I moved from Colorado to California, and arrived in a little town called Sebastopol.

I was post-graduate school (in Somatic Psychology), standing at a huge professional crossroads. I was working as a bookkeeper, doing overnight hospice shifts, and leading authentic movement groups.

I was searching . . .

Trying to put the pieces together and discover the next chapter in my life and work.

Just a few weeks after moving, I’m on my way to see my first bookkeeping client in Sebastopol (who, by the way, hired me from a flyer). I’m driving to her house down a dirt road, when I come to a truck blocking the way. I get out of my car to talk to the driver and my jaw drops when I see who it is: “Warren??”

Warren Bellows was an incredible healer and acupuncturist whom I had worked with once in Boulder a few years before . . . a life-transforming treatment, which is another story for another day.

We spoke for a few minutes, I shared with him about where I was in my professional path, and without hesitation he told me I must go see Tamara Slayton, who lived in the same town.

Jaw dropping again, I realized that I knew the name.

Six years earlier, I had received a copy of one of Tamara’s newsletters, a print publication called Cycles. (This was back in the day when you could hold newsletters in your hand!)

I had kept this newsletter the whole time, through multiple moves, including the latest move from Colorado to California. The content spoke to me of course, but also because I felt some strange significance to this particular piece. I couldn’t throw it away. It was a keeper.

Needless to say, I went to see Tamara.

When I met Tamara…

I felt incredibly seen.

Tamara was a woman who pointed people in their true direction, to their North Star. I know I am in a line with many dear souls that were touched by her in this way.

Tamara’s own life journey led her to take on many significant topics, including menstrual health awareness, conscious conception, rite-of-passage work, and more. Late in her career, Tamara realized that there was still a barrier to making one’s livelihood real and actualized, and that this barrier was our relationship to money and all that it touched. So, she turned her attention to economics in the last few years of her life.

In our first meeting, I shared with Tamara that I was seeking and preparing to merge my worlds and training in deep psychology and inner healing with all of the amazing systems, tools and practices from the external/practical world of bookkeeping.

She got it.

We started having regular meetings. I became her bookkeeper! We’d go on walks, we’d vision and philosophize about money and life and wisdom . . .

She was my teacher, and yet I was teaching her the practice of bookkeeping. At some point, it became clear that we were to do a workshop together.

The workshop was called Women. Vision. Money: An Introduction to Financial Literacy as a Spiritual, Political and Economic Practice for Women in America, and it took place in 2002, the year after we met and the year before she passed away.

I recently found the beautiful program invitation while cleaning out my office… 

(click it to see the whole thing, designed by Tamara):

*Note: Tamara was steeped in Anthroposophy, a philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner. Although it’s not my path, I have gleaned great insights from these teachings.

Following that weekend workshop . . .

Tamara, in her true work, pointed me to my true work.

It felt like she was by my side, whispering in my ear and showing me a road to take. Tamara felt, and feels, like this image. (Which I do not know the creator of, and if you do, please tell me!)

Tamara encouraged me (or rather, lovingly demanded) that I give a presentation on my money work. She said she was gathering a group of students to come over and I would need to prepare and share my money work.

She pointed me to ask the big questions about my work in the world, and pushed me to go out and find the answers. With her loving kick in the tush, I went into the woods, asked for guidance, scribbled on notepads, stayed up late with my husband tossing ideas around . . . until I finally came up with the bones of my method.

Tamara was, in fact, the catalyst for the birth of my entire method for money work. (Formerly known as Conscious Bookkeeping. Now… The Art of Money).

She called on me to truly step into my own work, and I am forever grateful.

Tamara’s teachings for me were vast . . .

So many of them are central themes in my life and work, to this day.

She taught me the beauty of mentorship, and the blessing of a true teacher. And, she showed me when to become my own teacher and find my own students.

She helped me see money as initiation, and teach money as an initiation. I had been steeped in initiation, but somehow never integrated initiation work with money work before Tamara.

She shared that sometimes liabilities are a hidden asset, and opened up a beautiful perspective on the ebbs of our money life. I wrote a bit more about that here.

She fiercely believed in financial transparency. I remember sitting in circle with her, and we all passed around our Profit & Loss reports. Whoa. Powerful. More on that in a future post.

And, oh my goodness, so many more lessons, many too big for words …

After Tamara passed, (surrounded by family and friends at the age of 53),

I had a very vivid dream about her and a Red Book…

I want to share it with you (enjoy this 5-minute audio):

Tamara was an Artist, Teacher, Philosopher & Mama of 5.  She was the Founder of the Menstrual Health Foundation. She was a beautiful, deep soul and I am forever grateful for her role in my life. 

May Tamara and her teachings continue to ripple out through me into this community . . .

Related Wisdom:

• Are you being haunted by a debt?
• I knew this day would come as a Mommypreneur . . .
• Have you named your superpower yet? I’ll go first.

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For some of you, rituals may seem a bit silly, or you wonder how significant or productive they could really be. Perhaps the concept is overwhelming, and you wouldn’t know where to start, even though the idea piques your curiosity.

If you hear a little whisper that there’s something worthwhile there for you, I encourage you to listen, experiment, and read on. And, if your someone that just swoons at the thought or smell of ritual, you’re in the perfect place.

Allow me to cheerlead you into your own money healing ritual . . .

The beauty is, ritual can be incredibly simple, accessible, meaningful and seriously productive. In this context, a ritual is very simply a ceremony that marks change.

Transition. Death and birth, metaphorical or literal. Initiation.
These are powerful invitations into healing ritual.

When you create and craft your own ritual, the sky is the limit. It can look like absolutely anything, or nothing.

Ritual is a tool that can help you change the energy, intention and relationship to something that needs to shift. It’s another one of my ways to love yourself into change, instead of shaming or yelling yourself into change . . .

I believe these rituals lie inside us, waiting to be lived.

I first stumbled upon ritual early in my 20’s when I was grieving the loss of a boyfriend, a deep love of mine who took his life at a very young age. As I sought healing during this time, I found myself staying awake late in the evening, dancing, in candlelight, blasting music. I created an altar of mementos. Without knowing exactly what I was doing, I felt from the deepest place that I needed to ritualize myself into wholeness and dance myself back into life again.

Years later, I explored ritual more deeply at Naropa University. My Masters Thesis in Somatic Psychology focused on supporting young women transitioning into womanhood through authentic movement and self-created ritual.

In the context of my money work, I consider ritual a crucial ingredient in the Money Healing phase, when we delve deep into the emotional, historical, and psychological territory of our money relationship. We move through our money shame, giving it a seat next to us (perhaps a back seat). We add massive doses of listening, forgiveness, love and compassion. The goal is understanding and healing our money story, so that we are able to love ourselves into change and move into some of the more practical aspects of our money work.

I encourage all of my students to consider Healing Ritual to ease, expedite and deepen this process – it is truly one of the most potent tools in our money healing journey!

