Paper and Coin Founder Octavia Ramirez is our featured Canadian Woman in Leadership for the June.

Octavia
Ramirez

Interview by Tammy Zdunich

I absolutely love your magazine, which speaks volumes as I am quite averse to conversations about money. You know how to make difficult topics both attractive and engaging. Which causes me to wonder, why is money considered a difficult topic for some people?

Thank you! I’m glad you’re loving the magazine. That’s exactly how we want people to feel about our content - that’s it’s not only palatable, but enjoyable. Something they look forward to engaging with again. As for why money is so difficult for people to talk about - because money has, for eons, been the thing that classifies and defines us. As a society, and as humankind, we’ve been programmed to feel as though our net worth dictates our worth - that’s how it’s always been. So, naturally, we don’t want to reveal that aspect of ourselves. We want to be able to control the impression of those around us and our own narrative. And, with people having their own narratives around money, they’ll project that on us, and vice versa.

What initially drew you to talking openly about wealth?

It was after some financially traumatic times in my family that I felt inclined to want to dive into this whole “money thing”. I stumbled across some resources, mostly podcasts and books, and something lit up inside of me. I fell in love with it! And, not for the mechanics of it, or even all of the flash. It was more for the feeling of freedom that comes from learning about money, and the implications of implementing that knowledge. And, naturally, when you fall in love with something, you can’t help but want to talk about it with everyone you know. In fact, the more I was learning, the more I wanted to share. So, I started blogging about my personal journey, which eventually led to me starting my company, Paper & Coin.

Can you expand on the collaboration between wealth and well-being?

They say money can’t buy happiness...but it sure doesn’t hurt! In fact, numerous social and medical studies indicate the direct correlation between income inequality and access to quality health care. This includes mental health care. And, as you can imagine, financial insecurity comes with a lot of stress, sleepless nights, and a whole slew of associated issues related to well-being. So, not only are these two subjects closely linked, they affect one another significantly.

The premise behind addressing these through our content, like with our magazine, is to redefine what it means to have well-being around the context of wealth. Maybe it looks different for you than it does for your friends or family, and that’s okay! We can’t hold ourselves to these impossible standards - it’s driving us all crazy and making us sick - chasing these expenses lifestyles and societal expectations at any cost. It’s time to re-write the script for our generation.

How would you define wealth, for yourself? How did your parents define wealth?

For me, wealth boils down to one thing: freedom. Freedom to do what I want, when I want, and where I want. I hate the idea of having to have a fixed number of paid days off to take a vacation. I hate having to commute to an office every day, to be chained to the same desk, and feeling like I don’t have options. Wealth gives you options, and options means freedom.

For my parents, first generation immigrants, wealth meant security. Security to establish themselves in this country. It meant having a “stable job” that pays well, has benefits, and affords them the comforts of life without the risk.

It’s amazing the difference one generation can make when it comes to how you see, pursue, and handle the concept and tool of money or wealth.

‘Intentions won’t work unless you do’ (from Paper and Coin magazine VOL 3)

Ok! This is gold. Can we talk about a business strategy that has recently been brought to my attention, this idea of ‘calling it in’ which I think is another way of saying ‘manifesting’. I’m sure these both started out with intention, but seriously got lost along the way. What went wrong?

I know there’s this trend towards using the term ‘manifesting’ to denote anything that you want. People have courses about manifesting money, more clients, a spouse, whatever. And, more power to them. The thing is, manifesting things or having intentions is great, but it’s just smoke and mirrors if you aren’t going to wake up, make up, roll up your sleeves, and GET TO WORK! That means sacrificing precious Netflix and chill time, evenings, weekends, and doing what needs to be done to get you to your dreams. Now, don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean burning yourself out, or being unhealthy, it means that the best of intentions aren’t going to bring those clients to your inbox, or land those dollars in your bank account.

Yes, it all starts with the mind - making a decision, reminding yourself of it, believing in yourself, and then making it happen.

When did you first define yourself as a leader, and how did it happen? Were you resistant?

I remember being in grade school and the girls in my class, or my friends, would always follow what I did. I don’t know if you’d label that as being “bossy”, or just decisive? Call it what you want, but when I moved, people followed. I didn’t wait for permission, or hum and huh about things - I just acted. And, I think people are drawn to that. So, to answer your question, I think I’ve always been a leader, whether I consciously realized it or not. It also would lead me to getting into trouble, because grown-ups always assumed I was the mastermind behind the mischief because they knew the other kids listened to me, or that I had influence on them - for good or bad.

I suppose there have been times I’ve been resentful of my label as a leader, and other times it’s been something I’ve been proud of...but it’s who I am, whether I like it or not. Leadership isn’t for everyone - it comes with a heavy responsibility and a burden. Not something to be taken lightly. I take my leadership and influence seriously.

I really notice a lot of women are held back by lack of confidence. You are so confident in a really genuine way. To whom or what do you credit for that? Where does your confidence come from?

You’re right; sadly, so many women shy away from chasing and seizing their dreams for lack of confidence. As for me, I honestly don’t know where my confidence comes from. But, if I had to venture to guess, I’d say it comes from a stable family upbringing - fully knowing and feeling the love and support of my parents. And, after my dad passed when I was 10 years old, seeing my mom step into her role as a single, working mother with so much strength and grace set the example that there is nothing that a woman can’t do. As well as seeing other strong female leaders as examples. Honestly, I never questioned whether I could do or have something that I wanted. I just always believed that I could do it.

But, I think ultimately, my faith is the strongest source of strength and courage for me - it’s the foundation of my confidence. I feel like I can walk into situations bravely and boldly because I’m armed in faith. Fully trusting and knowing that God’s got a great plan for my life, and that I have everything I need within me to accomplish that plan.

Thank you Thank you Thank you! I am full of shivers and gratitude from Octavia’s time and willingness to share! She is a force, a beautiful brilliant women, and wise wise so wise. Follow her at https://www.paperandcoin.com/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paperandcoin/

While you’re at it, grab a copy of her magazine! below…

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