Mai Lor

Please share your name, location (city/state), and how you currently describe your work or role.

I am a stay-at-home homeschool mom and business woman in Sacramento, California. My work is dedicated to building a platform for financial empowerment and spreading financial knowledge to break the barrier gaps in our Hmong community.

What are you currently working on or most proud of right now?

I am most proud of building my business and spreading financial knowledge. I am creating a platform to teach others about financial literacy and empowerment, particularly within our Hmong community where there's a significant gap in financial education.

How did you begin this work, business, or path? What motivated you to start?

Life experiences motivated me to start this journey. I want to do something different and be the survival guide for others. Growing up and navigating financial challenges, I recognized the need for accessible financial education, especially in our community.

What challenges have you faced along the way, and how have you navigated them?

I've faced Hmong stereotypes and the challenge of being the first in my family to break traditions and norms. Even with these challenges, I continued to fight through it all. The barriers weren't easy, but my determination to create change kept me moving forward.

What has surprised you most about your journey so far?

I am amazed at how far I have gotten so far even though I am not where I wanted to be yet. The progress I've made despite the obstacles has been humbling and motivating. It shows me that persistence and belief in your vision truly matters.

How does your work serve or impact your community, clients, or the people around you?

Educating others has always been something I enjoy doing. What I serve others is through education, as our Hmong community still have a huge barrier gap when it comes to learning about finances. My platform is to provide free resources and classes to the community, ensuring that financial knowledge is accessible to everyone.

"Leadership is about being there for others, not about leading them but working with them and showing up for yourself and others."

In what ways does your Hmong identity influence your work, leadership, or perspective?

I am a Hmong daughter, having experienced the double standards we often are familiar with. I want to be someone others can depend on with their needs and concerns. I want to help others break the generational gap beliefs that do not or should not be relevant to our lives today. My Hmong heritage drives my mission to uplift my community.

What does leadership mean to you, based on your lived experience?

Leadership is about being there for others. It's not about leading them but working with them and showing up for yourself and others. True leadership means serving alongside your community, not above them.

What lessons have you learned that you wish you had known earlier?

Time does not wait for anyone. Confidence is not about how good you are but how much you want it in order to get started. I wish I had known earlier that taking that first step, imperfectly, is far better than waiting for the perfect moment. Don't let perfectionism paralyze you.

What has helped you stay grounded, motivated, or resilient during difficult moments?

I revisit my whys. When things get difficult, going back to the reasons I started this journey—to help my community, to break generational barriers, to create financial knowledge accessibility—grounds me and reminds me why this work matters.

What are you currently working toward or hoping to build next?

I am working to build my platform and continue to teach via social media and the community. I want to expand the reach of financial empowerment education and create more opportunities for people to access free resources and training.

How would you like people to understand or remember your work?

I just hope people see the work that I do will benefit them and continue to help me spread the knowledge among their circle of people. I want to be remembered as someone who made financial literacy accessible and who empowered others to take control of their financial futures.

What advice or encouragement would you offer other Hmong women navigating their own paths?

You are never too small to start something. Always believe in what you do and the right crowd will definitely see it eventually. Don't wait for perfection. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. Your voice and your mission matter.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

We all start somewhere. Whatever you do, always stay humble and remember your roots. Be so busy that you don't have time to judge others and vice versa. I homeschool my children, which is something I broke out of tradition. I received lots of backlash and negativities, but that didn't stop me from doing what I enjoyed doing. Remember, no matter what you do, people will always have their opinions about you. Stay true to your vision and don't let the noise distract you from your purpose.