Journey To Launch

How we were raised to handle money as children has an impact on the financial decisions we make as adults. Tanya Van Court had over a 20 year career in Corporate America in companies like ESPN, Nickelodeon, and Discovery Education. She is now the CEO and founder of Goalsetter, a savings and financial literacy app that helps kids and families get better with money.

Her goal is to teach all kids in a fun and relatable way to be financially responsible, independent, and literate. Tanya has a powerful and motivating mission through her app to educate young people from all backgrounds, especially those who are underserved, the value of money. Tanya also shares more about her journey as Black woman entrepreneur in the FinTech space, and the obstacles she had to overcome to start, fund, and grow her company.

Tune in to hear Tanya's inspiring message and transparent conversation about how being bold, courageous, and speaking up helped her build Goalsetter from the ground up.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What the Goalsetter app is about
• How you can start teaching your kids about the value of money
• How much it can cost to start a FinTech company
• The obstacles you can face as an entrepreneur and much more...

Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• I mentioned Adam Carroll who was on episode 181 of the podcast: How To Build A Bigger Life & Become A Master of Your Money.
• If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Tanya:

• Website
• Instagram:@GoalSetterCo
• Twitter:@GoalsetterCo
• Facebook: @GoalSetterCo

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the Waitlist for My FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

Is there anything in your life right now that you can opt out of that is no longer serving you? This week on the podcast, I have Cait Flanders, best selling author, of "The Year of Less" and "Adventures in Opting Out." After paying off her debt, Cait did not have a plan for her money so many of her poor spending habits resurfaced. At 29, Cait challenged herself to go on a shopping ban where she spent less and saved more.

Cait realized that having clear, meaningful goals makes it easier to save and scale back. In addition, it was crucial for her to work through her internal blocks before she was able to move forward on her journey. Cait shares how to opt out and change paths from something that is no longer right for us.

In this episode you'll learn:

• More about Cait's year of less shopping ban
• How spending can be linked to internal blocks and emotional attachments
• Why it is important to have clear, meaningful goals
• What opting out means
• The 5 "stages" on the journey to opting out outlined in Cait's book "Adventures in Opting Out"
• Why community is so important and much more...

Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Cait has two books, "The Year of Less" and "Adventures in Opting Out"
• If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Cait:

• Website
• Instagram:@Caitflanders

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the Waitlist for My FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

Shinjini Das of Das Media Group, comes on the podcast this week to talk with me about the immigrant experience and money. As first or second generation immigrants, we have a unique experience navigating through America and becoming financially educated. What makes our experiences special is that they are all different.

Shinjini was the undergrad commencement speaker at her University, Georgia Tech and then went on to become a competitive public speaker and entrepreneur. Shinjini refers to her community as Go Getters and empowers them with actionable advice to achieve their goals.

In this episode you will hear more about Shinjini's story as a first generation immigrant and how she uses DCU for her banking needs. She also shares why it is important for her as an entrepreneur to have separate personal and business accounts.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How helpful it is to bank with DCU
• Why Shinjini is passionate about banking with DCU
• Why it is beneficial to separate personal and business banking accounts and much more...

Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• I wrote an article, All About the Immigrant Experience and Money, in conjunction with DCU here. Article is not published yet, add it here when it is
• I mentioned Mike Michalowicz's book, Profit First, which helped me with my process with my business account and paying myself first.
• If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Shinjini:

• Website
• Instagram:@SpeakerShinjini
• Twitter: @SpeakerShinjini
• Facebook: @SpeakerShinjini

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the waitlist for my FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

Did you know that your employer could pay off $5,250 of your student loans this year (2020)?! The payments wouldn't be taxable to you as the employee and your employer would get a tax break on the payment. But your employer would have to make the payment by December 31, 2020. This was a new provision made in the Cares Act back in March 2020 that many people didn't know about.

I found this out thanks to a tweet from episode 151 guest Lynette Khlafani Cox and when I shared this with my audience on my Instagram account @journeytolaunch, the comments went crazy with questions and comments. I had so many questions about it that I just had to invite Lynnette back on the podcast for an emergency episode to help answer some of your most asked questions on the subject.

