a business owner has not been a long one, Lakeisha and The Financial Academy obtained great success. In May 2021, she was selected from more than 1,800 applicants to participate in the 2022 Young Leaders of The Americas Initiative Fellowship (YLAI) Program. In July 2021, The Financial Academy hosted 4-Day Financial Literacy Summer Camps at The Ranfurly Homes for Children, the Bilney Lane Children’s Home and a virtual camp for residents within the South Beach and neighboring communities. In August 2021, The Financial Academy teamed up with Drewber Solutions, a local financial consultant firm to co-host two Financial Literacy Virtual Summer Camps which were opened to the public, she told Bahamaslocal.com.
The process from working a 9-5 to being an entrepreneur has been smooth for Lakeisha. She said she’s experienced no form of negativity, scrutiny for her decisions nor encountered any issues with governmental organizations responsible for Bahamian businesses.
Along with providing financial intel, The Financial Academy is all about giving back to the community through sponsorships and scholarships. Through generous donations and support, this business has been able to assist non profit organizations and charities.
“In February 2020, The Financial Academy made a donation to The Gentlemen's Club Scholarship Program and in December 2020, the company was featured as a ‘Diamond Donor’ for its generous donation to Nothin But A Number’s Grocery Giveback for families during the Christmas holiday. In May 2021, the company donated to the Bahamas Feeding Network to support their work within the community and in July 2021, the company donated a laptop to one of the finalists of The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program. These were amazing accomplishments, and I could not be more proud as the company’s Founder,” Lakeisha said.
But the best is yet to come.
Lakeisha has many things in store for The Financial Academy. One of them being, developing a website within the next six months to properly display her products and services and allow clients to book and pay online. She also has various products in the works to offer to children and teens just in time for the holidays.
Stay updated on her social media that will be linked below, to keep up with all her new releases.
Lakeisha is blessed to have found her purpose, love and passion for financial literacy and share it for the betterment of all Bahamians.
She’s learned a lot about the business world and how to be quick on one’s feet, especially in 2020. Having to adjust to overwhelming responses from customers, planning events and having the pandemic disrupt them, Lakeisha found other ways to bounce back each time.
She shifted to virtual and steadily built an online presence through Facebook and Instagram Lives and free webinars on Zoom. Currently, the Financial Academy offers a free “Personal Wealth Checklist” tool that is still available. Send them an email at thefinancialacademy242@gmail.com to grab a free digital copy.
Even with her success, running and owning a business is not as easy as it seems, she said.
“Being your own boss requires lots of time, energy, and sacrifice! Starting a business may seem easy but maintaining it is where the work comes in. Too often, people underestimate how much work is required to transform an idea into an actual finished product. Depending on the product, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few years to manifest,” she exclaimed.
Nevertheless, Lakeisha encourages all on the path to pursuing entrepreneurship, to reach out to others in the field of interest, “if you are going to execute anything well” and invest the time, research, effort into your vision to develop it properly. But most importantly she encourages all to be patient with the process.
You can find Lakeisha on Facebook at The Financial Academy and on Instagram @thefinancialacademy242.
The Financial Academy, Smart Finances, Secure Future
