Ten years ago, Mandi Woodruff, a determined personal finance reporter, pitched her bosses an idea: a podcast centered on money, careers, and ambition—specifically for women of color. That idea was rejected.
Today, that same podcast—Brown Ambition—has become an award-winning, culture-shifting juggernaut that just marked its 10th anniversary and joined iHeart Media in a major syndication deal.
“I wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey now,” Woodruff wrote in a moving Instagram post, reflecting on the trials and triumphs that shaped her decade-long rise in the financial media world.
Brown Ambition began in September 2015, co-hosted by Mandi and her friend Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, with a mission to help women of color break professional barriers and build wealth—from side hustles and investing to debt reduction and salary negotiation.
Despite early obstacles—including losing a job, battling $50K in debt, and being dropped by a major brand after speaking out about racial justice and Black Lives Matter—Woodruff persevered.
“Turns out I didn’t need a big brand to validate me,” she wrote. “Brown Ambition gave me a safe space to talk about my flaws, mistakes, and shortcomings too.”
Her personal finance accomplishments are equally remarkable:
- Debt-free by 25, and paid off her husband’s loans by 29
- Cash-paid $35K destination wedding
- 10x’d her net worth in five years
The podcast has been featured in Fast Company, Essence, Business Insider, Forbes, and Good Morning America and has won three Webby Awards, amplifying its message of financial literacy and empowerment.
In 2022, Mandi launched the MandiMoney Makers Community, a platform designed to help women of color earn more, invest wisely, and negotiate with confidence. Testimonials from listeners show that her advice has translated into real financial wins:
“You gave me the courage to look for a higher paying job and negotiate an even higher salary… $33,112 bump up plus $5k signing bonus!”
In 2024, her co-founder Tiffany stepped down from the show, and Mandi took over the reins solo. The transition marked the end of an era—but not the end of the podcast’s impact.
Now, with iHeart Media backing the show and a forthcoming career and finance book set to release in 2026 through Legacy Lit/Hachette—led entirely by women of color—Woodruff is proving that longevity and integrity can go hand in hand.
“It feels like I’m just getting started,” she said. “And I can’t imagine what life would look like if I had listened to that one ‘No’ all those years ago.”
Whether you’ve been following since day one or just discovered the podcast today, Mandi’s story is a testament to what’s possible when you bet on yourself—even when no one else will.
To support or listen to Brown Ambition, follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you stream your favorite podcasts.
