In her TEDx talk, Futuristic Finances: Managing Your Money to Last, Valaise Smith shares practical strategies and forward-thinking insights for building lasting financial security. She explores the evolving landscape of personal finance, including innovative tools and habits to prepare for the future. With a focus on sustainability and smart decision-making, Valaise empowers viewers to take control of their financial journey and thrive in an ever-changing economic world. A lifelong Detroiter, Valaise Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in finance from Davenport University. She is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals, a Certified Minority Business Enterprise, and an inaugural scholar of the Goldman Sachs Black in Business Program, One Million Black Women.Valaise worked for the same company for many years before opening her own business. Unfortunately, the company that employed her had to close its doors in 2014. At that time, she was faced with two choices: find a new job in the corporate world or take her knowledge and expertise out on her own. From there, her company Tried and True Financial Services was born in January 2015, and she married the income tax preparation skills she had developed with portfolio reconciliation (i.e., bookkeeping).Valaise was putting in the work for her business on the weekends while maintaining a full-time corporate career. When the pandemic hit, Valaise participated in the great resignation. She decided to focus solely on growing Tried and True Financial Services. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx