Insights from a Small Business Owner: Navigating Finances in the Early Stages
October 22nd, 2025
By Kore Pacheco, Main Writer & Marketing Intern, & Victoria Lynn, Marketing Director
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, financial management remains one of the most defining challenges for entrepreneurs—particularly for those operating in creative or service-based industries. Rather than relying solely on research and statistics, this article takes a more personal approach: hearing directly from a small business owner who has navigated the highs and lows of entrepreneurship firsthand.
My goal in taking this route was to provide readers with a more relatable perspective. While research can inform, it often lacks the lived experience that small business owners face daily—the pressure, the uncertainty, and the learning curves that come with building something from the ground up. Through this conversation, I hope readers find insights that mirror their own challenges and aspirations.
The small business owner I interviewed was Pedro Henrique Pacheco Oliveira, founder of Sintonia, a luxury private bartending service that brings a sophisticated touch of Brazilian mixology to events. Based in Orlando, Florida, Sintonia blends Brazilian elegance with diverse cultural influences, serving both American and Hispanic communities. The company prides itself on offering unforgettable experiences and a refined understanding of the cocktail world.
To gain a deeper understanding of how Mr. Pacheco navigates the financial side of his business, I began with this question:
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Q. Mr. Pacheco, can you describe a single big moment, possibly a specific transition or crisis, that led to a major decision that made you realize the way you were handling your finances had to change?
“Okay, give me a second to think about this. Thinking more about it, I feel as if the answer might be obvious. It might be an answer that other owners might resonate with, especially during the beginning. So, usually I receive deposits to fill day/time slots for events. The reason why I required deposits is because that money goes towards buying all equipment and ingredients for events. A while back, I used to have the bad habit of using that money for personal purposes. I thought everything would be okay by doing so, but I soon realized that after the client would then pay the rest of their remaining balance, I would be left with little to nothing. This was because I would then have to use the money that would be considered as my ‘profit’ to buy the equipment. It’s something that I believe some owners might struggle with during the beginning. The accessibility to money, and the responsibility it entails.”
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Q. What does financial success look like for you today compared to when you first started with the company?
“I think the answer to this question is relative. It can be a great success, or a small success; but I believe that to be financially successful is to make great profits and have a well formatted business operating system. This is to ensure that while you make great profits, you don’t overwork yourself into madness. It’s ensuring that you follow up on everything and everyone, especially at my line of work. Cutting any loose ends that might cause unpredictable outcomes. I believe that my belief for financial success and stability is pretty straightforward. I believe that if I’m saving money and planning ahead, knowing what I want in the future, and how I’m going to use the money and why, then everything is going well.”
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Q. If you had to break down your planning time into percentages, how much of it goes towards chasing immediate cash flow—such as paying bills and invoicing—versus actual strategic planning for saving for a big purchase?
“This question is a little difficult for me to answer because I’m not a salaried employee. Since I’m a business owner of a bartending company, my main source of income would be commission based. Depending on the season, it’ll determine the amount of profit that I would make. It leaves me with the mentality that on high seasons, I need to set aside some of the profit made and save it for when we’re in low season. I’d definitely say that I strive to set aside around 45-50% of the revenue generated. Even in low seasons, I’m dependent on saving up money because I also have big projects starting to come in motion.”
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Q. What is your stance on finding a financial advisor? Do you consider it as something that all small businesses should consider?
“Being honest, I’ve never looked for one. Due to the nature of my job, most tasks fall under my hand. Which is why I’m unsure how a financial advisor would benefit at this exact time. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe I should invest in having a financial advisor, but at this current moment–I can’t seem to find the purpose or the funds to do so. I do believe that everyone should get one, to become more knowledgeable with their vocabulary when it comes to finances. I think they serve the purpose to help you visualize yourself in a higher position than you might currently be in. I would like to clarify that I don’t feel intimidated by the idea of financial planning, it just isn’t on the highest priority to find an advisor. I would like to continue to grow as a business and solidify my business operation standards.”
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My interview with Mr. Pacheco was both insightful and engaging. He demonstrated confidence in his responses, emphasizing that while financial advising is valuable—especially for small business owners—it is equally important to first understand and solidify the operational foundation of one’s business. Without a strong structure, even the best financial guidance may not prevent instability.
Mr. Pacheco also recognizes that, in the early stages, financial fluctuations are inevitable. Seasonal income patterns, particularly in the event industry, make it difficult to maintain steady revenue. His mindset reflects that it’s acceptable not to seek professional financial guidance immediately—it’s more important to learn from early mistakes and adjust as the business grows.
From my own perspective, I believe a financial advisor should be consulted before officially launching a new business. Seeking guidance early helps entrepreneurs understand both the opportunities and risks ahead, and take precautionary steps to ensure long-term success. After an initial consultation, business owners might choose to pause further advising until their operations are more developed—because ultimately, no one knows your business better than you
How does Social Media Affect Financial Planning?
October 8th 2025
By Kore Pacheco, Marketing Intern, & Victoria Lynn, Marketing Director
“If you can’t explain an investment in a sentence or two, don’t buy it.”
– Peter Lynch, American Investor
What Peter Lynch is trying to say is that there are cases where you might find yourself speaking to a bad financial planner who may try to confuse you to veil the risks of poor investments.
