A Promise to His Community: How Christopher Hernandez is Building a Legacy with WGT Financial
Christopher Hernandez, Founder of WGT Financial, During LEEAF Graduation at Mariachi Plaza with EMI Program Competition Certificate
For Christopher Hernandez, growing up in Los Angeles, he saw firsthand how hard-working families, including his own, were trapped in cycles of financial hardship. Without access to education or resources, one unexpected expense could unravel years of effort.
He founded WGT Financial to break that cycle. His mission was clear: to give underserved communities the tools to avoid financial disaster and build a foundation for generational wealth.
But having a powerful "why" wasn't enough. As a first-generation entrepreneur, Christopher had the passion but struggled to turn it into a plan. He felt isolated and invisible, with a vital message that wasn't reaching the people who needed it most. That’s when a single Instagram ad changed everything.
From a Leap of Faith to a Strategic Growth
The promotion was for the Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) in Partnership with LEEAF. It found Christopher at the perfect moment; he was actively working to build his business in Montebello, but knew he couldn't do it alone. He was skeptical, as many entrepreneurs are, of "free" programs promising the world.
But after joining a Zoom session, his skepticism vanished. The quality of instruction was high, the facilitators were genuinely invested, and the curriculum spoke directly to his biggest obstacles. He enrolled, ready to build not just a business, but a legacy.
The Challenge: When Passion Needs a Plan
Before EMI, Christopher faced hurdles familiar to many entrepreneurs in LA County:
A Vision Without a Blueprint: He knew why he started WGT Financial, but struggled to define a long-term strategy or identify the right clients.
A Powerful Message No One Could Hear: Without a marketing plan, his voice was lost in a crowded market, making it nearly impossible to reach families in need.
The Loneliness of the First: As a first-generation entrepreneur, he lacked a network of mentors to turn to for guidance and support.
Drowning in the Day-to-Day: Wearing every hat in the business left him overwhelmed and without a clear process for growth.
The Transformation: Tools to Build a Movement
Through EMI, Christopher received the practical, hands-on support he needed to turn his passion into a sustainable strategy. The program provided:
A Strategic Blueprint: Guidance on refining his business model and setting clear, actionable goals.
Marketing with Purpose: Workshops that taught him how to tell his story, build targeted campaigns, and create a professional website and mailing list.
A Network of Allies: Connections to fellow entrepreneurs, industry specialists, and mentors who understood his journey.
Community Engagement Strategies: A roadmap for making financial education accessible and impactful for underserved families.
Armed with this new toolkit, Christopher put his knowledge into action. He refined his messaging, built a client mailing list, and successfully organized the WGT Summit, a community event dedicated to accessible financial education.
The Bottom Line: Measurable Growth and Community Impact
The results were transformative, both for WGT Financial and the community it serves:
Tangible Business Growth: Christopher expanded his team, grew his revenue, and increased his podcast's reach.
Strategic Event Planning: He transformed his summit from a financial loss into a strategically planned event set to break even, with a clear path to future profitability.
Deepened Community Impact: He is now developing a financial literacy elective at Garfield High School and offering free summit tickets to youth, ensuring the next generation is prepared for success.
EMI didn’t just help Christopher grow his business; it empowered him to become the community changemaker he was always meant to be.
A Vision for the Future
Christopher’s work is just beginning. He plans to scale WGT Financial into a model that proves business success and community transformation can go hand-in-hand. His vision is simple but profound: financial literacy is not a privilege, but a right.
His journey stands as a powerful testament to what’s possible when passion is met with opportunity.
“All work works. It’s just sometimes it will work on you before it works for you," Christopher says. "Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith... I’m a living testimony that EMI works. The amount of value we received here for free didn’t come close to the things I’ve paid for elsewhere.”
Take the Next Step
Build Your Financial Future: Learn more about Christopher Hernandez and his mission to bring financial literacy to the Los Angeles community by visiting WGT Financial.
Empower an Entrepreneur: Discover how LEEAF’s programs provide vital support to community-focused leaders like Christopher by visiting leeaf.la.