Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Latoya Grant-Alston.
Catherine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The road traveled was not easy. I was raised by my grandparents and the community of family members who assisted in the absence of my biological parents due to drug addiction. I know for a fact that I didn’t want to repeat this cycle of addiction and absence with my future children. So, I worked hard to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut while working full-time at a bank in hopes to create a better opportunity for myself. I always had a gift for numbers and finances. I was intrigued because in my opinion, when I looked around, it seemed like money ruled the world.
There was this concept that if you had money, then you didn’t have to struggle so I wanted to learn more about it. My curiosity allowed me to understand that individuals’ habits and decisions were critical between them living and creating a life of wealth or living in poverty. I was fascinated that simple financial tips for everyday life could be used to create wealth. Why didn’t the average person know this? I felt I was obligated to teach others through financial literacy. That was the birth of ART Financial Solutions. In conjunction with the business, I embarked on a career in Corporate America using skills learned to enhance cash liquidity and mobilization.
In my chapter of Blessed Not Broken, I shared my journey through success and failure, trying to beat the odds. I felt compelled to tell my story so kids like me would know they didn’t have to be who other people said they would become. They could create their own path and live their dreams.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My journey has been far from smooth. I felt like every time I took one step forward. I ended up taking two steps back. I was the first one in my family to go to college but almost didn’t make it because my mother had to sign college applications but she was incarcerated. The guard of the prison made an exception for me to bring her the papers to sign during a visit because he knew the odds were against me. When I started my career in corporate, I was told I should change my image because of how people perceived me. Literally, it was a form of discrimination that I had to endure with countless other sexist and racist matters. I suffered a brain injury causing me to lose my short-term memory.
I had to complete cognitive rehabilitation therapy to improve my memory. If that wasn’t enough, I had heart surgery at the age of 33. All this weighed on my mental health. I struggled, physically and mentally. But I persevered. I learned that each day was a new day to push forward. I understood that God gave me a purpose and it was my job to fulfill it. Those struggles, those obstacles were only there to build me up for the greatness God has in store for me.
Please tell us about ART Financial Solutions.
ART Financial Solutions specializes in strategic vision planning regarding personal finances, liquidity and treasury technology. We provide consulting services and analysis for small businesses and corporations. We service the community and educational organizations by providing financial literacy and training.
ART Financial Solutions provides custom services to individuals through the Alston Kingdom brand. Financial knowledge is a key component of the brand. This sets us apart from other financial brands because we focus on the needs of the individual and customize plans for their personal financial journey. There is not a one size fits all when it comes to finances. We look at the entire individuals’ circumstances, create a sound plan for their needs, and empower them to keep motivated to stay the course.
When working with corporations, we don’t aim to only solve the immediate issue. We look 5 – 10 years out and determine what strategic initiatives will be sustainable even in changing times. We take a bold approach to use technology as a disrupter to mundane manual financial processes. At ART Financial Solutions (also Alston Kingdom), we are most proud of our integrity and continuous commitment to the communities that we serve.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up was difficult for me. I was trying to navigate the world through the lens of hurt. The school was my outlet. I started a step team in both middle and high school. I was part of the student council, junior class president, and sat on the board of education as a student representative. I loved everything math – even calculus!
I was outspoken with bold opinions, stubborn and eager to get into a world where I could create my own path. I was naïve at times to think the world would spare me hardships because of the struggles I encountered so young. I learned to keep the thirst for knowledge. I traded my stubbornness for compassion and understanding of others’ opinions. Most of all, I learned to thank God for the struggles as they provided many lessons learned.
Contact Info:
- Address: 111 Sheldon Road 2531
Manchester, CT 06045-7102 - Website: www.grantalston.com
- Email: info@grantalston.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/AlstonKingdom
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlstonKingdom
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