From Venezuela to Miami: Anabella Murillo’s Immigration & Wealth Story

Wed Jan 28 2026

Today we’re joined by Anabella Murillo—a Venezuela-born financial industry professional who shares an incredible story of resilience, reinvention, and building a life in the U.S. Anabella walks us through what Venezuela was like in the mid-2000s, how her family’s immigration journey unfolded, and what it really took to start over in Miami with “two suitcases and a dream.”

Transcript

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Kat (0:34)

Good morning. Buenas dias. Welcome back to another episode of Cafecito. Icrocheta is brought to you by State Tranquilo and H and Co. Today we are joined by Annabella Murillo and I don't know exactly your full story, so I want to definitely use today to be able to tell your story, talk about your experience in the space. Pero, thank you so much for being here. Thank you, Kat, for making the introduction. As always, thank you. And thank you to our partners over at H and Co. So Anabela, please, the mic is yours. Tell us where you're from, a little bit about yourself.

Annabella Murillo (1:05)

Absolutely. Thank you so much. And thank you, Kat, also for connecting me with Andre and say Tranquillo here at the podcast. Well, so I am, I was born and raised in Venezuela, so I grew up there like normal tropical Caribbean girl. And I moved to the states about 18 years ago. So when I went, I graduated high school, then I went to law school there was. And I just started working in the tax industry down in Venezuela. But in 2007, the situation got a little bit complicated, as we know, and my family decided to move to the states. So by 2008 I was already here in Miami starting probably like a new career, like something. I had no clue what I was going to do, but it turned out that I started in this tax trust industry, financial industry, and been there for the past 18 years.

Kat (1:55)

That's amazing. And I definitely want to touch on that. Right. Kind of your experience in that space. I feel like there's a lot of moving parts when it comes to that. But before that I, I do want to kind of touch on that transition from Venezuela, you know, to the States in 2007, 2008. Obviously, like you mentioned, things already were transitioning. Right. And now obviously a lot has happened in the last, you know, month or so, you know, specifically here between US and Venezuela and just globally the impact that that that occurred. But tell me a little bit about that time, right? What, what was Venezuela like in early mid 2000s and how was that process of being able to Even make it into the United States, because now it's that much more difficult to get here.

Annabella Murillo (2:35)

Yes, it was difficult, to be honest. My family had moved to the states back in 1999, so my dad decided he was coming back to the U.S. he was trained here in the U.S. my brothers were born here in the U.S. in the 70s, so they basically went back to Venezuela, and I was born in Venezuela. Okay. So my dad had the opportunity to come back, and by 1999, when Chavez got elected, he's like, I'm not saying so. Everyone's like, what? Like, I'm staying. And I stayed.

Summary

Stay Tranquilo: "From Venezuela to Miami – Anabella Murillo’s Immigration & Wealth Story"

Podcast: Stay Tranquilo
Host: Kat (Stay Tranquilo Network)
Guest: Anabella Murillo
Date: January 28, 2026

Episode Overview

In this laid-back yet insightful episode, Kat sits down with Anabella Murillo, a Venezuelan native who immigrated to the U.S. nearly two decades ago and built a successful career in the trust, estate, and wealth management industry. Through reflections on her personal journey of immigration, adaptation, and professional growth, Anabella shares hard-earned wisdom about starting from scratch, navigating family dynamics as an immigrant, building a career in finance, and the importance of education and planning in achieving financial security. The conversation also touches on cultural shifts in discussing wealth, generational differences, and the unique atmosphere that makes Miami special.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anabella's Immigration Journey

Background in Venezuela
- Grew up in Caracas, attended law school, started a career in tax.
- Family began relocating to the U.S. in 1999 due to political changes under Chavez.
- Anabella was the last in her family to remain in Venezuela, managing her own household and completing her studies.
- "I literally packed my two bags and just left... This is my life in just two suitcases." (06:33)
Decision to Move
- With increasing instability and personal vulnerability, her father—already in the U.S.—finalized her Green Card process.
- She moved to Miami as a young adult, giving up her independent life for an uncertain new start.
Challenges & Emotional Complexity
- The heartbreak of leaving everything familiar behind, juxtaposed with the relief of reuniting with family.
- "It's not easy for who leaves the country, but I also think it's not easy for who stays." (06:54)

2. Professional Adaptation & Career in Wealth Management

Starting Over in America
- Relocated to her father’s home, adjusting from independent adulthood to starting again at zero.
- Relied on guidance from her brothers for navigating early financial and career decisions.
Career Path
- Initially planned to pursue an LLM at UF but received a job offer in Miami’s financial sector.
- Chose practical work experience over further academic pursuit due to the financial crisis.
- "We’re in the financial crisis. You should take the job… if someone has money now, you’re lucky." (14:21)
Career Growth
- Worked in a global trust company, serving Latin American clients; assignments took her from Miami to New York ("the cold was horrible," (16:53)) to San Francisco and back to Miami.
- Developed expertise in serving ultra-high-net-worth families and their offices in trust, estate planning, fund administration, and outsourced CFO services.

