Local Businesswoman Overcomes Family Money Trauma to Become Enlightened Spender

At 33, Hazel Secco had already achieved the unthinkable – becoming a millionaire at just 28 years old. Yet, despite her financial success, she continues to struggle with the emotional baggage of her family's past money mistakes. In an exclusive interview, Secco opens up about breaking the cycle of generational trauma and finding joy in spending.

Secco attributes her concerns around money to two generations worth of family anxiety. Her grandmother had grown up in Korea during a time of war, passing on her anxieties to Secco's mother, who then struggled with the weight of being a single provider for an extended family. Secco's father was an avid gambler, further adding to their financial stress.

As the only daughter, Secco often felt the brunt of her mother's anxiety, which manifested as anger and frustration. She internalized these emotions, never wanting to pass on the lessons she learned about money to her own children. This determination led Secco to adopt a different approach to managing her finances, prioritizing saving, planning, and investing in real estate.

However, even after achieving financial success, Secco continued to struggle with guilt over spending. She had to learn to retrain her mind around expenses, challenging herself to focus on the value of each purchase rather than simply cutting costs. This newfound approach has allowed her to develop a healthier relationship with money, shifting from one of fear and anxiety to one of joy and freedom.

Secco's journey is largely driven by her vision for the next generation – teaching her daughters from a young age how to navigate their own financial experiences without falling into the same patterns that plagued her family. She aims to instill in them a value-driven approach, emphasizing that money can be both a tool for security and an instrument for joy.

In fact, Secco's family is embarking on its first-ever vacation, marking an era of guilt-free spending, after carefully planning their Disney trip. This departure from their past signifies the culmination of Secco's efforts to process her family trauma and cultivate a newfound sense of financial liberation for herself and those around her.

For this accomplished entrepreneur, becoming a millionaire was the means; breaking free from family money traumas is where true success truly lies.