hello, I’m Pooja

...the daughter of Indian immigrants, born and raised in Minnesota. I studied finance and economics in Boston, reconnected with my roots through community work in rural Rajasthan, and pursued law in DC on a social justice scholarship.

As a child welfare attorney, restaurant owner, and workforce development advisor, I witnessed poverty’s devastating effects and how employment and entrepreneurship can drive economic mobility.

From the age of 13, I began working behind the counter at my father's suburban Minneapolis Burger King, which he had purchased after working for the Whopper franchisor for a decade. The family business steadily grew and I kept at least one foot in it while developing my career.

The sale of the majority of the family business led me to establish The Marigold Effect, a firm dedicated to closing opportunity and wealth gaps. My work explores strategies for reducing racial wealth disparities, such as inclusive capitalism, regenerative economics, and the solidarity economy.

I am Of Counsel at a solidarity economies law firm, mentor entrepreneurs, and serve as a board member of a nonprofit advocating for change to the juvenile legal system. I find joy in concerts, cooking for friends, photography, and hiking.

visit The Marigold Effect website

why subscribe?

This Substack is a container for three types of resources:

• Insights on financial activism for a just economy

• Strategies for building strong, values-driven organizations

• Digital archive of inspiring people, places, and ideas

We also offer a Community Membership, which includes two x 30-minute individualized coaching and advice calls.

Occasionally, we send these posts out via e-mail.

This newsletter is an experiment for grassroots funding, using our writing practice to support impactful work. Proceeds are directed towards organizations working to close the racial wealth gap and facilitate a just transition from an extractive to a regenerative economy.

Thanks for being part of our journey to use financial and social capital to advance a more just and equitable society!

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