Getting Rich Together

I had the incredible opportunity to chat with the powerhouse life coach and mentor, Susan Hyatt about how she used the lessons she learned in the real estate business to build her prolific life coaching and media empire she has today.

We explore Susan's childhood in Savannah, Georgia, where she learned to be frugal and work hard for the lifestyle she wanted for herself. You'll get an intimate look at her early money stories and how she overcame a somewhat toxic relationship with money in her 20s — her "aha moment" to take some big leaps to create the life she wanted for herself and her family.

Susan shares her transition from a career in residential real estate to establishing herself as a life coach, along with the challenges and breakthroughs she encountered along the way. We discuss early investments in real estate, overcoming the fear of self-investment, and how she eventually built her media empire.

She also opens up about her vision for closing societal gaps for women and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. From financial advice to personal growth, this conversation will inspire you to harness your inner power and create the financial future you desire.

Key Topics:

1. Learned anxiety and frugality around money at a young age
2. Adopting a workaholic attitude in college and racking up credit card debt
3. Susan's struggle to figure out how to save and stop overspending
4. The "aha moment" that made her realize she needed to heal her relationship with money
5. The first steps toward entrepreneurship
6. Falling in love with helping people get what they want through real estate
7. The mindset shift that happened for her and her husband to realize they could bet on themselves
8. Leaving real estate and discovering life coaching
9. Betting on herself again to launch a life coaching business
10. Almost breaking into 6-figures in her first year of coaching
11. How Susan's children are following in her footsteps
12. Closing societal gaps for women

Connect with Susan online:

Website: https://susanhyatt.co/about/

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

Instagram: @susanhyatt

Podcast: You've Got Nerve

Blog: https://susanhyatt.co/blog/

Masterminds, Meditations, Events, and Newsletter: https://go.susanhyatt.co/links?c=0

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://syamabunten.com/

Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com

Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/

Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I had the privilege of sitting down with the exceptional Coco Brown, the driving force behind Athena Alliance. Coco, a Silicon Valley veteran of 30 years, shares her captivating journey from her free-spirited childhood in a hippie academic family to becoming a trailblazing female leader in the corporate world.

We explored her humble beginnings, the formative experiences of her early life, and her ambitious climb up the corporate ladder in her 20s. We dive into Coco's unique approach to life, wealth, and family, discussing the importance of financial literacy and transparency with her children.

Coco's story is refreshingly candid, as she recounts the highs and lows of her financial journey — from making a quarter of a million dollars in her twenties to removing the golden handcuffs and couchsurfing with her children as she started her entrepreneurial journey.

The Athena Alliance's mission is to empower women to expand their career portfolios and build lasting legacies. Listeners will gain valuable insights into Coco's strategies for success, her philosophy on money and happiness, and the importance of investing in oneself.

Coco's narrative is a powerful reminder that wealth is not just about financial gain but also about creating meaningful impact and lasting change.

Key Topics:

1. A wild childhood in Amish country, Pennsylvania
2. Career choices driven by a desire to understand how people make sense of the world
3. Moving to Paris with no plan and using her resourcefulness as a career starter in the UN
4. Coco's early money moves as a 20-something in Silicon Valley
5. Launching an entrepreneurial venture with a full-time career at 23
6. Using wealth to give back to the family
7. Navigating the frustration of golden handcuffs at Taos while starting a family
8. Encountering a rollercoaster of wealth and hard times in the early stages of entrepreneurship
9. Asking yourself if you're being paid what you're worth
10. The karma behind money and knowing when to cut your own salary
11. Being open and honest with children about money, even in the hard times
12. How Coco's identity shifted as she left Taos
13. How their family's investment decisions have shifted and evolved over the years
14. Building a legacy means stepping away from a linear path

Connect with Coco online:

Website: https://athenaalliance.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cocobrown/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/athena-alliance/

Instagram: @athenaalliance

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://syamabunten.com/

Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com

Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/

Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I had the incredible opportunity to chat with Laurel Mintz, the powerhouse behind Elevate My Brand and Fabric VC. I got a behind-the-scenes look into Laurel's fascinating journey from her early years in LA's iconic Laurel Canyon, surrounded by the hippie culture of the '60s, to becoming a formidable force in the marketing and venture capital worlds.

We discuss her unexpected leap from wanting to be a lawyer to becoming an accidental CEO at 26, running her dad's furniture company while he battled cancer, and how she navigated those challenging years.

Laurel shares candidly about her financial journey, from growing up affluent to experiencing her family's financial downfall and emerging stronger and wiser. Her transition from law to business, the birth of Elevate My Brand, and her foray into venture capital are all part of her colorful journe to the entrepreneurial success she enjoys today.

Laurel is all about empowering others, especially women, to understand and harness the power of financial literacy and investment. Through her candid and bright stories of resilience, learning, and now educating others, you'll learn the importance of money management, the value of support systems, and the thrill of going after your dreams fearlessly.

