Gina Pell is a spirited and visionary individual whose heartfelt commitment to incredible organizations is making substantial waves in the world.

Her story is both nuanced and delightful, offering a refreshing perspective on how energy and passion can drive meaningful change. In our chat, Gina shares the importance of investing time and energy into causes that matter. We discuss her approach to supporting organizations that align with her values, and how this investment not only benefits the causes but also fuels her own sense of purpose and fulfillment.

You'll hear about the pivotal moments that have shaped Gina's path and the sheer determination that has driven her to contribute so significantly to the community. As she discusses her ongoing projects and future aspirations, you'll hear about the practical steps she takes to support and uplift those around her.

Gina's story is a testament to the incredible impact one person can have when they fully commit to their dreams and values. Her journey is a beacon of empowerment, reminding us all of the power we hold to shape our own futures and contribute meaningfully to the world around us.

Key Topics:

1. Unlearning the negative money stories Gina grew up with
2. Finding security and stability in a chaotic financial situation as a kid
3. When Gina decided to go back to school to finish her education
4. The catalyst for Gina to move back to San Francisco and start her entrepreneurial journey
5. Seeing unlimited possibilities in the internet boom of the 90s and early 2000s
6. Always investing back in the business, but rarely investing in herself
7. Exiting Splendora for other business ventures
8. Learning that the community aspect of her business was the most valuable
9. The feelings behind getting acquired after 10 years
10. Building antidotes to loneliness through community
11. The money stories she's passing down to her kids now
12. When Gina decided to become more outspoken about her values and align her money with them
13. Creating a power source of collective wisdom from women

Connect with Gina online:

Website: https://www.thewhatalliance.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-pell-54664/

Instagram: @gpgram

Support the Causes Gina Supports:

Center for Reproductive Rights

Center for Investigative Reporting

McSweeney's Publishing

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://syamabunten.com/

I sat down with Holly Ruxin, a visionary in the world of financial empowerment and ethical investing. Holly's journey is both inspiring and instructive, starting from her early days in a conventional finance career to becoming a leader in values-driven investment strategies.

We begin by exploring Holly's professional background and the milestones that led her to question the status quo of traditional finance. Holly shares compelling stories from her career, highlighting the moments of disillusionment and awakening that directed her towards a path of ethical investing.

Throughout our discussion, Holly opens up about the challenges and rewards of prioritizing ethics in a profit-driven industry. She discusses her experience teaching others about financial empowerment and architecting freedom through money, and aligning finances with your values.

Through hearing Holly's money stories, you'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to manage your finances responsibly while also making a meaningful difference.

Key Topics:

1. Equating personal freedom with earning and tracking money at a young age
2. Using money to take charge of your own destiny
3. When Holly first fell in love with economics and followed her intuition on that
4. Striving to bring money conversations out of the dark
5. Learning that money is an energy and using that to inform savings and investment decisions
6. The investments and purchases that didn't work out as planned
7. The spiritual awakening that moved Holly to leave Wall Street for good
8. How to architect your own freedom with money math
9. Giving back to yourself energetically to meet shifting and changing needs
10. Being very intentional about money conversations around kids
11. Teaching others that money is love
12. Giving others permission to be braver and feel like they belong

Connect with Holly online:

Website: https://www.montcalmtcr.com/our-story

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyziegelruxin/

Instagram: @montcalmtcr

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting

Join me as we unpack the incredible life journey of Jasmine Star — entrepreneur, educator, and founder whose legacy business has touched many lives. I explore Jasmine's story, starting from her childhood as the daughter of Mexican and Puerto Rican immigrants, to her academic excellence that had her graduating at the top of her class in both high school and university.

You'll hear about her struggles transitioning to public high school from homeschooling, her initial path to law school at UCLA motivated by a sense of fairness and justice, and the unexpected moments that shifted her focus toward entrepreneurship.

Jasmine shares how a heartfelt conversation during her honeymoon with her husband spurred her to leave law school and pursue photography, eventually building a six-figure business laden with new opportunities like blogging, workshops, and online courses and so much more. We dive into Jasmine's approach to personal investments, navigating the tech industry as a SaaS founder, and instilling financial and ethical values in her daughter.

Jasmine harnessed the power of education, adaptability, and following her heart to achieve financial freedom without sacrificing her values. This episode is all about resilience, personal growth, and the joy that comes from embracing change and staying true to one's passions.

