>> Major funding for "Opportunity Knocks" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which seeks to strengthen historically marginalized communities by investing in pathways to economic advancement and generational wealth.

Additional funding for "Opportunity Knocks" provided by Balance... and Callahan & Associates.

Previously on "Opportunity Knocks"... >> What about the next level of maybe savings for buying a house?

>> Yeah, our main goal is to still buy a house.

>> How's everything been going so far?

>> Much better.

>> Just really happy to be paying our bills and not be withdrawing our accounts.

>> Yes, that makes a huge difference.

>> Absolutely.

>> We see the difference in our checking account.

We have upwards of $2,000 extra in there a month.

>> Nice.

>> So we have some money to make sure that we take care of... >> Retirement.

>> Your retirement, yeah.

>> Every day, millions of Americans must make the choice between paying rent... >> We're behind on rent.

>> We got to pay the mortgage.

>> ...or buying groceries.

>> I live paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes that doesn't even cut it.

>> So, we got spaghetti with no meat.

Are you serious?

"Opportunity Knocks" is back with our three esteemed coaches and six new underestimated families to create a personalized journey... >> Are you gonna do what I ask you to do?

>> ...that everyone watching can benefit from?

>> I'm just hopeful that I won't always be struggling.

>> Through these families experiences... >> This is an emergency.

>> ...you will see that a better life is possible with the tools that they are provided.

>> And we're gonna turn your life around like you have no idea.

>> Are the obstacles that these families are facing too much... >> Your mom is sick, too?

>> A loan that I obtained online, interest rates were like 600 something.

>> What I'm seeing is almost 700%.

>> You're looking at bankruptcy.

>> ...or will their coaches help them open the door when opportunity knocks.

♪♪ >> The Urban League, after having meetings with them and talking to them, set me up with what's called a score.

They went through my initial stages of my business.

>> What's up?

How are you?

>> Hello.

Hey.

>> Oh, are you ready to get the work done?

>> Yes, I am.

>> All right, let me get your coat.

>> All right.

Meeting with Furard Tate, his energy is...

It's a lot.

[ Laughs ] >> Come on over, come on over.

I got everything already ready for you.

>> Okay.

>> Have your water.

>> Which is great, because he gives me the energy that I need, and you have to have that.

So we have plans to meet often, and I plan to tap into all that energy that he has and that motivation.

>> Your business plan.

So let's go and start with that.

Right?

>> Okay.

>> Every business solves a problem.

So you're traveling businesses is going to solve the problem for your ideal client.

Who do you think your ideal customer is?

>> Um, I think other teachers.

I have a travel business.

It's called Tanda Luxury Lifestyle.

And what I do is put together trips.

I put together amazing luxury experiences at affordable prices.

And I've been doing this for about a year.

>> What are the three problems does this business solve for our teachers?

>> Uh, it's a de-stresser.

>> Okay.

>> It's a way to get away.

And it's also an empowerment.

When you come together and you're able to vent, you're able to express yourself, you're able to let your guard down, because teachers are on all the time.

They have to be on all the time.

And it's a -- and it's -- it's -- it's tiring.

>> Yes.

>> It's exhausting.

>> Let's put that there, right?

So, no other travel agency is really thinking about that.

Right?

So now you're getting into your your edge.

>> Okay.

>> The offering that no one else -- And then we will tweak this out.

We'll talk about it, all right?

>> Okay.

>> So let's move over to the problem, right?

This is what we're solving.

But the problem, it truly is, teachers really don't know that they can travel luxury, right?

>> Mm-hmm.

>> They don't know that they can afford this, right?

What other problems do you think -- >> Time.

>> They don't think they have the time.

Okay.

So you got to make sure our packages are affordable.

It fits within a timeframe.

Right?

>> He gave me step-by-step instructions and procedures and support on how to market and how to narrow it down to a niche, which I found and I'm so excited about because it's something that I know about.

It's dealing with teachers and the stress.

And I've been on trips with teachers, and it is amazing.

>> How would this impact you?

>> It would give me a sense of purpose.

Um, it would give me the... ♪♪ That I'm doing something to help allow teachers to go further, because I know teachers are in that business because they care, but nobody's showing that they care about the teachers.

So I become that caretaker.

I become that person that, um... not only makes an impact on teachers individually but teachers' families and the industry.

>> And the industry.

