Let's Play Money

Before there were six Little Books of Big Business, there was Cat Casey and a pan of brownies.

In this episode, Mara takes you behind the scenes of the very first book in the series: where the idea came from, why she chose an 11-year-old entrepreneur as her main character, and how a simple story about selling brownies grew into something much bigger.

You’ll hear about the real-world business lessons woven into Cat’s story, from costs, pricing and profit to problem solving, teamwork and confidence. Mara also shares why she created a small-town world with less technology, supportive friendships and adults who guide kids without solving every problem for them.

Plus, hear the story of how a 14-year-old artist helped illustrate Mara’s first self-published children’s book and why that collaboration fit perfectly with what the book was trying to teach.

This is the first episode in a new series taking you inside The Little Books of Big Business, the stories, characters, financial literacy lessons and real-life experiences behind the books.

Because Cat may have started with a pan of brownies, but the bigger story is what happens when kids discover what they’re capable of.

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

Helping kids discover their future doesn't start in high school - it starts with the experiences, conversations, and life skills we build throughout childhood.

In this episode of the Let's Play Money Podcast, Coach Mara welcomes Tyra Woodall, a Certified Life Coach who helps teens and young adults gain clarity, confidence, and purpose as they navigate college, careers, and the transition into adulthood.

Together, they explore:

• Why career exploration should begin before graduation
• How financial literacy helps kids make better life decisions
• Ways parents can encourage curiosity and confidence
• The value of discovering a child's unique strengths
• How everyday experiences can shape future careers

Coach Mara also shares how The Little Books of Big Business introduce children to entrepreneurship, money management, leadership, and problem-solving through engaging stories. As kids grow, those early lessons become the foundation for bigger conversations about purpose, career exploration, and creating a meaningful future.

Whether you're raising an elementary-aged entrepreneur, a middle-school dreamer, or a teenager beginning to think about life after graduation, this episode offers practical encouragement for every stage of the journey.

Connect with Tyra Woodall:
Learn more about Tyra's coaching for teens and young adults at:
Website: https://www.lifecoachtyra.com/

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

What happens when an eleven-year-old decides to start a business?

In this episode of the Let's Play Money Podcast, Mara Williams sits down with one of the young entrepreneurs from the Snohomish Youth Farmers Market and her mom to talk about the journey from an idea to a real business.

Together, they share what inspired her to get started, the challenges she faced, what surprised her most, and the confidence she gained along the way. You'll also hear a parent's perspective on supporting a child through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, educator, or someone who loves seeing kids discover their potential, this conversation is full of encouragement and practical insights.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How one young entrepreneur turned an idea into a business
• Lessons learned from selling at a local farmers market
• How parents can encourage confidence without taking over
• Why hands-on experiences teach money skills that last
• The lifelong value of letting kids try, fail, and grow

If you've ever wondered whether your child is "ready" to start a small business, this episode may give you the inspiration you've been looking for.

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

What really happens when kids aren’t taught about money?

In this episode, Mara takes a closer look at the quiet, real-life patterns that can follow people for years - often starting in childhood. From a conversation with a woman in her 70s to young adults struggling to earn and manage money, these stories show how early experiences shape lifelong habits.

But this isn’t just about what goes wrong.

You’ll also hear heartwarming moments from kids who are learning money in a different way - through simple, real-life experiences that build confidence early.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  How early money experiences stay with us longer than we think 
•  Why many young adults struggle with earning and decision-making 
•  The generational patterns that shape how we think about money 
•  Simple, everyday moments where kids can begin to learn 

If you’ve ever wondered when or how to start teaching your kids about money, this episode will give you a new way to think about it.

Reference in episode about the Farmers Market episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2468148/episodes/18638483

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

In this episode, Mara introduces a brand-new tool for families: the Let’s Play Money Zine.

If you’ve never heard the word zine before, it simply means a small mini-magazine; something simple, creative, and fun to read. Mara created this zine as an easy way for parents and kids to start conversations about money, creativity, and entrepreneurship without needing a full lesson plan.

In this episode, Mara walks through the zine page by page and shares how families, homeschool parents, and educators can use it in simple ways at home.

You’ll hear:

• What a zine is and why it’s such a fun learning tool
  
  
  
• Why small, playful learning moments work so well for kids
  
  
  
• How each section of the zine helps kids think about earning, creativity, and business ideas
  
  
  
• Easy ways parents can use the zine at the kitchen table, in homeschool, or as a weekend activity
  
  
  

The goal isn’t complicated lessons. It’s helping kids begin to see money as something they can create, understand, and talk about with confidence.