Last month, it was my honor to host the amazing Julie Daley as a guest teacher in The Art of Money, to collaborate with me on this topic. Julie is a Coach, Dancer, Writer, and Teacher on the Creative Process. She is wonderful.

In late 2012, when I invited her to do this piece with me she said, “Oh boy, well, I need to do my own Money Healing Ritual. How about I do my own and then we can talk about that?!”

Then she jumped in to do some deep money healing work for a few months and we re-convened on our call together. How amazing is it when we truly teach what we are learning, with such authenticity and rawness?!

The call was one of my favorite collaborations to date. It felt almost magical, a ritual in and of itself.

I can’t resist sharing one of my favorite nuggets with you to spread the ritual love a little farther . . .

When Julie shared her story of crafting and shaping her money healing ritual experience, she described a process of exploring 5 simple questions.

I’m calling them the “Five W’s of Ritual.” : )

Who? When? Where? Why? What?

I love how concise, simple, and accessible this framework is. It’s very aligned with my personal experience, and I shared a similar process for my celebration ritual two years ago.

Who are you calling in for support? Who do you want + need to witness you?

• “It was clear that I was to do this alone, and call in my ancestors’ presence.”
• “I needed to be seen and held by my community, and so I invited a constellation of the 10 people I knew were meant to join me in this.”
• “Just me and my honey.”

When will this ritual occur? Do you need to schedule it, and if so, what’s the date?

• “Right now.”
• “Next Tuesday at 10am.”
• “On the anniversary of my father’s death.”

Where does your ritual want to happen?

• “In nature . . . near water.”
• “In my backyard around a fire, beneath the old oak tree.”
• “In my living room.”
• “In my mentor’s home.”

Why does this ritual need and want to happen? What is the main purpose?

• “It’s time to forgive her.” [or him, or myself, or god . . .]
• “I need to name and honor the completion of this chapter in my life, shedding old layers so that I can step fully into what’s next.”
• “I am ready to unhook from money shame and marry money joy.”
• “This deserves a special celebration.”
• “I will place a boundary once and for all – it’s time to draw a line in the sand.”

What will your ritual look like? What will you actually do; what will happen? This is often best as a general/loose framework . . . leaving room and staying open to creativity and possibilities in the moment.

• “All I know is it needs to start with lots of candles being lit and end with silent meditation.”
• “I need to walk around a labyrinth.”
• “I need to burn things.”
• “I will dance to this song.”

Consider these questions a gentle roadmap for you in this terrain. Some answers will come easily and obviously. Some will come subtly, slowly, or in the moment. I invite you to listen quietly. Envision your ritual in the bath, on your hikes, during meditation. Ask for guidance in a dream. Open and let your ritual meet you.

And, then give yourself the gift of a few hours of space to step in . . .

and allow the money healing ritual to unfold.

Related Articles:

• My Celebration Ritual + Why I highly recommend it for you too!
• Money Shame. We’ve All Got It. Let’s Work with It.
• How do money and trust know each other?
• Are you being haunted by a debt?

Today is a loaded day. It’s Tax Day in the US.

Body Check In: What happens when you read those two teeny little loaded words? Tax Day. Feelings, sensations, reactions? Breathe into Tax Day. Take a peek at what’s there for you.

And: Read on, for some love + support + perspective.

For some (many), Tax Day holds dread, shame, fear, anxiety. Contraction. Avoidance. Tension, right? 

As student in my Art of Money community recently expressed (with some exploitives edited out): “Who gives us a manual on these things?!”I wish, wish, wish this were taught in schools. Since it’s not (yet), my hope is that these articles and the bigger body of my work can help fill this big, deep need for a “Life-Money Manual” to navigate the internal and external terrain of the Art of Money, and all it touches. 

I think it’s high time to infuse a little love + healing into this day.

I’m holding Tax Day as a ripe opportunity. 

For growth. For healing. For Celebration. For Clarity.

For Empowerment. For Forgiveness.

I think it’s time to take Tax Day, and of course our larger money relationship, out of the cobwebs and shadows of our consciousness. Let’s talk about this. Engage with it. And support each other.

First, a note about our current “Money System”.

It’s so far from perfect, oh my oh my, so far. Some of you may relate to Tax Day in the spirit of rebellion, or a strong stance against the system as it exists and a refusal to participate in its brokenness. If this is you: I hear you.

Personally, I choose to engage with our imperfect system as it is, while working towards creating a better one. I invite you to join me in whatever way, big or small, that feels right to you.

I invite you to seek a space within you, where you can engage in an educated, empowered way — while still allowing yourself to grieve our imperfect system and seek ways to contribute to improving it.
(More on that in another article coming soon…)

Are you with me?
Here, take my hand into a conscious Tax Day, my dear community.

So, how are you and Tax Day doing?

There are so many unique, complex, beautiful, and challenging answers to this question, right here in this community.

• Some of you filed months or weeks ago, and everything is tidy. Zim, zam.

• Some of you may not have filed for years, and the thought of back taxes and coming clean is overwhelming, complex, and paralyzing.

• Some of you may be cramming and number crunching in this moment, getting things in at the very last minute.

• Some of you may choose to file for an extension for 2012 (yes, there is still time to get everything taken care of in 2013).

• Some of you may have made more income than ever, and therefore facing more taxes than ever.

• Some of you may be celebrating a big ole tax return coming your way, and musing on how/if/when you’d like to spend it.

Deep and potent conversations are swirling around the Art of Money community as everyone steps into their money work . . . I’m sharing a few gems below in hopes that you can see yourself in them and know you’re not alone.

Tax Day: What’s Possible Here?

When it comes to taxes (and many other things), I believe this:

Education = Empowerment

Now, I don’t mean we should all become accountants (oh my goodness, please no!). I am speaking about Education in the largest sense — about Self, about your numbers, about your options, about your past story, and about your future story.

Empowering money education is about learning what you can do on your own, (ie: read up on all of the possible tax deductions) and where it is so helpful to find a financial support team who can study this stuff (and the most current tax rules) and relay what you really need to know . . . and ultimately to discover your unique combo of your own personal money education + collaborating with a great team.

Here’s a little menu for what’s possible as we forge a new perspective on Tax Day:

1. Celebration! Don’t forget to celebrate the income you have earned, and thus the taxes you may owe. Here’s a great nugget from one of the Guest Teachers in the Art of Money, Nona Jordan:

“I hope you celebrate that more taxes = higher income = higher impact in the world.” Yes! Oh yes.

2. Forgiveness. Where and who do you need to forgive? Many of us carry big shame around what we haven’t done around taxes. A dose of forgiveness will move you forward.

3. Completions. What needs to get done? What feels doable to take care of? Perhaps it’s time to organize those receipts. Or file for an extension and line up support to get things filed. Or even step into a process of clearing up back taxes owed, so that you can move forward on solid ground.

“Reached out to my tax planner today. Better late than never! Seeking zen instead of overwhelm … I can do this!”