Key Topics:

1. Growing up as a first-generation American in a family of 7
2. Transitioning from homeschooling to public school
3. Having the determination to open up doors through education
4. The criticism in university that changed Jasmine's educational path
5. Making sure you're happy regardless of your income
6. Being drawn to law school by a drive for justice and fairness
7. Breaking away from the lone wolf mentality in law school
8. How Jasmine's wedding moved her to drop out of law school
9. Pursuing photography and building a 6-figure business empire from it
10. Having open conversations about money with her husband
11. What Jasmine would've told herself about investing 10 years ago
12. Distilling a sense of work ethic and delayed gratification in her daughter
13. The best thing Jasmine has done as an entrepreneur
14. Impacting others to do just 1% more

Connect with Jasmine online:

Website: https://jasminestar.com/, https://www.socialcurator.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-star/

Instagram: @jasminestar, @socialcurators

Podcast: The Jasmine Star Show

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting

I'm thrilled to introduce you to Kelly Ann Winget, an incredible business owner and fierce advocate for women's financial empowerment. Kelly shares her journey from being a kid mayor to becoming a prolific figure in inspiring women to take risks and invest in their futures.

We talk about her diverse career experience that she launched into from a young age and her journey in building Alternative Wealth Partners, a private equity firm focused on building wealth through diversity.

Starting from her childhood, Kelly's exposure to financial conversations and early entrepreneurial experiences paved her way into numerous ventures, from health care, oil and gas, and to demolition companies, each adding layers to her expansive skill set. At just 21, she navigated complex industries, and by 30, she launched her own firm, emphasizing investments with a purpose, especially those challenging traditional setups.

Whether it's investing in diverse sectors or educating others on financial autonomy, Kelly's journey is about changing perceptions and creating impactful change. Join me to explore her dynamic career, the balance of personal and professional finance, her role in media, and her mission to fund and empower women in business. Her story is a testament to breaking barriers and redefining investment landscapes.

Key Topics:

1. Ruling the 5th grade as class mayor in a pink power suit
2. Making $60k in high school selling car wash packages
3. Lacking a challenge in high school and university
4. Having a quarter life crisis at her first job out of university
5. Valuing the lifestyle a job offers over the salary
6. Embodying the authority and audacity Kelly Ann was raised with
7. Kelly Ann's first exposure to venture capital and private equity in California
8. Learning to make different types of business relationships that would propel her forward
9. The aha moment that led to Kelly branching out on her own to start a business
10. The dominoes that fell into place that propelled her business forward
11. Getting her first check from a couple who owned a pumpkin farm
12. How Kelly and her wife handle money at home
13. Kelly's investments that are disrupting entire industries
14. Using wealth to effect change and puts power into new hands

Connect with Kelly Ann online:

Website: https://www.kellyannwinget.com/, https://www.alternativewealthpartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyannwinget/

Instagram: @kellyannwinget

Podcast: https://www.kellyannwinget.com/wealth-alpha-podcast

Book: Pitch The Bitch: Grab Your Financial Future By The Bags

Show Her The Money Movie: https://showherthemoneymovie.com/

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting

Join me in welcoming the inspiring Kat de Haën, a trailblazing figure for women aspiring to advance in board service, entrepreneurship, and startups. In this episode, we talk about her formative years, growing up in a frugal household that inspired a strong work ethic in Kat.

Kat shares her career journey from studying art to finding her niche in business and design, and how her early investments and financial mentorship shaped her path. When Kat later moved to New York with her husband, she embraced the challenges of entrepreneurship and the strategic decisions that led her to found The Fourth Effect.

This venture supports women in gaining board experience and driving balanced innovation. We explore delicate balances, like personal risk in business and the evolution of her financial philosophy, emphasizing creating lasting impact over accumulating wealth.

Join us to discover how Kat navigates family dynamics, inspires financial literacy in the next generation, and champions systemic change for women in finance. As Kat advocates for diversified income streams, particularly through board positions, her journey offers invaluable insights into leveraging money for empowerment and personal growth.

