Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramat Oyetunji.
Ramat, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story spans a journey from immigrating to the United States at 20 to achieving financial independence and early retirement at 44 — and the purpose-driven work that has followed.
I’m a first-generation immigrant who moved to the United States from Nigeria in 1997 as a college junior, studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine in Orono. I graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree and was thrilled to begin my career as an offshore field engineer, working on oil rigs in Texas, California, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Just a few months into my career, 9/11 happened. In addition to the tragic loss of lives, it caused major disruption in the oil industry, and before long, many of us who had just been hired were laid off. It was less than a year into my first job, and I was still on a work visa. The timing felt especially vivid because I had turned 25 the day before.
That experience became one of the defining moments of my life. It was overwhelming and stressful, but I also remember the incredible kindness people showed me. In the middle of that uncertainty, one thing became clear: I never again wanted to feel financially stuck or as though I didn’t have options.
My layoff sparked my quest for financial independence. I became intentional about growing my financial knowledge and learning how to invest. I learned to budget, save consistently, and steadily grow my money. What began as self-preservation evolved into a strategic goal after my daughter was born — a goal to achieve financial independence and take control of my time. In 2021, I achieved that goal.
My personal journey grew into a passion and eventually a professional calling. In 2015, I founded The FI Woman LLC to teach women about investing and financial independence. Over time, that work expanded beyond the stock market to helping women build financial clarity, confidence, and long-term security. I have also written multiple personal finance books, including one for kids that I co-authored with my daughter when she was nine years old.
After more than a decade of working with women and men one-on-one and in groups, I launched FLEX Financial Education to design and deliver K–12 financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs. Through my My Money Success Storyboard™ curriculum, the FLEX6™ core money skills, and my summer workshops for teens, I help students understand money and develop critical life skills that serve them well into adulthood.
I truly love this chapter. Moving from working with adults to preparing the next generation to build healthy, savvy relationships with money feels like a natural evolution from where my story began.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has deepened my understanding of myself and clarified my purpose.
Being laid off at 25 while on a work visa was my first major professional setback, and it forced me to grow up quickly. I had to navigate uncertainty and learn how to advocate for myself in ways I hadn’t before. It has shaped how I think about risk, resilience, and stability.
Entrepreneurship has brought its own set of challenges. Starting The FI Woman meant building credibility in a field very different from the engineering path I had spent two decades navigating. There were periods of doubt, slow growth, pivots, and steep learning curves. My recent transition from adult financial coaching to early financial education has required additional certifications, new skill sets, and new partnerships.
The biggest challenge has been the internal work that comes with reinvention. Letting go of what’s working to pursue what feels more aligned isn’t easy. But each pivot has been intentional and has brought me closer to work that feels both rewarding and impactful.
We’ve been impressed with FLEX Financial Education, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
FLEX Financial Education is a division of The FI Woman LLC that I created to partner with schools and organizations to teach students about money in innovative, practical ways that support flexible, personalized learning.
After more than a decade advising and coaching adults, I experienced an “aha” moment — what if we started earlier?
FLEX designs and delivers K–12 financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs that cover foundational concepts like earning, budgeting, and saving, while going further to help students understand money as a mindset, a resource, and a tool for making intentional decisions.
My proprietary K–8 curriculum, My Money Success Storyboard™, equips schools with a structured framework to implement effective early financial education while developing students’ critical thinking, decision-making, and real-world life skills. My teen financial literacy and entrepreneurship workshop gives enterprising high school students practical exposure to financial and entrepreneurial skills that build confidence and capability.
What sets FLEX apart is its visual, engaging, and developmentally structured approach. It is not a one-off workshop or a collection of disconnected lessons. The programs are adaptable, allowing schools to meet students where they are while steadily expanding their financial knowledge through evolving concepts and hands-on activities.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the mission to make early financial education accessible to students of all backgrounds and turnkey for schools to implement effectively. FLEX is designed to be practical and “sticky,” rooted in everyday application rather than abstract theory.
I want readers to know what forward-thinking educators and parents already recognize: early financial education is no longer optional. Today’s students are exposed to consumer culture, online businesses, and even digital investing earlier than ever. They need guidance and a healthy, informed relationship with money. FLEX Financial Education exists to partner with schools in building strong financial foundations that prepare students for adulthood.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would not be here without the mentors, cheerleaders, and supporters who have shaped my journey.
My parents instilled in me the value of education and perseverance long before I understood how deeply those lessons would matter. My spouse has been a steady source of encouragement through the highs and lows that come with entrepreneurship. Siblings, friends, and colleagues have offered honest feedback, referrals, and reassurance during uncertain periods.
I’m also deeply grateful to the clients and partners who believed in the work early, before FLEX was fully formed. Their openness, questions, and engagement have helped shape and strengthen the work.
Instead of listing every name, I’ll say this: success is never a solo effort, and support often comes from places you least expect. Staying open — both to giving help and receiving it — has made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flexfinancialeducation.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flexfinancialeducation/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramatoyetunji/
