Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from?

I was born in the Dominican Republic in the mid-80’s to two wonderful humans who immigrated to the United States a short while after. I am the oldest of three, and a first generation college graduate. I grew up in Perth Amboy, NJ, a predominantly Latino community. But, my parents felt that in order for me to succeed in this country, I needed a better education.

So, I attended middle school and finished high school in Sayreville, NJ, which, at the time, was a predominantly white community. Growing up, I experienced many of the excitements and challenges of being a first generation in this country and living with immigrant parents. We were, and still are, a very close and loving family given our shared experiences as Latinos in America.

After high school I attended college at Rider University, where I received both a Bachelor’s and MBA in accounting. I worked full time throughout college, so I didn’t have the opportunity to get the “college experience” I often saw on TV growing up. Admittedly, this is often one of my “life regrets''. That said, Rider University paved the way for my future. And, as they say, the rest is history, or still being written.

Many of the reasons behind why I love working with mission driven organizations, specifically in the education space, are because of my experiences growing up.

Tell us about how you decided to pursue a career in finances?

Going to college was never really a desire of mine, but I knew I needed an education and a stable career in order to succeed in this country. I did not have much guidance or support on where to begin, so it was definitely daunting. I was required to take an elective my senior year of high school, and because I liked how loud, fun, and funny our high school accounting teacher was, I signed up for Accounting 101. Fortunately, learning accounting came easily to me, and after my teacher educated me on my earning potential as an accountant, earnings both of my parents could only dream of, I made the decision to pursue a degree in accounting.

What makes you excited about the work you do?

Mission-driven organizations want to change the world. I’m into that. If I can provide support to organizations that help communities that need it the most, and, if along the way I can be an inspiration to young Latinas still learning to navigate this world, then sign me up. Representation matters.

What are the top 3 accomplishments you're proud of? These can be related or non-related to the work you do.

My education.

My relationships.

My authenticity.

Where do you see Castro Concepts, LLC in 5-10 years?

Ideally, Castro Concepts, LLC will be the go-to fractional CFO consulting firm for mission-driven organizations. Realistically? Ask me again in 5 years :-)

Now for the fun questions.

How do you typically start your day?

I open the drapes to let in all of the Florida sunshine to breathe life into the house. I tell Google to play me some music, and I have breakfast. After that I get ready for work, grab my phone from the nightstand, and walk to my home office in the next room.

What ambiance do you prefer working in?

Sunny, warm, and other than Google playing music, quiet.

Coffee or tea?

Neither. Water or Wine.

What's your favorite meal of the day and why?

Dinner. I love to cook.

When you're not helping your clients take their financial and operational goals to the next level, what do you enjoy doing?

Believe it or not, I relax. A lot. Sleep, sunshine, music, food, and wine. When I’m not relaxing, I love to connect with loved ones by trying new experiences with them or entertaining them. It energizes me to entertain and nourish my loved ones.

This doesn’t just apply towards people - There’s a variety of wildlife on my property that I enjoy taking care of.

Additionally, when the universe decides it’s safe and fun to travel again, I plan to continue to travel the world with my husband. My husband and I try to visit a new country every year.

And finally, I’m an avid reader, specifically fiction, and you should know what this means. This means that I live in a crazy, fantasy world with unrealistic expectations. I thank you in advance for understanding.

What's your ideal weekend?

Trying a new restaurant with my husband, the beach, lots of sleep, and entertaining or connecting with friends.

What's the latest book you've read?

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

How do you wrap up your day?

I make sure I feel good about the state of my inbox and my calendar. After that, I close my laptop, and once that’s done, it is closed until the following morning. Out of sight, out of mind. I pour myself a glass of wine and catch up on personal texts and phone calls before I start my evening with my husband.

What does downtime mean to you?

I try to be really good about listening to my body. If my body tells me I need downtime, I take it. For me, that means doing the things that bring me joy.

You're a busy woman. How do you juggle so many projects with ease?

With ease?! Hahaha. I understand work is only a platform that provides me with the resources I need in order to live the life I want. Prioritizing myself first, helps me show up “with ease” for my clients.

Behind the Desk with Betsy Castro — Founder and CEO of Castro Concepts, LLC