Little Talent Group, LLC

As an Executive Career Coach, I empower high-achieving professionals and visionary women in leadership to transcend their current successes and scale new heights in their careers.

➥ You are driven, knowing well that past strategies need to evolve for future triumphs.

➥ Despite being a stellar performer, you're navigating the "earn your stripes" mantra from leadership.

➥ You deliver exceptional results but find yourself on the sidelines in critical boardroom conversations.

➥ You observe peers advancing through influential networks, while you strive to forge meaningful connections.

➥ Leading your team diligently, you're searching for balance to prevent burnout and foster trust.

➥ You ponder if your academic leadership skills are equipped for executive challenges.

➥ Eyeing a promotion may seem daunting, but you're poised for that leap.

As your coach, here's my commitment:

➥ I'll guide you in crafting strategic alliances and articulate your value in complex workplace dynamics.

➥ I'll aid in developing a robust professional brand that resonates within your industry.

➥ Together, we'll spotlight your expertise to position you as a thought leader and prime candidate for promotions.

Leaders' testimonials on my coaching reveal transformative outcomes:

See Recommendations. 

Envision your leadership transformation:

➥ Post our coaching engagement, your command of non-verbal cues, composed demeanor, and strategic engagement will enhance your influence.

➥ You'll navigate decision-making with conviction and align teams with your vision.

➥ Utilizing success frameworks, you'll cement your excellence in your current and future roles.

➥ You'll cultivate authentic connections across the organizational spectrum.

➥ You'll be strategically positioned for lucrative promotions, with the potential to significantly boost your compensation.

Founder & CEO | Executive Career Coach

Creator Authority

Strategic Advisor 

Bond

In my role as a fractional Vice President of Human Resources for Bond Security, a burgeoning startup in NYC, I provide strategic recruitment and advisory services. My work focuses on enhancing organizational capabilities and driving growth through tailored HR solutions.

Here's a glimpse of my contributions:

➥ I advise on the refinement of recruitment processes, improving efficiency and aligning with industry best practices for a dynamic startup environment.

➥ I offer insights into talent acquisition strategies, focusing on attracting top-tier talent and ensuring a cultural fit that supports Bond Security's innovative ethos.

➥ I contribute to leadership development initiatives, mentoring promising individuals and supporting a culture of internal growth and professional advancement.

➥ I consult on the design and implementation of performance management systems, fostering a high-performance workplace that thrives on continuous improvement.

➥ I guide the development of diversity and inclusion programs, helping to cultivate an inclusive company culture that values varied perspectives and experiences.

➥ I assist in strategic HR planning, collaborating with leadership to ensure talent management aligns with the company's ambitious growth plans.

➥ I offer recommendations on employee retention strategies, enhancing job satisfaction and loyalty within the team.

➥ I facilitate connections with educational institutions, aiding in the creation of a talent pipeline that brings fresh, skilled professionals into the organization.

➥ I advocate for the use of HR analytics, promoting data-driven decisions that support strategic HR initiatives.

➥ My leadership and advisement are acknowledged as instrumental in bolstering Bond Security's stature as an attractive and forward-thinking employer.

Vice President, Human Resources (Fractional/Contract)

In an accelerated ascent to leadership within Bond Security, a forward-thinking startup in NYC, I was rapidly promoted to Vice President of Human Resources after just 9 months. My strategic approach to talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational culture was instrumental in this transition. I took the helm to steer the HR department, aligning it with the burgeoning needs of a rapidly scaling company.

Here’s how I excelled in this role:

➥ I orchestrated the restructuring of the HR department to align with strategic business goals, resulting in a 40% increase in operational efficiency.

➥ I designed and implemented a comprehensive benefits package that enhanced employee satisfaction by 30%, aiding in a 15% improvement in retention rates.

➥ I led the development of a leadership training program that prepared high-potential employees for executive roles, contributing to a 20% increase in internal promotions.

➥ I played a critical role in developing a performance management system that saw a 25% improvement in employee productivity metrics.

