Catherine

I grew up in New York, in a community where neighbors looked out for one another. It wasn’t a perfect life, but it was filled with people who cared, shared what they had, and made sure no one was left behind. That “village” mindset shaped a lot of who I became. Growing up, I was always curious about people who owned their own businesses — I admired how they created something from nothing and found freedom in doing what they loved. Even as a child, I didn’t fully understand what entrepreneurship was, but I knew I wanted to one day build something that helped people.

As a teenager, I remember feeling drawn to other kids who were overlooked or struggling — the ones who didn’t always have someone cheering them on. I didn’t know exactly how I’d do it back then, but I knew I wanted to find a way to help people feel seen, supported, and valued.

That heart for service eventually led me to the U.S. military, where I learned discipline, leadership, and resilience. Serving taught me how to face challenges head-on and to keep going even when things get hard. But even after the military, I went through my own battles — especially financial ones. I made mistakes with credit and money simply because I didn’t fully understand how finances worked. There were moments I felt frustrated and defeated, but I also knew I had a choice: to keep repeating the same patterns or to educate myself and do better.

So, I made a decision to learn. I studied, researched, and started teaching myself how to rebuild credit, manage debt, and create a stronger financial foundation. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight, but over time I was able to turn things around. I put my family in a better position financially and, in the process, discovered how empowering financial education truly is. It’s not just about money — it’s about peace, confidence, and freedom.

That journey led me to create ACEE Solutions, a veteran-owned business built from real-life experience and genuine passion. I wanted to take everything I learned — the hard lessons, the wins, and the setbacks — and use it to help others who feel stuck or overlooked. Today, ACEE Solutions helps veterans and hardworking families rebuild their financial profiles through tools, education, and empowerment.

Yes, I want my business to prosper — every entrepreneur does — but my purpose runs deeper. My dream is to fully retire from my W-2 career and dedicate myself full-time to this mission. I want to grow ACEE Solutions into a legacy that not only creates generational wealth for my family but also teaches them the importance of giving back and helping others rise.