Q: What led to your passion to advocate for financial literacy?
CU: Honestly, not having money. I was working about four retail jobs at the same time, and I was exhausted. I barely had enough money to cover my portion of the rent. Eventually, at one of my jobs I was promoted into management, but I was still working crazy hours just to make ends meet. I started couponing and understanding thrift shopping. I was surprised at how much money I was able to save. Once I saved enough money, I started working four hours a week to allow myself time to travel and work on my book. After I published my book, I actually got married, we had saved for our dream wedding, we both had a few promotions and bought our dream home. Unfortunately, we ended up divorcing. 

During the separation period, I had a car accident, my father died, and I needed to purchase a new home. I went from having two incomes to one, however I had the same bills, and I also no longer had the emotional support of my father. (Daddy’s Girl). There was a fire inside of me that fueled me to make sure that I never had to depend on anyone financially again. I never wanted anyone to experience that pain, especially not alone. I made a commitment to myself to not only come out of this situation financially secure but also to help others deal with life’s issues without drowning in debt or experiencing depression because of debt. Climbing the “Corporate Ladder” at Wells Fargo, I saw so many people who struggled with finances because they were struggling emotionally, and I wanted to help. I chose to do things on my terms and just like that, “The Finance Queen Inc.” was born!

Q: Tell us about your business, The Finance Queen. What types of services do you have available?
CU: The Finance Queen Inc. was created because there was a need! As a Banker I went through so many different career phases. I was a Teller, a Personal banker, Business banker, Bank Officer, Premier Banker, Notary and a liaison between various Partners at my previous company. I saw people struggle to deal with life and there was no one there to assist them. Many corporations are only willing to help once you become a Millionaire. There are very few people willing to help a person with “a dollar and a dream” with planning, building, or even maintaining credit. I wanted to be there for the average person. I wanted to help people with their credit and advise them on how to make their businesses thrive. Help people with their financial future. The Finance Queen Inc. is a Financial Consulting Firm that helps ALL people with financial freedom, wealth management, business growth and planning, and estate planning. 

Q: You're also an Author and Mentor, tell us more about that.
CU: I wrote a book shortly after I started my first Non Profit, the Pink Fruit Foundation. The book was written to inspire young ladies and assure them that there were others who went through similar scenarios and overcame. Mentoring is essential for a successful community. I believe that it's best to be real! Let people know that you’ve been THROUGH, yes THROUGH what they are currently dealing with and you’re okay. Oftentimes, people want to portray this image that everything was peaches and cream and they never experienced pain. That’s crap. It doesn’t even make sense. How can you educate someone on an experience you’ve never encountered? Transparency is key! We overcome (WE) by the power of our testimonies.


Q: Did you know you would become an entrepreneur and start your own business?
CU: Absolutely! I came from a small business household. My father was an entrepreneur and always pushed the concept of taking care of “self” he believed that we are responsible for ourselves in EVERY aspect. I also knew that I didn’t take well to just doing what I was told, particularly if I didn’t believe in what was happening around me. I ask questions and if the answers don’t make sense, I will NOT do what’s being asked, and I knew that would become problematic. I also was limited in terms of my activities outside of work, if the company felt that my activities didn’t represent them, I was actually banned from participating. That included writing and also volunteering. As a Nigerian, I was raised to take care of and support my community. I knew that if I was unable to do what was naturally embedded in me from birth, I would never be happy at my job.  

Q: What has surprised you about business ownership?
CU: Lord have mercy!!! The resources come, the customers come, and the community really supports you! But it's really difficult to be disciplined because you create your own schedule. 

Q: Were there moments in your career that were pivotal to getting where you are today?
CU: Yes, being told no! I was told that I didn’t “look” like an Investment Banker. I didn’t know if that was regarding my height, my weight, my skin tone, my height, or my gender. I took that “No” to network more, take better care of my body, and become the best in the company and the community. I put myself in a position, where it would have been ridiculous for me to not obtain the positions I was applying for. 

Q: What are the best practices you have employed to build a successful career? 
CU: FOLLOWING THROUGH! Writing down my vision, planning and following through with my plans! Also, healthy networking, connect people when you can, just out of love! 


Q: What is it about your job that most excites you?
CU: Watching my clients achieve their goals! I love when a client has the “AHA moment” When my clients plan, execute their plan and conquer their goals, it lets me know that they trust my process and also that they’ve been disciplined in their GOALDIGGING!!!!! 