➥ I initiated a company-wide diversity and inclusion program, which improved the diversity hiring rate by 45% and fostered an inclusive workplace environment.

➥ I navigated the company through a period of significant growth, scaling the workforce by 50% without compromising on hire quality or cultural fit.

➥ I established a talent management framework that reduced turnover by 18% and enhanced employee engagement scores by 22%.

➥ I was pivotal in negotiating strategic partnerships with educational institutions, resulting in a talent pipeline that increased the influx of qualified candidates by 35%.

➥ I drove the adoption of HR analytics and data-driven decision-making, which led to a 28% reduction in hiring costs and a 15% shorter time-to-fill for vacancies.

Vice President, Human Resources

As the Director of Talent Acquisition at Bond Security, a dynamic startup in NYC, I was instrumental in building the backbone of the company through strategic hiring. My focus was on identifying and nurturing leadership talent, which played a pivotal role in driving the organization's rapid growth. I successfully balanced the dual demands of maintaining a high-quality candidate pool and meeting aggressive hiring timelines.

Here’s how I made a transformative impact:

➥ I spearheaded the talent acquisition strategy, achieving a 35% increase in leadership hires within the first year, significantly expanding our executive and managerial teams.

➥ I executed a comprehensive recruitment plan that resulted in a 50% growth of the organization’s workforce, laying a strong foundation for future scalability.

➥ I introduced innovative sourcing techniques that enhanced candidate quality by 25%, ensuring a robust pipeline of high-caliber professionals.

➥ I championed a company-wide initiative to promote diversity in hiring, increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in leadership roles by 40%.

➥ I negotiated and managed vendor relationships that reduced recruitment costs by 20% while maintaining a steady flow of top talent.

➥ I leveraged data-driven recruitment metrics to decrease the average time-to-hire by 30%, streamlining the hiring process.

➥ I fostered a culture of continuous improvement, implementing training programs that increased our in-house recruitment team’s efficiency by 15%.

➥ I crafted and enforced a strategic employer branding campaign that elevated our market presence, resulting in a 60% increase in unsolicited quality candidate applications.

Through these efforts, I not only met but exceeded recruitment targets, positioning Bond Security as a competitive player in the tech security industry.

Director of Talent Acquisition

L3Harris Technologies

L3 Harris Technology is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider.

I learned much about the organization, which can be explored at: www.l3harris.com 
In my role as a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, I led 13 director reports, driving strategic hiring initiatives and promoting a high-performance culture. My leadership highlights include:

➥ I managed 7 recruiters across 4 sectors, enhancing efficiency and cutting agency reliance while reducing time-to-fill metrics. I also recruited for all Executive positions. 

➥ I built and nurtured a team of 6 onboarders, who reduced new hire onboarding times from 3 weeks to an impressive 2 weeks.

➥ I championed LinkedIn campaigns to boost our visibility, ensuring our recruiters' strong online presence and a diverse talent pipeline.

➥ I collaborated with executive leadership to meet critical staffing needs, aligning with ramp and AOP goals.

➥ I innovatively saved over $100k in advertising by optimizing hiring leaders' budgets through strategic communication.

➥ I oversaw 200+ requisitions, with a standout time-to-fill average of 40 days, showcasing a significant improvement in operational efficiency.

➥ I successfully developed strategies to fill 50 engineering roles in 90 days, showcasing our team's agility and capability.

➥ I streamlined interviews to quicken hiring while maintaining a high caliber of talent acquisition.

➥ I forged partnerships with colleges for a steady flow of candidates for operational roles.

➥ I focused on recruiter development, enhancing strategies for challenging vacancies and achieving diversity targets.

➥ I implemented a 15-day holding process for slates to reach our D&I and gender parity goals.

➥ My team's excellence was recognized with one promotion and two 'Recruiter of the Quarter' awards in 2021.

➥ I earned the RISE award for outstanding talent acquisition services, reflecting my dedication to recruitment excellence.

Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition

As the Manager of Talent Acquisition, I directed a team of recruiters to drive accountability, shape strategies, align teams, and support department-wide growth and development, thereby promoting a cohesive departmental culture amongst the recruiting team. I worked with HR executives in approving and establishing the department's strategies, goals, and procedures.