In a 2023 bank rate survey, it was revealed that 30% of Americans use social media for financial advice. (How Americans Use Social Media for Financial Advice) The risks of using social media to determine how you approach your financial plans. I think most of us can come to the consensus that determining your financial plans with social media is a huge red flag. I would like to point out that the relationship between you and ‘finfluencer’ (financial influencer) is strictly parasocial. Which already brings up three concerns:
You aren’t able to be 100% certain about their credibility as an actual financial planner. It’s easy to claim to be an expert within any field, especially with the usage of AI. This could also lead to receiving incorrect, and even fraudulent, information.
You are prone to receiving advice that serves them more than you. “Many social media financial ‘experts’ receive kickbacks, commissions, affiliate marketing payments or sponsorships for promoting certain financial products and services, and there’s no requirement to disclose these payments to followers.” (Arganbright)
Since these relationships you build with influencers are strictly parasocial, most advice might be too generic. It might not take into account the specific factors in your life that may affect how you should approach your financial planning.
Instead of coming up with a conclusion that convinces you to stop any attempts to use social media as a tool for financial planning and advising, I will provide you a general safety tool guide brought by DFPI (Department of Financial Protection and Innovation):
Check for credentials. While there’s a risk for fake credentials, fabrication to this level is rather difficult and can lead to legal troubles if caught.
Show me the data. Rather than believing the results that finfluencers have claimed, ask them for the evidence to back up their success.
Do your own research. While it can be an intimidating route to take, it is always best to practice independent research before investing in anything. At the end of the day, it's your finances being placed at risk, not theirs.
Only invest money you can afford to lose. This one goes with #3 as well, don’t place all your eggs in one basket. Make sure to only invest as much as you can afford without risking the stability of the rest of your finances.
Keep records. I wouldn’t say only from the finfluencers, though it is a good idea. I would also mean everything you invest on, and the numbers. Make sure you keep files for everything.
It is always recommended to confide with a certified financial advisor, face to face preferably. This is to ensure that every factor that needs to be taken into account isn’t left unheard.
Work Cited
Arganbright, Jennifer. “Why You Shouldn’T Take Financial Advice From Social Media.” Creative Planning, 4 Sept. 2025, creativeplanning.com/insights/investment/why-you-shouldnt-take-financial-advice-from-social-media.
How Americans Use Social Media for Financial Advice. www.philadelphiafed.org/consumer-finance/how-americans-use-social-media-for-financial-advice.
https://dfpi.ca.gov/news/insights/social-media-finfluencers-who-should-you-trust/
How has AI impacted Financial Planning?
October 1st, 2025
By Kore Pacheco, Main Writer & Marketing Intern, & Victoria Lynn, Marketing Director
"Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men—machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men!"
– Charlie Chaplin, ‘Final Speech’ from The Great Dictator
In his famous speech, Chaplin referred to a different type of machine men. It was a speech during WWII towards the men who followed dictators as mere puppets, stripping themselves of individuality and feelings for an ineffable cause.
Though this quote has no instances of AI, there are similarities. A general conception of AI is that it's an endless source of information and possibilities within the grasp of our fingertips. We view AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot, amongst others) as instruments to aid us with almost everything; but what if these same ‘tools’ have become the dictators of this new era?
With moderation, these tools can be useful to elevate our work—but with no limitations, we develop codependency, replacing critical thinking. Most people don’t realize the price they pay, being their individuality and humanity. You become a slave to this technology, relinquishing problem-solving skills in exchange for shortcuts.
This subject also includes financial planning. Many of us over-stress at the idea of planning financially for our future. After conducting research, I found an Ipsos poll conducted by BMO. The findings were alarming: “almost two in five (37%) Americans are already using AI to manage their finances, including three-fifths (61%) within the Gen Z cohort.” (Cottrill)
Why is this alarming? While AI might be able to offer general financial statistics, that’s all it is. It doesn’t take into consideration every factor in your life to offer the best possible advice. Its advising will always be short-lived compared to financial advisors, who will not only take into consideration your assets, but your feelings as well. To truly plan finances, feelings should also be taken into account.
There’s no reason to take my word for it, but you should take the FPA’s (Financial Planning Association) word for it. Here’s an important passage:
“Generative AI is still in its infancy, and we can’t expect it to know the difference between giving generic information or providing advice. There’s a risk of AI misinterpreting a client request and providing what could be interpreted as advice.” (Foulkes)
In this new era, there’s nothing wrong with trial and error. It isn’t a crime to use AI, but it's how we use it. We shouldn’t surrender critical thinking in exchange for convenience. These tools can aid us in becoming more financially literate, perform mundane transactions, and empower us to make informed decisions–but the best financial plan shouldn’t be dictated by an algorithm. It is with human wisdom, emotional intelligence, and trusted partnership where we may find the best strategies and outcomes.
Always consider a human financial advisor, and only utilize AI as a tool to enhance decision making. Your financial future is too important to be left under the hands of a machine’s unfeeling logic.
Work Cited
Cottrill, James. “Nearly Two in Five Americans Turn to AI for Financial Management Advice | Ipsos.” Ipsos, 2024, http://www.ipsos.com/.../nearly-two-five-americans-turn....
Foulkes, Emma I. “The Compliance Risks of Using Generative AI in a Financial Planning Practice.” Financial Planning Association, 2025, http://www.financialplanningassociation.org/.../MAY25...
