Mimi

There are unexpected moments in life that can change the trajectory of one’s personal journey. For Mimi*, her life-changing moment occurred at a women’s networking event that she attended with a friend in March 2025. One of the speakers on the event panel had a profound effect on Mimi. The woman named Jennifer spoke about an organization called Fresh Start, which helped her develop the skills to launch a new career.   

“While Jennifer was talking, I thought, ‘I don’t care who else is here, I need to talk to her.’ When I had a moment, as soon as the panel was over, I ran to her and said, ‘I’m the poster child for Fresh Start. I’m literally just starting my life over.”  

At the time, Mimi’s divorce had just been finalized after a long, frustrating two-year separation. She and her now ex-husband ended so badly that they only spoke to one another about the care of their two children through a court-monitored communication app.   

“There was no marriage counseling that would help. It was not a situation where we were both trying to be better. It was a situation where I needed to conform, or it was nothing.”  

While separated, Mimi made ends meet with funds from the sale of their shared home, and she took the time to grieve the relationship and adjust to life as a single mom.   

“I thought after the divorce, I could just jump back into the workforce and be weaving and jiving. Instead, I was on the couch, sad, crying every day. It felt debilitating. I’ve experienced grief before, but this was different.”  

Despite her initial excitement about connecting with Fresh Start after the networking event, adjusting to post-divorce life with her children took priority. In Summer 2025, Mimi experienced a significant low point during the weeks that her ex-husband had custody of the children.   

“I was heartbroken because my ex-husband wouldn’t let me talk to the kids…That was the period where I hit rock bottom.”  

Three months after the networking event and at one of the lowest points of her life, Mimi was ready to begin her Fresh Start journey.   

“Fresh Start had been on my mind the entire time, but I kept putting it off. Finally, I reached out.”  

Once in Fresh Start’s doors, she started receiving communications from the organization about upcoming programs. Despite having undergraduate and master’s degrees in microbiology, Mimi wanted to pivot into a new career field and looked to Fresh Start for in-demand careers.   

“I didn’t want to use my microbiology degree because the careers that are available without additional certifications don’t seem to pay well, even with my master’s degree.”  

Mimi quickly learned about Fresh Start’s Women in Finance program and was excited about the industry’s potential. She applied and was accepted for an upcoming cohort beginning in July 2025.   

“The Women in Finance program, in all honesty, was way beyond what I expected. The value for seven weeks is out of this world.”  

She enjoyed the full spectrum of financial pillars addressed during the seven weeks of the cohort: credit reports, money laundering, fraud, cash handling, and ethics. Mimi found immense value in Fresh Start’s relationships with industry leaders who hosted her cohort for field trips and speaking engagements.   

“Professionals in really high positions took time out of their busy schedules to come talk to us. That part, I did not expect.”  

Mimi also didn’t expect to learn so much about her own finances in the program. She saw how important it was to understand her spending habits, especially as she anticipated growing her income.   

“The good thing about it is that when we get a job, we need to know our expenses and the income we’re targeting to make sure we can actually afford the life that we seek.”  

This aspect was extremely powerful for Mimi. Her life as a single mom brought massive changes, most notably the need to earn her own income and transition from a stay-at-home mom to working outside the home for the first time in seven years.  

“It’s not always easy, and there’s a bit of anxiety being a working mom and going outside the home for the first time. Thankfully, I have Fresh Start for support…This is a new season that I have to navigate. I’m putting one foot in front of the other.”  

She’s Hired!   

After graduating from the Women in Finance program, Mimi accepted a position with Bank of America as an Investment Specialist Trainee. Next, she will complete training in SIE (Securities Industry Essentials), Series 7, and Series 66 before transitioning into a full-time Senior Investment Specialist. Her role with Bank of America begins in January 2026, and Mimi plans to spend the interim time studying for her upcoming exams.   

“I cannot thank Fresh Start enough for everything poured into me. (Okay… I’m going to cry.) You are truly amazing, and I’m here because of how much support, knowledge, and encouragement you gave me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”