Key Topics:

1. Saving up for and buying her first pink stereo with her own money
2. Learning the value of a dollar through working as a kid
3. How Kat's University experience shaped her later career decisions
4. How being the oldest child shaped her views on money compared to her younger siblings
5. Moving to NYC with her husband in 1995 and starting a new career journey
6. Resisting temptations to spend a lot in NYC and save up
7. Kat's first exposure to real money conversations and noticing how it differed between men and women
8. Learning her own risk tolerance and the pay-to-play mentality with money
9. Moving from corporate "security" to entrepreneurship
10. Building The Fourth Effect to open up doors for women
11. Why women should consider holding more board seats
12. How Kat has approached money conversations with her daughter to make her feel empowered
13. Leaving a legacy of paving the way for fair and just innovation for women

Connect with Kat online:

Website: https://www.thefourtheffect.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrindehaen, https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fourth-effect?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company

Instagram: @thefourtheffect

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting

Rachel Johnson is a powerhouse of brains, brilliance, and business acumen. I sat down with her to unravel her inspiring journey from her upbringing in South Florida with 4 siblings to a successful lawyer and entrepreneur.

She discusses the financial principles instilled in her by her parents and how she worked through college and beyond to pay her own way. As we dive into her exciting career ventures, you'll hear about her shift from big law to co-founding her own law firm, J&O Law, and then branching out to start a second impactful business, Ah.mi Health.

Rachel offers transparent insights into her savings habits throughout her career, her approach to diversifying investments from real estate to venture capital and even cryptocurrency, and her firm belief in seeking expert advice at the right moments.

Tune in to discover the core philosophies that drive Rachel's success and perhaps learn a few tips for your own financial journey. One thing we can learn from Rachel's money story is that strategic investing and taking calculated risks can lead to great rewards, both in business and personal wealth.

Key Topics:

1. Learning early on that if you want something, you have to work for it
2. Continuing her parents' legacy of studying law
3. Working with a wealth manager from a young age to build savings
4. Becoming confident enough to leave Big Law and branch out on her own
5. Building J&O Law and building back her wealth
6. How Rachel utilized savings to stay afloat while starting the business
7. Rachel's 7 different streams of income and savings
8. Rachel's tips for real estate investing
9. Starting Ah.mi Health
10. Using money to create joy and fill her house with love

Connect with Rachel online:

Website: https://www.ahmihealth.com/, https://www.jolaw.co/team

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-johnson-15887572/

Instagram: @ahmi.health

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting

Shelly Lombard is a powerhouse in the financial world — she's the founder of Schmooze, a Fortune 500 board director, and a trailblazer in leveraging relationships.

In this episode, Shelly takes us through her remarkable journey from growing up in New Orleans with three younger siblings to becoming a successful Wall Street professional. We explore her early career challenges, the strategic risks she took leaving the corporate world to try out entrepreneurship, and how she carved out a space for herself as a board member of several Fortune 500 companies.

Shelly shares how she realized that relationships are one of the most important tools for building wealth and achieving career milestones. You'll learn how she adeptly navigated the volatile world of Wall Street, the innovative ways she started investing after leaving corporate finance, and the founding of Schmooze to help other women build powerful networks and learn skills to move up the corporate and business ladder.

You'll be inspired to take control of your financial future, leverage relationships, and perhaps even start your own journey toward building a portfolio career.

Key Topics:

1. The tight financial middle ground of growing up in a middle-class family
2. Shelly's first taste of financial freedom with her first summer job
3. Learning the connection between money and lifestyle
4. Starting out as a journalist at The Boston Globe
5. Making the decision to get an MBA to make it in Wall Street
6. How Shelly managed finances with her first job at Citibank
7. An introduction to Vulture Investing
8. How technology has given people more access to investing tools
9. Setting yourself up emotionally and financially for entrepreneurship
10. Landing her first board seat with an equity firm
11. Learning to be more intentional with keeping in touch with connections
12. Launching Schmooze and going for her dreams
13. Shifting your mindset to being opportunistic
14. Relationships close gaps to get you where you want to go

Connect with Shelly online:

Website: https://schmooze.biz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellylombard/

Instagram: @dreamventures.co

Become a Founding Schmooze member for only $21/month: https://schmooze.biz/pages/membership-sign-up

Get a free month trial for following Shelly on Linkedin

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting

I'm thrilled to bring you this insightful conversation with the legendary Jacki Zehner. Jacki is an OG money maven with 14 powerful years at Goldman Sachs. She's now retired from the corporate grind, and spends her time dedicated to helping women invest with purpose through initiatives like 'Women Moving Millions' and her latest ventures, ShePlace and SheMoney.

We delve into her story, discussing the financial principles she learned from her hard-working parents and how those values fueled her career. Jackie shares inspirational stories from her days at Goldman Sachs, including her bold strategy for making partner and the hard lessons learned about advocating for herself.