Q: What's your advice for women in male-dominated fields?
CU: Yessssss sis!!! Be patient, be respectful, be understanding, but you MUST BE ASSERTIVE. 

Q: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today? 
CU: Feeling like I’m not living up to my full potential. I would beat myself up about not doing enough, feeling like I was taking too much time off or feeling that I would miss an opportunity if I rested. I’ve learned that what is meant to be, is meant to be and that my Destiny was written before I was born.

Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments your career?
CU: I remember going to an interview from part time teller to Lead teller and the interviewer looking at me like I was crazy. She told me “Managers use you as an example to encourage their team, you need to be applying for greatness, I’m not hiring you for that position, we need to look into a different position, I will interview you for a Banker role.” I was in awe! I was only working to earn extra money; I couldn’t believe people were not only recognizing my accomplishments but also training their teams to use my strategy. It just lets you know that people are always watching you, even when you think you are at your worst. Someone is motivated by you! KEEP GOING!


Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
CU: If you dare to be different or go against the grain, be prepared to go alone. Be prepared to lose friendships, relationships, and popularity. Once the smoke clears, you will shine brighter. You will be blessed with BETTER friendships; relationships and the audience God has intended for you! 

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
CU: India Arie, she is a musician who doesn’t get much notoriety. India Arie truly heals through her music; she sings about love and life in such a dark world. She inspires me to be the best me, despite who is looking or who recognizes the gifts that God gave me. She is truly Light.

Q: What are some of the challenges you feel women face today?
CU: Pay disparities, not receiving the same opportunities in the workplace, emotional distress, feeling like we need to be superwomen and “Powering through the pain” 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
CU: NEVER GIVE UP! Be bold when negotiating your salary and also perfect your craft. 

Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you? 
CU: I thought I would be an attorney; I love to advocate for people.

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
CU: I make to-do lists, I have people help me in the areas that are not my expertise, I’ve learned to allow others to help me. I take vacations, I enjoy family and friends, and I sleep as much as possible.

Q: What would be the title of your autobiography?
CU: The Queen Conquered...All


32 Things About Chinyere Ulasi

1. If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? 
Oprah, LeBron James, Michelle Obama, and my father Sylvanus Ulasi.

2. What's your favorite family tradition? 
Eating at Holidays, family cooking competitions.

3. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee? 
Kofi Siriboe

4. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 
SLEEP

5. Who is the most fascinating person you’ve ever met? 
Willie E. Gary from Shaw University.

6. What was the last book you really got into? 
The Bible

7. What’s the most amazing adventures have you’ve ever been on? 
Traveling alone or with friends.

8. Among your friends, what are you best known for? 
Loyalty and Laughter

9. Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever been? 
I’ve never met a stranger so let’s say I’ve never been to a strange place! 

10. What’s your favorite international food? 
Egusi Soup with Fufu

11. Who is your favorite author? 
George Orwell

12. What’s your favorite app on your phone? 
WhatsApp, free calls

13. Best and worst flavor ice cream? 
Any Mocha chocolate chip, worst any lime flavor

14. What TV shows did you watch when you were a kid? 
Amanda Show, Clarissa Explains It All, Moesha, All That, SNICK AT NITE, Hey Arnold, One Saturday Morning, Recess and Double Dare

15. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done? 
Take random vacations...like next day

16. What’s your favorite quote or saying? 
Okayooooo

17. If you unexpectedly won $10,000, what would you spend it on? 
Spend it lol...nah that’s an investment opportunity, probably real estate.

18. Are you a morning person or a night owl? 
MORNING 

19. What would your perfect vacation look like? 
Probably one of the underwater huts in Fiji, good food, good music and sleep.

20. Favorite Dessert? 
Chocolate Chip Cookies or Snickerdoodles with almond milk

21. Favorite City? 
Lagos, Nigeria

22. Do you read reviews, or just go with your gut? 
I’m reading reviews ... YELP IT UP

23. What’s your big passion? 
Helping people

24. What’s your signature drink? 
Water with lime and a cherry.

25. What would you sing at Karaoke night? 
Any Beyonce song 

26. What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? 
Game to watch/play is Wheel of Fortune; sport is Duke Basketball.

27. Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest? 
Hearing

28. What were you like in high school? 
Popular athlete laughed a lot, and I was really LOUD.

29. What would your perfect Saturday be like? 
Eating good food, hanging with family or friends in a different city, lots of laughter and cuddling with a Sherpa blanket

30. Would you rather cook or order in? 
Cook

31. What was your favorite subject in school? 
English

32. Cake or pie? 
Cake