Key Topics:

1. Growing up affluent with parents who were the epitome of sex, drugs, and rock and roll
2. The early signs that Laurel would become a lawyer
3. The drastic change her family's finances took in her teenage years
4. Switching from law school to business school
5. Becoming a 26-year-old CEO unexpectedly and helping turn her dad's business around
6. Learning how to fake it 'till you make it
7. How Laurel took signs from the universe that she wasn't meant to be a lawyer
8. The business meeting that changed her career path forever
9. Found Elevate My Brand and building a team
10. How Laurel and her husband overcame early disagreements about money and finances
11. Entering rooms with people smarter than her to learn about investing
12. Laurel's first venture capital deal and where it's at now
13. Knowing when it's the right time for high risk, high reward investments
14. Launching Fabric VC and reentering the startup environment
15. Educating and empowering people who have never had a seat at the table
16. Becoming the Brene Brown of Venture Capital

Connect with Laurel online:

Fabric VC: https://www.fabricvc.com/partners

Elevate My Brand: https://www.elevatemybrand.com/about

Elevate Your Brand Podcast: https://www.elevatemybrand.com/podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-mintz/

Instagram: @laurelmintz

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://syamabunten.com/

Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com

Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/

Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

In this episode, we sit down with the successful and inspiring Sathya Chey Patterson. Sathya is known for her numerous accolades, including being recognized as one of the top women advisors in California by Forbes in 2023.

As the founder of Arise, Sathya is dedicated to aligning wealth with values and empowering women to create real, tangible abundance. Her story is not just about financial success but also about integrating into the US as an immigrant from Cambodia and rising above many challenges to achieve the American dream.

Sathya shares the importance of living within one's means, investing wisely, and integrating money with personal values. You'll learn how her early experiences shaped her outlook on money, the sacrifices her family made for financial security, and how she now aims to help others achieve a balanced and fulfilled life.

This episode is brimming with valuable insights into financial planning, emotional connections to money, and the profound impact of aligning wealth with purpose.

Key Topics:

1. How Sathya's family found their American dream after experiencing a genocide in Cambodia
2. Sathya's early experience in finance working in for her family
3. Breaking off on her own career path
4. Going to university with a desire to help others pursue the life they want by building their wealth
5. Growing, saving, and studying while raising a baby at 20 years old
6. How Sathya learned to be as efficient as possible with the money she was making
7. The skills that ultimately led to Sathya being able to break out on her own as an entrepreneur
8. Getting to the core of what people need to be truly happy
9. The financial planning that happened that allowed her to quit her job
10. Allowing space to be more present and conscious with how she spends her time
11. Bridging the gap between her upbringing and who she is now
12. Building success through soul alignment of wealth
13. Giving people the confidence to do the things they love with the people they love
14. What is your love language for spending?

Connect with Sathya online:

Website: https://www.ariseprivatewealth.com/

Forbes Rankings: https://www.forbes.com/profile/sathya-chey-patterson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sathya-chey-arisepw/

Instagram: @ariseprivatewealth

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://syamabunten.com/

I had the pleasure of speaking with Kristin Merrick, a renowned evangelist for women's wealth management. Known for her abundance mindset and community support, Kristin shares her fascinating life journey, instilled early on with deep financial awareness.

From her experiences as a young child amidst the highs and lows of her family's finances to her rise on Wall Street, Kristin's story is rich with insights and lessons on money management, investment, and personal growth during financial crises.

Through candid conversations about early career mistakes and entrepreneurial hustles, Kristin reflects on the importance of financial planning and offering sound advice while humanizing the financial struggles many face. We also dive into Kristin's co-founding of Women Work F*ing Hard, an initiative designed to foster community and a network of support among women. This movement emphasizes the importance of women helping women through networking, hiring female professionals, and advocating for women's success.

Kristin's perspective on blending personal and community growth sets the foundation for a legacy rooted in kindness, support, and financial wisdom. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of how we can all contribute to a more equitable and thriving community by being intentional with how and why we spend our money.

Key Topics:

1. Getting involved in the family finances
2. How Kristin started her first side hustle in 5th grade
3. Going all in on a business degree and cementing her path in finance
4. Making all the financial mistakes in your 20's
5. The importance of making retirement contributions as early as possible
6. Working with a financial advisor for the first time to invest her money
7. Learning from the hardships that came with the 2008 financial crash
8. Coming to the decision to launch her own business
9. Making her first check as an entrepreneur
10. The psychology and trauma of money
11. How Kristin sees herself in her clients
12. Turning a love of getting women new business into a business with Women Work F*ing Hard
13. Instilling in her kids the idea that things in life aren't free
14. Leaving a legacy of kindness and generosity
15. You don't have to be an expert in money to get your finances in order

Connect with Kristin online:

Website: https://okeeffefinancialpartners.com/our-team/kristin-okeeffe-merrick/

Women Work F*ing Hard: https://wwfh.community/

Make Money Less Weird: https://makemoneylessweird.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaFqIzEIlesNqa_qMTzCVaq5SQy2FDuC9ktRw91JWeSgMuXjLGMeuNqM28_aem_LgOfINnBF7mSftVDPbN6tg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-merrick-32a1b1b7/

Instagram: @thegirlwhosavesmoney

Find more from Syama Bunten:

Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod

Website: https://syamabunten.com/

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