>> I have been struggling with having a purpose for my business for a while now.

>> The name of your business?

>> Tanda Luxury Lifestyle.

But now that I have a purpose that taps into not only the heart of me, I can tap into the heart of others, which drives my business.

Instead of me working at it now, it's something that becomes a natural thing to do, and I think that people gravitate toward businesses that actually connect with them on an emotional level.

>> Let's get back together.

Let's keep growing this together.

Because we're growing it on purpose.

And the purpose is bigger than money.

You have my number.

You don't have to wait until our next meeting.

>> Okay.

>> Give me a call.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Today's my meeting at the SBDC, and as I pull up, I notice it's at the El Paso Community College campus.

I'm here to see Hector.

>> Oh, he's right in that office right over there, that second door.

>> Okay.

>> Okay.

>> Thank you.

Which is really cool because I actually got my associate's degree from there.

Hi, Hector.

>> I'm Hector Espino.

Good to meet you.

>> Good to meet you.

>> Grab a seat.

You'll be sitting over here on this side.

>> Okay.

I'm excited to learn about making my business bigger and growing, but also make it a legitimate business.

That's something I didn't think I would ever be able to do, but I'm excited to go that route.

>> So, you know a little bit about what we do here, or...?

>> No, I know nothing.

>> Okay.

So, really quick, we're the Small Business Development Center.

>> Okay.

>> What we do, in a nutshell, is we provide services to small-business owners interested in starting a business, or people that already have a business, we provide one-on-one business advising, technical assistance, and training programs.

These services are provided at no cost, and they're confidential.

We're very flexible.

We can do one-on-one business advising here at the center, or we work with small-business owners, so we go to their place of business.

Or now we can do online advising, if you would like to.

>> But what I do for a business is, most of my clients come for custom work.

So right now, I did bring you the samples of some doormats that I do.

>> Okay.

>> And these are just, like, my what I earn for side business.

Right now, my business is more of a friends and family thing.

If someone needs something, they say, "Hey, can you make me this?"

I go to the store, buy the materials I need to make what they want, and I make it.

But it's just a very small family business right now.

>> And you're trying to get more formalized, if you will, more professional?

>> Yeah.

So I don't know what steps I would take or anything like that.

I just know that I want it to be a little bit bigger.

I want to grow it, but I don't even know where to start.

>> Well, let me ask you this first.

Do you have a business name?

Have you registered a business name?

>> I have a business name in mind, but I do not have it registered.

>> So you don't have a legal business name?

>> No.

>> Okay.

>> If you don't mind, I'm just gonna take some notes.

>> Sure, yes.

Go ahead, recommend it.

>> Okay.

So, first is to register my business name.

>> Yes.

Are you going to be the only owner, or are other people...?

>> It's just me.

>> Okay.

So, I don't know if you've heard of these terms.

You can be a sole proprietorship.

>> Okay.

>> Or you have the option of being a limited liability company.

Those are the two main ones for your type of business, if you will.

>> Hector is giving me some great advice that I didn't even know.

He was telling me about sole proprietorship or LLC, and those things I didn't even know existed.

I see my business becoming a legitimate business, and I'm really excited for that future.

>> So we're here to assist you in any aspect of your business that you may need help with.

>> Okay.

>> Again, it's at no cost and confidential.

>> Okay, perfect.

Well, thank you so much for your time and your help.

I really appreciate it.

>> Okay.

But I definitely look forward to working with you more on this and meeting up again so I can get as much information.

Make sure I do this all the right and legal way.

>> Great.

>> Thank you so much.

It was so nice to meet you.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> We're gonna meet with Miss McKayla that I've been e-mailing about the, uh,... Gonna see if she can give us some help with the, um, Social Security and stuff.

I'm excited that today is the day we finally get to go to the Southeast Louisiana Legal Service to meet with Miss McKayla.

Hi!

I'm Erika, and this is my mom, Patricia.

>> How you doing?

>> Nice to meet you.

I'm McKayla Smith.

>> This is my mom.

>> Nice to meet you.

Come on in.

Have a seat.

>> I've been e-mailing her, sending her paperwork.

So we finally get to talk to her and see what kind of help she can offer us.

>> I love your nails.

>> I like your nails, too.

I love me a black nail.

It's pretty.

