Our story
From struggle to system
After living the stress of financial uncertainty themselves, Carolina Ligocki and Leonardo Silva built a simple system for navigating the flow of money. Today they’re bringing it to families across the U.S.
OUR STORY
How Valow came to be
1
The problem they saw
Many people spend their lives earning and spending, then wondering where the money went — never quite feeling in control. The truth is, most of us were never taught how money actually works: how to manage it, make it last, and put it to work for the life we want. Carol and Léo knew this firsthand. They worked hard and still felt stuck in a cycle of financial stress.
2
The breakthrough
They came to a simple realization: what matters most isn’t how much money you have, but what you do with it — the flow of money created by your everyday decisions and actions. Over years of research, coaching, and real-world testing, they built the Valow Method: six everyday money skills — Earn, Spend, Save, Grow, Manage, and Gratitude.
3
The mission today
Valow Education exists to teach financial freedom — to help people reach a place where money is no longer a problem. Built on more than 15 years of research and proven with 580,000+ learners, our approach shows that financial freedom isn’t about how much you earn. It’s a skill anyone can build, at any age and any income level.
VIDEO
A word from our U.S. team
THE JOURNEY
Fifteen years in the making
Follow the flow, from two people who lived the problem to half a million students. Scroll, and the river fills in.
Creation of Oficina das Finanças
After their own financial struggles, Carol and Léo found Oficina das Finanças in Brazil, teaching hands-on financial education to adults.
2008
THE START
Launch of the school program
The method becomes a full school program for students, families, and educators.
2013
INTO THE CLASSROOM
2014
Academic validation
A partnership with the Social Psychology Laboratory at the University of Brasília measures and validates the results (research continues annually, now with PUCPR).
THE START
National recognition
Best Financial Citizenship Project at LIFT (Central Bank of Brazil & Fenasbac), and 1st place for Best Social Impact Project at Impacta Cerrado (Impact Hub).
2018
ON THE PODIUM
2019
Partnership with FTD Educação
FTD Educação, one of Latin America’s largest education publishers, becomes the exclusive distributor of the school materials.
SCALING UP
Continuous innovation
Financial literacy enters Brazil’s national curriculum (BNCC); free mass-education campaigns launch; the collections are continually renewed.
2020
EVERYWHERE
Today
Valow launches in the U.S.
Fifteen-plus years of validated research and half a million students behind it, now adapted for American families, schools, and organizations.
THE U.S. CHAPTER
MEMORY WALL
Fifteen years in photos
CAROL & LÉO — WHERE IT BEGAN
FIRST WORKSHOP, 2009
THE MEANING BEHIND OUR BRAND
Two marks, one idea
The Valow butterfly
Transformation from money as a worry to money as freedom.
Two folded bills - the wings
Wings open - lightness, freedom, autonomy
In flight - you, moving on your own terms
The mark of lasting freedom
Freedom that lasts, money flowing, used responsibly.
Three bills in motion - money flows, now and later
Center crest - your power to choose
Shared symbol - pass the knowledge foward
The three bills - you & family . others . the world
Freedom that lasts is financial sustainability the same goal, seen all the way through.