On this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by powerhouse entrepreneur and Fortune 500 sales veteran Mara Dorne to talk about going From Rock Bottom to $1B. Mara shares her incredible journey from financial struggle to building a billion-dollar sales career and becoming a self-made millionaire by 35.

She opens up about the mindset shifts, intentional money moves, and fearless leadership strategies that helped her rise in a male-dominated industry. As the founder of the BILF (Boss I’d Like to Follow) podcast and leader of a nationwide team of over 1,500 health insurance agents, Mara is on a mission to empower women to lead boldly, build wealth with purpose, and redefine what success looks like, on their own terms.

What Mara Discussed on the Podcast:

• Her personal story, career background, and the defining moments that shaped her journey.
• How hitting rock bottom sparked the transformation that led to $1B+ in sales.
• The financial mindset shifts that were key to building lasting wealth.
• Lessons learned from leading large teams as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
• The impact of the 2008 financial crisis on her approach to money, risk, and resilience.
• Encouragement for women looking to lead with confidence despite fear, finances, or imposter syndrome.
• How she cultivates high-performing teams and integrates financial education into leadership.
• What intentional money management looks like in both her personal and professional life.
• How to turn purpose into profitable and sustainable business ventures.

AND SO MUCH MORE

How to Keep Up With Mara:

• Follow on Instagram: @maradorne
• Listen and follow the podcast: @bilfpod

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In this episode, I open up about losing my dad and how I’m navigating grief, reflection, and healing. He lived a long, full life - married to my mom for 55 years, and in his final days, he told us his time was near and even called to say goodbye.

While the pain of loss is real, I find peace in the chance I had to say goodbye and in the words my dad told me often: “Bola, be happy! Nothing is that serious.”

Right now, I’m giving myself grace, taking breaks as needed, and choosing to honor his legacy by holding onto joy. I hope this episode reminds anyone going through loss that it’s okay to grieve in your own way and to take things one day at a time. ❤️

Struggling to stay consistent with your money? You’re not alone—and you don’t need to be perfect to build wealth.

I’m sharing the real self-discipline tips that help me stay on track with my finances—without guilt, burnout, or unrealistic expectations. These habits have helped me grow my savings, stay focused, and still enjoy my life. If you’re ready to finally follow through on your money goals, this video is your starting point.

Here’s what you’ll learn on this episode:

• The importance of knowing your why and how it fuels financial consistency
• Why automation is the ultimate self-discipline tool
• How to set realistic spending rules that actually work for your lifestyle
• The power of tracking your progress weekly to stay motivated
• How to build a budget that’s honest—not aspirational
• Easy ways to remove temptation before it derails your goals
• Why routines—not willpower—create lasting financial change

💡 This isn’t about being strict or saying no to fun—it’s about creating systems and habits that help you protect your money and your peace. ✨

ACTION STEP: Pick one self-discipline strategy from this video and start applying it today. Small, consistent actions are what create real results over time.

📚 Ready to take the next step? Check out the Clever Girl Finance My Wealth Plan Workbook to map out your personalized strategy: https://clevergirlfinance.com/books

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Ready to take control of your finances and build real wealth?

I’m sharing the 7 key financial lessons that completely transformed my money mindset, helped me save six figures, and set me on the path to financial freedom. These aren’t just tips—they’re real strategies you can start using today, no matter where you’re starting from.

Here’s what you’ll learn on this episode:

• Why systems matter more than goals when it comes to your finances
• How to avoid lifestyle inflation even as your income grows
• The power of delayed gratification (and how it saves you thousands)
• Why retirement savings and investing early are game-changers
• How to build a supportive financial environment
• Using credit cards the smart way—without debt traps
• Why your money mindset is just as important as your budget

Whether you’re just starting out or rebooting your financial journey, these lessons will help you simplify your approach, stay consistent, and build real, lasting wealth.

Action Step: Choose one of these 7 financial lessons and start implementing it today. Small steps lead to big results.

📚 Ready to take the next step? Check out the Clever Girl Finance My Wealth Plan Workbook to map out your personalized strategy: https://clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motiviation: clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

On today’s episode, we’re joined by financial journalist and fintech insider Gemma Boothroyd to explore why women are better at investing than we think. With a background in product and marketing at top UK fintech firms, Gemma saw firsthand the stark differences in how men and women approach investing—and how the industry often misinterprets those differences.

That experience inspired her upcoming book, Hidden Risk Economy, which challenges the outdated belief that women are too risk-averse to succeed as investors. Instead, she reframes women’s approach to risk as a strength and a powerful driver of long-term success. Her mission is to close the gender investing gap by showing women that not only are they capable investors—they may just be the best in the game.

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• Her background in finance and fintech, and how those experiences shaped her perspective on women and investing.

• The harmful myth that women are too risk-averse to be great investors, and where that narrative comes from.

