When two business buddies discover they were born in the same tiny Australian town (population 3,000!), you know the conversation is going to be gold. In this episode, I sit down with accountant-turned-money-coach Clare Wood for a hilarious and deeply practical chat about profit, weekly money dates, and why being the "head Nicole" in your friend group might be costing you more than you think.

Clare shares how she went from having panic attacks before speaking in public to confidently presenting on stage (handcuffs included!), and why she believes most creatives are playing ostrich with their business finances. We're getting real about profit margins, the "death box" every couple needs, and why spending an hour every Friday talking money with your partner is actually the sexiest thing you can do.

Fair warning: This episode contains references to ancestors dry-humping behind pubs, horny bridesmaid energy, and spreadsheet orgasms. You've been warned. 😉

Key Takeaways:

✨ Why looking away from your numbers won't make them better (and could land you in serious trouble with the tax office)

✨ The exact weekly and monthly money rituals that transformed Clare's business and personal finances

✨ How to overcome public speaking phobia through exposure therapy (spoiler: you just have to do it again and again)

✨ The "death box" or "fearless folder" system that could save your family thousands of dollars and immense stress

✨ Why your daily coffee isn't the problem - it's your mortgage rate and insurance policies

✨ How to start investing with just $10 a week

✨ The power of being intentional about profit instead of just chasing revenue

00:30 - How Clare and I discovered we're basically cousins

05:45 - The hilarious story of how Clare initially didn't want me on her podcast

12:20 - From panic attacks to confident speaker: Clare's public speaking journey

18:15 - The "head Nicole" phenomenon and why you need to stop organizing everything

24:30 - Why most business owners are making money but not profit

29:45 - The weekly money date ritual that changed everything

35:10 - Creating your "death box" - the morbid but essential folder every family needs

42:20 - How to make money meetings fun (yes, really!)

47:00 - Starting your wealth journey with just $10

Quotable moments:

"If you're running a business, you can't ignore your numbers. I've worked with business owners making over a million dollars a year who are literally not even making a profit."

"Don't get hung up on cutting back on your daily coffee. If you're not getting the best interest rate on your mortgage or you're paying too much insurance, you're literally losing way more than your cup of coffee."

"Everything that I've created in my life once seemed impossible. You just take one step forward, one step closer."

Homework

Set up a weekly money meeting for yourself. Make it enjoyable - go to your favourite café, light a candle, sit by the beach. Start with just 30 minutes reviewing your profit and loss, checking your bank balance, and planning ahead. Make it a ritual you actually look forward to.

About Clare Wood

Clare Wood is a CPA, money coach, and the author of Intentional Profit. She's on a mission to help business owners get comfortable with their numbers and build genuinely profitable businesses. Despite describing herself as a "dorky accountant," Clare brings infectious enthusiasm and practical wisdom to money conversations, making finance feel accessible and even fun.

Website: clarewood.comInstagram: @clare_wood_coachBook: Intentional Profit by Clare Wood

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