Marysol: Hello and welcome to Un Billón Mindset Podcast. My name is Marysol Uribe, your host,Enfermera Marysol, and tonight we have someone very special. She is close to the family. She is actually my sister-in-law who I have the pleasure to interview tonight. We’ve gone through ups and downs as a family. She is one of the most resilient people I know and with that, I’ll have you introduce yourself, Annette. 

Annette: Hi Sol, thank you so much for having me. It’s a pleasure and an honor. All of your listeners and all of your new listeners, if maybe this is your first time listening to Marysol, you’re definitely at the right podcast if you’re trying to find someone who is authentic, genuine, and cares for others. Marysol is your girl. She is a wealth of knowledge and she is just expanding what she knows and is learning to all her listeners. What better than to do it by a podcast as well, right? 

My name is Annette Uribe, and like Marysol said, I am her sister-in-law. I am married to her amazing brother.

Marysol: Shoutout Josue!

Annette: Shoutout! I’m excited to see where this goes. 

Marysol: What is the name of your business, let’s start there. And what problem do you uniquely solve, or what need did you find and then, how do you stand out?

Annette: I’m an independent contractor for World Financial Group, and what I do is I focus on insurance and investments. I’ve been doing it for the last four years and I found a true passion doing this. I saw there was a need in the community, and I’m not going to say just in the Latino community, because we help everyone. But that’s kind of where it stemmed off. I saw how the types of conversations that we have with families are left out in certain households. And unfortunately when those conversations are not spoken about or taken any importance, when the unexpected occurs, that’s when the family goes into either a financial burden, other than having emotional instabilities. So I help individuals plan for their future, plan for the unexpected, how to make and save money. It’s something I’m super passionate about.

Marysol: That’s awesome, and how long have you been doing this? 

Annette: It’s going on four years now. 

Marysol: So you’ve listened to my song, right? “Un Billón.” What sort of resonated with you, if anything, and what do you find that your parents taught you the most, like their biggest lesson?

Annette: Okay, well you talked about your family history, how your parents came to the states. You know, how it started with your dad with that “American Dream,” and your mom was kind of the foundation to your family and many things. So definitely that's something I resonate [with], coming from - I’m first-generation just as you [are], also first generation to go to college. With hard working parents who came to the states to make something better for themselves and for the family they were planning to have. “Un Billón” - you also talked about all the people you’re planning to impact, right? My husband and I have big dreams and big goals. It’s definitely probably something that runs in the Uribe blood. *laughter*

Marysol: Oh yeah. 

Annette: It’s amazing because, just like you, we want to impact as many lives as possible, whether it’s directly or indirectly. So I think it’s something beautiful that you're doing a movement on how it’s gonna trickle down. Starting from you, to all the lives that you’re going to be touching.

Marysol: And you’re one of my biggest supporters. She actually bought one of the fist shirts, the prints that I made. It’s a very exclusive line. If you’re interested you can DM me your size and we can go from there, but “Un Billón” definitely means a lot. It’s different for different people. Some people think money is number one. For me, the first thing that came to my mind was people. Because if money is a factor, which it is 100%, we all have problems. People with money can have options, and I believe they can solve problems a little better, a little easier. Also too, if you’re well-connected, if you have good relationships, also with money, hey, they may be philanthropists. They may be donating to their former colleges, universities, high schools, and to foundations. Right? Causes that may also mean a lot to us. And the sky - I mean, not even the sky is the limit. 

So thank you for that and definitely yeah, my parents have taught me so much. I know with Josue, I think that’s what makes him a great leader. He saw more of the struggles, like he said before, I was raised a bit easier. My parents had already sort of solidified their business, they already had some cash flow coming in, and it’s actually the first time I’m really explaining this, but we’ve been in business. And in Mexico that’s very common actually, you see people live in their houses, in these pueblos, and the first part of the house, the entrance, is the business. And then the back part of the house is where they live, or upstairs. So everyone is pretty much entrepreneurial. 