>> So, I'm going to do an intake with you and get the basic information about what's going on, and then if we can accept representation, then I'll describe what that will entail, and then I'll be at the attorney assigned to the case.

If you want to tell me a little bit about how you found us and what's going on... >> My financial coach told me about -- to go onto Opportunity Finders to seek help.

So when I found you all on there, I just went on there, made an appointment.

Of course, I've been e-mailing with you back and forth, trying to get some help, because I've been applying for a couple of years now.

I think I applied -- >> Applying for...?

>> Her Social Security.

>> Her Social Security.

>> And we've gotten denied maybe like three times.

>> Okay.

>> So it's been a battle.

>> And what did the denial letter say?

>> I don't remember the details, but it was saying that she didn't qualify for the Social Security, but she may qualify for disability.

>> Okay.

The reason I ask is because there's actually two types of Social Security disability.

So, there's SSDI, which is Social Security disability insurance, but that one requires an amount of work credit.

So, basically, it works out to you have about -- to have worked full-time five out of the last 10 years.

So if you don't have enough of those work credits, you won't qualify for that type.

But there's also SSI, both of which are based on a medical disability.

The medical disability standard is the same for each one.

So unless they had you sign, like, the paper SSI application, you may have just only applied for the type that you didn't qualify for if you didn't have enough work credit.

So they may not have ever made a medical decision that time.

They may have just said she doesn't have enough work credits and denied it on that and you didn't know that you weren't even getting to the medical point.

>> McKayla seemed very confident in helping me and my mom get this help.

My mom seemed like she excited about it and listened to McKayla.

She sound like she know her stuff.

I'm like, "All right, girl."

And she cute, too.

Probably at our next meeting, what we'll do when we have more time is call Social Security to find out.

I want them to send you -- us a copy of the denial, because you're legally entitled to know why you were denied.

So, based on all the information that you gave us, we could definitely represent you in this case in filing for disability benefits again.

And we can help you file for early retirement.

>> It's like really a big relief knowing that Miss McKayla was like, "Yeah, my company could really help y'all get some help," so we've got to get to work.

Like, I've sent -- already sent in some information to her, we've already been e-mailing.

So I'm excited about this.

>> I thank you, and I appreciate it.

>> Thank you.

It's wonderful meeting y'all.

>> And I'm gonna give you a little -- I don't know if you want a hug.

>> She's a hugger.

>> I'm a hugger.

[ Laughter ] Thank you.

>> Nice meeting you.

>> Thank you for coming in.

♪♪ >> This financial journey has inspired us to create.

Therefore, we were able to write a song together, actually, about our experience.

♪♪ >> ♪ Once upon a time, didn't know what to do ♪ ♪ We saw it on a website that was brand-new ♪ ♪ Living check to check every day, hard to maintain ♪ ♪ Let me explain what happened to the Winters gang ♪ This financial journey that we're on has opened all these creative doors because the debt is gone.

That's -- That's why.

We're not stressing about the debt.

So since all of that is gone, the creative juices have started to flow again.

♪ Financial gain out of our reach ♪ ♪ Until our coach came over, ready to teach ♪ ♪ Louis sat us down and explained some things ♪ ♪ 'Cause the interest rates we were paying was so insane ♪ I like to write songs about good things.

So when Louis came through and taught us everything that he taught us, it's like, "Okay.

Let me see what I can do with this," because all this good was happening all at the same time.

So I was like, I got to get this out and share it.

♪ 'Cause we answered the door when opportunity knocked ♪ >> Hey!

Hype man bailed.

>> I -- What am I supposed to do?

>> [ Laughs ] >> My health and our lives have improved in that I have had reduced migraines.

They're almost gone.

And I am sleeping, and my children are not seeing me stressed.

>> I do see a difference in between you guys.

You guys are much happier.

You guys have the knowledge that you guys have received, and so that makes me happy, seeing you guys like this.

>> Feels good to be acknowledged by teenagers who know everything in the world, so it lets me know I'm somewhat on the right track.

You know, the Winters gang going up.

[ Laughs ] >> Very proud of the work that we've done.

And in the beginning, I wasn't too keen on sharing financial business with anybody other than Lynette, but I realized now you can put your pride aside and ask for help, especially if you get the result that we got, which is almost debt free, which feels just amazing.

One more time, y'all.

Let's do this.

>> All right.

>> For the people in the back.

