How Michelle Grew Her Net Worth by 25% Before Starting Her Business: Client Results

Can you travel while building wealth? Yes—you can plan for travel, save for retirement, and prepare for business ownership without putting your whole life on hold. My client Michelle grew her net worth by 25% in two years while continuing to travel. In episode 161 of the Unicorn Millionaire Podcast, we explore the personal finance foundation behind her next chapter as a business owner.

In episode 161 of the Unicorn Millionaire Podcast, Michelle returns to talk about her 25% net-worth growth over two years, retirement accounts that tripled in value, and a life that still includes trips to Europe, Hawaii, and the Bay Area.

Watch Michelle’s money coaching client story

This first-gen eldest daughter wasn’t starting from zero. She already saved, contributed to retirement accounts, and paid her credit cards on time. Our work together was about optimizing what she had: where her cash lived, how her spending earned rewards, and how her money could support future Michelle without making present-day Michelle miserable.

This is a money coaching client story—not a generic list of finance tips. Michelle returned to share what changed after our work together: her net worth grew by 25% in two years, her six-figure retirement accounts tripled in value, and she kept making room for travel. Here are four ways Michelle builds wealth and creates more freedom, from optimizing her cash and rewards to preparing for business ownership.

1. Make cash and credit card rewards work harder

Michelle had money split between regular savings and high-yield savings. In our conversation, we revisited the Bank of America savings account that sounded fancy but wasn’t doing much for her cash. The move wasn’t to become a better saver through sheer willpower. It was to put the savings she already had somewhere more useful.

Then we looked at credit cards. Michelle already knew how to avoid interest; coaching helped her explore rewards that better matched her actual life. She describes cash back and travel rewards as an allowance: money or points she can use toward meals, bills, or going home to see family.

That’s the combination I love: cash earning interest while rewards help stretch planned spending. Not shopping more to chase points. Not paying interest for a supposedly free flight. Card fees, interest, redemption rules, and your own spending habits still matter.

2. Keep building wealth in retirement accounts

Michelle says her retirement accounts had just reached six figures before we worked together, and that their combined value tripled over the following two years. She also describes using a period of lower housing expenses to contribute more toward retirement.

Her progress brings together consistent contributions, investment growth, and a clearer plan for her money. Instead of treating retirement and travel as competing dreams, Michelle built a system that makes room for both.

We also talk about compound growth: earning returns on invested money and on earlier earnings. Investor.gov explains how compounding works, along with the risks that come with investing. Investments can lose value; they aren’t high-yield savings accounts with a different label.

Michelle also explores Coast FIRE: building an invested foundation that could continue growing toward retirement even without additional contributions. Seeing her long-term possibilities in a retirement calculator helped her connect today’s money moves with future freedom. Those projections depend on future returns and the assumptions used.

The meaningful shift? Retirement stopped being a vague thing she hoped would somehow work out. She could start asking what financial independence might look like for her.

3. Build a personal finance foundation before starting a business

Michelle is now moving into entrepreneurship, including creating an LLC and developing yoga and movement offerings for BIPOC communities. She describes building her wealth as a way to give herself the opportunity to fund her own projects.

Understanding her money, organizing her accounts, and building personal wealth gave Michelle more room to pursue her own projects. Her story connects personal finance with entrepreneurship: taking care of yourself financially can help you decide what to invest in your business and what to protect for your own life.

If you already own a business, this part is for you, too. More revenue doesn’t automatically answer how much to pay yourself, what to keep available, or how to invest for life beyond your business. Your personal money deserves a plan alongside your business money.

4. Make travel and giving part of the wealth-building plan

Michelle’s progress isn’t just a number on a screen. She talks about traveling with her sisters, sharing what she’s learned, and supporting organizations in her community while still taking care of herself.

She also makes a distinction worth repeating: taking the vacation is one thing; coming home able to continue your regular life without a huge trip bill hanging over you is another.

That’s the kind of wealth-building I want more first-gen folks to see. You don’t have to erase joy from your life to care about your future.

Keep listening: Michelle’s first episode and Nora’s story

• Episode 122: Michelle’s first conversation about investing as a first-generation Latina and building six-figure wealth before 30. Start here for more of her background and our earlier coaching work.
• Episode 132: How Nora boosted her credit and bought a house at 28. Another first-gen eldest daughter building a financial life on her own terms.

Can you travel while building wealth? Your questions answered

Can I still travel while building wealth?

Yes. Plan for travel alongside retirement contributions, emergency savings, and everyday bills—not instead of them. Michelle’s story shows how high-yield savings, rewards on planned spending, and intentional investing can support enjoying your life now while building wealth for later.

How can I save for travel and retirement at the same time?

Give each goal a place in your money plan. Set a travel budget and automate transfers toward it, while choosing retirement contributions that fit your income and long-term goals. In episode 161, Michelle shares how she kept taking trips while growing her retirement accounts.

Can credit card rewards help pay for travel?

Yes. Eligible purchases can earn points or cash back that help cover travel costs. Michelle uses rewards to help fund visits home to the Bay Area and describes the benefits as an allowance. Compare fees and redemption options, and avoid interest or extra spending that outweighs the rewards.

How do I organize my personal finances before starting a business?

Start with your household expenses, cash reserves, debt payments, and retirement goals. Decide how much you can put toward startup costs without taking money you need for personal obligations, then track business money separately. Michelle explains how strengthening her personal money foundation helped her begin funding her own projects.

Can money coaching help if I already save and invest?

Yes. Coaching can help you connect the pieces: where your cash sits, how you use credit, what you invest for, and how your money supports your life. Michelle already saved and invested before we worked together. Our focus was optimizing her existing system and making her next decisions clearer.

Where can I get personalized help with personal and business finances?

My six-month private money coaching program helps LGBTQ+, BIPOC, first-gen, and neurodivergent folks work on their actual cash, credit, investments, and money decisions. Explore the program, hear Michelle’s experience in episode 161, and explore coaching and book a free clarity call on my website.

Individual results vary. Educational information, not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.