This podcast is like, we’re talking. I’m going to share with you what I learned from Tony Robbins. I went to his business mastery in Florida, and one of the things that I learned was he categorizes people in three different ways, if you have a business. He goes, “You’re either the artist, as your forte, your number one. Or the entrepreneur, as the risk-taker, putting it all on the line. Also you can be profitable, so the business makes sense. Or number three, you’re an operator. You’re more of the leader. You’re more of a person that wants to lead and hire the right people, the right talent to keep your business going.” So, you need all three, but some aspects stand out more than others. We may all have the entrepreneurial quality, no matter which of the three you feel the most attuned to. So I think everyone over there, my dad and my mom included, they resonated with one of those three. And then, naturally, coming over here, immigrating, the last thing on their minds was really to work for other people. But they understood that they had to in the beginning to get this capital. This money, and use it as leverage to finance projects and later, the dream life. 

The learning is non-stop. I think we’re life-long students. It’s funny how you enter school for one thing and you may not necessarily be practicing that, and that’s fine because everything gives you a skillset, right?

Annette: Absolutely, and I can definitely agree with that. I was in the midst of submitting applications for PA [physician assistant] school. I had already submitted my first one, and then life took its turn. I became my dad’s main caregiver. I took a pause from submitting applications, and then the first-born came along, and I completely changed careers. Looking back at it, it’s a blessing in disguise because I always looked for a way to help people, and for me, growing up in the traditional household I did and my parents not knowing other, it was medicine. The only way that kind of was ingrained in me. “You can help people this way,” right? And little did I know, there are so many different opportunities to help people in different ways. 

Marysol: That’s right. Shoutout to Joelito, by the way, the first-born. That’s his name.

Annette: He turned five yesterday. 

Marysol: That’s amazing, time just flies. He’s entrepreneurial as well. The parents are implementing what they’ve been learning. He’s got a shop. It’s called Zo’s Shop - zosshop.com, where you can grab a bag, tactile bag for guys and girls alike. I remember Josue, my brother, walking around with a huge bag and saying, “This is geared towards women, I don’t like the style,” so he took it upon himself to design a bag. It took him a long time because he’s picky, and that’s great, right? For that business aspect. Go to that website, guys. I’ll link it in the description below, to definitely support that movement. It’s like a college fund for your kid. If you see a problem, you see a need - we need more entrepreneurs, that’s just a fact. We’re all buying all the time and so if you happen to be jealous because someone else is selling or you’re seeing a lot of ads, maybe it’s your signal to make your own ad, make your own business and join the movement.

Annette: Yeah, definitely. 

Marysol: Definitely. If you have a product that solves problems, there is no need for you to hold off and be shy about it and not spread the word. Because that’s being selfish.

Annette: And when you talk about products, it’s easy to just think of the tangibles, right? But there [are] also products that people sell that are intangible, like coaching, or some sort of plan, and then, for whatever reason, it kind of bothers people a little bit more. Like, “Oh, they’re selling a service.” Because they want something - they give money, and they want something in return back, but in return, you can still get a lot of value with something intangible. You just need to understand it.

Marysol: That’s correct. That is so true. I was a tutor, that was one of my first jobs. One of my first roles, still in college. I went to Mount Saint Mary’s University, and I went to school for nursing. I’m a nurse, and before getting my first licensure as a CNA [certified nursing assistant], I was a tutor, helping other students like me pass their introductory courses to get that first license or degree. And so, you can monetize a skillset. 

Annette: Absolutely.

Marysol: Whether it’s physical or something that you learned over time, definitely, and be profitable.

Annette: I agree, and more people should do it and take advantage.

Marysol: Definitely, you guys! So fiverr.com comes to mind. F-I-V-E-R-R dot com, both to buy something you may need if you’re a startup and launching a company, or to sell. If you have more time than money, you’re probably looking to sell stuff. If it’s a skill, you can go there. *wink, wink* Not a sponsored ad. But you guys, I hope you’re getting value from this. 

Another question for you, Annette. How can my listeners help you? Where to follow you, where to find you to support your mission. If you can summarize again what you do in a quick sentence. 

Annette: Yeah, so you can find me on Instagram or Facebook. I keep it pretty constant. Annette M Uribe. A-N-N-E-T-T-E-M-U-R-I-B-E. I tend to post a lot of positivity, anything that can be of value, specifically within finances. Maybe information that they haven’t heard about or information speciality if they have young ones. 

