Building Wealth with Intention: Karen Rands

Building Wealth with Intention: Karen Rands

Author: Veronica Malolos, CCIM February 16, 2026 Duration: 32:06

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Rands, best-selling author, investor advocate, and founder of the Compassionate Capitalist movement, whose work is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and investors build wealth through informed, purposeful investing.

Karen shares how her outlook on money and success was shaped by growing up with a single mother who valued education but struggled financially, and a father she later discovered was an inventive entrepreneur who built wealth after securing a patent at age 50. That realization became a defining moment for her: it’s never too late to reinvent your life or pursue your vision.

After earning an economics degree from Emory and spending over a decade at IBM working with emerging technologies and startups, Karen stepped into the world of angel investing, eventually leading an investor group that grew into one of the top networks in the Southeast. When the Great Recession halted investment activity and dismantled her platform, she faced one of her greatest challenges, forcing her to rebuild her confidence, clarify her mission, and recommit to helping others access capital and opportunity.

Throughout the conversation, Karen emphasizes her passion for teaching women how to invest, close wealth gaps, and support businesses they believe in, leaving listeners with one powerful piece of advice:

“Get started... You know more than you think you do.” - Karen Rands


Connect with Veronica:

https://capstrata.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/


Connect with Karen:

http://bit.ly/linkCCS


#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #investor #venturecapital



Hosted by Veronica Malolos, CCIM-Founder and CEO of Capital Stack Real Estate Group-the Women Influencers podcast moves beyond surface-level success stories to explore the nuanced realities of leadership, ambition, and personal philosophy. Each conversation delves into the practical strategies and formative experiences of women who have shaped their fields, with a particular lens on business and commercial real estate. These are not just interviews; they are deep dives into the decisions, setbacks, and pivotal moments that define a career. Veronica’s background as an operator in the Greater Orlando market informs a grounded, insightful dialogue that resonates whether you’re building a company, navigating a corporate ladder, or redefining your own path. The discussions naturally span categories from concrete business tactics to broader cultural and societal themes, reflecting the multifaceted lives these influencers lead. This podcast serves as a resource for anyone seeking authentic perspective, emphasizing that influence is cultivated through resilience and insight as much as through achievement. Listen for candid reflections on balancing ambition with life’s other demands, the philosophical underpinnings of a leadership style, and the often-unspoken challenges of carving out space in competitive industries. It’s a series dedicated to amplifying voices that not only succeed but also thoughtfully pave the way for others.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

Women Influencers
Podcast Episodes
Janet Perez Eckles: Gratitude is the Secret [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:27
I spoke with Janet Perez Eckles this week on the Women Influencers podcast. She isan author, international speaker, radio host, and founder of JC Empowerment ministries. We spoke about how she overcame losing her sight t…
Natasha Falconi: Real Estate Influencer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:04
I spoke with Natasha Falconi this week on the Women Influencers podcast. She is a Real Estate Investor focused on value-add multi-family properties who loves revitalizing neighborhoods by improving under-performing asset…
Kortney Ross:  Supporting Working Parents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:29
This week on Women Influencers, I spoke with Kortney Ross. She is a business consultant and podcaster who helps leaders support working parents so that they can create workplace cultures that attract and retain the best…
Rubi Zetino’s Boundless “Charizma” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:33
This week on Women Influencers, I spoke with Rubi Zetino. She is the Founder and CEO of Charizma Co., which helps industry leaders build and sustain a recognizable and undeniable brand presence.We discussed her upbringin…
Denise Berry: Veteran and Entrepreneur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:31
This week on Women Influencers, I spoke with Denise Berry. She owns and manages Luciano Equity and Co-founded Medical Industries of the Americas after having served a 400 day deployment to Iraq as a U.S. Army Combat Medi…
Answering My Guest's Questions Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:42
This week on Women Influencers, we compiled three of the great questions my guests have asked me. I am honored to have the opportunity to chat with amazing, influential women on the podcast and iit is always an honor to…
Moving into the Unfamiliar: Monica Cataluña Shand, CCIM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
This week on Women Influencers, I spoke with Monica Cataluña Shand. She opened her own company, KoRes, in 2007 and serves as Broker and Developer. She is also the President-Elect (‘24-’25) of CCIM in the Fort Lauderdale/…
H.O.P.E. - Allison Weiss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:30
This week on Women Influencers, I spoke with Allison Weiss, who built a successful CRE recruiting company from scratch and lives, works, and travels the U.S. from her camper.We discussed her upbringing in a military fami…
Answering My Guest's Questions Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:19
For this week's episode we compiled some of the amazing questions my guests have asked me. I am so honored to have had the opportunity to make podcast episodes with these amazing women, and it is always an honor to consi…
Tiffany Curry: Staying in the Game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:14
In this week’s episode of Women Influencers, I spoke with Tiffany Curry, the first woman to own a Berkshire Hathaway Franchise in Houston, which is also the first 100% Black owned Berkshire Hathaway in the world. She was…