We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shavonne Potts. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shavonne below.

Alright, Shavonne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

When I think about how we can better prepare students for a fulfilling life and career, the answer always comes back to one thing: money. But not just the idea of making money — it’s understanding how to manage it, save it, invest it, and let it work for you in any career you choose. That’s the kind of financial literacy that schools often miss, but it’s a skill that’s vital for everyone.

I was fortunate to grow up in a household where money wasn’t a taboo subject. My mother taught me about money early on — not through lectures, but by living it. She budgeted, couponed, and showed us firsthand how to manage what we had wisely.

Even if we didn’t have much, we always made it stretch, and we always had what we needed. She instilled in me the importance of financial responsibility and planning for the future, lessons I didn’t fully appreciate until I was out on my own.

Now, as a mother, I’m passing these lessons down to my daughter. She’s only 9, but we talk about money regularly. Just like my mother showed me, I show her by example. Whether it’s teaching her about saving her allowance or explaining why we don’t buy every toy she sees, I make sure she understands that money is a tool. It can either control you or be controlled by you.

I believe financial education should start early, just like it did in my family. Schools may not be teaching this yet, but in our house, it’s part of the conversation. Preparing students for a fulfilling life isn’t just about academics; it’s about equipping them with life skills that will allow them to succeed, no matter what path they choose.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a solopreneur with a passion for helping people, especially beginners, take control of their finances. My approach is to create personalized spending and saving plans tailored to their unique lifestyles. I help clients break free from the cycle of debt and financial stress by incorporating practical strategies, like automation, to simplify their money management.

My background isn’t in finance — it’s in journalism and mass communications — but what sets me apart is that I’ve walked in the same shoes as my clients. I know the struggle of living paycheck to paycheck, working low-wage jobs, and balancing the demands of single parenthood. I’ve had debt and learned the hard way how to overcome it. That lived experience is what gives me the unique ability to quickly analyze someone’s financial situation and instantly craft a plan that works for them.

What truly distinguishes my work is the deep connection I build with my clients. They appreciate that I understand their challenges because I’ve been there myself. I’m proud of the authenticity I bring to my coaching, offering not just textbook advice but real, actionable steps that are grounded in empathy and experience.

My services include one-to-one coaching sessions where we establish weekly milestones, providing clients with clear, achievable goals and personalized action plans. Each client gets access to tailored tools like budget spreadsheets and detailed financial plans, alongside exclusive resources such as my e-books — “Financial Goals: Roadmap to Riches” and “Crack the Code: Your Credit Report Decoded” — and a collection of savings challenges, budget worksheets, and guides I’ve developed.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my brand, it’s that I’m here to offer practical, relatable financial coaching that goes beyond numbers. I’m committed to helping my clients feel seen, understood, and empowered to take control of their money and their future.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The Lesson I Had to Unlearn: Trusting Others Over Myself with My Finances
One of the hardest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking that someone else was better suited to manage my finances, even when I knew more.

For a few years, I let my spouse handle our money, believing he had things under control. But deep down, I knew I had the tools to do better. I grew up watching my mother budget and save with precision. Despite that, I trusted someone else’s financial decisions over my own — even as they led us into debt.

Taking back control was a pivotal moment for me. Once I made that decision, I realized just how much power I had been giving away.

But here’s the key: even though I had more financial knowledge than my spouse, I also learned that it’s okay to ask for professional help when you need it. Hiring a finance coach was the step I needed to take to fully own my financial journey.

It wasn’t about admitting defeat — it was about getting the extra guidance to help me maximize what I already knew and build the confidence to succeed on my own.

This experience taught me that reclaiming financial power starts with trusting yourself, even when others don’t have the answers. And sometimes, even the most financially savvy need a coach to get them to the next level. It’s okay to ask for help, but never give away your power.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my audience on social media has been a journey of authenticity rather than numbers for me. With a combined total of about 700+ followers across three platforms, I may not have what you’d call a huge following, but what I do have is genuine connection.

The key to my growth has been being myself — sometimes serious, sometimes quirky, and always no-nonsense. I put myself out there, even when fear crept in. Now, I film videos in public without a second thought, knowing that while the people watching me may not know me yet, they will.

I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not or curate a perfect feed. My content reflects real life — full of ups and downs — and resonates with those who value authenticity over polished perfection.

So, for those just starting, I encourage you to embrace your true self. Share your journey, flaws and all.

Engage with your audience, and don’t be afraid to show the messy parts of life. Remember, it’s about building connections, not just a following. Your tribe will find you when you show up as your authentic self.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://payhip.com/TheMoneyMagnet
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoneymagnetcoach/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themoneymagnetcoach
• Twitter: https://x.com/moneymagntcoach
• Other: https://linktr.ee/themoneymagnetcoach

Image Credits

Main image and all other images — Misty Ebel
Striped shirt image — Monifa Angle
Graphic — Shavonne Potts