Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Chastain.
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been empowering women for over 20 years. I’ve worked as an academic advisor in higher education, Financial Advisor for high- net- worth individuals, and today I’m a money coach for women looking to get their financial lives together. What makes me qualified to help women like you is not my work experience. I’ve had to learn how to get my own financial life together after almost losing everything. Over the past decade, I’ve learned for myself what it really takes to make dreams come true, and it is not like Instagram would like you to believe it is (no beaches or unicorns here). It’s with my trained industry knowledge and personal experiences that I am helping my clients shed the shame and guilt around their finances by rewiring how they think about money and using a strategic financial framework that’s focused around healthy spending instead of restricted budgeting so they can enjoy their lives while building their wealth.
It wasn’t until I nearly went broke and lost everything that I had no choice as a financial advisor to make some much needed mindset and financial changes in my life. Even as a financial advisor there were things about money that I had never really understood or been taught simply enough to be able to have the kind of financial life that I wanted. I’m a blue-collared girl. I don’t aspire to have a mansion or drive a Ferrari, I wanted simple things (like so many of the successful and passionate women I work with) like savings and money working toward retirement with safety and security so that my son could also feel safe and secure and that he didn’t have to stress about money like I did growing up.
I officially left my firm as a financial advisor in 2016 because I realized that I could make a difference for women as a Personal Finance Coach. As soon as I made the change I knew I was in the right lane— and my business took off. But my financial struggles were real. From being at the top of my game in 2011 to burning through $100,000 to start my own business, I had to reinvent myself through financial failure and divorce. It’s the simple strategies and tools that I learned along the way that helped me get my $hit together.
Today, you can see me on CNBC, NBC News, MSN Money, O – The Oprah Magazine, Fortune, and Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. I am a best-selling author and the host of the Real Money podcast. Learning how to handle my own personal financial struggles helped me discover how to live my best life, free from money stress and worry – that’s how I know I can help you, too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve got a viral post on my Instagram account poking fun at influencers who make it sound like building a business is easy. Honestly, I don’t know any business owner who doesn’t deal with stress and constant ups and downs. I’d be lying (and I believe everyone else is too) if I said that building my business has been all sunshine and rainbows. It hasn’t. To my small business owner clients, the first thing I say is that every time they want to grow, they’ll need to become a new version of themselves. I’ve had to do the same thing year after year in my business. I’ve had countless sleepless nights and anxiety attacks, worrying about cash flow, clients, or failed investments. My biggest challenge has been overcoming my own mindset roadblocks. It has been anything but easy.
We need more honesty in business. We need more people to share the real issues they face in their companies and at home. I believe if more people were honest, we could help reduce the growing suicide rates among small business owners and CEOs.
My journey started in Q3 of 2013 when I went into business with my best friend of over 20 years. Almost three years in, we had to end the partnership, and our relationship has never been the same.
From there, I began investing in myself while working tirelessly to save my marriage. That failed too. In the same year I wrote my book, I got a divorce. It was one of my favorite years in business because I felt like it was my coming out year to the world, and simultaneously, it was the most painful year I’ve experienced to date. Bitter sweet.
My journey as a business owner has been more like a rollercoaster. The only difference is, I don’t know when the ride is going to end. No one does.
To succeed in business, I had to learn to do one thing repeatedly: get back up after failing.
We’ve been impressed with Millennial Consulting, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know?
I’ve got a viral post on my Instagram account poking fun at influencers who make it sound like building a business is easy. Honestly, I don’t know any business owner who doesn’t deal with stress and constant ups and downs. I’d be lying (and I believe everyone else is too) if I said that building my business has been all sunshine and rainbows. It hasn’t.
To my small business owner clients, the first thing I say is that every time they want to grow, they’ll need to become a new version of themselves. I’ve had to do the same thing year after year in my business. I’ve had countless sleepless nights and anxiety attacks, worrying about cash flow, clients, or failed investments. My biggest challenge has been overcoming my own mindset roadblocks. It has been anything but easy.
We need more honesty in business. We need more people to share the real issues they face in their companies and at home. I believe if more people were honest, we could help reduce the growing suicide rates among small business owners and CEOs.