If you'd like to try the Let’s Play Money Zine, you can download it free on the website.

TheLittleBooksOfBigBusiness.com

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

Kid Vendor Day has become one of Snohomish’s most loved community traditions—and today we’re taking you behind the scenes.

In this episode, Mara sits down with Sarah, Executive Director of the Snohomish Farmers Market, and Krystal, Executive Director of the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce, to explore how Kid Vendor Day empowers young entrepreneurs and brings families together in memorable, meaningful ways.

You’ll hear how kids learn real money skills, customer service, pricing, creativity, and confidence—all inside a fun, play-based environment. We also talk about why this program strengthens the wider community, including the partnerships between the Market, the Chamber, and local businesses.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or a farmers market manager looking to start your own youth vendor program, this conversation offers inspiration, stories, and practical insight. Everything you need to get kids engaged, supported, and excited about entrepreneurship is in this episode.

⭐ Perfect for families, homeschoolers, youth programs, and markets ready to bring more learning, joy, and community spirit to their town.

Show Notes & Resources

TheLittleBooksOfBigBusiness.com

FarmersMarketKidsBook.com 

SnohomishFarmersMarket.com (Youth page)

SnohomishChamber.org events

Podcast | Market Maven YourMarketMaven.com

Lettuce Talk to the Kids About It! | Podcasts

Growing Great Kidpreneurs | Podcasts

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

January often comes with pressure — to reset routines, make plans, and “do money better” as a family.

In this episode of the Let’s Play Money Podcast, Coach Mara invites parents to take a calmer approach. Instead of goals, systems, or overhauls, this episode focuses on noticing small money moments that are already happening in everyday life.

You’ll hear:

• Why money confidence starts with awareness, not rules
  
  
• How kids learn about money through observation, play, and simple choices
  
  
• A big-picture look at why early money conversations matter — long before kids enter the workforce
  
  
• Real-life stories (including Monopoly, pennies in coffee cans, and family game nights) that show how money learning often happens quietly
  
  
• How noticing moments today helps kids build confidence for tomorrow
  
  

This episode is a gentle reset for the new year — designed to help families slow down, stay curious, and build money confidence without pressure.

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

2025 was a big year for kid entrepreneurs! In this episode, Coach Mara recaps the top highlights from a year filled with youth business programs, farmers market partnerships, and fun subscription boxes that help kids learn about money.

You’ll hear about:

 • New Kidpreneur Kits launching in multiple Washington markets
 • The first-ever Let’s Play Money subscription boxes
 • A record-breaking Kids Vendor program with 52 young sellers
 • Over 700 cups of lemonade served at Kla Ha Ya Days
 • The release of our bilingual book Maria Martinez Turns Art Into Income
 • More than 100 books donated to families, schools, and clubs

If you're curious how kids can learn financial literacy through stories, play, and real-life experiences, this recap will inspire you.

Perfect for parents, grandparents, homeschoolers, and anyone who loves watching kids grow their confidence.

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

In this episode of the Let’s Play Money Podcast, host Mara Williams introduces her brand-new book, Maria Martinez Turns Art into Income—a bilingual story (English & Spanish) that helps families talk about money, creativity, and culture.

Mara is joined by Jen, who helped translate the book into Spanish and shares her perspective as a mom raising a bilingual child. Together they discuss:

• Why it matters for kids to see financial literacy taught in both English and Spanish
  
  
  
• How cultural traditions like Day of the Dead add depth to money lessons
  
  
  
• Ways bilingual stories create connection across generations
  
  
  
• A personal story of how Jen’s son has learned about money through Let’s Play Money programs
  
  
  

This episode is all about helping families feel included, represented, and confident in their money conversations—while celebrating creativity and culture along the way.

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.

Pam and Crystal join me to reflect on their experience volunteering with the Let’s Play Money program at the Boys & Girls Club, where they worked with 5th graders to teach essential money skills.

In this episode, we talk about why business owners choose to invest in the next generation, the impact of teaching financial literacy before high school, and share personal stories about our own children.

You’ll discover practical insights for parents, teachers, and entrepreneurs who want to raise financially confident kids—and learn how early financial education, real-world learning, and volunteer efforts can make a lasting difference in young lives.

•  Visit the website: www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com
•  Follow on social media:
  • Instagram: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • Facebook: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • YouTube: @thelittlebooksofbigbusiness
  • TikTok: @letsplaymoney
• Join the email list for updates, freebies, and family-friendly financial literacy tools

Enjoyed the episode?

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with another parent, teacher, or grandparent who wants to raise confident, money-smart kids! Your support helps us spread the message and make financial literacy fun and accessible for every family.