Hey y’all! It’s been a while since I did one of these interviews (remember that one time I said I was going to do it once a month and then stopped after two lol).

I recently joined the Co-Promotion Club after leaving all social media (minus Substack) at the start of this year. It’s a place where fellow business owners can build connections and referral partners in a chill, intentional way. Perfect for introverts like moi 🤓

I’ve been able to meet a lot of really cool people, including Aneisha Velazquez, who I’m excited to introduce you to! Aneisha is a “financial detangler” who helps neurodivergent folx get their finances in order.

Money is an eek topic for me, and I can be verryyyyy avoidant when it comes to finances, especially in my business. You don’t have to be neurodivergent to feel shame around money but that lack of impulse control and “ADHD tax” really adds up, imo.

I hope Aneisha’s compassionate approach to money matters makes you feel more at-ease too 💗

Before we get started, only if you feel comfortable, could you share your diagnosis (official or unofficial) with us?

AuDHD: autism with a side of ADHD.

I suspected I was autistic for a while, but the ADHD part surprised me. Looking back, though, it makes sense - I’ve always empathized with how ADHD people describe their thought processes and experiences.

If you needed to describe what you do to someone with little financial knowledge and a short attention span, how would you introduce yourself?

You know that friend who loves organizing your scary, messy closet? That’s me - but with your business books.

I’m Aneisha Velazquez - financial detangler, clarity guide, and translator between systems and brains. I work with different-brained business owners who want to feel clear and capable around their numbers without shame or shortcuts.

I turn tangled, avoid-at-all-costs finances into something clear, usable, and (yes, even) a little satisfying. Not because it’s “perfect,” but because it finally makes sense and works with how you work.

Some mess is okay. What matters is knowing how to get back to clarity without shame.

I detangle where you’re stuck: in your books, your systems, and your mindset.

Like detangling natural hair, real clarity takes patience and the right method for you, not someone else.

A lot of neurodivergent people (including me) can feel a lot of shame, guilt, and overwhelm when it comes to business finances and bookkeeping. Do you have any words of wisdom or solidarity for us?

I relate. I’m not a money coach or a trauma specialist but here’s what I can share from personal experience:

The Shame of Not Having Enough

One big source of shame I’ve experienced (and seen in others) is not having the money to do what you need or want. That one’s tricky, because it ties directly into surviving and thriving. What’s helped me is just being honest with myself: yes, my income isn’t where I want it to be, and yes, I’m allowed to feel that. I try not to disassociate or push it down. Acknowledge it.

Inherited Money Beliefs

A lot of money shame comes from stories passed down from family, culture, or community. I’ve learned to acknowledge those stories (don’t pretend they don’t exist!) but I also try not to soak in them. I do what I call “positive brainwashing”: reading and listening to stories from people who worked through their money issues and moved out of survival mode. That was my version of mindset work when hiring a coach wasn’t for me.

It’s Not Your Fault

When it feels like your money struggles are your fault - that you’re just bad at it or not capable of earning more - it helps to zoom out. You’re not broken. You’re trying to navigate systems that weren’t built for you. That’s not something you can fix alone, and that’s okay. You don’t have to fix everything. Just ask: what’s the next small thing I can do? Get creative.

Creativity Is a Tool

There’s always more than one way to reach a goal. I think of life like a story - and sometimes we’re just in the hard part of the plot. Even then, I looked for ways to build in joy, like buying a bubble tea instead of a trip to Japan.

And you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. Maybe you’re not into points hacking or budgeting apps but there’s another tip that works for you? Start there. Fun and creativity go together and it’s hard to access either when you’re in survival mode.

Learn How Money Works

Understanding how money works made things feel less overwhelming to me. I’ve always been more comfortable when I know what’s happening behind-the-scenes. When I worked in restaurants, eating out stopped feeling so awkward because I’d been on the other side. Sign language interpreting taught me how to exist in unfamiliar spaces. And that’s what bookkeeping did for me with money: made it less scary. Once I saw the back end, I realized most businesses - big or small - are figuring it out as they go too. You’re not behind. You’ve just never been shown the system.

Get Support in Your Way

My version of support looks like reading and researching. For money stuff, I eventually became a bookkeeper. That’s how I build understanding - by going deep and making it my own. But if you do better with coaches, groups, or conversations, follow that.

And if you need help detangling confusing money stuff, that’s literally what I do!

Don’t Skip the Woo

Honestly? The biggest shifts for me came from “woo woo” practice: Somatic movement like qigong or just plain dancing around to music on my phone. When the shame is in the body, words alone won’t move it. You need to literally move.

Go at Your Own Pace

And above all, let it take time. You’ll get there when you get there.

You say $150k+ in annual revenue is a good threshold for a small business owner to hire you as a bookkeeper. Do you have any practical tips, resources, or software recommendations for folx who haven't hit that milestone yet but are feeling overwhelmed by their business finances?

If you’re not at $150K+ yet but already feeling overwhelmed by your business finances, here are a few things that can really help:

Get support setting up your books and learning how to manage them.

Many bookkeepers offer one-time setups, tutorials, or training packages. I personally love helping folks get started and set up their system the right way from the beginning - but if you’re looking for in-depth, course-style teaching, I’ve heard great things about Gentle Frog. And remember: these services are business expenses and usually tax-deductible.

You can hire a bookkeeper before $150K if it fits your budget.

Some bookkeepers (like I used to) offer more hands-on/DIY support options, like quarterly reviews. It’s a great way to get expert eyes on your books without a full monthly service - perfect for checking your work, asking questions, and avoiding messy surprises at tax time.

Find a good tax pro, especially if you DIY your books.

A solid tax professional can help make sure you’re capturing all your deductions. Some even offer light bookkeeping services bundled with tax prep at a lower cost. Just be clear on what’s included. It may not be full-service monthly bookkeeping, and that’s okay as long as expectations are aligned.

Use software over spreadsheets unless you’re a spreadsheet whiz.

Spreadsheets can work if you really know what you’re doing (and you work solo), but bookkeeping software like QuickBooks, Xero, or Wave is usually a better fit as your business grows. When you’re ready to level up, I can help you design a bookkeeping system that actually fits your workflow - including how your apps talk to each other.

What does “productivity” mean to you? There are no wrong answers!

I don’t use the word “productivity” much anymore; it feels too tied to output and pressure. These days, it just means moving something forward. Sometimes that’s starting a project. Sometimes it’s taking a nap (even though I’m terrible at it). Either way, the act itself is productive.

What do you wish you would have given your past self permission to do in terms of the way(s) you work?

I wish I had given myself permission to listen to myself and my body more. That squeeze in my stomach? Was a clear “no”. I don’t need to be even more awkward trying to force something that’s not me.

I’ve learned that being my regular kind of weird works better and feels better in the long run.

I also wish I had let my working style evolve sooner. It’s okay if it looks different from what others are doing, as long as it’s actually working.

What's the best way for people to learn more about you/your work?

Looking for clarity with your business finances?

Head to Yellow Sky Business Services for setup, cleanup, and bookkeeping support for small business owners who want to feel more confident with their numbers.

Curious about me and what I’m up to?

You can find that over at aneishavelazquez.com. I’m currently finishing my accounting degree and sharing weekly update videos about the process on YouTube. Eventually, I’ll be creating something exploring the intersection of money, business, and consciousness, so follow my blog to stay in the loop.

Aneisha Velazquez is a financial detangler and clarity guide for different-brained business owners - and a thought partner for anyone rethinking their relationship with money, systems, and possibility.

With a background in communication and a gift for making the complex feel approachable, she helps clients untangle financial messes, soften shame, and take their next steps with calm and confidence.