Today I’m excited to share with you something a little different – an interview with my friend and fellow money coach, Michelle Boss (aka The Money Boss)! Some of you may remember Michelle from her guest blog post nearly two years ago. She’s been a dear friend, mentor, and accountability partner for me over the past two plus years. And, now, we’ll be working together on a new project that Michelle has put together. She’ll share about that project and more of her personal story in this week’s post.
GP: To begin, why don't you tell us a little bit about you and your business, The Money Boss?
MB: When I left my corporate career of 16 years, I took some time off and was very intentional with my next career move. I noticed how many friends, former co-workers and loved ones of mine were dealing with financial issues – losing homes in the 2008 market crash, bankruptcy, student loan debt into their 40’s – things we do not learn how to navigate in school. I quickly figured out financial coaching is a “thing” and sought my Financial Educator license through the National Financial Educator’s Council – which is how you and I met. :)
I have been teaching teen financial education courses, speaking, and providing private coaching to individuals since 2017. To be able to transform lives with something I am naturally good at and love to continue learning about and improving in, is my calling. Being a Financial Coach and Educator is a perfect balance for my life as a mom of a 9 year-old boy and 12 year-old girl. I also have 2 beautiful step-daughters (16 and 19 years old), and two active fur babies.
GP: What inspired you to start the Master Class?
MB: I've met several women over the last few years who have either asked about a group program or told me, “I’d love to work with you, I just have to make more money first!”. With a full private practice, this Master Class is a beautiful way to keep serving, and give access to financial coaching in a more accessible way.
One thing that I’ve learned through my work with clients is that financial wellness “is a process, not an event.” I feel that a full year of focus and support is what is truly needed to work through mindset, money behaviors we’ve learned over a lifetime that do not serve us, and deep dive into all of the aspects needed to form a strong financial foundation, while planting the seeds for success over the next decade to come. I also must mention, creating more income if that is your goal!
I got my start coaching as an assistant coach in an Ayurvedic program in 2017, and I look forward to bringing this aspect of my background to this very holistic program. (Ayurveda is the traditional Hindu system of medicine based on balancing the body using diet, herbs and yoga to prevent dis-ease. I extend that to money management as well). This year-long program can be described as a healing circle.
GP: I’m so excited to be working with you as an assistant financial coach in this program. Can you share more about how the Master Class will work?
MB: Starting April 20th, we will have 2 calls a month on Mondays, via Zoom. You can take the calls from the comfort of your own home or workplace, or watch the recording if you cannot attend when scheduled. Each month we will have a different theme for these calls. These 2 monthly calls will include both teaching financial wellness best practices and Q&A, to help address questions and situations very specific to our circle.
To give our audience a little preview… April calls will include goal setting for the program, our deeply rooted psychological why, and an overall financial health assessment. You can see a list of other topics we’ll explore on the Master Class page on my website.
A 3rd call each month will be a work session. This will be a standing appointment for time to work on your specific action items for the month with either me or you available to help answer questions and lead the call. How awesome to have "money love" time set aside on a consistent basis, right?!
Finally, there will be a 4th optional but bonus call on a weekend for accountability. This is where we get to show up for support, cheer each other on, watch each other progress, and help stay focused and motivated. Members will also receive a private call with either you or me each month for private coaching. WOW! Can you imagine the progress we will all make this upcoming year with such a focused, grounding support system?! Additional resources for the year include online self-paced learning and guest teachers. We will be covering all things needed to build and grow a strong financial foundation. Best of all, you don’t have to learn alone – you can bring your spouse or child along to the program for free.
GP: I think it's so cool that you can invite a spouse or child to do the Master Class along with you, why did you decide to offer that opportunity?
MB: Money management and wealth mindset is not taught in schools. Why are we not investing in learning this critical life skill?! I feel it is so important to make this a dinner time conversation, yet money is still taboo for so many. Working with teens, I’ve also observed parents feel unqualified to teach personal finance, or a non-willingness to learn from a parent, coming from the teenager perspective. Additionally, as you know, money is the top reason for spousal disputes and separations. I want to create lasting change and shifts in the way our circle views and aligns money with their happiness and values. Fully embracing financial wellness as a lifestyle, and being able to communicate effectively about money, can only come when the whole team is on board. It’s an amazing 2-for-1 part of the program!
GP: Sometimes people can get scared away by the price of a program, but you really believe the Master Class can pay for itself. How might that happen?
MB: I strongly believe that any investment in yourself or your education is valuable. That is experience and knowledge that can NEVER be taken away or lost. If just one important connection is made within the group members, one profound lesson is learned, or one valuable idea is implemented over the year, THAT is success to me. That will pay dividends for years to come. The year will be FULL of great opportunities to grow and gain in financial wellness and security that will last a lifetime. In addition to the value of the education, healing, and connection, some very specific monetary examples include: dollars saved in interest from debt management, gains realized in investing opportunities (we will educate on and connect our members to resources), money saved in financing costs by qualifying for the best possible loan rates due to healthy credit scores, savings set aside due to a thorough understanding of what is coming and going and being more intentional with money, a solid insurance and estate plan, and income generation from brainstorming and putting a solid action plan in place. The value is incredible and impossible to add up the impact over a lifetime of wiser financial choices and following best practices when it comes to personal finance.
There are two payment options: $5,000 pay in full for the year, or $1,000 to enroll and $450 per month for 11 months. This is just enough to cover expenses for the program, and my hope is make this accessible to those who are called forward to this.
GP: What are you most excited about for the Master Class?
MB: SO much! I LOVE the bonuses that everyone in the circle gets access to as soon as they enroll. This is the perfect way to dive right in and start having fun with this MasterClass right away. These include a personalized handwriting and astrology reading with Linda K Green, an esteemed pioneer in her field. The analysis is SO revealing and interesting. She is the only practitioner that combines the science of handwriting analysis (yep, the same discipline used in court cases) and the ancient wisdom of astrology connecting the dots between everything! I also have a podcast series, online mini-courses, and book for each circle member to get started on as soon as they would like.
I am SUPER excited about the safe, nurturing space we are creating to support and encourage members no matter where they are at. We all have healing that is needed around our financial stories, trauma or shame. We all need that clarity or affirmation when facing financial decisions where we might just not “see” or know all of our options. We all need motivation at times to take that next step when we feel stuck. This circle provides all of that.
Last but not least, the in-person retreat here in the Livermore Valley Wine Country, included with tuition! This is where we will all gather and celebrate at the end of the year. It is going to be EPIC!!!
GP: How can people get more information?
MB: Contacting me directly is best. My cell phone to text or call is (408) 449-7697. I can’t wait to chat! All program details can also be found at https://www.themoneyboss.org/2020masterclass.
Thanks so much for sharing about this exciting program, Michelle! I can’t wait to see the many ways this group will come together to heal, learn, and create a solid financial foundation!
One final, unrelated note - I encourage all of you to stay safe during this anxious time in our country’s history. I know it can feel scary, overwhelming, and isolating. That’s why I’ve shared a few things you can do during this time to care for yourself AND love your neighbor.