“Embracing the theme of getting current and completion I sat down to spend 2-3 hours working on taxes Sunday. A few hours and several body checks later I am almost done. Happily it wasn’t as bad as I had feared. All that anxiety and dread seems like a waste of energy now that the task is nearly complete. How much energy is spent in fear and avoidance?”

Had the meeting with my wife about Taxes… had to do some breathing to get through it. Still breathing . . .

4. Clarity. Clarity feels good. I love this from one of my Art of Money adventurers:

“It is a relief to have faced those numbers…and I grew to kind of like them by the end of the day long ‘intervention’ I had with myself. No, the bottom line is bleak…but it feels better to to know where I stand then to not.”

5. Learning. We’re always learning, and we need to always be learning. I’m learning for sure. Personally, as my business grows and evolves, so do my taxes. I posted this on facebook last week:

Got my chocolate and candles all ready to go! I am getting ready for a 2 hour tax + planning meeting with our Tax Preparer, who is also a Financial Coach. I am really excited about it. I simply want more clarity about 2012 + 2013 taxes, deductions and Sep IRA amounts. I can remember the other side of not knowing, not looking, not caring from years ago. So, this clarity stuff is so empowering and supportive for all areas of my life.

6. Feeling. Sometimes, the best we can do is simply allow ourselves to feel what’s there. This is progress, don’t doubt that.

There are so many feelings tied up in this for me. The whole process is incredibly frightening to me.

7. Visioning. 2013 Tax Day is a great time to plant seeds for what you’d like to see come 2014 Tax Day. What would you like it to look like? Feel like? What’s a baby step you can take now to help create the pathway to this vision?

Wherever you are, whatever you do . . . I invite you to show up to Tax Day 2013 in a way that moves you forward into love, empowerment, clarity, and peace.

This is a ripe opportunity, yours for the taking.

What’s your next step here?

It could be one deep self-loving breath. It could be a full on overhaul of your tracking system. Or a simple sharing of what’s true for you, to someone you trust.

Or, here’s a big one: It could be a phone call to someone who can help. The moment you take care of yourself and pick up to the phone to call a professional, or ask for referrals for a professional . . . it’s huge.

(Note: do your body check in, light your candle, grab your chocolate . . . whatever you need to do to ground and make that call.) 

Related + Helpful Posts:

• 20 Questions for your Accountant That Will Save Your Tushy

• Bookkeeper Tells ALL and 16 Questions You Gotta Ask!

• Are you terrified to *peek* at your numbers?

You have my full support, 

Deep Breath. Excitement. Hand-on-my-tender-heart.

It’s not surprising that this request has come just two weeks after we completed the transition into his own cool big boy bed, after 4.5 years of co-sleeping with me.

I knew this day would come, when he would want to be in school instead of our precious mommy-noah-days. I knew the day would come when Forest and I would have our own bed again, and Noah would be sleeping in his own space.

Well, it appears that these milestones are coming at the same time for us. I’m sure there is no coincidence.

And, now that it is here, my heart is both singing for my child and myself and at the same time it all feels tender.

These two changes feel somehow sudden and at the same time carefully brought about over the past six months. At the end of last year, as I was honing the vision for my year-long program, The Art of Money, I was also getting a loud whisper that it was time to move towards this new reality, and that my son and my business were graduating to a new level of maturity.

Alongside the preparations for my first year long program, we consciously set out to transition our boy into his own cool bed.  We talked about the transition into his own big boy bed, often and gently, trying to get a sense of his readiness and prepare him.

My dear husband found the perfect blueprint for the coolest clubhouse-fort-bed ever and built it over a month period.  Noah got to help, especially with the painting part. And we had a beautiful, honoring ritual making his bed together for the first time.

He’s been happily sleeping in the coolest bed ever for over two weeks now. So perhaps it shouldn’t have been a surprise that he is now requesting to be at school all five days.

More deep breaths… 

Tender heart.

I get questions all the time about the mommypreneur dance, the choices I’ve made, and why I’ve made them.

There is an amazing movement of mamas finding and growing their true work in the world, alongside mothering their children.

It feels like a perfect time to honor, reflect, and share the unfolding of this process since my son was born 4.5 years ago.

p.s. There is no right way to do business or motherhood, or anything else. We all get to choose what is best for us, our child, and our family. I’m ever grateful for the opportunity to continue to craft this experience with my husband Forest, in the best way for us.

Pre-Noah

I had 7 years to grow the foundation of my business before becoming a mother, and for me this was so ideal. I know this isn’t the case for many of the mommypreneurs out there – we all have our own timing.

Before Noah, I worked 40-50+ hours per week, had a business partner, oversaw a whole team of Financial Coaches and Bookkeeping Trainers and taught many group programs at any given time.

All of that changed when Noah arrived. I needed to simplify everything.

In business and in life, some years we expand + grow, while other years it’s best to simplify and intentionally get smaller for that particular phase in our lives. It’s not linear, and growth can sometimes look like downsizing.

I had to experiment with new business models quickly, and craft a new way to offer my work. And, I had to BELIEVE that this was possible.

And guess what? This process of experimentation and trust continues. Every year or so since Noah was born, I have tweaked and shifted my business model to accommodate my parenting path, my energy levels, and my desire (or lack thereof) to devote energy to my professional vision.

I continued to ask “what are my favorite services (and the ones I have the most desire for) AND what are the most lucrative?”.

Be willing to experiment, be creative. totally trust your intuition.

And, trust that it is totally possible to be way more productive, focused, effective and impactful with less hours.

Age 0-2.

I gave birth to Noah in August of 2008, 5 months shy of my 40th birthday. What an incredible 40th birthday gift he was, and is!

Shortly after Noah was born, I parted ways from my whole team and decided I would return to my work after my maternity leave as a one-woman show. It felt good. It felt right.

When noah was 4 months old, it was time to step back into my work. This is the only part of my mommypreneur journey, over the last 4.5 years, that I have felt a little mixed or hesitant about. I wasn’t so sure I was ready to come back. I was madly in love with my child. Part of me just wanted to throw away my whole business, and close that chapter of my life entirely.

And yet, we were (and are) a dual-income family and I was getting too many clear signs that my professional work was not over, that the business I had built had much more to do here.

Once I stepped in, it felt good and I still could feel that spark to serve the larger world. It was not all fun or easy — few things are when you are so seriously sleep deprived as a new parent.

Stepping back into my work after Noah’s birth, everything was different. Not only did I no longer have my team, I also went from a predominantly local business in the Bay Area to a completely 100% online business, all within a couple of months.

The shift from local to online had everything to do with being a mama for me, although all of the marketing/biz trends were supporting this shift as well.

I did not want to have to leave my house for work with a new baby. I did not want to have to shower or get dressed, especially during the first few sleep-deprived years.

