We recently connected with Athena Gardner and have shared our conversation below.

Athena, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

The idea for WeWealth Women came to me during a moment of quiet reflection while I was working at a client site. At the time, as a CPA working for a consulting firm, my role was to help clients resolve complex accounting challenges. Though the work was fulfilling, I often felt a pull toward something deeper—something more personal and meaningful.

Interestingly, I was also working with a business coach on launching a completely different business idea. But as much as I tried to lean into that concept, I couldn’t shake a feeling of hesitation. Something was missing. That’s when it hit me—I wanted to build a business that genuinely aligned with my passion for empowering women. I’d gained so much insight from my professional journey, my personal experiences, and my own challenges with wealth and self-growth. What if I could share these lessons and create a space to help other women elevate themselves in wealth, wisdom, and womanhood? And just like that, the idea for WeWealth Women was born.

Once the idea took hold, it was as though a switch had flipped. I felt energized, inspired, and determined to bring it to life. The very next day, I dove in headfirst. Drawing from my previous business experience, I tackled the foundational steps with confidence. I researched names until I found one that perfectly captured the vision. I quickly purchased the domain, set up hosting for the website, and registered the business with the state and IRS.

One of the game-changers in this process was leveraging AI tools. I used them to refine my offerings, clarify my mission, and streamline my setup. These tools helped me articulate what WeWealth Women would represent and how I could deliver value to the community I envisioned.

In those early months, I learned that starting a business isn’t just about checking tasks off a list—it’s about aligning your actions with your purpose. Every decision I made, from crafting the mission to designing the platform, was guided by the core belief that women deserve to be supported as they navigate their journeys to wealth and self-empowerment. That belief became the heartbeat of WeWealth Women, and it continues to drive me every day.

Athena, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began my career in business working for one of the top accounting firms in the world straight out of grad school. It was an incredible opportunity that provided a strong foundation in understanding the complexities of the business and consulting world while sharpening my business acumen. However, as much as it accelerated my growth, it didn’t feel fulfilling. My early career was grueling—I remember the long 80-hour weeks, leaving home in darkness at 6 a.m. and returning well past midnight.

What stood out to me during those years was the noticeable lack of women in leadership roles. When they were present, it often seemed to come at a great cost—many were divorced or single, having made their career their sole focus. I found myself questioning if there was a way to carve out a different path. Could I create a business that allowed me to share my knowledge and experiences while helping others in a meaningful way?

That question became the seed for WeWealth Women. Through this platform, I’ve combined my decade-long expertise as a CPA with my life experiences to empower women in ways that go beyond traditional business consulting. Women often feel alone and unsupported, even when surrounded by friends, family, or colleagues. I wanted to create a sanctuary—a supportive community for women committed to elevating themselves in wealth, wisdom, and womanhood.

WeWealth Women is more than just a business. It’s a mission. Through consulting, workshops, courses, podcasts, and a dynamic community, I help women not only increase their financial wealth but also gain the wisdom and confidence to navigate life authentically. Personal development and self-actualization are at the heart of what I do, providing a support system that women can lean on as they grow and flourish in their journeys.

What sets me apart is my authenticity and empathy. I empower women with honesty, reminding them that they already hold the power to manifest the life they deserve. I see myself as a guide—someone walking alongside them, offering insights and encouragement—but ultimately, they are the leaders of their own lives. My role is to remind them of that power and help them harness it.

What I’m most proud of is the feedback I receive from the women I’ve worked with. When someone tells me that I’ve impacted their life, encouraged them to take a bold step, or provided a service that genuinely helped them move forward, I know I’m fulfilling my purpose. Those moments, when my work directly contributes to someone else’s growth and success, are what drive me every day.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first launched my business, I was eager to connect with my community and grow my audience through in-person workshops. I’d already held a few successful online workshops, but I felt that hosting something face-to-face would add a personal touch and help me gain new clients. With this vision in mind, I planned an in-person workshop and advertised it locally.

Since I was operating on a tight budget, I chose to host the workshop for free at my local library. I put my heart into preparing for the event—designing the presentation, arranging the space, and making sure everything was ready for the big day. I arrived early, set up the room, and waited, excited to share my knowledge with the attendees.

But as the minutes ticked by, no one showed up. The room remained completely empty.

In that moment, I had every reason to feel discouraged. After all the effort I’d put in, it would’ve been easy to give in to frustration or doubt. Instead, I chose to focus on what I could take away from the experience. I congratulated myself for trying, for taking the initiative, and for being brave enough to execute my idea—even though it didn’t go as planned. I didn’t allow negative self-talk to take over because I knew this was just one step in a much larger journey.

The experience also became a valuable learning opportunity. I realized that while people had signed up for the workshop, sign-ups didn’t guarantee attendance. This insight, along with others I gained from that day, helped me refine my approach for future events. Over time, I improved my strategies for promotion, follow-up, and engagement to ensure better turnout.

Looking back, that empty workshop wasn’t a failure—it was a steppingstone. It reminded me that resilience isn’t about never falling down; it’s about how you choose to get back up. That day strengthened my commitment to my mission and proved to me that every step, whether successful or not, is part of the process of growth.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of targeted advertising and strategic collaborations. For my online workshops, I run ads specifically designed to reach my target audience. These ads drive sign-ups and allow me to connect with individuals who are genuinely interested in my offerings. Once they attend a workshop, they’re added to my email list, where I continue to nurture those relationships through consistent and valuable communication in my newsletter. This ongoing engagement helps build trust and keeps my audience connected to my brand.

In addition to ads, collaborating with others has been a powerful growth strategy. Partnering with individuals and organizations who align with my mission has given me exposure to their audiences, which has not only expanded my social media following but also brought in new clients. These collaborations create a win-win situation by allowing me to provide value to a broader community while also building my own reach and credibility.

By combining these strategies—leveraging the precision of targeted ads and the relational power of collaborations—I’ve been able to steadily grow my clientele while maintaining meaningful connections with my audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wewealthwomen.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/wewealthwomen
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/wewealthwomen
• Twitter: https://x.com/wewealthwomen
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wewealthwomen
• Other: TikTok: tiktok.com/@wewealthwomen
  Current offers: elevatewithathena.com
  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4h0ryiFAQhHint70ZB0U6V
  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wewealth-women-podcast/id1726606759