This episode originally aired November 24, 2024:

In this exciting episode of Do.Different.Better, Elaine sits down with La Juana Whitmore, CEO of NextFemme Financial, to dive deep into the world of empowering women entrepreneurs through financial literacy and support. La Juana shares her journey and the inspiration behind launching NextFemme Financial, a platform designed to help women take control of their personal and business finances.

We explore the historical barriers women have faced in accessing credit, banking, and investments, and how financial literacy directly impacts business success. La Juana also reveals actionable tips for overcoming common financial challenges, breaking through the funding gap, and building financial confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you take control of your financial future.

Ready to learn how mastering your personal finances can lead to entrepreneurial success? Tune in for an insightful, empowering, and community-focused conversation!

Key Takeaways:

#NextFemmeFinancial #WomenInBusiness #FinancialLiteracy #FinancialConfidence #DoDifferentBetter #WomenEntrepreneurs #BusinessSuccess #EmpoweredWomen #ElaineRasmussen

Angel investing is more than a gamble; it’s a strategic way to fund the future you want to see. This episode breaks down the complex world of startup investing, explaining how to “pick your lane,” from angel groups to direct checks. You’ll learn the crucial difference between Safes and convertible notes and gain a powerful 10-minute “6T Fast Filter” to separate viable signals from mere sparkle. Stop guessing and start investing with a clear, actionable strategy.

#AngelInvesting #StartupInvesting #VentureCapital #DueDiligence #AngelInvestor #SeedInvesting #EarlyStageInvesting #WealthBuilding #FinancialLiteracy #InvestInTheFuture #DoDifferentBetter #Finance

Discover how to align your investment portfolio with your personal values. This episode demystifies impact investing, ESG funds, and B Corps, explaining how to use these tools to create positive change without sacrificing financial performance. Learn to bust common myths about value-based investing and get a practical 30, 60, and 90-day action plan to get started.

URGENT: Government Shutdown Survival Guide! Washington’s playing games, but your finances don’t have to suffer! In this must-watch episode of Do.Different.Better, I’m breaking down everything you NEED to know about the U.S. government shutdown. We’ll cover:

#GovernmentShutdown

What if the money you inherited came with more confusion than clarity?

This week on the Do.Different.Better Show, I sit down with Chase Collins, certified master life coach and founder of The Trust Fund Coach, who works with inheritors to unpack the emotional weight of wealth.

From the outside, inherited money looks like freedom. But on the inside? It can come with shame, family pressure, identity confusion, and a lot of unanswered questions. Chase knows this firsthand—and he’s helping clients move from guilt to grounded purpose.

In this episode:

The emotional truth about growing up with money

Why inheriting wealth doesn’t mean you feel rich inside

How trust fund recipients can reclaim their voice, vision, and values

How to navigate family expectations without losing yourself

What all of us—whether we inherit money or not—can learn about redefining wealth and success

This conversation challenges outdated narratives around privilege and power—and makes space for something more honest, human, and healing.

Whether you’re managing money, legacy, or identity—this one’s for you.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about Chase at thetrustfundcoach.com (or link in show notes)

#DoDifferentBetter #TrustFundCoach #ChaseCollins #FinancialTherapy #WealthWithoutShame #RedefineSuccess #GenerationalWealth #InheritedMoney #IdentityAndMoney #MoneyMindset #FamilyWealthDynamics #HealingThroughWealth #CoachingForInheritors #PurposeOverPrivilege #LegacyLeadership

Most of us will earn over $2 MILLION in our lifetime—but without a plan, we lose time, money, and momentum.

This week on the Do.Different.Better Show, I talk with Scott Yamamura, author of Financial Epiphany, about the “aha” moments that can change your financial life without shame, spreadsheets, or stress.

We covered:

The 3 Financial Epiphanies (and why they actually work)

What’s keeping us stuck—even when we make good money

How to make your first investment & delete debt

A powerful shift for people who think it’s “too late” to get started

This one’s for the folks doing okay, but who know they could be doing better.