We cover the following questions (and more):

• What's the best way to ask your employer about this?
• What's in it for the employer?
• Does this apply to govt employees or non-profit employees?
• What if you are your own employer, is there a loophole that entrepreneurs can use for themselves?
• Do prior student loans qualify that you got years ago or for a degree not completed?
• Can employers add additional stipulations like you must continue working there for X amount of time
• Does this apply to part-time employees?
• What are the chances that this will be extended into 2021?

Take a listen to this episode and share it with someone who could benefit from it. Remember you have until the end of 2020 for your employer to make the payment.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Lynnette's blog post on the subject
• Click here to get the HR email template you can send to your HR department
• More COVID resource articles from Lynnette here
• Listen to Lynnette's first appearance on the podcast where she talked about the CARE's act & Economic Relief package here
• If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Lynnette:

• Website
• Instagram: @LynnetteKhalfaniCox
• Twitter: @TheMoneyCoach
• Facebook: @LynnetteKhalfaniCox

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the waitlist for my FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

What's stopping you from investing? Chances are you can start right now! In this episode, Bola Sokunbi shares all things investing. Bola is my most recurring guest because she continues to share tangible gems with my audience. She is the founder of Clever Girl Finance, one of the world's largest personal finance platforms for women in the U.S.. Bola does it all, she is a podcaster, mom, and entrepreneur. She just published her new book, which I am featured in, titled, Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money.

Sometimes, the financial jargon around investing can make it seem too difficult to start. Bola shares why people don't invest and a common theme she sees from successful people who do invest. She also reminds us that it is never too late to start and shares why you shouldn't wait to pay off debt before you start investing.

If you have fear around investing or are curious to learn more about how to generate wealth, this episode is for you.

In this episode you'll learn:

• 2 of the biggest concerns of why people don't invest
• What's the first step to investing
• Different types of retirement accounts from your employer
• Some mistakes beginners make
• A common theme from successful investors and business owners
• Why it's never too late to invest
• How to invest and pay off debt
• Ways to diversify your income as a business owner and much more...

Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Bola was a guest on episodes 22 (How Investing In Yourself & Starting A Business Can Lead To Financial Success) and 106 (Creating Financial Freedom & Wealth On Your Own Terms) of the podcast.
• Bola's book "Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money" can be purchased at Audible and Barnes and Nobles.
• If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Bola:

• Website
• Facebook: @CleverGirlFinance
• Instagram:@CleverGirlFinance
• Twitter: @CleverGirlcgf

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the waitlist for my FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

When will you know when you are satisfied? It's a simple but weighted question because we are often chasing something. This episode is special because you get to be a fly on the wall in a mini-coaching session between myself and Saundra Davis. Saundra Davis is a nationally recognized financial coach, educator, consultant, and motivational speaker, challenges Jamila to get to the root of why 2020 will be a breakout year for her.

I had breakout years every 2 years since 2010, so I hoped that 2020 would be no different. And then the pandemic happened. What if you were able to reframe the way you approached this year, so that you could embrace all that went well? Would you step into the last month of this year any differently?

In this episode, Saundra helps me commit to what will help me be the best entrepreneur, mom, and leader I can be. Buckle up to go on the journey with me, take out your pen and paper, and commit to yourself now how you will finish 2020.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What a coaching session looks like
• How you can show up for yourself
• How to commit to your journey and get accountability partners to help you on the way and much more...

Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Saundra was a guest on Episode 169 of the podcast Become Your Own Money Expert and Build A Financial Life True to Your Values & Desires.
• Black Friday Sale is happening all week long and the doors are now open to join the Money Launch Club until November 30.
• Teri is also having a Black Friday Sale for her VIP Trade and Travel Package and she is giving all of my Journeyers 10% off with the code: FRIYAY from Nov. 23- Nov. 30, click here to enroll.
• If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Saundra:

• Website
• Facebook: @SageMoney
• Instagram:@Sage.Money
• Twitter: @SageMoney

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the waitlist for my FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

This is a surprise episode where I announce that the Money Launch Club doors are open and I talk about a common underlying theme I have been noticing in my private community as well as in my first cohort of the Journey to FI course! Compared to the Facebook community, the Money Launch Club is a paid community where people invest to be in a space with other like-minded individuals. The common theme I have noticed is the community aspect of it, which allows members to feel the support and encouragement needed on those tougher days where they may not feel as motivated. If you are searching for a community that shares your same ideas while on your journey to Financial Independence, then you can check out the Money Launch Club! In the Money Launch Club you will get:

• S.T.E.Ps- the support, tools, education & plan to help you reach your money goals.
• Accountability through Weekly Wins & Monthly Goal Challenges
• Monthly Group Coaching Calls
• After Show Chats & Masterclasses with guests from previous episodes
• Book Club Meetings
• Virtual Meet-ups within the club
• & much more!

