Meet Carlos García, a Latino entrepreneur on a mission to revolutionize the way Latinas and Latinos save and invest in the United States through his company, Finhabits. With a degree from MIT and over 15 years of experience on Wall Street, Carlos founded Finhabits to help thousands of people develop the habit of responsible investing for a more secure financial future.
Carlos’s message is straightforward: ‘Whether you’re new to saving money or more experienced with your finances, the key to building generational wealth is to make investing a habit. You can start with $50 or $100 a week; it doesn’t matter how much. The point is to build the habit, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make in your “patrimonio” tomorrow.
Visit Finhabits here!
Hello Carlos, please introduce yourself.
I am the CEO and Founder of Finhabits, a digital financial platform dedicated to empowering minority workers in the US to build wealth by establishing smart financial habits.
Describe yourself in three words and why?
Certainly! I’d say my 3 words are: Latino, Entrepreneur and Finance.
“Latino” because I’m a first generation Mexican-American, and my cultural roots are very important to me. They shape my perspective in life and the mission behind Finhabits. “Entrepreneur” defines my drive to innovate and create solutions for financial empowerment. “Finance” is my lifelong fascination, honed through my years on Wall Street.
Could you share a bit about your background?
I grew up on the border of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, TX. My academic background includes graduating from MIT as an engineer. Following that, I embarked on a career spanning nearly two decades in the field of financial technology on Wall Street. During these years, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the disparities in wealth and financial access that affect the Latino community and other minorities in this country.
This experience ignited a passion within me to leverage my expertise in finance and technology to address these challenges. I realized that there was a significant need to help Latinos build wealth and achieve financial security. That’s when I founded Finhabits, a service dedicated to empowering Latinos to develop wealth-building habits and invest their money for a more secure future, in a responsible way.
Who has had the most significant impact on your life?
My father has been the most influential figure in my life. He instilled in me the idea that becoming an expert in any field requires rolling up your sleeves and practicing diligently.
Tell us about your company, Finhabits.
Finhabits is the third company that I’ve founded, and its mission is deeply personal to me as a Latino. We are empowering Latinos and other minorities to develop wealth-building habits, such as responsible investing in the stock market. My team collectively possesses over 20 years of experience in finance and technology, and the products we offer are high-quality financial solutions delivered through a user-friendly and bilingual mobile app. Finhabits simplifies investing, making it accessible to more people in this country. We do it because we believe that regardless of your financial background, everyone should have the opportunity to secure a better financial future.
What inspired you to pursue this venture?
Growing up in a middle-class Latino family, we rarely discussed long-term financial habits. While we learned the value of hard work, the importance of making your money work for you and building wealth was often overlooked. Recognizing that many families faced a similar gap in financial education, I was driven to make a change.
What’s the origin of the name Finhabits?
The name “Finhabits” is a fusion of “financial habits.” Our app is designed to cultivate wealth-building habits through small yet consistent, repetitive actions. Similar to physical fitness, you can’t achieve significant results by merely visiting the gym once; it requires the development of a long-term habit. The same principle applies to financial success.
What aspect of your role as CEO do you find most challenging?
The most challenging aspect of being the CEO at Finhabits is the need to wear multiple hats every day. I must oversee long-term business strategy, stay informed about daily market developments, strategize team expansion, and ensure the smooth operation of our company.
Where can individuals find more information or download your app?
You can kickstart your financial journey with Finhabits by downloading our app from the Apple app store or the Google Play store.
Why should people choose to invest with Finhabits over other companies?
Finhabits is a company by Latinos for Latinos. We understand the unique challenges and aspirations of our community, and we’re dedicated to empower them to enhance their wealth-building habits. Choosing Finhabits means simplifying the path to investing. Instead of the daunting task of picking individual stocks, we construct a diversified portfolio tailored to your needs. Your role is simply deciding how much you want to invest per week, and we take care of the rest.
Do you have any advice for budding entrepreneurs?
The most successful businesses often arise from solving problems you’ve personally experienced. If you can find a solution to a problem that’s been a challenge in your life, it’s likely others face the same issue, and your solution can help them too. My journey with Finhabits began because I didn’t understand what a 401(k) was.
Is there a book you recommend every entrepreneur reads?
I highly recommend “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel.
Do you support any charity?
I am the board member of Project Paz, a non-profit that helps children affected by the drug war in Mexico build resilience in life.
Where can people follow you and stay updated on your work?
You can follow my educational videos on YouTube.com/Finhabits
Travel destination: Amalfi Coast in Italy
Restaurant: I have a fondness for Simò Pizza across from the Whitney Museum, where I often enjoy casual meals with my wife and daughters. The staff there knows me, and it’s always a source of amusement when they comment on my YouTube videos.
