Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Onaka

Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I used to work as an academic counselor at a local university, helping first-generation college students and students from families with little access to financial resources through college (shout out to TRIO SSS!). One of my roles in that position was to provide financial literacy, which I did in one on one settings, workshops, emails, and through a college course that I created. That led me to create my financial education business, Intentional Money Life. And that business eventually put me in touch with a local financial planner.

When my university boss said I had to either leave the position or come back to work full-time, I left. And I connected with the financial planner, who offered me a job. Then I got licensed to give investing advice, and now I work as an associate advisor for that local financial planning firm (Clarity Wealth Development), as a founder and financial educator in my business (Intentional Money Life), and as a financial planner through Nectarine Financial as an independent contractor (earning income that I run through my business).

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Starting a business was and honestly is still hard. I truly dislike selling things, which maybe partially comes from the fact that I spent 8 years working in a grant-funded position, where all our services were paid for by the government so the only selling I had to do was the kind where I convinced students they could benefit from our free services. I still struggle with sales.

I also spent $6,000 that I didn’t have, on a business coach that I very much regret. It was incredibly stressful and I didn’t feel supported at all. And in the end I got one $750 sale out of the whole thing. I’m still digging myself out of that debt (to myself, luckily).

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

One of the things I’m most excited about is Nectarine, a new advisory firm that offers online, one-time, advice-only, one-hour, affordable financial planning sessions. I wish this service had existed when I was 18, as it could have stopped me from making so many financial mistakes!

Often with financial advising of any sort, people seem to think that you need to have a lot of money before you really need advice. So those without huge sums of money are left to figure it out on their own, and those with a lot of money often just hand over that money to an advisor who manages it for them.

Nectarine solves all those problems because it doesn’t matter if you’re in a ton of debt or are a multi-millionaire, if you want a professional to talk to about any financial questions, you can pay for an hour session ($150-250/hour currently).

I absolutely love getting to be an advisor for Nectarine. My conversations are so fun, and so varied. We talk about money management, handling money in relationships, taxes, investing, retirement planning, paying off debt, building your credit score, spending money intentionally, goal setting, inheriting money, money and parenting, and so much more.

And the best part, is that I get to help people translate all the financial education they’ve learned into actionable steps that they can take to improve their financial situation and work towards their goals. It’s both incredibly rewarding and enjoyable for me, and truly helpful for clients. Many of my clients come in with some anxiety around money or their financial situation, and the overwhelming feelings that they leave with are confidence, clarity, and empowerment. I’m so lucky to get to do this work!

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?

I learned about the importance of having leadership at work that is truly supportive of their employees. People who truly care about their staff member’s family’s well-being and needs, and who don’t just think about the needs of their organization. Due to this lesson, I learned that switching places of employment can be liberating!!!

Pricing:

• 150 – 1 hour financial planning session with me through Nectarine
• 279 – Take my Level Up Your Finances online course and learn exactly what you need to know to confidently take control of your financial life and invest for your future!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://intentionalmoneylife.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intentionalmoneylife/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntentionalMoneyLife
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@intentionalmoneylife
• Other: https://hellonectarine.com/advisor/michelle-onaka