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Go to moneylaunchclub.com/interviews to listen from journeyers who are in the Money Launch Club and have been on the podcast.
• Get the Free Journeyer Jump Start Guide here.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the waitlist for my FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

What happens when COVID strikes your business and you have to pivot in an instance? Tammeca Rochester did exactly that and shares how she was able to keep her fitness business, Harlem Cycle, thriving during an extremely difficult time.

Tammeca did not set out to start her own cycling studio, but when she felt the pull to do so, she listened to it. Tammeca first started as an engineer then switched to the marketing field and then transitioned into running her business, Harlem Cycle, a cycling studio. She always knew she had an immense passion for helping people discover who they are and who they want to be, so when she passed an empty space for sale in Harlem on her afternoon run, it clicked in that moment that cycling should be brought to Harlem. Tammeca knew what was possible and went after what she wanted. She came up with the idea for Harlem Cycle in November 2015, signed her lease in February 2016 and held her first cycling class in April 2016.

In this episode, Tammeca shares how starting a business is possible and the obstacles she overcame to make it successful. I hope you are as excited as I am to head to Harlem (post COVID), hop on the bike, and take part in the magic of Harlem Cycle.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why you should take the leap and do what scares you
• The potential start up costs to a brick and mortar
• How to market your new business
• Ways to pivot your business during COVID and much more...

Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Tammeca:

• Website
• Twitter:@HarlemCycle
• Facebook:@HarlemCycle
• Instagram: HarlemCycle

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the waitlist for my FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

Are you a part of your local credit union? Ron McLean, president of Cooperative Credit Union Association, shares why everyone should join a credit union and debunks common myths associated with credit unions. The mission of a credit union is people helping people, which includes caring for families, communities, and businesses.

Credit unions aim to form meaningful relationships with their customers and emphasize people over profit. This is clear through the ways credit unions uplift their customers, serve underserved communities, assist with economic injustice, and educate it's communities on financial education and literacy.

Joining a credit union can be an integral part of your journey to reaching Financial Freedom because it helps to give you more options to banking. There is a credit union available for any and everybody, with one simple search you can find the one nearest to you today.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The mission of credit unions
• How credit unions work and serve local communities
• Why you can trust credit unions with your money
• What myths are not true when it comes to credit unions
• How to join your local credit union, and much more…

Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Reminder, Jamila and Ron will be going LIVE on Instagram November 20 at 12pm on @journeytolaunch and @dcucreditunion!
• Ron gives two websites that you can search to find your local credit union: Better Values, Better Banking and Your Money Further.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Cooperative Credit Union Association,:

• Website
• Twitter:@CooperativeCUA
• Facebook:@CooperativeCreditUnionAssociation

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the waitlist for my FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide

Are you a part of your local credit union? Ron McLean, president of Cooperative Credit Union Association, shares why everyone should join a credit union and debunks common myths associated with credit unions. The mission of a credit union is people helping people, which includes caring for families, communities, and businesses.

Credit unions aim to form meaningful relationships with their customers and emphasize people over profit. This is clear through the ways credit unions uplift their customers, serve underserved communities, assist with economic injustice, and educate it's communities on financial education and literacy.

Joining a credit union can be an integral part of your journey to reaching Financial Freedom because it helps to give you more options to banking. There is a credit union available for any and everybody, with one simple search you can find the one nearest to you today.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The mission of credit unions
• How credit unions work and serve local communities
• Why you can trust credit unions with your money
• What myths are not true when it comes to credit unions
• How to join your local credit union, and much more…

Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Reminder, Jamila and Ron will be going LIVE on Instagram November 20 at 12pm on @journeytolaunch and @dcucreditunion!
• Ron gives two websites that you can search to find your local credit union: Better Values, Better Banking and Your Money Further.
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• Watch me on News12 Watch my latest segments on News12
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Cooperative Credit Union Association,:

• Website
• Twitter:@CooperativeCUA
• Facebook:@CooperativeCreditUnionAssociation

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist
• Join the waitlist for my FI Course
• Jumpstart Guide