Sometimes I questioned this decision, during moments I felt the outside world was telling me to do it differently, but ultimately I knew it was right for me. I wanted to savor as much as I could as a 40 year old mama.

The first phase of working after Noah’s birth looked like this:

• Hours: 10 hours a week of work.

• Childcare: For the first several months, we brought in childcare for Noah in another room of the house (a wonderful grad student in the somatic psychotherapy program at my alma mater, Naropa). When he was about 18 months, we moved Noah into a small in-house play school.

• Business Model: My business model during this time was all about what held the most ease and payoff. I taught my online group program 2 -3 times per year, which I was very comfortable with. I really could not ‘challenge’ myself in my business during these first 2 years. I was really doing deep work as a mama and all of my energy and creativity was going there. In other words, while I stayed connected with my work, and cared very much for my students, there really was not much space for vision.  

• Team: No team, just me.

• Income/bottom line: My overall income did decrease, while I was learning to be a mommypreneur and figure out the whole sleep deprivation thing.  And, our family had to significantly adjust our personal finances accordingly.

• Key Lessons: Saying no and having healthy and fierce boundaries. I identified my yes’s and had to say no to the rest. A difficult and crucial muscle to strengthen for all of us, especially mommypreneurs.

Age 2.

In the third year of noah’s life (when he turned 2), I got a new fire under my tush and my vision started coming back. I started sleeping a bit better. I really tuned into what was best for my family, my work, what was trying to come through, and a lot came through.

Here’s what this phase looked like:

• Hours: I increased to 15 hours/wk.

• Childcare: Noah went to play-school for two full days, 9am – 5pm. And 3 full mommy-noah days.

• 

  Business Model: We created and launched 3 online programs. I stopped teaching my group programs for the year to focus on my self-study online programs.

• Team: Forest rocked the house and put a ton of energy into my business. He created the whole back-end of my online programs, and set up all my technology systems to run and grow.

• Income/Bottom Line: I was starting to take home the equivalent of when i had a team and worked crazy hours.

• Key Lessons: Separating work days from mommy days, as much as possible. This way, I can give my full focus to one, or the other. Some days, it didn’t work and one blended into the other — those are generally not my favorite days, sometimes graceful and other days, not so much . . .

Age 3. 

When Noah turned 3, everything began to expand more. My energy for growing my vision was increasing steadily. My team changed a lot.

• Hours: 15-20 hours or so of work each week (sometimes a little more and sometimes less).

• 

  Childcare: Noah went to pre-school for 2 full days. Plus we had one day of in-house child care.  And, 2 full mommy days.

• Business Model: In that year (2011) I wanted to offer online group programs again and start teaching live once again.  

  I opened my Group coaching programs in a hybrid format with some live teaching as well as some self study. I added in private financial therapy and mentor coaching. I continued offering my self-study online programs.

• Team: I brought on Hannah as my new V.A. and she quickly turned into my whiz Online Biz Manager and Co-pilot (part time). Angela Raines helps us craft copy for the website and key emails. Forest: All things Tech and my partner in every way.

• Income/Bottom line: Although I did not match my gross income of my previous business model (with an entire team), my net “take home” had exceeded the time when I had a bigger team and was working crazy hours.

• Key Lessons: Collaborate with a team. So central.

Age 4. 

We’re 7 months into this phase, and it’s been a big one.

• Hours: 20-25 hours per week.

• Childcare: We added a 3rd day at pre-school for Noah, and shortly after a 4th day at school. Now we have one mommy-noah day and 4 work/school days. It was suddenly time for this, for both of us. He clearly needs more engagement. And I clearly need more space for my growing biz community, but also for baths, self-care, reading a novel, wandering around Anthropology…

• 

  Business Model: Way more energy, vision, clarity, maturity. Ready for a much larger community and created the Art of Money 11 month program. (My favorite business model + teaching model ever.) Chose to focus the entire year on one opening (aka “launch”, which I wrote about here). Have space and a ‘balanced’ life throughout the whole year. Get to do what I love: teach, create content, support, bring in great resources. Plus, a bit of space for private Financial Therapy and Mentor Coaching as well.

• Team: Hannah. Forest. Angela. Everybody is solid and rocking. Considering bringing on another member of the team (hint, hint) . . .

• Income/Bottom line: Significantly surpassed prior income, while working less hours.

• Key Lessons: YES, I have had to get way more savvy with time, energy, and my business models. It has been a wonderful koan that has served me well. Celebrate. Honor. Reflect. Ritual.

I can feel the next phase, Age 5, approaching right around the corner.

Noah will go to Kindergarten in the fall. He’s sleeping in his own bed. He feels it too.

So, yesterday, when he asked if he could go to school all five days . . . I sat with his request, his readiness, my readiness, all of it. And, I’m clear: I want to savor our time a bit longer. I am going to stay with 4 school days until kindergarten starts in the Fall. I still want a full mommy day.

Today we had an epic, precious mommy-noah day. In the quiet moments between all of the adventuring in the woods and climbing and ice cream eating, he kept saying “I love you mama” and “This is awesome mama”.

So we are going to keep this one day for longer. I want and need this, and I believe he does too.

Honoring this milestone!

Noah took this picture of me. He wanted to take “portraits”. That’s me looking at him. : )

Big Transitions abound in our family right now. This milestone is tender and beautiful.

I have treasured my 4.5 years of mommy days and co-sleeping. Hours of care. Hours of mommy groups. Hours playing in the park. Hours of feeding him and making sure he did not get hurt. Hours of soccer class, chocolate shop adventures, dress-up/costume adventures, art adventures.  Hours up nights caring for my boy during fevers and growing pains and cuddling.

I am so grateful for all of these hours spent doing deep work as Noah’s mother.

I am so grateful for being able to craft my mommypreneur role and my parenting and my business model.

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to make choices, and to have made them again and again, to reflect who I am and want to be in the world.

And I’m proud of the path I’ve walked. I find myself repeating the words in my mind + heart that a dear guy friend said to me: “Way to go mama! Way to go at parenting in such a full and honoring way for the last 4.5 years. Way to go at scaling way back and then slowing and fully growing again into an even more effective and soul-full and on-purpose business. Job well done, mama.”

And, here’s to the next phase of my mama-preneur adventures!

I thank you for witnessing my story and I hope it serves you in yours. Consider this an invitation to shape your own version of being a mommypreneur. Shape it: it belongs to you. Your deep mother work matters. So does your other work, your soul-calling and purpose on the planet.

There’s room for everything that’s most important, in good time.

Do you know your own value?

How’s that for a loaded question?

Know Thy Own Value. Whoa.

Value is paradoxical, subjective and ever-changing.

How much do you value yourself? How do we ask to be compensated for our “value”? How do we even dare to put an amount to our value?

Many of us stumble into these questions, in a particularly tender way, when trying to determine our fees or earn more money. I work with a lot of people who would like to earn more money, or who feel confused about how much they should charge for their work.

