Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Quiñonez.
Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story truly doesn’t start until about a month before my 19th birthday. I had been out with a friend that night, I had just arrived at my house. As I tried opening the door I had the realization that I had been locked out. So I ended up sleeping in my car on the driveway. It’s 6AM and I hear a knock at the window of my car. My dad was there, I lowered the window and all he said was “Pack your things, I want you out of my house”. Without flinching I got out and packed as much as I could fit into my car, and just like that I was on my own. It took me a while to really process what had happened. I was fortunate enough to have some close friends that allowed me to stay overnight at their house here and there. Throughout those weeks I felt numb to my emotions. I went in and out of work like clockwork. I spent some time like that before finally being able to rent a basement out in a suburb. I still chuckle sometimes as I look back to when I lived there, I was pretty much living the broke college student life (except without college).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Looking back, I can see how different things have affected my views in the world and how I live my life on a day to day. At 16, the last thing you want your dad finding out is that you’re Gay. It really did feel like it was the end of the world. Wanting to run away at that age and not even having a car won’t get you far. I cried myself to sleep that night. It became an act after that. High school was a blur. Struggling with depression and anxiety through school created conflict as my grades dropped a lot and continued to fail classes. It was rough as it further created conflict at home. My mental health was deteriorating, intrusive thoughts plagued my mind day in and day out. It puts you in a very dark place, once you cross the line there’s no turning back. Struggling through that I found allies that cared for me. So much so that they knew when it was time to intervene and get me someone to help. Through the tearful eyes of my mom, she made me promise I wouldn’t allow myself to get to that dark place ever again. Although anxiety is something that I continue to struggle with and work on daily, looking for things to bring fulfillment and joy to my life.
My career was something I never really figured out until I was already in one. Working as a teller gave me the opportunity to be in an environment where money was everything. Being in that environment gave me the skills and motivation to push forward and continue learning. I began working on repairing my credit, I needed to if financial independence was what I wanted. No one tells you how hard it is to repair your credit until it’s too late. Nonetheless, I continued to educate myself around different aspects of finance. Not long after being at the bank, I was offered a promotion to become a banker. Being able to see how my dedication to grow and learn as much as I could was paying off made me feel accomplished. As a banker you have to pass a “financial fitness review” in order to actually get the job. If I had a dollar for the amount of times I have cried at work, I still wouldn’t have enough to pay off my collection accounts. Which is what it would take for me to be able to get the promotion. I had failed the financial fitness review, I sat there sobbing in my manager’s office after her telling me what had happened. It seemed like it was always something that held me back, but I wasn’t going to give up. I had 6 months until I was able to attempt and apply for the position again. Once I had applied and was awaiting the results, but this time I had prepared. I had been working on my credit throughout that time. This time I also sent them a letter explaining what was on my credit report and what had happened to me. Not too long after I got the email letting me know I had gotten the job. It felt good, it felt so good to know that the work I was putting in was paying off. Although 2019 was difficult because of what had happened. It didn’t turn out to bad as that same year I was awarded and award for being in the top 6% performing in the company. Didn’t hurt that it included a weekend trip to a resort with a plus one. It was yet more proof to me that as long as I continue pushing forward regardless the setbacks, I’ll be able to make something of myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a Financial Professional today, I look back at my life and realize how fortunate I’ve been. Somehow regardless of the circumstances, I’ve been through. Even after every door has closed, a new door opens. Right where it needs to, just for me to turn the knob and continue to the next chapter of my life.
Being on your own at a young age comes with its share of ups and downs. It did help that I had a job and a car, at least for a while that is. Losing almost everything but a few belongings made me feel as if I was always on the move. Never able to settle down anywhere. Scared of losing everything again. After a year or two of odd jobs here and there, I landed a job as a Teller at a bank. Starting that job really set me on a clear path of what I want to achieve and created a fire in me to push forward my goals even more. As immigrants a lot of times, we aren’t afforded the same opportunities as others, especially when you are undocumented. I was fortunate enough to qualify for a program started by Barack Obama in 2012. It was called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the program opened up the road for me to see a future in this country. That opportunity has given me the ability to be in this career path. Continuously pursuing financial literacy to continue growing in my field and working towards my goal of financial independence. Doing so has allowed me to pass on the knowledge I’ve learned onto my clients and help them reach their goals. Working in a large Latin/Hispanic community in the city I noticed the disparities we struggle with daily as immigrants and POCs. Especially when it came to financial literacy. Going through the struggles of not having a dime to your name at times has helped me understand the value financial education can have on someone’s life. It brings me so much satisfaction being able to help those in need educating them on how to manage their finances and bring financial stability and literacy to those that need it the most.
Going into my fifth year of being in this field I continue to love educating my community on how to create wealth. By helping them avoid the same mistakes I made being on my own. Especially when it came to credit. Debt, it’s everyone’s worst nightmare. Or at least just the working class. I truly take my time with my clients in educating them around credit as I believe it can truly help create financial stability for people as long as it’s used correctly. Even more with small businesses. Working with small businesses owned by minorities is something that I’m passionate about. As having people in our community be business owners, leaders, and educators inspires others to the same and push towards their goals and dreams.
Balance is also something I work towards in my daily life. Art has always been very prevalent in different ways throughout my life. I find it fuels my passion for other things as well. Fashion was also something I really started enjoying as I grew up. So when the opportunity for me to learn how to use a camera came. I took it. To me, cameras were somehow nostalgic. It gave me the excitement of how I used to feel as a little gay boy watching runways and photo shoots alone in my room at night. It feeds my inner child in a sense. It creates harmony among the different aspects of my life. Taking that job as a photographer taught me the basics of photography. From there I continued to develop my eye and create an identity for myself as a photographer. Fashion photography was what something that brought me a lot of joy. Having multiple opportunities to showcase my talent as a Fashion Photographer only solidified my desire to continue photography.
Working with different organizations around the cities as their photographer helped get my name out as well. Covering professional events and even being a volunteer photographer covering events for local non-profit organizations validated my confidence as a photographer. Over the last year I began doing pageant photography and media work as well. Working with Miss Posh World, a local pageant organization here in Minneapolis, MN. I continue to tune my skills as a photographer taking on freelance work locally.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
As I continue to grow in my career, that being finance or photography. I want to make sure my values remain the same. Continuing to advocate for those that don’t have access to the same opportunities that I’ve had. Experiencing hardships and knowing what it feels like to feel like everything is against you in this world. That creates a level of uncertainty in someone. Bringing that confidence and power back to the individual is something I strive for with every client. That being showing them their beauty through my eyes as a photographer or by helping them reach financial stability through my work as a banker. Continuing my career as a financial professional now has allowed to begin the process of obtaining different licenses required for me to move onto the next step of my career. I hope to be able to continue my pursuit of financial independence. Doing so has allowed me to not only impact the lives of my clients but also in my own personal life as well. Pushing me toward my ultimate goal of creating wealth that will change the trajectory of my family for generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Email: gardeakevin@gmail.com
- Instagram: Afredo_kevin