One of my biggest things is breaking down that gap in generational wealth. A lot of people work hard for what they have accomplished and I see it, for example, with our parents, right? I would hate for generational wealth, like unfortunately by the first generation, the second generation, it’s gone. Because again, it’s conversations that no one’s having at the dinner table or no one’s taking the time to educate their children on how money works. They’re not building trusts to keep their legacy going. They’re not investing in life insurance. They’re not planning for retirement. And then, here comes something unexpected, and it vanishes, right? 

So I’m a strong, strong believer in helping those who have the mindset of wanting to continue to help the future generation to prosper and have abundance. It’s kind of time to break down that barrier, that mentality that money is evil. Because money really can bring a lot of positivity, whether it’s giving back to charity, whether it’s putting your children through schooling, a school that you want them to go to, a private school. Giving them opportunities that maybe you never had. So money needs to start being thought of as opportunities. So definitely, always preaching about things like that.

Marysol: Absolutely. On a scale of 0 to 10, how comfortable are you with speaking about death and dying?

Annette: Oh man, 10. If 11 was on the scale, I’d say 11. I’m assuming 10 is the most comfortable. 

Marysol: Yes, 10 being the most comfortable. Good! And do you think that your personal experience has anything to do with that? 

Annette: So that’s a good question. For those of you who don’t know me, my parents did pass, both have passed. My mom passed away 12 years ago. Recently, as of a few days ago, her anniversary just passed, and my dad, two years yesterday. And unfortunately, we lost your brother less than a month ago.

Marysol: Rest in peace, Edgar Joel Uribe. We love you.

Annette: Always in our hearts. And so, I’ve been through certain situations in my life, where I see life differently. When I do sit down with the family or a client, I really do think of my parents because I’ve been there, done that, so I know the actual emotions that a family can go through, and this is now talking about the financial stuff, right? I know what can happen when someone’s not financially prepared for a medical ailment that obviously they weren’t prepared for, how that can be a burden financially, but on the family, it takes a toll on everything, right? And so, I don’t take my emotions away because I think it’s necessary to kind of keep that humanity aspect and connect with people and I honestly care for others, needing to prepare for these things again because I’ve been there, done that. 

Death is going to happen to everyone. It’s definitely not something that we can avoid, and so why not talk about something that we already know is going to happen? It’s definitely not an easy topic, definitely not an easy topic. I remember when I found out about my mom, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I had just graduated from college, and it was during that time that she was feeling pains in her stomach, and being the entrepreneur that she was, she was self-employed. 

Marysol: She would ignore the signs? Try to work through it?

Annette: That, and at the time, she didn’t have medical insurance, health insurance. So it was going to the little clinics and seeing what treatments they would give her, and they’d say, for those who know Spanish, “Oh, señora. No se preocupes. Son agruras,” so they’d say, “Oh, you know, it’s just the colics, maybe you [do not] have a tolerance for spices. 

Marysol: Or acid reflux, right?

Annette: Yeah, and so that continued until it became more bothersome and so they diagnosed her with pancreatic cancer. I remember what most people do, they go straight to Google and Google starts telling you that the person has less than 6 months to live.

Marysol: Doctor Google. 

Annette: Yeah, and it was a moment in my life where I couldn't believe it, right? I was away from home. I was still in San Diego - I went to UCSD. I was just finishing my last classes, and I was getting ready to study abroad, and my mom told me “Oh, just go. I’ll be fine! You have everything planned.” 

Marysol: “Have fun, I’ll see you later, mija!” I remember you wanted to go to Spain, right? 

Annette: Yeah, so I had everything set, and I said, “Absolutely not.” I’m glad I did that because she passed shortly, three months after. Like I said, the unexpected, right? 

Marysol: Right.

Annette: When someone like that doesn’t have anything planned, finances do become something that-

Marysol: Of a priority. 

Annette: Exactly. Yeah, definitely. 

