Introducing Millionaire Monday ft. Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias
I’m saddened to share that Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias passed away in November of 2023. She was a light, and inspiration, and leaves a legacy of positivity in her departure at the young age of 43.
Part of my mission as a financial therapist and consultant is helping people feel good about their money. A huge mission of my work is showing diversity in the way money can look.
Too often, people associate the word "millionaire" with an older, white male, or get a mixed-up idea that having money makes them a "bad" or "greedy" person.
This isn't anecdotal; psychological research backs up that many people hold these beliefs. This is the science behind things like “money mindset;” we may be holding onto limiting beliefs such as, “people like me don’t have money,” or “good people shouldn’t care about money.”
This stale image and unhelpful beliefs are why I'm starting a #millionairemonday series: this means showcasing people of color, younger people, women, and non-binary folks. The hope is to represent better the new faces of wealth to inspire others. Research shows that representation matters, and it's my honor to introduce a new series where I'll be featuring millionaires, and soon-to-be millionaires, on select Mondays.
A note on how this worked logistically. I cold emailed and DM'd people I found inspiring and asked them to answer my #millionairemonday questions. I explained who I was and what my mission is with the Mind Money Balance platform, and knew there was a good chance I wouldn't hear anything back. Then I got an email. And a DM. And another email. And on and on. Roslynn and I connected via another amazing Filipina, Anna Marie Cruz of Entrepinayship.
Allow me to introduce Roslynn Alba Cobrarrubias!!
Serial entrepreneur Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias, originally from Walnut, California, has a purpose in life is to help people connect the dots to get one step closer to their goal. Envisioning a world where everyone has the confidence to overcome obstacles and have resilience against their limiting beliefs, her mission is to inspire every person she encounters to eliminate self-doubt, and follow their heart by investing and pursuing what they love.
Roslynn is currently the ABS-CBN Global Head of Music & Talent for media & entertainment conglomerate with over 10,000 employees worldwide. She is helping market artists internationally while overseeing US music platforms like myxTV & myxRADIO. She has produced over 500 live events & editorial programs with artists and brands like Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Drake, Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, John Legend, AT&T, Budweiser, Coca Cola & Wendy’s. She previously helped market MySpace Music across the globe, where she spent a decade as the Head of Artist Relations and Integrated Marketing, helping to launch MySpace Latino, Mexico, and the UK. She remained on staff during both sales to Fox for $580M & Specific Media for $35M with Justin Timberlake as an investor.
Roslynn has been named one of Billboard Magazine’s Top 30 Music Industry Professionals alongside Spotify Founder Daniel Ek & Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun, The Source Magazine’s Power 30 alongside Diddy and Russell Simmons. She was most recently featured in Forbes, as the Co-Founder/Chief Marketing Officer of mydiveo, the largest network of video resumes in the world, that was acquired for $7.4 million by a top video and programmatic ad network. Through the sharing of talent discovery video profiles known as “diveos,” mydiveo helped artists, individuals, and brands collaborate, and assisted companies like America’s Got Talent, and the White House AAPI find, book and hire talent.
In her spare time, she loves to motivate youth by speaking at events like TEDx, SXSW, Google’s Phil Dev Summit, TFCU, and UCLA, and produce community events like the LA Clippers Filipino Heritage Nights. In her rare downtime, she spends it with her family that she adores in Walnut, CA.
Tell us about hitting millionaire status, when did it happen?
Hitting millionaire status was something unimaginable, especially for someone that is a triple minority, I'm a Filipina, a woman, and 4'11. When it happened, I didn't even realize what happened because I was so busy still working. Nothing really changed for me; I didn't stop pursuing my passions, working hard, or buy anything extravagant. I took a trip to the Philippines for the first time with Apl.de.ap, JoKoy, Liane V., Cassie and other executives from Google, YouTube, etc. It inspired me to do what I am doing now; giving back to my own community. It's funny because when I meet new people, and they read a Forbes article or hear of the "millionaire" status, they usually say, "wow you don't look like a millionaire!" Which I'm not sure what that means or how to take it. I think it means I need to wear more gold chains or stop shopping at Target? LOL! Who knows what that means?!
I actually like being under-the-radar and no one really knowing what I do or have. This way, you get to see people's genuine intentions without thinking anyone needs anything from you. What I have to learn more is about saving. I am quick to spend money because I know that it goes out as fast it comes in. Sometimes I want to make things easier like paying for flights or dinners and not turning in an expense report for it.
My mom taught me to save for a rainy day because there are more rainy days than sunny ones. I actually live a more simple life, trading in an expensive sports car for a regular one, so I can use that money on memorable things like awesome vacations or charitable donations. I caught myself early on spending on things I didn’t necessarily need including brand-name items. I love buying more unique items now; items that are sewn or created by local vendors in various parts of the world who use the money to support their families directly. A friend told me, “think of it this way, how much $5K - $10K do for one family in the Philippines versus a new designer bag or pair of shoes?” It changed my perspective on overall spending. It’s great to buy a few beautiful things for yourself but in the long run, where will those material items go when you pass away?
If you could share a lesson or advice with others who are looking to achieve millionaire status, what would it be?
Don't focus on the money. Focus on your purpose. What is your x-factor? What is your God-given talent? What can you use to help other people? Create a social currency from that.
No amount of money can buy genuine relationships, people that will be there when you have no money in your wallet or when you have millions. Wake up with gratitude and thank God for every small blessing, and let the universe take its course, trust the process. (Or "tiwala" as international pop star, Inigo Pascual, would say). At the end of the day, when you are laying in your hospital bed for those last few moments of life, it is not your money that you will take with you. It will be the love and memories that you create with the people around you.
Who encouraged you on your journey to $1M?
My mom is the biggest hustler I know, raising four girls on her own while driving a two-seater Mercedes, having her own office, taking us on Hawaii vacations every year while creating her own work schedule. She was the best role model I know that taught us how to be independent and work for what you want without waiting for others to give it to you. What my mom was able to accomplish coming from a third world country like the Philippines is inspiring and motivating for me daily. To this day, I do everything in my power to try to make her proud and more comfortable for all that she has done for us.
My mom is the biggest hustler I know . . . To this day, I do everything in my power to try to make her proud and more comfortable for all that she has done for us.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I agreed to do this interview not to talk about something shallow like money, but because I believe in your mission and that it will help others pursue and accomplish their goals.
This is why I did this. I realized that my story can help others want to pursue their dreams, even dealing with things I've struggled with like insecurity or anxiety. I did this so someone reading this knows that a 4'11 Filipina, underground Hip-Hop DJ from Walnut, CA can live financially free. Not to buy material things for themselves, but so they have the freedom of time to pursue their mission and purpose freely, and without worry. Because of reaching this point of financial security, I can now solely focus on my new mission to bring our Filipino music and talent to the world stage. Had the course of events been different, I wouldn't have had time to travel the world with our artists and continue our mission to bring Tagalog to the Grammys.
Isn’t she amazing?! I love Roslynn’s insight, hustle, and dedication to serving her community through the medium of music and creativity. I teared up reading the reason that she agreed to do this interview. Again, we’ve NEVER met, and we have an Instagram friend who connected us. This interview reminds me of the importance of just GOING for things, and Rosylnn is such a great person to embody this belief.
Know someone who would be a great fit for a #Millionairemonday feature? Shoot me an email at info@mindmoneybalance.com
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