DiNaja Brown: A Young Entrepreneur Making Money Moves That Matter | i.Invest Louisiana Young Entrepreneurs Grant Recipient

At just 17 years old, DiNaja Brown, an 11th-grade student at Sci High in New Orleans, Louisiana, is developing a business designed to help young adults take control of their financial futures. As a recipient of the i.InvestLouisiana Young Entrepreneurs Grant, Brown is building Brown’s Private Wealth Company, a financial education and advisory business focused on helping young people develop healthy money habits, understand credit, and establish a foundation for long-term financial stability.

Brown’s inspiration comes from observing the financial challenges experienced by people in her community. As a child, she wondered why adults who worked every day still struggled financially. As she grew older, she began to recognize that a lack of financial education could be part of the problem. She also noticed that accessible financial resources designed specifically for young adults were limited. Rather than accept this gap, Brown decided to develop a business that could help address it.

Brown’s Private Wealth Company is designed to make financial education more accessible to young adults, particularly those between the ages of 17 and 21 who are entering the workforce and earning modest incomes. Through practical guidance on budgeting, saving, and credit management, Brown wants to help young people make informed financial decisions before costly mistakes affect their long-term goals.

Brown believes that financial guidance should not be reserved for individuals who already have money. Traditional financial advisory services can seem out of reach for people with limited incomes or little experience managing money. Her business seeks to challenge that perception by offering an entry point for young adults who are just beginning their financial journeys.

The company’s proposed business model includes two divisions. The first will focus on foundational financial education, helping clients understand essential money management concepts and develop responsible financial habits. The second division is envisioned as a pathway to more advanced services, potentially including investing and asset management, as clients gain knowledge and their financial needs evolve.

What makes Brown’s concept distinctive is her commitment to connecting with young people on their level. As a young entrepreneur herself, she understands the importance of presenting financial concepts in ways that are relevant, approachable, and easy to understand. Her goal is to provide more than a single class or introductory lesson; she envisions an ongoing relationship that supports clients as they move from financial uncertainty toward greater confidence and independence.

Brown has already taken steps to turn her vision into a viable business. She participated in the Tulane Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), a 30-week entrepreneurship program that culminated in a pitch competition. During the competition, Brown’s Private Wealth Company received funding to support the continued development of her business concept. The experience provided an opportunity to strengthen her entrepreneurial skills, present her vision, and take an important step toward bringing her idea to life.

Beyond building a business, Brown hopes to create meaningful social impact. She wants to help break cycles of financial struggle in her community and expand access to financial education and support for Black Americans. By equipping young adults with practical knowledge and resources, she hopes to contribute to a future in which more individuals can make informed financial choices and pursue greater economic stability.

As she advances her venture, Brown is exploring the examinations, training, and licensing requirements associated with her long-term goal of establishing a financial services firm. She also plans to offer free introductory classes to begin building relationships with prospective clients and making financial education accessible to young adults who might otherwise lack these resources.

Through the i.Invest Louisiana Young Entrepreneurs Grant, Brown received additional funding and mentorship to help move Brown’s Private Wealth Company from concept toward implementation. This support will help her continue developing her business model, strengthen her entrepreneurial skills, and prepare for the next stage of growth.

For Brown, financial education is about more than understanding numbers. It is about giving young people the knowledge and confidence to make decisions that can influence their futures for years to come. Through Brown’s Private Wealth Company, she hopes to help a new generation build stronger financial foundations and recognize that economic opportunity should begin with access to knowledge.

To learn more about our Youth Entrepreneurship Grant Program, visit www.i-Investcompetition.com.