Marysol: And to that point, you know, you talked about how one can have symptoms but just let it pile up and pile up and pile up. One of the projects that I’m working on for my listeners and everyone watching this is a book, and the point of the book - I’m calling it “Un Billón Health” - is to help you take charge of your health and be your number one patient advocate. Definitely pay attention to your body, like are you feeling tired today? Are you feeling more energetic? Did that food make you more drowsy or more energetic? There are so many ways that you can take inventory of your health and so many ways that you can do something about it, with or without typical Western medicine. Definitely get your first opinions, get your second opinions. Don’t give up on finding out answers, so that you treat it sooner than later.

Kind of in line with grief, my brother - it’s so recent. It’s just been a month today actually. It’s October 7th, he passed September 7th, and I think I've gotten this - real talk, being vulnerable - I’ve gotten this purpose, this greater purpose from that great, great pain. Would you resonate with that, Annette?

Annette: Yeah, I think for some people it may be different. For some people it may be an immediate, “Man, I have to do something about a certain situation.” For some people, it might take a while because a death is never easy. Whether it’s unexpected, whether you knew it was coming, losing a loved one is never anything easy. So people take death very differently, and grief is definitely one of those processes that people go through different cycles, if it’s anger, loneliness, you want just seclusion, if it’s maybe feeling-

Marysol: Denial in the beginning. 

Annette: Exactly, right. 

Marysol: Bargaining. There’s 8 stages and finally it’s acceptance and contribution as the last ones. But it’s not a perfect cycle. It’s not a one, two, three, and four. I understand that we’re going to go back and forth, back and forth. I was doing my activities of daily living. I was about to take a shower one day and I just burst crying out of the blue, and I definitely concur with the stages of grief and all. But what keeps you driven?

Annette: I think the memory of them, for example, I’ll talk about my parents. I know my parents wanted something more for us, right? They worked so hard because they wanted to see prosperity in their children, and who would I be to have parents who came from another country, were deported so many times - well this is moreso my dad. My mom was lucky, she just came and that was that. 

Marysol: My dad, too! My mom had it easy as well.

Annette: At a young age, my dad was 15-16 years old, and it took him a couple of tries and then he finally was able to establish a life here. What kind of person would I be to disservice that and just it for granted? 

Marysol: You know, I was listening to Eric Johnson and this is Black, African-American ancestry, and I was at this talk. In the PowerPoint, he showed slavery. An image of other Black people with chains, as if criminals. He said “Everyone has struggles and pain and difficulties. Do you think our modern day struggles are anything comparable to those foreign past struggles?” We have nothing to compare it to. 

Annette: Yeah, and then again, there’s perspectives, right? What someone thinks is something horrible may be minimal to somebody else, so again, we can’t disregard that person’s feelings towards something, right? 

Marysol: But it’s all about mindset. Like you said, it’s perspective.

Annette: Perspective, mindset, and for me, my parents’ passing has only kind of been something that’s fueled me. I wish they were alive to see the person I’m becoming and the goals that I am aiming to obtain, but they’re not around, so I need to make sure that regardless-

Marysol: But your kids are. And they’re going to see that. 

Annette: And who would I be if I tell my children, “Oh you can do that,” and I’m not doing it, right?

Marysol: Right.

Annette: So I have to, myself and Josue, have to lead by example. 

Marysol: That’s right. I’m really proud of you and you guys as a couple, definitely a power couple of the century. 

Annette: Thank you. 

Marysol: Of course, and just as a final question to wrap up. What does “Un Billón Mindset” mean to you?

Annette: “Un Billón Mindset.” I think I briefly touched on this but “Un Billón Mindset” means that you’re going to, at least for myself, that I’m going to do whatever it takes to touch that one billion people. I know that in my role within the financial services, not only do I help people financially, but I’m also leading the way for others to do the same that I do, with the opportunity for them to change their lives. Whether it’s financially, whether it was goals that they were setting for themselves, being a better person. “Un Billón,” in my eyes, is financial security. Financial security for families and generations to come. For people to be better versions of themselves and just continue giving back, giving back and wanting better for others. Stopping this whole comparison thing, stopping this, “Oh, I can do it better than them.” It’s more of keeping everyone elevated and keeping everyone accountable and just thinking of prosperity. 

Marysol: That’s amazing, and with that, guys, we’ll wrap up. Follow us @enfermeramarysol on Instagram and you can find Annette on Instagram @annettemuribe. See you on the next show!

Annette: Adios!