My journey started in Q3 of 2013 when I went into business with my best friend of over 20 years. Almost three years in, we had to end the partnership, and our relationship has never been the same.
From there, I began investing in myself while working tirelessly to save my marriage. That failed too. In the same year I wrote my book, I got a divorce. It was one of my favorite years in business because I felt like it was my coming out year to the world, and simultaneously, it was the most painful year I’ve experienced to date. Bitter sweet.
My journey as a business owner has been more like a rollercoaster. The only difference is, I don’t know when the ride is going to end. No one does.
To succeed in business, I had to learn to do one thing repeatedly: get back up after failing.
What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?
As a Certified Trainer in Neuro Linguistic Programming and having been in the finance and coaching industry for the last decade, I specialize in helping my clients raise their financial emotional intelligence along with learning how to build financially. Most of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed and stuck in a cycle of shame and guilt financially. Through my coaching and programs not only do they learn how to raise their financial IQ, they work past emotional limitations so they can heal their relationship with money and get on their way to living healthier and happier lives.
What sets you apart from others?
Traditional financial education and budgeting just don’t cut it anymore. In our fast-paced world, money moves quicker than ever. What sets me apart is that I’m challenging the old norms of finance. I’m encouraging people to stop rigid budgeting and instead simplify their approach to money. I also give my clients permission to spend, promoting a more flexible and compassionate way to manage finances.
This approach isn’t just practical; it’s essential for healing our financial lives. I believe that helping people heal their relationship with money is the foundation women and children need to thrive. Our world needs a lot of healing, and the work I’m doing is a crucial step in that direction.
What are you most proud brand wise?
I’m incredibly proud of the authentic and transformative impact my work has on my clients’ lives. I’ve built a reputation for not only providing top-notch coaching and consulting, but also fostering genuine connections and promoting lasting change. Seeing my clients break free from financial stress and achieve their goals is the most rewarding part of what I do.
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
I want readers to know that my entire world is dedicated to more than just financial success; we’re committed to holistic well-being. My services include events, online courses, and private coaching, each designed to enhance both financial literacy and emotional intelligence. I offer a unique blend of financial guidance and personal development, helping clients build healthier relationships with money. My approach is compassionate, flexible, and tailored to individual needs, empowering clients to live more fulfilling lives. Thank you for taking the time to learn about my mission and the positive impact I strive to make.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Don’t open a business, don’t start a business, and don’t even think about being a business owner if you’re not ready and willing to take risks. As a business owner, you’re putting yourself on the line every single day. I have a high tolerance for risk, which has served me well in business. It also has me questioning my sanity some days. The biggest pain point for my small business owner clients is their reluctance to take risks when it’s absolutely necessary. I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded, and I believe this is true for most entrepreneurs. We must risk being wrong, losing money, losing relationships, and above all, we must risk losing the life we have in order to achieve the lives we dream of.
Two of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken in business happened simultaneously, and both proved to be the right decisions. The first was deciding to become a business owner in the first place. Business ownership wasn’t supported by my family. The second was writing my book. Telling my story felt incredibly vulnerable, and my family didn’t want me to do it. I risked financially to start my business while going through a divorce. In my first three years as a financial advisor, I made very little money. But when I took the leap to become a full-time coach and mentor, I built a six-figure business in 10 months, and I’ve never looked back. Risking my marriage, which ultimately ended, was terrifying, but I’m very proud of myself for taking that leap.
I still take risks and invest in my company today. I can’t imagine doing it any other way. Sometimes I win, and sometimes I lose. One of my favorite mentors, Robyn Crane, says, “hell on earth is meeting the person you could have become.” To meet the best version of myself, I must continue to risk the comfort and safety that stop most people from truly living the lives they’re meant to live. For that reason alone, I am grateful for all the risks I have taken. Even when they don’t pan out exactly as I hoped, I am grateful for the lessons.
Pricing:
- Money Personality Course – $97.00
- Stop Budgeting System – $497.00
- Debt Eliminator Course – $197.00
- Cash Flow Community – $297.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisachastain.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvymoneywithlisa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvymoneywithlisa/?_rdc=1&_rdr
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lisachastain
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcbyns9cEvGtWm6GgOiUW-Q
Image Credits
Casey Jade Photography