Ready for your money miracle? Tap in.

Link in bio / comments

#DoDifferentBetter #magically #plynk #financialepiphany

What does real financial planning look like—when it’s built for you, not the 1%?

This week on the Do.Different.Better Show, I sit down with Stoy Hall, CFP®—founder of Black Mammoth, father, financial advisor, and host of the No BS Wealth Podcast—to break down what it actually means to build wealth in real life.

Stoy grew up watching his single mom work 12-hour shifts to keep the lights on. Now, he’s a registered investment advisor helping women and minority entrepreneurs reclaim their money stories, grow their assets, and design a life of clarity, confidence, and purpose.

In this episode, we get into:

His journey from struggle to certified financial planner

Why the finance industry fails most people—and how he’s flipping the script

What “boring, consistent” strategies can actually build wealth

How to know if a financial advisor is the right fit for you

Tips for anyone curious about becoming a CFP or starting their own firm

And why he believes investing should start with your values, not your risk tolerance

Whether you’re trying to get your money right, become a wealth advisor yourself, or finally stop feeling behind—this episode will meet you where you are.

Plus, Stoy gives us the scoop on his brand new YouTube series—tune in for that.

Learn more or connect with Stoy at https://www.blackmammoth.com

#DoDifferentBetter #StoyHall #BlackMammoth #MoneyMindset #CFPJourney #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #BlackWealthMatters #FinanceWithoutFear #NoBSWealth #RealMoneyTalk

What does it really take to scale a company to a nine-figure exit—and still lead with purpose, humility, and a marathon mindset? In this episode of the Do.Different.Better Show, I sit down with John Makarewicz, Managing Partner at Faris Capital Partners. From private equity to personal values, John shares the lessons he’s learned from growing a business, leading teams, and now helping others build sustainable wealth through real estate and private acquisitions. We talk about:

His money story—and how it shaped his leadership style

What servant leadership looks like in business and at home

The biggest lessons from a $100M+ exit

What everyday investors should know about private equity & family offices

How to make your first move from stocks to real estate investing

Why legacy isn’t just about money—it’s about culture, too

John’s story is a powerful reminder that how you build matters just as much as what you build. Learn more: https://www.fariscapitalpartners.com

IG: @john_makarewicz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-makarewicz-23589a37/

#DoDifferentBetter #PrivateEquity #FinancialLeadership #InvestingTips #PurposeDrivenWealth #JohnMakarewicz #BlackWealth #WomenWhoInvest #MarathonMindset #LegacyMoves

Is your money mindset lowkey sabotaging your budget? ��

This week on the Do.Different.Better Show, I sit down with Scott Maderer, a financial stewardship coach

Scott doesn’t just teach budgeting—he helps you figure out what really matters, why you’re stuck, and

�� In this episode:

The #1 mindset block keeping people broke

Why most budgets fail (and what to do instead)

A simple habit that builds momentum fast

How to align your values with your money choices

Scott’s message is clear: you can budget without being miserable—and you don’t have to do it alone.

�� Book a session with Scott here: https://www.coach.me/ScottMaderer?ref=VeLG2

�� Website: https://inspiredstewardship.com/different

#DoDifferentBetter

The Opportunity and Big Beautiful Bill for America (OBBBA) is a massive economic package with tax code changes, business incentives, and regulatory shifts that could shape the U.S. economy for years.

In this two-part Do.Different.Better Show series, host Elaine Rasmussen breaks it all down:

�� Part 2:

Corporate-friendly provisions and high-earner loopholes

Real-world impacts by race, region, and business structure

Timelines, expirations, and advocacy tips to protect yourself

�� Learn: How to read policy like a pro, spot hidden impacts, and prepare your personal or business

�� Download free guides at dodifferentbetter.com

�� Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube — tag @DoBetterWithElaine

#TrumpOBBBA #DoDifferentBetter #WealthGap #FinancialFreedom #SmallBusinessTips #TaxStrategy