I have personally worked these questions inside and out since I first had a job, and significantly more so since working for myself over the past 11 years. I’ve raised my rates, lowered my rates, changed my business model several times . . . and everything in between. It’s been a fascinating process with surprises, disappointments, and big wins.

Ultimately, we could never put a number on our intrinsic value. Ever. Our value and worth as human beings has nothing to do with how much or little money we have. At the same time, we need to ‘monetize’ our value to meet our survival needs and lifestyle desires. We want to be in alignment here. We want to learn how to create, do our good soulful work in the world and be paid well. We are striving to feel our value inside and create a container for our work, a framework, a business model . . . that works for our whole life, including our financial life.

Growing our Value . . .

When I say “grow our value”, I mean:

• feel our value and experience our sense of worth . . . .
• cultivate our value…
• step more fully into our value…
• and own our value over time.

What does this look like for us? It is time to grow our value, from this inside and the outside.

As usual, it starts with inner work. Life experiences. Stumbling. Big-time learning from mistakes, challenges, or even “failures”. Knowing our strengths and what we suck at. Being comfortable in our own skin. Knowing our true purpose for whatever phase of life we are in (including the not-so-popular “I am in the dissolving, falling appart phase of life”. . . .)

We all seem to grow into our maturity + our strengths on a different time frame, and there is some natural order or wisdom to this, which I trust.

What does “knowing your value” mean to you?

Meaningful relationships and community? Knowing you can create (art, income, service) in this world? Knowing your vulnerability as a strength? Knowing your ‘soul-purpose’?

8 Mini Exercises to Help you Line Up Your Value & Fees for this phase of your life.

I like to hit complex topics like this from several different angles. I encourage you to take the pieces that feel accessible and right, and leave the rest. Make your own combo platter of the suggestions below, or choose one or two to experiment with.

1. Do the simple body-gut check in and see what number you “get” for your hourly fee…

Now, explore how that number feels. Fantasize about charging that rate. Wrestle with your inner de-valuer. Try asking for that fee. Try stretching it a little bit higher. Experiment here.

It may be helpful to do some work with a therapist or a dear friend who can support and challenge you here, bringing you deeper into your own truth.

Listen closely for some kind of whispering, or clear answer, a number that comes from somewhere deep inside.

Note: I don’t subscribe to the common entrepreneurial mantra to simple double or triple your fees just because “YOU are WORTH it”. This feels disconnected to me, and most people don’t create that way. It’s more complex and beautiful that that line of thinking, in my opinion.

You can always revisit your rates – in 3 months, 6 months or a year (in fact, I recommend you do). Notice a different response and change your fees accordingly. This is not a static thing. Our rate grows and changes as we do.

2. Determine your monthly and yearly nut.

Do the math on what your (or your family’s) current lifestyle costs, on a monthly or yearly basis.

What’s the number?

You may want to calculate this number at a few different levels — your basic survival needs, your “comfortable” lifestyle, and even your “ultimate” lifestyle.

Once you know this information and you have clarity here, you are much better suited to craft your fees, negotiate your salary and create your best business model.

Knowing what you need and want financially is a very important step in your ability to ask for it.

3. Research other colleagues in your field.

Peek around at the other people in the mix, doing something similar to what you do — look at those “at your level”, a bit “ahead” of you, a bit “behind” you.

What is happening in your market and where do you want to fit in relation to your colleagues? For years, my private fees were at the very high end of the scale in the therapy world, lower end of the scale in the coaching world and in the middle to lower end of the scale for the accounting-consultant world.

4. Which community do you want to be serving?

Are you fine if your services are priced in a way that only higher income earning folks can purchase? Do you want to have a few tiers of pricing options, to accommodate a few different income brackets? Or, do you feel drawn to working with a lower-income community?

For years I chose to serve the middle bracket with my fees and services. I have thought long and hard about this. My community are people that are committed to living a ‘conscious’ life and this includes people who are bringing in anywhere from $30K to $1 million of revenue per year and everywhere in between.

5. How does the “economy” influence your rate, if at all?

Over the past several years, there is a big dialogue around the “economy” and the “recession”. I have seen many people having huge financial challenges right now and I have seen many others that are continuing to do well and some who are thriving in this economy.

Back in 2009, my team and I asked ourselves: “Do we want to change our fees due to what is happening to many people in the economy?” For me at that time, I did decide to decrease the fee for my group course, in hopes that more people could register and benefit from it. It “worked” — I had more registrations, was able to serve more people, and ended up increasing my profit for that course at the time. Lowering my rate was a win-win for everyone in this situation!

At the same time, I increased my private Financial Therapy fee because my individual time was even more precious since having my son and devoting so much time and energy to being a mother.

Do you see how so many factors come into play here, and that there are no right or wrong answers?

6. Notice and heal your thoughts, habits, and patterns around value.

Watch yourself in all of the little moments. Are there times when you feel solid and confident in your value, and other times when you are downright mean and de-valuing yourself? When/how/why does this shift for you? Watch this, learn from this.

If you have a “De-valuer” voice inside you: listen to it with gentleness and curiosity . . . while kindly asking it to step aside so that you can do great work in the world.

Leading up to my first public speaking gig many years ago, I had a few months of my intense inner voice screaming negative, limited, mean thoughts: “I have nothing to say, I’m not smart, I’m not articulate,” and on and on and on. etc. etc. For months, my practice was to simply hit the delete button on those thoughts and beliefs. Even if I felt like I was faking it, I told myself that it wasn’t true anymore and then I would replace it with, “I am smart, I am articulate, I am clear.”

By the time I presented, I had basically destroyed the old stuff and was determined and ready for the new, embracing how much I had to offer the world and that it was time! Now, public speaking has become one of my most favorite things to do and one of my best skills.

To summarize, notice whether your thoughts/habits/patterns around your value are serving you. If they are not, be both gentle and daring with yourself! Experiment. Stop being mean to yourself. Open to your true value and allow it to come forth.

7. What is the right business model for you at this time?

There is no one “right” way to make money and do your work in the world. There are so many options, as unique as each human being. Allow yourself to think outside of the ‘box’ and craft a business model that is just-right for you at this phase in your life and work.

I have changed my biz model several times based on what I am inspired to offer, what is happening with my family + personal life (i.e. having a child!). You need to look at the whole picture.

For example, will you only work one-on-one? Will you do groups? Will you offer an online program? How many hours would you like to work each week?

Next, go back to the information you gathered in #2 above, and get out your calculator. In order to make the amount of money you need, or want, what would your hourly rate be in order to meet that? What would it be if you were working 40 hours per week? How about 25?

Mix it all around and feel into the best model for you — and don’t be afraid to shift your business as your life shifts.

8. Do you have “income ceiling”?

Look at your numbers over the past months and years. Is there a number you simply haven’t been able to move beyond? How do you feel about this?

What would it be like to raise your income ceiling and break through your own self-imposed boundary? It can be very powerful to simply identify your income ceiling and come up with creative solutions to move past it.

