🎙️ Helping Women Build Wealth — Ilaria Rawlins & Lisa Berger on Cbus Mob 💼
In this episode, Ilaria Rawlins and Lisa Berger — the powerhouse duo behind Fortuna Bank, one of the few intentionally women-owned banks in the country — share the raw, real story of launching a bank from the ground up.
They get candid about the roadblocks women face when raising capital, why the banking world still isn’t built for women entrepreneurs, and how they pushed through regulatory hurdles to open a bank focused on relationships, education, and access to capital. From building a boardroom that actually reflects its community, to reimagining what customer experience looks like in a post-COVID world, Ilaria and Lisa are flipping the traditional banking model on its head.
Whether you're a founder, future investor, or someone who's been overlooked by legacy finance, this episode will leave you fired up. It's about grit, risk, mentorship — and why women shouldn’t wait for a seat at the table when they can build their own.
🔗 Connect with Ilaria Rawlins & Lisa Berger
🏢 Company: Fortuna Bank
🌐 Website: www.fortunabank.com
📧 Email: irawlins@fortunabank.com | lberger@amerititle.net
📞 Phone: 614-347-3113
📍 Don’t miss this episode if you’re into women-led business, community banking, or breaking barriers in entrepreneurship.
🎧 Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fortuna Bank and Its Founders
01:55 The Journey to Establishing a Women-Owned Bank
04:34 Challenges Faced in Capital Raising
09:26 Creating a Welcoming Banking Environment
11:34 The Shift Towards Personal Connections in Banking
13:39 Surprises in the Startup Journey
18:15 Philanthropic Efforts and Community Engagement
20:52 Future Vision for Fortuna Bank
22:45 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
