Hey BA Fam!
We’re back with a classic BA Q&A. Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal (aka MissBeHelpful) and Marc Russell from BetterWallet to answer Amber’s question: What should I look for when opening a business bank account—and what are the red flags?

Whether you’re launching a side hustle or running a full-on business, this convo breaks down what really matters when choosing where to bank.

We get into:
💼 Why keeping business and personal funds separate is a must
🏦 Traditional vs. digital banks—what works best for your biz
💸 Fees, features, and must-haves (like QuickBooks integration)
🔌 How local banks and credit unions can come through
📍And yes, why Mandy’s low-key ready to move back to ATL...

Banks we mention: BlueVine, PNC, Amex Business, TD Bank, and more.

Have a Question for the show?
Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast!

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s Brown Table, Mandi is joined by Yanely (@missbehelpful) and Marc from Better Wallet to break down the new “baby bonds” launching in 2025 (if your baby’s already here... sorry, you missed the cutoff 😅).We also get into the mess around the so-called “Social Security tax credit” (spoiler: it’s not a credit), and why that distinction matters—especially for those of us managing our parents’ finances.

Plus: Mandi gets real about possibly saying goodbye to NYC for good, the crew recaps the Essence Fest scheduling nightmare (Lauryn Hill at 3:37 AM!?), and we talk about what it truly means to feel safe, seen, and at home.

✨ Brown Boosts & Brown Breaks

• Yanely celebrates Delaware becoming the 30th state to require financial literacy for high schoolers!
• Marc shouts out the book Die with Zero and challenges the “save everything” mindset

🎧 Quick Hits

• What baby bonds actually are—and who qualifies
• Why mixing up deductions vs. credits is a big financial fail
• The fear, facts, and pressure around gun ownership in the South
• Essence Fest recap: sound issues, late starts, and why some fans were not having it

We launched a Patreon! 🎉
🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Washday Woosah, BA Fam! It's the Sunday slow-down you need, something to listen to while you're doing the laundry, deep conditioning, or simply enjoying a nice quiet moment of relaxation before the Sunday scaries start to hit.

If you needed a sign to play matchmaker for your friends, this episode is it! Gabrielle and I were "set up" by a mutual friend during the pandemic when he realized we were two media mavens juggling our careers and motherhood in New York and somehow had never crossed paths. Gabrielle is a multi-hyphenate who's lead communications at technology giants like Disney ABC, Comcast NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation and Amazon. She's a college professor at NYU and Columbia and a proud wife and mother of two.

Today, I got to dive deep with Gabrielle who shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to becoming the Chief Communications Officer at Hachette Book Group. She discusses the importance of mentorship, the impact of her upbringing on her career, and the significance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Gabrielle also emphasizes the need for work-life balance, her financial strategies, and her commitment to teaching and empowering the next generation. The discussion highlights the challenges and triumphs of navigating a successful career while being a dedicated mother and partner.

I hope you're loving these Washday Woosah episodes as much as I am! If there's anyone in particular you'd love to hear from or a topic you'd like me to address, don't be shy! DM me at @brownambitionpodcast on IG or hit me up at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com.

New here?

Join us three times a week:

• 💼 Washday Woosah (Sunday interviews with inspiring guests)

• 🪑 Brown Table Wednesdays (group chat energy, always)

• 🎤 BA Q&A Fridays + Conversations! (your money + career questions answered)We launched a Patreon, too!

🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, the BA book club, and even get a chance to be LIVE in the studio audience during show tapings.

👉 patreon.com/brownambition

Stay Connected:🔗 @brownambitionpodcast 🌐 brownambitionpodcast.com 💌 Leave a review—your feedback fuels us, BA Fam!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.