I oversaw the budget for virtual hiring events, partnerships, and job boards. I also conducted weekly presentations for key executive leadership to provide recruitment-related updates and recommendations.

Among my duties, I was accountable for managing the ‘Aged Job Club’ to strategize enhancements to requisition aging. I also mentored junior department personnel to support their professional growth.

Here are some of the ways I made significant and positive contributions to business growth:

➥ I strategically balanced and prioritized recruiting department resources to meet constantly evolving business needs.

➥ I consistently exceeded the internal goal of 7 monthly hires by averaging 10+ monthly hires for the team.

➥ I achieved an average time-to-fill metric of 40 days per position, a 47% improvement over the organization’s goal of 75 days.

➥ I successfully filled an unexpected surge of 30 critical business openings in an extraordinary 60 days.

➥ I was honored with the ‘2020 Rise Award’ for excellence in talent acquisition service.

➥ I led a team that produced 2 senior executive promotions and one ‘Recruiter of the Quarter’ awardee in 2020.

Manager, Talent Acquisition 

As Senior Specialist in charge of Talent Acquisition, I set recruitment requirements by examining the firm’s business plans, goals and growth targets. I took ownership of talent sourcing, candidate identification, networking and relationship building while introducing and refining recruitment best practices. 

I leveraged reliable applicant sources by reaching out to community services, colleges, employment agencies, recruiters, media and websites to promote the organization by providing information on opportunities and benefits. I also set applicant requirements by scrutinizing each job description and qualifications, and by conducting comprehensive intake calls with hiring leaders.

I regularly placed job advertisements, worked with recruiters, scheduled interviews and prepared and extended offers; examining candidate qualifications via interviews, references, applicant responses and other due diligence.

➥ I exceeded monthly hiring goal of 7, averaging 11 hires per month for FY19 and 10 hires per month for FY18.

➥ I exceeded Diverse Professional Hiring goals for females at 50%, and POC’s at 28% for FY19.

➥ I averaged production of 4 cleared hires per month. 

➥ I averaged time-to-fill metric of 50 days per position, a 17% improvement over our 60-day goal. 

➥ I achieved interview goals with a ratio of 2:1.

➥ I served as team lead for a successful Recruitment Marketing Material project.

➥ I designed candidate email templates to automate the communication process.

➥ I was promoted after just 10 months of service in recognition of dynamic results.

Sr. Specialist, Talent Acquisition

WilsonHCG

As a Senior Specialist in Talent Acquisition and Training Lead at Wilson Human Capital Group, I was instrumental in spearheading recruitment initiatives and devising training programs for new hires.

➥ I pioneered talent-sourcing efforts, utilizing a mix of community services, educational institutions, and online platforms to strengthen the company’s presence and attract a diverse candidate pool.

➥ I implemented rigorous candidate evaluation processes by analyzing job descriptions and qualifications in detail, which allowed for more informed discussions with hiring managers during intake calls.

➥ I consistently exceeded monthly hiring goals by efficiently managing the recruitment lifecycle from job advertising to offer extension, with a track record of surpassing the target of 8 new hires.

➥ I led diversity hiring initiatives, successfully reaching 45% female hires and 32% hires from POC communities in FY19.

➥ I maintained an impressive record of 6 cleared hires per month, showcasing my adeptness in fulfilling roles requiring security clearances.

➥ I improved the time-to-hire metric to just 45 days per position, demonstrating a 25% enhancement compared to the previous benchmark.

➥ I achieved an efficient interview-to-hire ratio of 3:1, which speaks to the effectiveness of our refined interview process.

➥ I took charge of a key Recruitment Marketing Material project, significantly boosting the company’s branding and appeal to high-caliber candidates.

➥ I innovated the candidate engagement workflow by creating automated email templates, which greatly improved communication timelines and effectiveness.

➥ I led the development and facilitation of robust training programs for new hires, ensuring their successful assimilation into our corporate culture and promoting ongoing professional development.

