Podcast Summary: Coffeez for Closers with Joe Shalaby

Episode Title: Building Fintech Wealth, Financial Inclusion & New American Dream
Guest: Carlos Orellana (Founder & CEO, Dinero)
Host: Joseph Shalaby
Release Date: December 26, 2025

Overview

In this engaging episode, Joseph Shalaby sits down with Carlos Orellana, an immigrant entrepreneur and CEO of the Latino-focused fintech startup, Dinero. Together, they explore Carlos’ journey from El Salvador to founding a fast-growing digital bank, the nuances of serving Hispanic communities within fintech, the interconnection of legacy, technology, and leadership, and Carlos’ vision for financial inclusion and wealth-building in America. The conversation is rich with personal anecdotes, leadership advice, and practical reflections about fintech innovation and the entrepreneurial path.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dinero’s Unique Approach to Fintech for Latinos

• Differentiation from Mainstream Platforms

  • Carlos highlights that platforms like SoFi and Robin Hood don't truly engage the Hispanic community culturally, not just linguistically:

    “They all have one thing in common, is they don't speak the language, but more importantly, they don't speak the culture…” (00:12)

  • Emphasizes the diversity within Latino cultures (El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia, etc.) and the importance of understanding challenges specific to each.

• Tailoring to Cultural Realities

  • Translation alone isn’t sufficient. Financial platforms must resonate with the lived experiences, challenges, and migration stories of their users.

2. Entrepreneurial Journey: From El Salvador to Tech Leader

• Childhood in El Salvador & American Transition

  • Carlos recounts the deep impact of moving from a resource-scarce classroom in El Salvador to an American school with individual desks and endless Crayolas:

    “Opening the box of Crayolas, crayons, and that smell, I can never forget that smell. But it’s the freedom…” (03:39)

  • Reminds his own family not to take blessings for granted and the difference simple things can make.

• Early Limitations and Expanding Mindset

  • As a third-world immigrant, ambition was limited by upbringing:

    "You're not raised with be all you can be...it was never an idea or a dream." (05:16)

  • Entry into US life provided a new sense of possibility.

3. Leveraging Military and Tech Experience into Fintech

• Air Force and Computer Science

  • Carlos joined the Air Force to access computer training, combining discipline and technical expertise.

• Mortgage Industry and Innovation

  • Early experience at Ditech Funding, witnessing and facilitating the shift from analog to digital mortgage processing.
  • Mentorship under Paul Radham taught him to “visualize and prepare for growth” (11:19), transforming entire floors for a then-small company.

    “You have to visualize, you have to get prepared for growth...” (12:04)

• First Startup Success and Lessons Learned

  • Carlos’ first patented app, Gift Sender, enabled digital giving; it sold for $8.75M, later flipping for $38M—a lesson in long-term value and timing.
  • Lessons in not letting fear of failure stop you from bold entrepreneurial action.

4. Financial Inclusion: Bridging the Gap for Latinos

• Systemic Oversight of Hispanic Communities

  • Latinos are often “ignored” in financial services (16:10), partly due to stereotypes about their professions.
  • The Hispanic community has enormous collective purchasing power ($4 trillion GDP).
  • Carlos jokes about studies showing top Latino purchases: liquor, Pampers, beauty products:

    "We love to drink, we love to make babies, and we love to look very good." (18:20)

• Building Financial Literacy from the Ground Up

  • Many in the community are starting with basics—opening a checking account can be a significant hurdle (19:10).
  • Education focuses on integration into the financial system (why you shouldn’t keep cash under your mattress, the importance of legacy planning through tools like living trusts and life insurance).

5. Technology Adoption and Gamification

• Combatting Digital Hesitancy

  • Despite digital banking’s rise, many Latinos prefer in-person experiences (23:06). Dinero addresses this through high-touch support and partnerships.
  • Notably, Dinero partners with trusted retail brands (Walmart, CVS, 7-Eleven, etc.) for cash load-ins, making banking accessible and familiar.