>> ♪ Once upon a time, didn't know what to do ♪ ♪ We stumbled on a website that was brand-new ♪ ♪ Just living check the check every day, hard to maintain ♪ ♪ Let me explain what happened to the Winters gang ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Today, we're going to figure out what I need to make my dreams come true and open up my small business for bounce houses.

>> Hi!

>> Hi.

>> You Maegan?

>> Yes, I'm Maegan.

>> Hi, Skyla.

Nice to meet you.

>> Nice meeting you.

>> Nice to meet you.

>> We're meeting with Skyla to discuss my options for business loans and what I need to do to get one.

>> I'm the business-loan officer here at Telhio.

I've been here for three years, and I just kind of want to hear a little bit about where you guys are at and how you guys want to start your own business.

>> I have an idea for a business, and I'm starting to formulate it.

I don't think I'm in a position to get the loan, but I would like a checklist to know where to start to get into a good standing.

>> Yeah.

Of course.

So, what's your idea for your business?

>> So, mainly, it's bounce houses and parties.

So it's kind of like a party delivery service.

But I'm just going to start with basic bounce houses.

>> Gotcha.

>> I've already been doing all of this work with the small-business center, and now I need to do some more work to try to take these steps and start moving in the right direction.

>> We specialize in small-business lending, and that's what I do.

I work with startups all day, every day.

I have a copy of your guys's credit report here.

I was taking a look at the credit report.

Um, of course, the higher the better.

But there's a bunch of little things that you could just, like, work on paying off and then get them removed off your credit, and that'll really increase your credit score.

That's kind of the first step is getting your credit score in the mid 600s.

But while you're working on that, because those things do take time, you can always start creating a business plan.

Have you guys created a business plan yet?

>> I'm formulating it.

It's like halfway.

>> So another thing, moving into tax returns, we'll need, um... three years of tax returns.

That's just how we show, like, that you guys are able to pay for your own bills, and then you're also going to be able to pay for the loan and to keep the business running, as well.

And 10% money you bring to the table.

Those are the main key things that we need to submit it to underwriting so we can start the process.

>> Yeah.

>> But that's kind of the first step in the process.

>> Okay.

After meeting with Skyla, I was really excited that we have this nice little checklist of what we need to accomplish.

Even though it might not happen today, tomorrow, next week, we still have the checklist.

We know what we need to do, and it is super manageable.

>> Anything else I can help you guys with today?

>> I think that's all.

You've answered all the questions that I've had.

>> Awesome.

That's great.

Sounds great.

It was great to meet you guys.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Thank you, Maegan.

>> Thank you.

>> Thanks, Wesley.

I look forward to working with you in the future.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Thank you, guys.

♪♪ >> All right, let's get you some food.

Get you some milk.

No, you can't sit on the counter, baby.

>> I know!

>> I know.

Being able to spend the time with Charlotte is... Come eat.

>> No!

>> ...is fun.

You don't want to?

>> No.

>> Well, then I'm gonna eat it 'cause I'm hungry.

>> No.

>> No?

It's rewarding playing with her, even though she can be a little bit of a diva.

You want to take your shoes off?

>> Yeah.

>> All right.

Where do we put our shoes?

There you go.

She definitely gets the sarcasm and the diva from Bobbye.

You could put your shoes up.

But seeing her is the highlight of my life.

I'll eat the crackers.

You want the cereal?

>> Eat the cereal.

>> That's what I thought.

Do you have crackers?

Oh.

I like crackers.

>> I like crackers.

[ Speaking indistinctly ] >> What?

>> [ Speaking indistinctly ] >> You want to poop?

>> No, spoon.

>> Spoon?

Oh, go get -- You want your spoon?

>> No, I'm gonna go get it!

>> Yes, ma'am.

>> Look.

>> Hey.

>> Mommy come back?

>> Hey, Charlotte!

Did you have a good day?

>> Hey, babe.

>> Yeah.

>> How was your day?

>> It was good.

>> Good.

>> Now that we're both working, there are times where our schedules are, like, complete opposites, so we just get to see each other in passing as we're going between jobs and home.

So I'll be coming home, and he'll be leaving for work.

>> Sit by me!

>> Oh, you want me to sit by you?

>> Yeah.

>> She has been crazy today.

Um, she has been playing all over the floor, throwing her shoes.

