Imposter Syndrome Is a Lie. Here's What's Really Wrong, With Araceli Esparza

Araceli Esparza, founder of Midwest Mujeres Collective, joins Rachel Bernier-Green on The Purpose Profit Shift to break down how storytelling becomes a real economic tool for purpose-driven business owners. We get specific on money shame, founder compensation, and the structural decision that finally let Araceli pay herself. If you are building a mission-driven business and quietly wondering whether the work will ever fund a life, this is for you.CHAPTERS:4:53 Plan B and the Cost of Racial Harm18:40 Money Shame and the 5K Day26:40 Self-Trust Is Not Imposter Syndrome33:53 What to Sunset, What to Scale40:17 Storytelling as Economic Tool45:15 Your Medicine Is Your StoryKEY TOPICS:Self-trust vs. imposter syndrome for foundersOperational triage: consolidating, digitizing, and sunsetting nonprofit programsFounder compensation, fiscal sponsorship, and the structural decision to incorporate as a 501(c)(3)Macroaggressions and unjust termination as catalysts for founding mission-driven workClosing the gender wage gap through culturally-specific programmingABOUT ARACELI:Araceli Esparza is a Chicana writer, speaker, and social entrepreneur. She is the founder of Midwest Mujeres Collective, a nonprofit supporting Latina and Black women in building confidence, income, and leadership through storytelling, coaching, and community-based learning. With nearly a decade of experience, Araceli helps women overcome burnout and money shame, guiding them to reconnect with their voice and values. She emphasizes trust as a personal and business asset in her work. Currently, she is launching a five-week coaching program designed to help participants rebuild self-trust, moving from survival mode to grounded decision-making in their work and leadership. Her efforts have been showcased in various community and nonprofit spaces, fostering environments where honesty and purpose are supported.RESOURCES MENTIONED:Voces y Sueños Academy: https://www.midwestmujeres.com/voicesanddreams2026¡Yo Quiero Dinero! (event): https://www.midwestmujeres.com/event-details-registration/iyo-quiero-dinero-our-stories-have-valueFive-Week Self-Trust Coaching Program: https://www.araceliesparza.com/event-details/rebuilding-self-trust-in-times-of-transitionAtomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/habitsFOLLOW ARACELI:Midwest Mujeres Collective: https://midwestmujeres.comPersonal Website: www.araceliesparza.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestmujeres/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/midwestmujeres/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/araceliesparza_speakerFollow the Host, Rachel Bernier-Green:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelberniergreen/Website: www.instagram.com/jointhryvo/Instagram: www.instagram.com/jointhryvo/LinkedIn (Company): www.linkedin.com/company/jointhryvo/Twitter/X: x.com/jointhryvoFacebook: www.facebook.com/jointhryvoTiktok: www.tiktok.com/@jointhryvoListening Links:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kmrlBqo4QHftlfmqo2Q32Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-purpose-profit-shift/id1829627732Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PurposeProfitShiftIf this episode resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow business owner who needs to hear this.