You'll discover her evolution into a savvy investor, her pioneering efforts in supporting women fund managers, and the impactful legacy she's building through SheMoney. This episode is packed with wisdom on financial empowerment, aligning investments with values, and the importance of both personal and collective financial wellness.

You'll come away inspired to take charge of your financial dreams, support other women, and maybe even start your own impactful journey in the world of finance.

Key Topics:

1. Learning that money meant freedom from a young age
2. The decision she made at a college party that changed her life trajectory forever
3. Living a life without debt in NYC
4. Navigating the competitive one-upmanship of Wall Street
5. Becoming the youngest woman and first female partner of Goldman Sachs
6. Debunking the myth that financial services people are good at investing their money
7. Using financial gifts to help serve the world
8. Capitalizing on values through investing
9. Why Jacki didn't feel represented with her money and how she set out to change that
10. How Jacki's investment decisions have changed over time
11. Jacki's plans for SheMoney and building her legacy
12. Compulsively buying Wonder Woman paraphernalia

Connect with Jacki online:

Website: https://www.shemoney.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacki-zehner/

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting

This week on Getting Rich Together, I had the honor of sitting down with the amazing Annie Evans of Dream Ventures to dive into her life and experiences in angel investing, her entrepreneurial aspirations, parenting with a wealth-conscious mindset, and more.

Annie shares her beginnings as an aspiring entrepreneur, inspired by her parents' small businesses, to now being a leader empowering women in the investment world. We talk about her early money experiences, the pivotal roles of her family, and the transformative power of community and networking among female investors.

Annie also opens up about how motherhood has influenced her values around money and investing, and she discusses her future vision for women in angel investing. Her ultimate mantra in life is "We rise by lifting others." And she's certainly done that by using her capital and influence to invest in other women while seeking out new areas where she can make an even bigger impact.

Key Topics:

1. Annie's early aspirations as an entrepreneur
2. The transition from corporate life to angel investing
3. How Annie made her first angel investment
4. The founding story of Dream Ventures
5. Key focus areas for Dream Ventures investments
6. The importance of teaching children about money and entrepreneurship
7. Annie's approach to building a community of women investors
8. The impact of Dream Ventures' accelerator program on female founders
9. Annie's vision for the future of women-led investing
10. How Annie defines wealth and success
11. The changing perspective on material possessions versus investing
12. Annie's life philosophy and its influence on her business approach

Connect with Annie online:

Website: https://www.dreamventures.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annierevans/

Instagram: @dreamventures.co

Email: [email protected]

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting

Today, I'm thrilled to bring you a deeply inspiring conversation with Janine Firpo, a renowned financial activist and the co-founder of Invest for Better. Janine's career and financial journey is not just a testament to resilience but a blueprint for financial empowerment for women everywhere.

In this episode, Janine shares anecdotes from her youth, the influence of her fearless mother in the real estate market, and her early ventures into the stock market. We explore her career shifts, including moving from a flourishing tech career to doing impactful work in global poverty alleviation.

She also dives into her strategic financial decisions, including her investments in socially responsible banks and workforce housing projects, and the role pivotal women's networks played in these decisions.

Janine is a testament to the incredible impact women can collectively make by taking control of their financial futures. Don't miss the wealth of wisdom Janine provides on fostering financial security, the power of community in financial growth, and how we can all take steps towards a more financially empowered life together.

Key Topics:

1. Money lessons from the struggles of older women growing up
2. Switching from zoology to technology in university studies
3. The advice from a stranger that changed her entire career trajectory
4. Getting past the "bag lady syndrome" she had from growing up poor
5. First experiences investing in the stock market and buying real estate
6. How a women's investment club helped educate her about the stock market
7. Having more risk tolerance as you gain more confidence in investing
8. Navigating the early, pre-internet days of the tech world
9. Merging business thinking and tech to help solve global poverty
10. Letting things in life unfold naturally and trusting your gut
11. Keeping money separate in a relationship to have a safety net
12. Writing Activate Your Money as an investment education resource written by women, for women
13. Navigating fears around retirement and finding a new passion
14. Putting women's money to work in new and meaningful ways
15. Investing in banks and other financial institutions that are aligned with your values

Connect with Janine online:

Website: https://investforbetter.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-firpo-047282

Book: https://activateyourmoney.net/

Instagram: @janinefirpo

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://scalingretail.com/, https://syamabunten.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/scalingretailconsulting