>> Did you take a nap?

>> She did not take a nap.

She refused that nap.

Have fun with that.

[ Both laugh ] Bringing my lunch and my water with me every day saves the money from the fast-food restaurants and saves a lot in the long term.

So, tell me about your day.

>> It's okay.

A good day.

Kids were good?

>> Good.

>> Test day, so pretty relaxed.

>> About to say, who likes tests?

I guess the teachers.

Little bit more chill.

Knowing that, you know, we don't get to be together all the time and that we're just in passing, it's a tough pill to swallow, but it's necessary.

You know, you got to enjoy that few minutes that you have and then go on and do what you got to do.

>> Tell Daddy bye.

No?

Can you say, "Have a good day?"

>> She's tired of me.

She's ready for mommy time.

You see?

She's tired of me.

All right, give me a hug.

Oh, watch this.

>> Okay.

Go play.

>> All right.

>> All right.

>> There you go.

There's my baby.

All right, you be good for Mommy.

>> Have a good day.

>> Love you, baby.

>> Hold me.

>> You want to hold me?

>> All right, y'all have a good -- you be good for mama.

Call me in a little bit.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> I felt like I was a boss because it's time to celebrate.

So it felt good that I'm in a position that I was able to, like, get a little hotel room, get us some drinks, and, like, have all the girls link up and have a girls night because we haven't had one in, like, so long because all of us be working.

So it feels good that I'm around girls that, like, really empower me.

>> Cheers.

>> To bossing up 2024.

2024 forever.

>> Cheers.

>> Ooh, Jesus.

>> I feel like all my friends and even some of my family, they see, like, a really big change in me because it's, like, before I was just so stressed out all over the place because all I was worried about, like, "Oh, my God, I gotta make ends meet.

I have to do this, that."

So, like, now that I have the cushion and the savings, I feel like people see that I'm more happy, I'm more calm, and I ain't flipping out on people, getting smart.

So, yeah, they see a change in me.

>> Can we make it outside?

Can we make it?

>> Come on, y'all, let's go to the balcony.

>> Let's go to the balcony.

>> That was dope.

Best ever.

>> Mine!

I love her, though.

>> It's a good thing it's not freezing no more.

>> This is so nice!

>> Hey!

>> Oh, wow!

What is going on?!

[ Indistinct talking ] >> I'll see when I call you next month.

[ Laughter ] >> Friend, I'm gonna need you to go on Opportunity Finders and... >> All right.

>> Well, matter of fact, I found this for you.

I just need you to show up at United Way and do your taxes.

>> Okay.

>> Go for real, y'all.

Like, this, for real, has been, like, so, like, life-changing for me.

Like, and I want to stay on track, and I want to make sure my girls, like, on track.

So I feel like, going into 2024, we need to hold each other accountable.

>> Definitely.

>> We need to start checking in.

>> I mean, I was kind of checking in, but you was busy doing all this.

I didn't know about this.

>> Like, "I can't talk right now because I'm trying to get stuff in order."

>> There's nothing like when your whole group is... >> Your crew is elevated.

>> ...elevated, right?

There's nothing like it.

>> I have some really powerful women as friends.

I really feel like everybody's going to continue on this successful path because they see the big change in me.

They see how Opportunity Finder has helped me in a major way.

So now, going into this new phase in our life, we're all going to start holding each other more accountable and checking up.

So, since Erika buying our drinks tonight... >> Oh, my God.

>> ...we need another one!

Round 2!

Round 2!

>> This looks like it's gonna be a girls sleepover.

[ Laughter ] ♪♪ >> To find your own opportunities, please visit opportunityknocks.net.

Next time on "Opportunity Knocks"... >> Welcome to the stunning hills of Los Angeles, California.

>> We know what we've been doing with our families, but to actually get to watch everyone else's stories unfold, I can't wait to meet your family.

>> Right.

>> I pretty much spent all my savings.

Oh, Lord.

>> It's okay.

>> The main problem was payday loans.

>> Seven credit cards.

Some of them were over 30% APR interest.

>> Most of these teeth aren't real.

I had to have eight teeth pulled.

>> Major funding for "Opportunity Knocks" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which seeks to strengthen historically marginalized communities by investing in pathways to economic advancement and generational wealth.

Additional funding for "Opportunity Knocks" provided by Balance... and Callahan & Associates.