• Gamifying Financial Progress

  • Every transaction within Dinero is rewarded to encourage positive behaviors and ongoing engagement.

    “What we've done is set up rewards and mechanisms...you do get rewarded.” (22:32)

6. Leadership, Vision, and Team Building

• Manifestation and Big Thinking

  • Carlos credits mentors who encouraged massive visioning, likening this approach to the growth of Ditech (12:04).
  • Emphasizes the importance of assembling a team with a shared passion for a larger mission, noting many left lucrative or secure jobs for this dream (29:45).

• Adapting to Change

  • The willingness to adapt—embracing technological shifts from faxes to email, from analog to digital—is what keeps companies and people relevant (13:31).

7. IPO Process and Navigating Complexity

• Steps to Going Public

  • The IPO process is “where creatives get stuck on” due to regulatory and legal complexity (24:56).
  • Surrounding yourself with experienced legal and financial advisors is key.

• Dinero’s Funding Journey

  • At time of recording, Dinero is closing its $5M seed round, preparing for a $60-70M Series A, with the goal of a public listing next year (25:56).

8. Legacy: Personal, Family, and Professional

• Defining Legacy

  • For Carlos, legacy means inspiring others from similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams and creating a broad impact, not just financial inheritance (26:59).

    “How much of an impact did you made? Not only your immediate family's life, but, you know, in the world…” (27:34)

• Personal, Family, and Business Goals

  • Personal: Produce a movie, a childhood dream (29:57).
  • Family: Eventually remarry and build a loving home (31:50).
  • Business: Grow Dinero as a transformative, inclusive, and empowering brand for Latinos and beyond (30:43).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cultural Nuance in Fintech (00:12):

  "They don't speak the culture...it's not just about speaking Spanish. It's also, how do you approach them?" —Carlos Orellana

• On Gratitude and Upbringing (03:39):

  "Opening the box of Crayolas…and having endless white pieces of paper…things that in our country we couldn't." —Carlos Orellana

• On Adapting and Innovating (13:31):

  "If you don't adapt, then eventually you're not going to be innovative." —Carlos Orellana

• On Latino Consumer Power (17:04):

  "Don't ignore us. The collective power that we have, it's amazing...$4 trillion in GDP." —Carlos Orellana

• On Gamifying Banking (22:34):

  "What we've done is set up rewards and mechanisms...for every action and transaction that you do within Dinero...you do get rewarded." —Carlos Orellana

• On Visualizing Success and Teamwork (12:04):

  “You have to visualize, you have to get prepared for growth.” —Carlos Orellana (recalling Paul Radham’s mentorship)

• On Legacy (27:34):

  "How much of an impact did you made? Not only your immediate family's life, but, you know, in the world..." —Carlos Orellana

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dinero vs. Traditional Platforms & Cultural Focus – 00:00–01:05
• Migration Story & Childhood Memories – 02:21–04:39
• Entrepreneurial Mindset & First Tech Ventures – 05:16–10:48
• Mentorship and Lessons from Ditech – 11:19–12:44
• Latino Community & Financial Inclusion – 16:10–19:10
• Building Financial Literacy & Gamification – 19:10–22:34
• Bridging In-Person and Digital Experiences – 22:38–24:44
• IPO Journey & Business Growth – 24:44–26:37
• Legacy and Personal Missions – 26:37–32:44
• Closing Remarks and How to Connect – 33:10–33:50

Final Thoughts

This episode is an inspiring exploration of the immigrant entrepreneurial journey, the transformative power of technology in finance, and the importance of authentic cultural engagement in building products for under-served communities. Carlos Orellana’s story embodies the new American dream—one that merges legacy, leadership, and innovation to drive meaningful change.

Connect with Carlos and Dinero:

• Instagram and social media links provided on the podcast’s published page—stay tuned for their upcoming launch event.

Host Closing Note:

“Charlie Oriano, you heard it first. Make sure when that stock goes public, you grab yourself some.” (33:50)