Clever Girl Millionaire: Bola Sokunbi on Money, Mindset, and Starting Where You Are

Bola Sokunbi did not come to financial confidence through a clean, linear path. The founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance grew up watching her immigrant parents work hard to build a life in a country whose systems they had to learn as they went. That experience shaped both her understanding of money and her patience with the women who come to personal finance feeling late, overwhelmed, or ashamed. In her sixth book, Clever Girl Millionaire, Sokunbi argues for a different starting point: not perfection, not panic, but clarity, consistency, and the belief that wealth can still be built from the middle of the story.

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Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I am the founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest personal finance platforms for women in the U.S., but my financial journey didn’t start from a place of confidence; it started in what I call the messy middle.

I’m the daughter of what I like to call “first-generation everythings.” My parents immigrated to the U.S and had to figure everything out from scratch: new country, new systems, new rules. I watched them work incredibly hard, often operating in survival mode, doing everything they could to provide for our family.

They taught me the value of saving and being careful with money, but they didn’t have access to the tools or information to teach me how to navigate the American financial system or build long-term wealth. And honestly, neither did I.

So when I started earning my own income, I made some big mistakes. I was trying to piece things together on my own, learning through trial and error, and sometimes those errors were expensive. But those experiences were also what pushed me to start asking better questions and seeking out better answers.

I started Clever Girl Finance because I wanted to create the space I wish I had back then; a place that was judgment-free, jargon-free, and practical. A space where women could learn how money really works and feel empowered to take action no matter where they were starting from.

Tell us about your book series.

My books are really about helping women move out of financial survival mode and into a place where they can build real, lasting wealth.

The personal finance space can feel overwhelming and there’s a lot of jargon, a lot of conflicting advice, and honestly, a lot of judgment. It can make you feel like you’re already behind or like you’ve messed up beyond repair.

What I wanted to do with my books is simplify things and make them feel accessible and doable. I break down complex financial concepts into clear, actionable steps, but I also address the mindset side of money because that’s where so many of us get stuck.

At the core, my message is this: you don’t need a perfect financial past to build a strong financial future. You just need clarity, consistency, and the willingness to do things differently moving forward.

What did you learn on your journey as an author?

Six books in, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that vulnerability is what truly connects you to people.

When I first started writing on my blog, I noticed quickly that the more I shared my own financial mistakes, setbacks, and lessons, the more people leaned in. It wasn’t the polished wins that resonated. It was me being open about my mistakes, and I carried that with me into every book I’ve written since.

People aren’t looking for perfection or a guru. They’re looking for someone who understands what it feels like to be figuring things out, to make mistakes, to feel uncertain and still move forward anyway.

That realization changed everything for me. It shifted how I write, how I teach, and how I show up. I’m not here to present a perfect picture of money.  I’m here to show what’s possible, even when the path isn’t linear.

Who are some other people that have inspired you along the way?

My parents are my biggest inspiration without question. Watching them navigate life in a completely new country as immigrants shaped how I see resilience and opportunity. They came here with strong values and a willingness to work hard, but like many immigrants, they had to rebuild from.

My mother’s story, in particular, has stayed with me. She was a banker in Nigeria who was educated, experienced and established in her career. But when she moved to the U.S, none of that transferred in the way you would hope. She had to start over, working as a nanny just to support our family.

And watching her go through that without complaint but with strength and determination left a lasting impression on me.

She was resourceful and deeply committed to making things work no matter the circumstances. From her, I learned that where you start doesn’t define where you can go. You can rebuild, and you can pivot. You can create something meaningful. That lesson has stayed with me in every phase of my life and business, and it’s a big part of why I do the work I do today.

What was your impetus for writing the sixth installment of your book series?

The idea for Clever Girl Millionaire came from something I see all the time: women feeling like they’re behind.

We live in a culture that celebrates early success and fast results. You see the “30 Under 30” lists, the overnight success stories, the highlight reels. And it creates this pressure that if you haven’t hit certain milestones by a certain age, you’ve somehow missed your chance.

That simply isn’t true. I wrote this book for the woman who feels like she’s late, or stuck or trying to figure things out without a clear roadmap. I wanted to give her both the mindset shift and the practical strategy she needs to move forward.

In the book, I break down what I call the 4 Pillars of Prosperity: earned income, investing, real estate, and entrepreneurship, and show how you can use them to build a wealth strategy that fits your life, your goals, and your timeline. Because wealth is not one-size-fits-all, and it’s not limited to a specific age.

What are three lessons you want readers to take away from reading your work?

First, you cannot shame yourself into building wealth. Be honest about your past, but don’t stay stuck there. Your mistakes are lessons, not life sentences.

Second, saving is important. It gives you stability and peace of mind, but investing is what creates real freedom. At some point, you have to shift from just protecting your money to actually growing it.

And third, you get to build on your own timeline. There is no universal deadline for success. You are not behind. You are building your life and your legacy in a way that works for you and that is what matters.

What are you working on now, and what can we expect from you next?

Right now, my focus is on getting Clever Girl Millionaire into the hands of the women who truly need it.

One of the things I’m really excited about is connecting directly with readers. Over the next couple of months, I’ll be popping into book clubs via Zoom to answer questions and have real conversations about what they’re learning and how they’re applying it.

Beyond that, my team and I are continuing to expand Clever Girl Finance. Our goal is to keep providing high-quality financial education that is completely free and accessible, while also creating more opportunities for women to deepen their knowledge and build wealth in a sustainable way.

Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

You can find Clever Girl Millionaire wherever books are sold. And if you’re looking for ongoing support on your financial journey, you can access our free courses, articles, and podcast at CleverGirlFinance.com.

I’d also love to connect with you on Instagram at @CleverGirlFinance.