➥ I was recognized for my exceptional performance and outcomes in talent acquisition and training with a promotion after just 10 months of service.

Engineering Recruiter & Training Lead (UTC)

Grand Canyon University

As Talent Acquisition Specialist for Grand Canyon University, I worked with hiring managers to proactively identify recruitment needs and staff for all positions, from entry-level to PhD adjunct faculty. 

I served as site leader for recruitment, managing the full scope of hiring duties for a site of 800+ staff. I was accountable for setting interview and selection criteria, including call screenings, assessments and in-person interviews. I continually assessed candidate applications using our internal Applicant Tracking System.

I sourced resumes, pre-screened candidates, conducted interviews and assisted leadership with critical hiring decisions, applying the proven DDI interview model with multiple layers of interviews. I also trained new recruiters, developed job descriptions and interview questions that reflected each position’s requirements, led employer branding initiatives, and organized job fairs and recruitment events.

➥ I designed effective hiring strategies for a range of unique positions, including the Teacher Education Specialist and Doctoral Studies positions; resulting in fully staffed and capable teams during high-growth periods.

➥ I accurately forecasted quarterly and annual hiring needs by department; strategically sourcing candidates to prepare a streamlined succession planning pipeline.

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Cielo Talent

Adecco

Technical Recruiter

Certified Executive Coach (ICF) | I help women leaders amplify their performance + presence to become Executives | Wife & Mom of 3 | Exec Group Coaching Program launching in Aug 2024 | Book a call today ⬇️

April Little

If your leader isn’t developing you, it’s because they don’t plan to promote you.

A client came to me after years of hearing praise, but never seeing real development.

She had been with the company for over a decade and had every reason to stay.

There were strong benefits, long-term financial incentives, and a short commute that made leaving feel costly.

Her boss offered reassurance but avoided giving visibility, stretch assignments, or decision-making opportunities that built trust.

She had made the mistake of delegating her growth to him and assumed he would follow through.

The introductions he promised never happened, and the connections she needed were never made.

She stayed hopeful while others advanced, until she realized she had to take control herself.

We built a strategy that made her readiness clear to decision-makers across the organization.

She led an operations project that improved efficiency and reduced costs across three major business units.

She established credibility with senior leaders who saw her delivering outcomes at a strategic level.

She won a company-wide award that gave her visibility and recognition from executive leadership.

She raised her hand for high-impact initiatives that required cross-functional collaboration and measurable results. 

None of this came from her boss.

Every opportunity was created through intention, relationship building, and proof of performance.

You cannot afford to confuse kind words with real investment in your future.

The people being passed over are being quietly told the truth.

Your career is not their responsibility but it is yours.

Former HR Exec Helping Women Leaders ($150k–$500k) Get Promoted to Vice President. ✨2025 Time 100 Creator✨ | Careers, AI & Tech Creator | 2 Million Monthly Views | DM “Executive Material” for Coaching

Being the “FIRST” can feel like winning and drowning at the same time.

I was the first in my household to go to college.
The first to make six figures.
The first to reach executive leadership.

I used to feel caged by the weight of being the first. 

Eventually, I saw the freedom in it.

Now I work with women who are creating new firsts:
• Becoming first-generation millionaires
• Buying homes no one else in their family could
• Parenting with intention instead of survival

One woman used her executive role to open three new manager seats and mentored others into those roles. 

That decision created life-changing income for people who had never been given a real shot.

I’ve done the same by helping the people I led secure raises, promotions, and visibility that opened doors for the next person behind them.

I understand the weight of being the first. 

That’s why I always cheer when someone does the thing they’ve never seen done.

And I remind them it’s still possible, even when they don’t have the “proof” yet.

Being the first is a privilege.

It’s also a responsibility.

Make sure you’re not the last.

Seeking A Board Position | Former HR Exec Helping Women Leaders ($150k–$500k) get VP Ready: Comms, Power Dynamics & Influence | Speaker | ✨2025 Time 100 Creator✨| Careers, AI & Tech Creator

No alternative text description for this image

Nexa Wealth Planning

At Nexa Wealth, we believe managing your money is more than just numbers in a bank account – it’s about creating a life rich in choices and free from constraints. 

Here, money doesn't dictate your choices – it amplifies them. With us, you’re not just surviving; you're thriving. We're dedicated to crafting financial freedom for each of our clients, turning dreams into rock-solid plans, and plans into rock-solid reality.

Email: renee@nexawm.com for free consultation

CEO & Certified Financial Planner

Northwestern Mutual

Women are more than capable of taking control of their finances, and I'm here to help them do so. 

I'm passionate about empowering women to take ownership of their finances and achieve financial freedom. 

As a Certified Financial Planner, I help women executives maximize their cash flow, make smart investments, and develop tax-savvy strategies to ensure their money grows and lasts for years to come. 

With my help, women can confidently make financial decisions, assertively create a plan, and reduce their financial worries. 

•	Understand your financial options 
•	Create a forward-thinking financial strategy 
•	Make money decisions with confidence

If you are tired of second-guessing what your money is doing for you, and instead you want a simple roadmap to achieve the results you desire, I invite you into having a conversation.  

DM or email for a complimentary 30-minute Money Strategy meeting
📧 renee.cohen@nm.com

Certified Financial Planner™ for women executives and business owners 

Created financial literacy corporate workshops to inspire employees into financial action & eliminate money anxiety.

Financial Literacy Workshop Facilitator & Speaker

Bixel Exchange

Bixel Exchange is the innovation and tech arm at the second largest Chamber of Commerce in the US, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Our cornerstone programs include Startup Launch Tech SBDC and Tech Talent Pipeline that combine forces to create an inclusive greater LA technology community.

Advisor

Fox Sports Net

Director, Corporate Partnerships

Big Ten Network

Manager, University Development

Designing Work-Optional Lifestyles for Women & Couples with Dynamic Financial Plans | Financial Consultant for Executives & Business Owners in Sports & Tech | Financial Wellness Speaker

The biggest money secret that not enough successful women know?

Creating financial security for life is actually insanely EASY.

- Dream of retiring by 50?
- Want to cover your kids' big moments?
- Looking forward to luxe vacations without needing an excuse?
- Need an iron-clad safety net for whatever life throws your way?

But it’s not just about the future. It’s about enjoying your life right now.

Financial freedom isn't just for later. It’s about living your best life now, knowing you are crafting your future while relishing today.

This is where I step in.

With all the financial advice out there, you need what works, not just noise. You need strategies that move the needle. You need results, not tasks.

My mission? To make managing your finances the SIMPLEST part of your day.  

I’m here to help you make smart choices that align with your dreams for your family and your future.

You've worked tirelessly for your success. So let’s save smartly and maximize and grow what you have. True financial freedom is more than account balances.  


I’ve partnered with many women and couples like you, creating personalized plans that balance today's lifestyle with tomorrow's dreams. This isn't about strict budgets. It’s about shaping your finances to fit your life today, while maximizing every aspect of your income and assets.

I’m more than a financial planner. I’m your partner, guide, and ally in achieving your financial dreams in the most straightforward and effective way possible.

Every plan is tailored to the individual because your financial success should be as unique as you are.

Ready to make these dreams a part of your everyday life?

Let’s unlock the full potential of your finances together. Because your money should support the life you want, now and in the future.

Send me a DM or email at renee.cohen@nm.com.

This conversation could change everything. ✨

Your journey goes beyond just managing numbers. It involves:

✨ Strategic Cash Flow & Debt Management,
✨ Tax Optimization for executive roles,
✨ Effective Navigation of Stock Options & Significant Financial Events,
✨ Personalized Retirement Planning,
✨ Comprehensive Insurance Solution

Renee Cohen, CFP®

They couldn't talk about money without it ending in silence.

Both earning six figures.
Beautiful house.
Kids in great schools.

And they hadn't looked at their accounts together in two years.

"We just handle our own stuff," she told me. “It's easier that way."

But easier wasn't working.

She was moving money to savings he didn't know about.
He was stressed about money but didn't want to seem worried.
Both were making decisions in isolation.
Both assuming the other had it handled.

I see this more than you'd think.
Successful couples who've turned money into the third wheel of their relationship.

Too charged to touch.
Too important to ignore.

So they danced around it:

She'd quietly pay for soccer camp before he noticed the email.
He'd handle the roof repair without mentioning the cost.
Both adding to their separate savings 'just in case.'

Amazon packages arrived without discussion.
Investment statements stayed unopened.
Tax time meant handing everything to the CPA and hoping for the best.

They could plan entire vacations without mentioning the budget.
Navigate private school applications without discussing the tuition.

Two successful people.
Living one life.
Never actually talking about how to pay for it.

We didn't start with a budget.
(That would've been like handing them firecracker.)

We started with one question:
"What does financial success look like for your family?"

For the first time in years, they heard each other's actual fears.

She wasn't hoarding money.
She was terrified of her mom's story repeating.

He wasn't being careless.
He was exhausted from feeling like the safety net.

Once they could see each other's why,
the how got so much simpler.

Now they have monthly money dates.
15 minutes. One dashboard. No judgment.

She texted me last month:
"We actually high-fived after paying the tax bill. Is that weird?"

Not weird at all.
That's what happens when money stops being a battleground
and starts being something you build together.

→ What's the one win you and your partner have celebrated together this year?

Renee Cohen CFP®

Financial Planner for Women | I bring your financial life together so your decisions feel easier and more intentional | CFP® + Founder, Nexa Wealth

The $45K question that changed my client’s life 

 

She had $194K sitting in cash.
VP salary.
All the "right" financial pieces.

But she couldn't commit to starting her own business.

"I need another year of savings first."

We ran the numbers.

$45K to launch her consulting firm today.
Or wait another year while that dream compounds into regret.

Then I asked her the question:

"Would 65-year-old you pay $45K to watch 42-year-old you bet on herself?"

She went quiet.

We both knew the answer before I even asked.

Because future you isn't celebrating (all) the extra cash you hoarded.

She's thinking about the business you never started.
The clients you never helped.
The version of yourself you never became.
Wishing she could go back and shake younger you who played it too safe.

The women I work with don't have risk problems.
They have permission problems.

Maybe you've saved six months of expenses.
Maybe it's two years.
Maybe you're still building.

Doesn't matter.

We all wait for some guarantee that says "now it's safe to leap."

That guarantee doesn't exist.

What does exist:
Your ideas sitting in notebooks.
Your expertise waiting to be shared.
Your impact delayed by another year of "preparation."

She launched her firm six months ago.
Hasn’t replaced her corporate salary yet.

That takes time no matter what people promise you. 

But more importantly?

She stopped waiting for permission to become who she already was.

Because 65-year-old you doesn't care about the perfect financial moment.

She cares that you trusted yourself enough to try.

The math already works.
Future you is waiting for you to believe it.

→ What would you start tomorrow if you knew future you already knows the outcome?

Your portfolio doesn't need to be perfect to start living.


I had a client wait three years to book her dream Italy trip.

Three years.

Not because she couldn't afford it.
She had $300K invested and growing.

But she kept thinking she needed "just a little more" first.
Another $50K.
Another year of returns.
Another bonus cycle.

You know what finally changed her mind?

Running the actual numbers.

Not the scary story in her head.
The math.

We looked at what the trip would actually cost her long-term.
$15K today versus $45K in retirement (with growth).

Then I asked her:
"Would 65-year-old you pay $45K to give 40-year-old you this memory?"

She booked it that afternoon.

Because waiting for "enough" is a moving target.

There's always another goal.
Another milestone.
Another reason to wait.

But your life is happening now.
Your kids are only young once.
Your parents won't always be able to travel.
You won't always have the energy you have today.

The women who build real wealth?

They don't wait for permission from their portfolio.

They plan for both:
→ The life they're building for tomorrow
→ The life they're living today

One without the other isn't wealth.
It's just postponed living.

Your money should fund your life.
Not the other way around.