3. Wealth, Financial Planning, and Generational Shifts

Role of Trust Companies
- Anabella describes serving as corporate trustee, helping families set up trusts for asset protection, tax efficiency, and legacy.
- Offers compliance support, fund administration, and fractional CFO services to funds and corporations.
Advice for the Next Generation
- "It’s never too early, but it’s always too late." (25:52) — Start educating yourself about financial matters from the outset.
- Encourages proactive learning: "Be more proactive than reactive. You have to know what’s happening out there." (26:33)
Legal & Financial Interconnection
- Every financial decision has legal consequences; urges listeners to ensure investments and accounts (even small ones) have appropriate legal designations (beneficiaries, wills, power of attorney).
- "Everything you do, there’s a legal consequence there." (29:27)
Changing Conversations
- Historically, financial and wealth topics were not discussed at home, especially among immigrants or women. That’s shifting.
- "Those were not conversations that were being had… now that’s changing, though." (31:56, 32:07)

4. Miami as a Home and Hub for Immigrants

Why Miami?
- Its tropical nature reminds Anabella of Venezuela, the multicultural "melting pot" is both challenging at times and a source of comfort.
- "I love the tropical vibes about it. I love that we have the melting pot of Latinos, which is great… Americans come here, gringos come here, they’re like: What is this?" (49:14–50:19)
Living Through the City’s Growth
- "I love the fact that I saw it 26 years ago… and now downtown, Brickell Avenue—it’s unrecognizable. I love that." (51:07–51:29)

5. Insights on Wealth Building & Opportunity in the U.S.

Opportunities in America
- The U.S. offers both uncapped opportunity and the freedom to live modestly—one doesn’t have to be Jeff Bezos to succeed.
- "Good thing or good news is that you can choose." (44:16, 44:19)
Mindset & Proactivity
- Immigrants and all Americans should adopt a mindset of looking for opportunities, even in adversity (e.g., inflation).
- "Where there’s a problem, there’s an opportunity… instead of freaking out, do something about it." (48:34–48:57)
Community and Lifelong Learning
- Advises listeners to surround themselves with communities where financial, technological, and life topics are discussed openly.
- "Surround yourself with a circle of people that you can go and have nice conversations… deep conversations… look for those circles, for sure." (36:39–37:01)

6. Notable Perspective as a Latina in Finance

Being a Latina in Wealth Management
- Anabella’s experience is unique and she’s proud to offer mentorship: "If you want to be better at something, ask for help… I’m proud and happy to be someone who pays back to whoever is coming into this country and not understanding the process because it’s not easy, it’s difficult." (40:12–42:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Migration & Belonging:
"You belong there… that’s where you were born. That’s what you breathe, what you smell. It’s like, that’s where you’re from. Absolutely difficult just to… pack your two bags and just leave." (06:21–06:33, Anabella)
On Immigrant Resilience:
"Because that’s what immigrants do. They figure it out." (10:53, Anabella)
On Learning & Financial Planning:
"Educate yourself on the financial matters… it’s never too late to educate yourself. Be more proactive than reactive." (25:56, 26:33, Anabella)
On Connecting Legal & Financial Planning:
"Everything you do, there’s always going to be a consequence legally… financial and legal industries must be connected hand by hand." (27:27, Anabella)
On Women and Financial Conversations:
"Those conversations were not held on a table. And that’s why… women do not feel as confident as men on financial decisions. Now that’s changing, though." (31:55–32:07, Anabella)
On Opportunity in the U.S.:
"Good news is that you can choose. You have options, and alternatives, and opportunities… You don’t have to be Jeff Bezos. Just be yourself." (44:16–44:57, Anabella)
On Mindset in Challenging Times:
"Where there’s a problem, there’s an opportunity… Instead of freaking out, do something about it!" (48:39–48:57, Anabella)
On Miami’s Unique Flavor:
"It reminds me a lot of Venezuela… Miami is unique because it’s a city that is still growing… There’s so many things to do in here, so many opportunities that we haven’t even seen." (49:14, 49:27–49:51, Anabella)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:05–07:33]: Anabella’s family history, decision to stay behind, and eventual move from Venezuela
[11:00–16:47]: Starting anew: career path, receiving opportunity in Miami, and working through the financial crisis
[18:22–20:11]: Career moves: New York’s challenges and San Francisco’s highlights
[25:15–26:33]: Anabella’s advice for younger generations on financial proactivity
[27:43–29:27]: Explaining the critical tie between financial and legal decisions
[31:55–32:07]: Why money was a taboo topic, especially for women and immigrants
[36:39–37:42]: The need to find supportive communities for learning and growth
[40:12–42:02]: Reflections on being a Latina professional offering guidance to newcomers
[49:14–51:45]: What makes Miami special and its spectacular growth

Conclusion

This episode offers a heartfelt, practical, and empowering look at the immigrant experience, career growth, financial literacy, and the power of mindset—delivered with honesty, humility, and warmth. Anabella’s story is a testament to resilience and proactive adaptation, stressing the value of education, community, and choosing your unique path in America—whether that means building a business empire or cherishing a modest, fulfilling life.