We were lucky to catch up with Leah Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Leah, thanks for joining us today. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
When I moved to a new city in 2018, I was struggling financially. Several days after I had signed the lease to my apartment, I was let go from my job. I was living in a new area and my professional network wasn’t easily accessible. I began networking and was eventually referred to Saundra Davis, the Founder and Executive Director of Sage Financial Solutions. Saundra, is a very busy woman and agreed to meet with me over coffee.
When we met,, she told me that I reminder her of herself when she was my age. I didn’t realize it then, but she saw something in me that I didn’t really see….yet. I started working at an investment firm and after about 8 months I heard from Saundra. She had one of her students going through her Financial Fitness Certification program that needed to coach someone to get their hours. She asked if I wanted to be coached and so I agreed.
Soon after I began coaching, I realized how I wasn’t the only woman of color needing to work with a financial coach. Saundra touched base with me while I was being coached and she told me that she knew I would make an excellent coach. When she was beginning a new cohort of coaches, she told me I needed to be in the program. I explained to her that I simply didn’t have the $2k (or so) cash available to pay for her program. Saundra, did the kindest thing. She told me not to worry about it and that she would cover the expense. She believed in me and saw that I could be an amazing coach and she was willing to pay for me to take her coaching program.
Of course I agreed! Then, when there was an opening for me to switch careers and become a full time financial coach – Saundra thought of me. She plucked me out of my job at the investment firm and I began coaching in one of the programs she was scaling for the city of Oakland. I was able to get my coaching hours completed and I became a certified Financial Coach about 1 1/2 years later.
If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have started coaching. If it wasn’t for her generosity, I wouldn’t have been able to get certified. Her support gave me the opportunity to start my coaching business.
Leah, 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 am a Wealth and Wellness Coach with unwavering dedication in uplifting the lives of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and all Women of Color. My journey in the industry began with a desire to empower women of color, helping them master their mindsets, behaviors, and financial habits. What sets me apart is my heartfelt commitment to addressing the specific needs of women that have experienced gender-based violence and childhood domestic violence.
Through my coaching and educational programs, I tackle a wide spectrum of challenges women of color face as they navigate their financial goals with confidence and resilience. My empathetic approach fosters a sense of belonging and safety, allowing women to not only achieve economic empowerment but also reclaim their personal power and autonomy.
My experience in the finance industry stems from my previous role as a licensed financial advisor, where I assisted numerous clients in building a sustainable financial foundation and managing risks. My position as a Senior Financial Coach at Oakland Promise further solidified my commitment to guiding families toward their financial aspirations. With a focus on accountability and unwavering support, I led impactful financial education workshops, equipping families with the tools to take charge of their finances and build a secure future.
My coaching programs are tailored to instill healthier spending habits, promote an abundance mindset, and navigate the unique financial challenges faced by women who are first-generation wealth builders. My coaching also emphasizes effective budgeting, strategic debt management, and tailored saving strategies to foster long-term wealth accumulation. Moreover, my approach helps clients conquer feelings of shame and procrastination, fostering the courage needed to engage proactively with financial advisors.
I offer a range of transformative programs, including financial coaching, financial education, financial literacy workshops, mindfulness, spirituality, and access to a host of invaluable financial resources. With my guidance, women of color can achieve not only financial stability but also a profound sense of empowerment and self-reliance.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Navigating the journey of building a coaching business as a woman of color with a full-time job, while also shouldering the responsibilities of a single parent to a teenage daughter, presents a unique set of challenges and demands an extraordinary level of resilience. In my journey as a Wealth and Wellness Coach, I’ve had to confront the challenge of unlearning the habit of comparing myself to other successful coaches that I see online. It’s been a transformative process of working through limiting beliefs, allowing me to realize that my unique voice and experiences hold immeasurable value. Each step forward has demanded a conscious effort to focus on my own path, embracing the authenticity and individuality that make my coaching approach truly impactful. By acknowledging and addressing these comparisons, I can tap into my power to pave my own way, one step at a time, and to serve my clients from a place of genuine authenticity and personal growth.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In recent times, I found myself taking a step back from my business, leading to a period of silence on social media. The lack of motivation and inspiration to engage and share stemmed from the weight of personal challenges that had quietly accumulated over the past few years. It wasn’t until my dear friend and mentor, Saundra Davis, lovingly pointed out that I had been carrying an invisible burden, urging me to take a moment to simply breathe. Hearing her words was a moment of clarity, allowing me to acknowledge the weight I had been unknowingly carrying. Taking the necessary time to pause, breathe, and attend to my well-being has been crucial, providing me with the space to recharge and rediscover my passion for the work I love. I’m now prepared to return, rejuvenated and ready to continue my journey with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leahcoaching.com
- Instagram: leahcoaching
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahcoachingWOCwealth
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leah-davis-coaching/
Image Credits
Photo credit: Emily Kim Photography