• Why the problem isn’t a lack of confidence among women—it’s a lack of fair and accurate narratives.

• What research actually shows about how women invest compared to men.

• The difference between being risk-averse and being risk-intelligent.

• Why women’s cautious, long-term investing approach is a competitive advantage.

• How financial marketing often alienates women and what needs to change.

• Advice for women who feel investing is too complicated or risky, including how to take the first step with confidence.

• Practical ways women can reframe their relationship with risk and invest on their own terms.

• The one narrative she would change about women and money.

• On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gemmaboothroyd
• Via her website: https://hiddenriskeconomy.com/

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Wondering where your money keeps going—even though you're trying to save?

On this podcast episode, I’m sharing 10 everyday things to stop buying if you're serious about hitting your financial goals. These are the sneaky spending habits—like fantasy lifestyle shopping, takeout overload, and unused subscriptions—that quietly sabotage your progress. But this isn’t about deprivation—it’s about alignment.

If your spending doesn’t reflect your values or goals, it’s time to hit pause and reset. Let’s break the cycle together and start making purchases that truly support your financial future.

You’ll learn:

• What “fantasy spending” is—and how to stop doing it
• How viral trends and duplicate products waste money
• Why decluttering first saves you from unnecessary purchases
• How guilt-based or emotional spending sneaks into your budget
• The truth about productivity tools that don’t actually help

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❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

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On today’s episode, we’re joined by Rocío Salceda, founder of Repair Café El Barrio, for a powerful conversation about what it means to fix what’s broken and build what’s next. Rocío shares her journey of developing financial resilience, finding empowerment, and repairing more than just things—both in her own life and through her work in East Harlem.

At Repair Café El Barrio, neighbors come together once a month to learn how to fix broken items with the help of volunteer repairers, all offered for free or by donation. It’s a space rooted in sustainability, skill-sharing, and community care. As a Spaniard living alone in NYC and navigating a difficult divorce, Rocío also opens up about how finding support through financial education helped her survive—and now thrive—as she pays it forward by helping others do the same.

WHAT ROCIO DISCUSSED:

• The inspiration behind starting Repair Café El Barrio and how it has grown into a movement of empowerment within her community.
• Navigating major life changes, including divorce, both emotionally and financially.
• How her personal finance journey has evolved and the role financial knowledge played in her healing and independence.
• The powerful metaphor of repairing broken items and the parallels between that work and financial resilience.
• The importance of community support in building both financial and emotional stability.
• Small, impactful steps that helped her regain control of her finances and mindset during a major life transition.
• Advice for women who are starting over financially and looking to rebuild their lives.
• How embracing sustainability and a circular economy mindset can also support personal finance goals.
• Maintaining a donation-based model at Repair Café while keeping the mission sustainable and empowering for others.
• The most rewarding moments she’s experienced since beginning this work.

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ROCIO:

• On her website: www.repaircafeelbarrio
• On Instagram: https://instagram.com/rociorsalceda and https://instagram.com/repaircafeelbarrio

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On this podcast episode, Jessica Norwood shares how she's flipped the script and is navigating marriage as the female breadwinner.

Jessica is co-host and "the better half" of the dynamic duo behind The Sugar Daddy Podcast, a financial literacy podcast dedicated to helping millennials build wealth and break the stigma around money conversations. As an elder-millennial, she is on a mission is to empower you to take control of your finances so you can live the life you've always dreamed of.

Jessica brings a unique perspective to the podcast as Strategic Consultant in the tech space, working with Fortune 100 and 500 companies. She is the “Sugar Daddy” in their relationship, helping fuel their financial journey.

The podcast has been featured in major outlets like Investopedia, Huff Post, CNN Underscored, Fortune, MarketWatch, Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, US News and more. Her personal goal is to become "work-optional" by 50, in order to travel the world with their two children while continuing to help others have better money conversations and achieve financial freedom.

WHAT JESSICA DISCUSSED:

• Her background, what she does, and how The Sugar Daddy Podcast came to life.
• The inspiration behind reclaiming the “Sugar Daddy” label and turning it into an empowering identity.
• What it was like stepping into the role of breadwinner in her marriage and how she and her partner navigated that dynamic early on.
• Common misconceptions about female breadwinners in marriage and the realities she wants to challenge.
• How she and her husband make financial decisions together, especially with a significant income gap.
• The importance of open, healthy communication around money in her relationship.
• Advice for women breadwinners who feel guilt or pressure because of their role.
• Balancing her own financial goals while supporting a family as a mom, podcast host, and strategic consultant.
• What being “work-optional” by 50 means to her and how being the breadwinner factors into that vision.
• The example she hopes to set for her children around gender roles and money.

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH JESSICA:

• On her website: www.thesugardaddypodcast.com
• On all social media: @thesugardaddypodcast
• Her husband Brandon’s financial planning services: https://www.oakcityfinancial.us/

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motiviation: clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance