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

Talaya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Hi, I’m Talaya,

Growing up, I was surrounded by poor, limited, and convoluted views of financial management. My family and friends never discussed it, my schools didn’t teach it, and ignorance took root. By the age of 30, I was a single mom of three, broke, bankrupt, and without a mode of transportation. My cyclical bad money decisions brought me to a place of nakedness, and in my lowest moments, I made a conscious decision to break the cycle of poverty in my family. Little did I know, it all started with a change in my mindset. I began seeking answers to questions I hadn’t even known to ask. Today, I’m here to help others transform their stories just as I transformed mine.

America is finally awakening to the critical importance of financial literacy. Unfortunately, when most people realize that credit, savings, planning, and financial management shape their quality of life, they’ve already gone through school, accumulated debt, and are caught in the rat race, working to pay it off.

Driven by determination and guided by faith, I founded FIIT Perspective, a financial education firm. My mission is to speak, teach, and empower people to achieve financial freedom through education. I am dedicated to changing lives and fostering financial independence for all.

FIIT Perspective, LLC is a premier financial education firm dedicated to unlocking financial freedom through comprehensive financial education. We provide a range of services, including online master courses for individuals and small businesses, corporate training, and engaging speaking engagements. Our offerings cater to a diverse array of organizations, such as corporations, universities, and small businesses, ensuring that financial education is accessible to all.

Our curriculum covers essential topics including QuickBooks training, accounting principles, pricing strategies, financial forecasts, financial statement analysis, budgeting, and cash flow management. Our flagship offering, the Money Master Course, is meticulously designed for small business owners, business accelerators, and individuals seeking to master their finances. This versatile course can be taken in person, online, or through a hybrid model with remote video lessons.

FIIT Perspective has successfully delivered impactful speaking engagements to diverse audiences, sharing invaluable insights and practical knowledge. Our vision is to empower individuals and businesses to take control of their finances, enabling them to pursue their passions and God-given talents to the fullest.

Under the leadership of Talaya J. Scott, our owner and operator, we bring a wealth of experience and expertise to everything we do. As Talaya often says, “Your perspective on your finances can either hold you back or propel you forward.” At FIIT Perspective, we’re committed to helping you shift that perspective and achieve financial success.

Talaya, 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 created space for myself in my industry. Once, I decided to break the cycle of poverty in my family. I started reading books, attending seminars and trainings, and joining networks to figure out how to claw my way out of the worst financial decisions I had ever made. Once I got to a place of comfort, I searched for my calling. You know the “why do I exist moment” everyone has in life. In that space, I learned that what I went through was my testimony to impart, impact, ignite, influence, and inspire others to change. From my journey, I wrote my book “So, I graduated, Now what do I do? A practical path to financial freedom. My educational firm was birthed from my book, and I have been speaking and teaching ever since. I started by volunteering for a nonprofit that teaches financial literacy to teens. From there, I became an Accounting Instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which helped me cultivate my courses and online learning experiences for my clients.

My bio:

Talaya Scott is a dynamic author, accomplished speaker, and dedicated professor known for her profound impact in finance and education. As an experienced accountant and entrepreneurial powerhouse, she seamlessly balances her professional endeavors with her role as a devoted mother. Currently a doctoral candidate, Talaya relentlessly pursues knowledge to enhance her expertise further.

With a rich testimony of financial struggle and triumph, she has emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience, demonstrating the power of financial literacy in overcoming life’s challenges. Her palpable passion for financial education is a driving force in her career, and she has dedicated herself to equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to transform their lives.

Talaya is a strong advocate for financial resilience during rough times. She inspires others to build their net worth through their networks and invest in themselves to invest in their businesses. She empowers audiences to break free from the chains of debt, master the art of saving, and cultivate a wealth mindset.

Her community impact is profound, as she tirelessly works to inspire and uplift others. Through her teachings, she helps people realize their potential and achieve financial independence. Talaya Scott is not just a speaker but a catalyst for change, dedicated to transforming lives and fostering a financially literate society.

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

I think my entire store and the book I’ve written share multiple stories of resilience, but I would like to talk about financial resilience. I realized that most people can only change their economic circumstances once they change their mindset. Three books help me change my mindset to truly change my life financially. Those books were Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker, and Top 10 Distinction Between Millionaires and the Middle Class by Keith Cameron Smith.

Understanding that you truly are what you think, you have to become resilient in life to handle what life throws at you.

Financial resilience refers to the ability to withstand and recover from financial setbacks, challenges, or shocks. It involves having the necessary resources, strategies, and mindset to manage and bounce back from unexpected expenses, income loss, or other financial difficulties. Key components of financial resilience include:

Having an Emergency Savings: Having a reserve of funds to cover unexpected expenses without resorting to debt.

Proper Financial Planning: Creating and maintaining a budget that allows for saving and spending within one’s means.

Debt Management: Keeping debt levels manageable and having a plan to pay off existing debt.

Insurance: Protecting against major financial risks through adequate insurance coverage (health, life, disability, property, etc.).

Diverse Income Streams: Having multiple sources of income to reduce dependence on a single job or business.

Financial Literacy: Understanding financial concepts and having the knowledge to make informed financial decisions.

Adaptability: Being able to adjust financial plans and behaviors in response to changing circumstances.

Long-term Planning: Setting and working towards long-term financial goals, such as retirement savings, homeownership, or education funds.

In the beginning building financial resilience can be hard but with the right coach and support system individuals and families can better navigate economic uncertainties and maintain their financial well-being over time.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn all the bad financial lessons taught to me through social and observational learning theory. We learn implicitly and explicitly through modeling, observation, practice, cognitive processing, and repetitive behavior witnessed by our parents or guardians as we grow. (Murthy, A. B., et. al, 2020)

Because every single financial lesson I learned was incorrect, I had to unlearn my bad decision. These ways were so ingrained that they had become habits, and I had to learn new habits. I could not do this on my own. I was able to change because of a positive support system of people who had success in this area. I had to learn to be vulnerable, ask for help, and accept criticism.

Most people don’t want to go through the forest; they would rather fly over it, but it’s in the forest where we learn our survival skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fiitperspective.com
• Instagram: @fiitperspective
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIITPerspective
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/talayascott

Image Credits
Justeric Angelic Studios, Chelsea Matson photos