In this episode of The Wealthy CEO Lab, Giovana sits down with Maria Ashby, founder of the 3% Club, to unpack one powerful truth: talent is a birthright, but opportunity is not. As a Black woman in STEM and a founder committed to democratizing tech education, Maria brings an unfiltered perspective on equity, leadership, and what real systemic change actually requires.
Together, they explore the difference between equality and equity, the invisible costs of being a minority in tech, and why “meritocracy” often masks deeply ingrained power structures. Maria shares why communication and critical thinking are some of the most undervalued leadership skills today, how starting small can be revolutionary, and why slowing down in a hyper-speed, AI-obsessed world is an act of integrity — not failure.
This conversation is a call-in (not a call-out) for founders who want to build profitable businesses without replicating the same exclusionary systems we claim to be disrupting.
If you care about ethical leadership, sustainable impact, and creating opportunities that actually last, this episode will stretch your thinking — in the best way.
01:51 Mission and Vision of the 3% Club
02:28 Challenges and Opportunities in Tech
04:41 Equity vs. Equality in Tech
08:24 Feminine Leadership and Community Building
10:22 Starting Small and Staying Consistent
15:28 The Importance of Communication and Critical Thinking
19:30 Reframing Privilege and Making Choices
33:14 Slowing Down in a Fast-Paced World
You can connect with Maria and support The 3% Club here https://3percentclub.org/
👉 Take the Nervous System Mood Ring Quiz: discover your current regulation state and get personalized tools to make smarter money decisions.
👉Join The Wealth Frequencies Program: a 10-week experience blending breathwork, nervous system regulation, and wealth embodiment.
👉 Work with Giovana: for hands-on support to scale your business with calm clarity and profit rooted in peace.