Two personal examples of this:

Years ago I took an extra job doing overnight Hospice, simply because and I wanted and needed to break through my ceiling at the time.

Recently I changed up my business model from higher price point/lower registrations/shorter time frame offerings . . . to a year long program at the lowest price point I have ever offered. I got a huge response which has taken my capacity to serve and my business to a whole new level. And, simultaneously, I was able to break through another income ceiling in a really beautiful way. Voila.

It may be that this article has raised more questions than answers, at least in the short term. I consider this a good thing.

Let us not be trapped in a simple, limited understanding of value, income, and self-worth. It’s a beautiful and complex web, ripe for our exploration.

After reading all the way to here, take a big deep breath. Now, what is the one sentence, tip, or suggestion that feels like your next baby step?

Hungry for more?

Here are some related articles:

• Why I can’t stand the term “under-earning”.
• Are you terrified to peek at your numbers?

The first two are designed for the ladies (and special gents) out there who want to start or grow their business, and learn how to effectively, authentically take their seat in the market. The third recommendation is 100% woman-centered, but it isn’t directly related to business.

May one or all of these resources serve you . . .

#1: B-School with Marie Forleo is OPEN!

Allow me to gush, briefly . . . I believe it is the single most effective online business education out there.

I’m also a proud affiliate for this program, which means that if you sign up through my link, I get a kick back from Marie.

To spread the love a little farther, I’m throwing in an extra bonus of love + support: Join me for a Private session ($250 value) when you enroll in B-School through me.

Go here to see the program and enroll now.

Oh: if the name or shiny style turns you off (it did me at first), look deeper. I wouldn’t steer you astray.

My return on investment from B-School has been off the charts. Here are few highlights:

• I made my investment back a gillion times over on the external level – implementing her strategies & expertise has increased my earning capacity significantly.
• On the internal level, the program deeply shifted how I think and feel about my work, and how I bring my message to the world. It gave me the confidence, savvy, and technique I needed to offer my gifts at the next level. So rewarding.
• A huge side effect of B-School: Through the program, I have met some of my most cherished soul sisters, and have anytime-access to a phenomenal community of inspiring women, and a huge network of top-notch colleagues. You simply can’t put a price tag on that.

And here’s the magic link, one more time:

http://rhhbschool.com/join-us/?orid=24820&opid=71

Note: In order to get the bonus private session with me, you need to register through the link above.

Let me know if you’re considering it, or if you have questions!

#2: The Right Brainers in Business Video Summit with Jennifer Lee!

This is the 3rd annual RBB summit — I’ve been a fan of it since it started in 2010, and I’m thrilled to be contributing this year.

I truly believe we “creative types” can find our way in the world of business, service, money, and success — while honoring and harnessing all of that feminine, intuitive energy.

Jennifer Lee, author of the best-selling book The Right-Brain Business Plan, has gathered an inspiring panel of thought leaders and go-getters (including yours truly!) who’ll show you the path to more productivity and profit.

Jenn has taken the stale telesummit and transformed this virtual event into a fresh and interactive learning experience like no other. Since it’s video, you’ll get to see me and all of the speakers in action like we’re right there in the room with you!

Join me live in the chat room on February 26th – I can’t wait to interact with you.

See you there? Sign up for free access here.

#3: I Love My Moon Cycle Month!

For those of you who may be curious about my moon cycle . . . I’m dishing about that right here.

But really, in all seriousness, I love that my dear friend and colleague, Sara Avant Stover, is bringing this taboo topic out of the shadows and into the light.

It’s essential for us to claim and flow with the feminine in this way . . . I believe this with all of my heart.

As a woman AND as a woman business owner with a feminine approach, this work is so central to my success.

Click here to read my featured post and sign up for the whole (free) series.

It is my hope that these resources — one, or some, or all — are arriving in your inbox in the perfect moment for you.

I only share people and events I truly stand behind . . . and this is one chock full post of good stuff.

In love + support,

Our family in St Louis, during The Art of Money incubation period.

I had to do it differently this time. 2013 brought a clear call to approach my business in a whole new way. And: it worked. 

Last year, it felt like my household was constantly in “launch mode“. My program would launch, then Forest’s (my hubby) program would launch, then mine, then his. Even though we felt solid and proud of everything we were offering, the approach was really intense on our family — seriously stressful!

As I approached the New Year with big visions for the Art of Money, I wanted and needed it to be different this time. I needed to take a breather from intensity or the energy of “masculine” drive. Don’t get me wrong — there is a time and place for that type of energy, and it served me very well when I was first starting my biz. But I was done with it. I did not want that level of stress in our household anymore. I wanted different.

Different energy.

Different approach

Different framework. 

Different me, inside and out.

No pushing, just opening. Heart-opening.

The vision for this program came into my heart-mind-belly so quickly and clearly. Every piece of it –I downloaded everything — that it had to be 11 months, that the price point had to be $88/month, that there were to be amazing guest teachers, that I was to give everything I’ve got to these beautiful money adventurers. It was all coming fast and furiously, yet at the same time, something had slowed down inside of me.

As my team and I were strategizing the best way to invite you all to this experience, it got a little bumpy.

Originally I thought I should do a traditional video launch. I even sat down with my hubby to write those video scripts, but it was just not flowing.

Everything I was told to do or “supposed” to do according to the “marketing experts” I just could not do anymore. I had to find my own way. And it had to feel really, really good on the inside and the outside.

But was this even possible?

To shift the energy, to feel different, to not push, to not do it the traditional way or the way other folks were doing it? I hoped so. It had to be possible.

Here’s how:

I gently forbid my team from using the “L” word. We called January  “the opening” instead. This page was not to be called the “sales page”, it was the “program page”.

We dreamed up a new way — without urgency, discounts or fancy footwork. We would simply open the doors to the program, and then send out really good stuff to help people make a great decision about joining us. We would trust that the program and content would speak for itself, and that our community would have everything they needed to find their “yes”.

We opened the doors on January 11th, for our 11 month program. (All the 11′s make me giddy, it’s true.)

Our Golden Nugget Series was crafted as we went. We sent out money wisdom with the spirit of celebration and generosity. We experimented with all kinds of formats, like video skype interviews, articles, and audio recordings. Simple. Potent. Creative. Fun. 

We got immediate feedback, and knew we were on the right track. 

I do feel like I walked through a doorway that was previously closed. 

Was I suddenly ready? Were you, the community, finally ready? Was it because it dawned on me, on my 44th birthday, that I was going to birth this new vision instead of having a second child? Was it because I fully committed to this and chose my fork in the road in this way? Whatever magic happened, this whole experience has felt so deeply connected to my life’s purpose.

So here we are.

The Art of Money community opened on February 1st, and everyone got their first “Monthly Money Mission” and access to my private member-only area of my site with lessons, a resource library, and more.

