From Grit to Growth with Nelly Mubashi: A CEO Playbook for Women in Finance

07/07/2025 47 min
From Grit to Growth with Nelly Mubashi: A CEO Playbook for Women in Finance

Listen "From Grit to Growth with Nelly Mubashi: A CEO Playbook for Women in Finance"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode, host Lorie Jones sits down with Nelly Mubashi—CEO and co-owner of NWAM, LLC (Northwest Asset Management and RIA Innovations). From a childhood in war-torn Nicaragua to climbing the corporate ladder and eventually building a $9.2 billion company from the ground up, Nelly's story is all about defying expectations. Nelly was denied company support to take her Series 7 exam but took matters into her own hands, fueling a career that would become a beacon of inspiration for women everywhere. In this conversation, you will hear about her unconventional entry into finance, the importance of knowing your "why," and the unique challenges she faced as a first-generation immigrant woman in leadership. Lorie and Nelly also discuss learning from bad advice, the power of authentic self-expression in the workplace, and the essential lesson of self-advocacy and being your own cheerleader. Let this conversation be the spark that fuels your ambition and confidence. Show Highlights: The power of your “why” for a purpose-driven life and career. [04:36] How Nelly Mubashi entered finance in the face of gatekeeping. [08:27] Lessons from the rise of a recession-born RIA firm to phenomenal growth. [12:32] Simple yet profound advice for the fear of lacking expertise. [16:37] Why blending a warm management style with clear-cut processes in HR policy matters. [20:57] A story about language, culture, self-consciousness, and fitting in. [25:50] Girls really should sometimes just have fun—and network. [29:58] Find confidence in the universality of insecurity in achievers. [34:02] An insider’s view of the dual challenge faced by women co-owner CEOs. [37:40] Should a CEO in a hybrid staff role transition to a CEO-only focus? [41:10] Reminding young professionals to be their own cheerleaders. [44:24] Connect with Nelly Mubashi at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelly-mubashi-6097664/. Do make sure to mention “Fearless Females podcast with Lorie Jones” in your message to her! If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave a review!   For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females. This podcast is hosted by Lorie Jones, an Investment Adviser Representative of Fidelis Wealth Advisors, a registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information discussed on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities or other financial products. The views and opinions expressed by our guest speaker are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Fidelis Wealth Advisors or Fearless Financial Advisors LLC. The guest speaker is not affiliated with Fidelis Wealth Advisors and has not been compensated for their participation in this episode. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For specific advice related to your financial situation, please consult with a qualified financial professional. For additional information about Fidelis Wealth Advisors, including its Firm ADV disclosure documents, please visit http://fidelis-wealth.com.

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