Meet Vale Laco | Emotional Financial Intelligence method creator, International Speaker, and Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vale Laco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vale, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Applying my own Emotional Financial Intelligence (EFI) method in my business and personal life has been, and continues to be, the most important factor behind my great success.

According to Angela Duckworth, a prominent scientist on the psychology of success, passion and perseverance are what distinguish great achievers. I agree with Duckworth, but my research and experience supporting entrepreneurs show me that it is not enough. In addition to having grit, passion, and perseverance, Emotional Financial Intelligence (EFI) is essential for achieving business success and, more importantly, for building and living the life we truly value.

Why? Because all our business decisions involve money decisions. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and manage money efficiently from both a financial perspective (knowing how to invest, budget, grow our business, etc.) and an emotional perspective, which includes deep self-knowledge of how we relate to money. This involves understanding our financial personality, money emotions and beliefs, and financial patterns. Our relationship with money determines how we act with it and, consequently, the results we achieve, which equates to our success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am extremely proud of the method I created, and it may sound strange, but I am also grateful for the financial crisis my family endured when I was 35 years old. This crisis turned out to be my breakthrough moment, helping me discover my purpose in life and leading to a significant career shift.

What happened? We were living abroad in Chile (I am Argentine) with two young children and a newborn daughter when my husband was made redundant due to restructuring. I felt desperate, powerless, and resourceless. I was not only financially dependent on my husband but also on his boss’s decisions. This disempowerment was overwhelming, and I promised myself that I would take control of my financial destiny. Thus, I embarked on a transformational journey.

Through this journey, I discovered that deeply embedded beliefs and unconscious barriers were holding me back from financial empowerment. As a woman, taking ownership of my finances made me feel guilty, ashamed, and even fearful. I realized I was my own main barrier and needed to break free. After working hard to uncover my financial personality, money beliefs, and patterns, and learning everything about money management—how to invest, budget, and grow my business—I finally achieved a spectacular feeling of liberation.

I wanted that same liberation for all women across the world. Therefore, I created the EFI method, incorporating all the tools that helped me transform my financial self.

The concept of Emotional Financial Intelligence stemmed from years of designing curricula as a teacher, principal, and educational psychologist, applying Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence theories. These concepts were part of my daily life. When I faced the crisis, I reflected and realized that my concern wasn’t solely related to my Financial Intelligence. In fact, this intelligence was quite sound: we had savings, invested wisely, and managed money effectively. Instead, it was a matter of emotional intelligence, specifically in relation to money, that caused me to feel a disproportionate fear of losing everything.

Consequently, I merged Emotional Intelligence with Financial Intelligence and developed the concept and method of Emotional Financial Intelligence. This method consists of two pillars: emotional intelligence, where we delve into financial personalities, money emotions and beliefs, and financial patterns; and financial intelligence, which involves efficient money management, covering everything from generating income with various business models to handling personal and business finances, including saving, investing, budgeting, and more. I’m truly happy and proud of this method!

I am extremely passionate about empowering women to take control of their financial destinies by helping them develop their Emotional Financial Intelligence. I envision a world where empowered women take charge of their financial well-being, feel equal to their spouses, and set excellent examples for their children. I am convinced that if we achieve this together, we will all live in a more equal, peaceful, and joyful world. The women I have had the honor to serve through my firm have already achieved this and are true testimonies, as am I.

An incredible bonus that I never anticipated is that, thanks to my business and the EFI method, I was able to apply for the Talented VISA in the US. Just a year and a half after moving here, all five of us—my husband, our three children, and I—were granted permanent residency. This means freedom and more opportunities for us as a family.

As a mother and a woman, giving my family this gift through my work is immensely fulfilling. I am still amazed and deeply honored that the US government recognizes me as a professional with extraordinary abilities. I feel incredibly proud and happy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First stop would be any of the lovely Belen de la Cruz’s bakeries to enjoy some delicious empanadas and pastries that always connect me to my Argentinian roots. The empanadas, with their crispy crust and savory fillings, are a true delight, and the pastries are the perfect complement for any occasion. It’s impossible not to feel a sense of home when tasting these treats.

Next, we would head to Alpharetta’s Downtown area to grab a latte or cappuccino at one of the cozy local coffee shops. The downtown atmosphere, with its beautifully preserved historic buildings and quaint shops, provides the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a warm beverage while watching the hustle and bustle of the city.

Another must-see is the Roswell Mill Waterfall, one of my favorite places to enjoy and admire the gorgeous nature of the North Atlanta area. Here, the trails wind through the forest, offering spectacular views of the waterfall and lush vegetation. The sound of the cascading water and the tranquility of the surroundings create a peaceful oasis where it’s easy to lose yourself in the natural beauty.

And of course, we would spend some time in my own backyard, where deer walking by can pleasantly surprise the visitor. It’s a charming sight to see these majestic animals up close, moving gracefully among the trees and bushes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This shoutout is dedicated to my friend Sofia. Since the financial crisis I experienced at 35, she has been my eye-opener, helping me see that I had money issues and that change was possible. My journey wouldn’t have been the same without her.

I also want to thank my husband, Paul, who has trusted me from day one, supported me, and never put up obstacles to my becoming a business owner. This is a true blessing, as I know many men find it difficult not to feel threatened by a successful wife.❤️

I am deeply grateful to my parents and siblings (I am the youngest of eight). Their money decisions and behaviors have taught me so much. My three children are my daily inspiration and my greatest motivation to heal, so I can free them from inheriting subconscious financial limitations.

I appreciate my friends and all the amazing business women with whom I have the blessing to share the “pains and gains” of entrepreneurial life. To my mentors, teachers, team, and most importantly, my clients: all the thousands of women who trusted me and allowed me to serve them, now leading their financial lives feeling empowered, secure, and FREE. That is the most precious gift to me!

Lastly, I want to thank God, the Virgin Mary, and my parents, who rest in peace, for being my daily guidance. In them, I trust that absolutely everything, even the huge challenges, is simply perfect.

Website: https://www.valelaco.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/valelaco https://www.instagram.com/emotionalfinancialintelligence/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerialaconich

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valelaco1/

Youtube: https://goo.gl/ux95JH