We are a 200+ international community of incredible Money Adventurers! The energy is palpable. Our facebook group is exploding with enthusiasm, inspiration, and healing ALREADY.

In the spirit of our soft open and soft close, we wanted to make sure you know that it is still possible to join us up until this first call on Tuesday, February 12th. 

If this is your year to befriend money in all ways and receive an incredible container, material, guest teachers, with me as your guide and resident Financial Therapist…..come join us.

If you feel the pull, jump in now because we will not be offering this program again until 2014.

Details and registration are right here. 

Meanwhile, I am beyond grateful for this gift, to live my vision and my dream this year of guiding a conscious money movement. Thank you dear community, for joining me on this amazing adventure.

My team and I are finalizing the email that will go out tomorrow, to everyone signed up, giving them access to the first “Monthly Money Mission” and opening the sacred container of this experience. We’ll be connecting with each other, getting started with teachings + exercises, and preparing for our first group call on February 12th.

There are a lot of shoulder shimmies and deep bows to everyone who has signed up, as we prepare welcome this amazing group, from all over the world.

Meanwhile, you are still welcome to join us, and if you’re on the fence, read on . . .

Do you have questions about the program?

So many of you have contacted us in the past few weeks with great questions about The Art of Money. Questions ranging from practical to philosophical. Good, thoughtful, important questions.

We have answered a lot of them right here, including:

• How much of a time and energy commitment will this program require?
• When do the live coaching calls take place, and what if I can’t make it?
• Do you have a refund policy, or guarantee?
• And lots more . . .

Hop over to the FAQ page to get your questions answered.

If you find that your question is not answered there, and you’re still on the fence about joining us, I invite you to give me a call.

Yep, I’m opening up my line for you fence walkers, who need a little extra dose of love and support to decide.

Because I love clear, confident, empowered money decisions.

Because I stand for aligning your deepest wants with your real-life numbers. Because I believe so strongly in this program.

Because I want nothing but the very, very best for you and your money relationship this year — whether that means joining The Art of Money or not.

Please know that our chat will be very focused. We’ll connect for 5-15 minutes, to help you arrive at your big YES or NO for joining The Art of Money Program.

I am available for these little “decision consults” between 10am and 5pm Mountain time, today and tomorrow (1/31 and 2/1).

If you prefer, you can also contact us via email, and my team will get right back to you.

If you ready to say “Yes!” to The Art of Money, right now — step right this way to register.

With love and excitement and big virtual hugs,

P.S. How in the world do you make a decision to spend money on your relationship with money??! Check out this helpful post with a step-by-step process to help you make the best financial decisions: about this program or anything under the sun.

P.P.S And in case you missed them, you can find the entire Golden Nugget Series (free resources to give you a taste of this work) right here.

Golden Nugget #6: 
Spend money on your money relationship?!! 
5 Steps to a Solid Money Decision

It’s a funny thing: I make my living helping people heal their relationship with money.

And today, I’d like to talk openly about the elephant in the room here:

How in the world do you decide whether to spend money on your relationship with money?

Isn’t that confusing??

And in a bigger sense: how do we make good money decisions, in general?  

How do we know when to invest, risk, say “Yes!” … and when to tighten our belts and say “Nope” or “Not now”?  How can we make money decisions that are financially and emotionally sound — all while serving our deepest needs and wants?

Tricky territory!

I’ve written about this potent topic before, and I’m excited to guide you through my step-by-step decision process — revamped and updated to help you make your best decision about joining The Art of Money (apply this freely to any other money decision you might be grappling with as well). 

(Note: The Art of Money begins on Friday! Decision time is officially here. If you’ve already got a clear “Yes!” skip over here to sign up.)

If you want in, but you’re on the fence — worried you can’t afford it, wondering how to decide if you should spend money on it, or feeling you don’t deserve this investment in your self-care — here’s what I have to say to you, dear friend:  

First of all: how astute and thoughtful of you! I applaud you for weighing your money decision carefully.  I want to help you make an empowered, confident, and honest decision — today and always.

When facing any money decision, I recommend considering five main factors:

1. The Numbers

2. The Timing

3. The Value

4. The Cost

5. The Intention

#1: The Numbers.

Do you know if you have enough money right now to make this purchase?

If you have no idea, and are afraid to even look at your numbers, consider this: The Art of Money will gently teach you how to do just that.  Often our unconsciousness around the numbers themselves is the first roadblock to making a money decision — and it can be paralyzing!

You don’t know how much you can afford. For lots of good reasons, you’re terrified to look at your numbers.  You don’t really know how much you have, owe, or spend.  Believe it or not, I see this pattern with people across the spectrum of income and socio-economic status.

It’s an interesting paradox: of course the numbers matter, but when it comes to our experience of “enoughness,” they are often irrelevant.

Some people might be just meeting their basic needs, and bringing in very little money – but still do whatever it takes to invest in something important to them (more on the “important” part later . . .)

Others may have more than enough money to satisfy all of their needs and desires (through a nice income, inheritance, or something else) but still feel enormous pressure when making their financial decisions.

What’s your relationship with your numbers?

Here’s another suggestion for engaging your numbers in this decision:  brainstorm ways to create an extra $88/month in your life (cut out a few lattes here, skip a movie there, or make a little extra cash on the side — it might be easier than you think).  

#2: The timing.

Is now the right time for you to make this investment in yourself?  Is your relationship to money calling (or screaming) to you? Have you been longing for this kind of support?

Ask yourself:

• Have you been consciously (or secretly) looking for this type of support for months? Years?
• Do you wish you’d had this support a long time ago?
• Did your desire for this kind of guidance come out of the blue?
• Are you facing a money initiation?  Big transitions like divorce, death, birth, or career changes can often catapult us into this work.
• Have you felt the quiet, subtle influence of your money relationship hurting your self esteem or relationships?  Has it been whispering to you — and is now the time to answer that call?   

How does this offering intersect with the unique timing of your money story?

#3: The Value.

(This is the big one!)

Is this program valuable to you?  If so, how valuable?  Are you willing to spend your money to reflect this value?

Sometimes it’s difficult to quantify the value of something — and this makes it even harder to decide if it’s worth the pricetag.  My work often falls into this category, as it’s subjective, subtle, and can be difficult to wrap your mind around from the outside.

Sometimes we have to dig deep to determine the value of our potential investment.

The healings that occur in my work are massive — but they’re often subtle at first.  Sometimes our external world changes drastically and quickly.  But sometimes the first chunks of work happen deep within, blazing a trail for external change.

To help you clarify the value you place on this kind of support, here are some of the benefits (tangible & intangible) you can expect from The Art of Money:

• Peace of mind, clarity, and compassion in your money relationship
• Deeper understanding and acceptance of the phases (the peaks and valleys) in money and in life
• Productive, loving + fun money conversations with your partner (yes, we know you will be moving mountains when you do this)
• A transformed relationship with money, with ripple effects into all areas of your life
• Money un-shaming, healing & forgiveness . . . in droves
• An implemented, clear, and manageable tracking system that fits your life
• Custom-fit daily, weekly, monthly, and annual Money self-care practices
• A new-found willingness to look at your numbers, learn from them, and make important changes
• Deeper awareness + savvier skills with your Saving, Earning, Spending and Giving habits
• Learning to create + live a value-infused budget (aka: map of intention)
• An increased sense of self-worth, empowerment, and confidence (with money and beyond)
• A more mature & adult relationship with money (you define this!)
• A foundational, essential money education that serves you in life, biz and all of your relationships
• Clarity on how to create your money support team: your bookkeeper, accountant and financial planner
• Additional tools to add more meaning + fun + creativity with your relationship to money

Once you hash out the value of any money decision, here’s the next step:

Take a deep breath. Notice how your body feels, right now.  And answer this question for yourself:

What are these things worth to you, right now? How would your life be different or better if you had all of these things?

Once you are clear on how valuable something is (or isn’t) to you, the choice is almost made for you. Follow your values.

#4: The Cost.

Let’s take a look at the flip side of value: cost, consequence, and loss.

You’ve explored what you might hope and expect to gain from this experience, but have you examined what it might cost you to not do it?

How much is it costing you to not make this investment in yourself?  How is not doing this work hurting you, your career, or your relationships?

What’s the cost of staying right where you are in your relationship to money? Here are some common, painful consequences I’ve seen:

• Conflict with your honey about money (whether unspoken or very vocal)
• Worry about money messes when you open the mailbox (bills!), answer the phone (collectors!), or go about your day (background worry!)
• Confusion about what your numbers actually look like, because you’re too afraid to look
• Shame, guilt, fear, or anxiety about where you stand financially
• Money wasted on bank charges, late fees, unpaid taxes, and more — because your financial house isn’t in order
• Avoiding important relationships because of money stress or fear
• Neglecting your most cherished dreams and values — because you can’t afford to invest in them (or aren’t sure if you can)
• Career stress, confusion, or paralysis because you’re not sure how to move forward financially
• Feeling disempowered, confused, overwhelmed, and unworthy — in your money relationship and beyond.

What would it be worth to you to banish these things from your life, for good?  What toll are these things taking on you now, and what’s the cost if you never change them?

#5: The Intention.

Is this a self-loving decision? Are you ready to receive the value of this investment?

A lot of people bash themselves about this. We spend our money, and then let it rot. Ouch.

We buy a fancy grill because we envision quality time with our family & friends, amazing food, and more time outdoors. And then . . . we never use it.

Or, we sign up for a personal growth program, and miss the calls and ignore the homework. Eeek.

The key here is the spirit with which you invest, and your readiness to receive.

If you’re prepared to gently, lovingly hold yourself accountable for receiving the value of this investment …

If you feel empowered, trusting, and loving towards yourself in making this investment …

If you’re prepared to invest not only your money, but your mind, your heart, your time, and your consciousness, as well …

Then everything is aligned for you to receive a powerful return on your investment.

So:  Take a deep breath.  Check in with yourself.  Look at your numbers.  Consider the timing.  Weigh the value.  Reflect on your intentions.  Is this your time?  Only you can know!

I am here to hold your hand, with an incredible community and amazing guest teachers as well. There is a conscious money movement happening. Join us! 

p.s. In case you missed them, check out the rest of the Golden Nugget Series:

• Golden Nugget #1 ~ Money Shame
• Golden Nugget #2 ~ Bookkeeping Love + Empowerment (Part 1). 
• Golden Nugget #3 ~ Money + Enneagram
• Golden Nugget #4 ~ Bookkeeper Tells ALL + 16 questions you gotta ask.
• Golden Nugget #5 ~ Cash flow, Earning, and Entrepreneurship, Oh my!

New here? Find this helpful, or intriguing?

Subscribe to the Golden Nugget Series, the Art of Money pre-party! 

This month, we’re holding a little e-party, called The Golden Nugget Series to celebrate our upcoming program, The Art of Money. Expect tips, tools, insights, and a really sweet taste of what the program entails. Enter your info below to get email updates and money wisdom, delivered to your inbox with love. 

Heads up: This coming Friday, February 1st, The Art of Money community will begin our journey together. In 5 days, everyone will be getting access to our first month’s materials and calls, and we’ll be kicking off our private facebook group for connection and support. If you’ve been considering joining us, jump in! Details and registration are right here. 

Golden Nugget #5:  Money Maps.
Cash flow, Earning, and Entrepreneurship.

We are finally venturing into the third and final phase of this work. We’ve peeked inside in the first phase, Money Healing, here and here. And we’ve dabbled in the second phase, Money Practices, here and here.

Today, let’s dip our toes into this third and final phase, Money Maps. In this phase, you’re invited to connect deeply with your path, your dreams, your goals, and your gifts. This final phase is about asking the big questions. With opened hearts and the tools to express them, we vision, review, adjust, experiment, intend, and vision some more. 

To help me give you a sweet taste of Money Maps, I’ve brought along two of my bright and shiny Guest Teachers in The Art of Money program.

Calling all creative entrepreneurs! Today’s nugget has lots of gold for you.

As entrepreneurs, we need to be attending to our money relationship. (the emotions, the psychology and all of the great practical systems and tools that are available to us). Doing our internal and external money work will help us step more fully into our gifts and into earning a great livelihood.  I have seen this over and over.  And, I would love to support you in taking significant steps here. 

However, know that you do not have to be an entrepreneur to join the Art of Money – While we will be exploring aspects of creative entrepreneurship — you’ll also be deeply supported in how to engage with your personal finances, couple finances, and family finances. 

Meet Nona & Ali.

In the first video I am interviewing Nona, and then in the second video the tables are turned and Ali’s interviewing me! These are two incredible women with vast experience to draw from. I decided to put them together because I love what they each offer, and how different they are.

Nona Jordan is an Accountant, Yogi, Money Coach and calls herself the Business Yogini.

Alexis (Ali) Neely is a Business Strategist, Coach, and Truth-Telling Lawyer

If you loved these videos, consider joining us in The Art of Money, where you’ll receive a lot more where that came from!

p.s. In case you missed them, check out the rest of the Golden Nugget Series:

• Golden Nugget #1 ~ Money Shame
• Golden Nugget #2 ~ Bookkeeping Love + Empowerment (Part 1). 
• Golden Nugget #3 ~ Money + Enneagram
• Golden Nugget #4 ~ Bookkeeper Tells ALL + 16 questions you gotta ask.

New here? Find this helpful, or intriguing?

Subscribe to the Golden Nugget Series, the Art of Money pre-party! 

This month, we’re holding a little e-party, called The Golden Nugget Series to celebrate our upcoming program, The Art of Money. Expect tips, tools, insights, and a really sweet taste of what the program entails. Enter your info below to get email updates and money wisdom, delivered to your inbox with love.