→ Where are you planning to travel in 2026? 🗺️

The biggest money mistakes don’t come from bad decisions.


They come from waiting too long to make one.

From that little voice that says,
“What if I mess this up?”
So you stall. 
You Google. 
You hold.

Not because you don’t care.
But because you care too much.

And when you’re earning more, that pressure gets louder.

Every move (investments, stock options, taxes) suddenly feels like it carries more weight.
More risk. 
More room for regret.

But confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything.
It comes from being in motion.

From creating a plan that moves with you 
so your income, investments, and taxes talk to each other. 

When everything’s working together, you stop overthinking.
You stop waiting for “perfect.”
And, you start leading your money with intention.

Because the real mistake isn’t getting it wrong,
it’s staying frozen in fear of what might happen if you move.

→ What’s something that helps you get past analysis paralysis?

A question I get often isn’t about investing or retirement.

It’s this one:

“Can I take the vacation without feeling guilty about it?”

A client of mine a VP in tech and mom of two brought this up on our call.
She was excited about planning a milestone family trip, but she kept thinking,

“Should this money go to savings instead?”

Totally normal.
And also solvable.

We made a few key moves:

1. The necessary stuff first.

→ Bills, savings, and goals? Already handled before she books.
Now she can enjoy the trip instead of doing mental math on the plane.

2. Use the right card.

→ We picked one that earns double points now and sets her up for a bigger trip next year.

3. Pay yourself for the fun.

→ She earmarked part of her bonus for travel so the memories are paid for before takeoff.

This is the part of financial planning people miss.

It’s not (always) the investment charts or the retirement projections.

It’s the confidence in your daily choices.

Knowing your “yes” to the trip, the renovation, or the time off
still keeps you on track for the bigger vision.

Because the real magic of a plan
isn’t in the charts.

It’s in how it changes the way you live right now.

My clients don’t want money to hold them back from living.

They want it to support their life. 
Now and 20 years from now.

→ Do you plan your trips around your budget, or your budget around your trips? 😅

I bring your financial life together so every decision moves you forward | Financial planner for 6-figure women navigating career, family, and legacy goals | CFP® | Nexa Wealth Founder

Most people think money problems come from not having enough.

They actually come from not having it connected.

You can earn six figures, max out your 401k, have investments growing...

And still wake up at 3am wondering what you're missing.

Because when your money lives in silos:
→ Your cash doesn't know what your investments are doing
→ Your investments don't talk to your tax strategy  
→ Your tax moves happen in isolation from your income

So you end up with:
Cash piling up while you're scared to invest it.
Investments growing while you pay unnecessary taxes.
Big tax bills because no one connected the dots.

Every account doing its own thing.
Like roommates who never talk.

I see this constantly.
Smart women with all the "right" pieces.
But nothing working together.

One client described it perfectly:
"I have all these accounts but no actual plan."

She was right.

When your money starts working as a team,
when every piece knows its role,
when your income, investments, and taxes actually coordinate...

That's when the noise quiets down.

You stop second-guessing every move.
You stop wondering what you're missing.
You stop feeling like you're working against yourself.

Because wealth isn't built in isolation.
It's built in connection.

→  If your accounts were roommates, would they be best friends or total strangers?


PS - To those who served and their families: your sacrifice created the freedom for all of us to build these lives we're planning. Thank you. 🇺🇸

She sat on $400K in cash for three years.

Watched the market go up.
Watched inflation eat away at it.
Read every article telling her to invest.

Still couldn't do it.

Why?

Her dad lost everything in 2008.

And even though she was earning $250K a year,
even though she knew the math,
she couldn't shake that image of him at the kitchen table.
Staring at statements worth nothing.

Her brain knew better.
Her body remembered different.

It took us six months to unpack that.

Not the investing part.
The trust part.

We didn't start with asset allocation.
We started with what safety meant to her.

Turns out it wasn't about the market at all.
It was about control.

So we built a plan that gave her both:
→ Ten months expenses in cash (not the six everyone recommends)
→ A 5 month CD she could see and understand
→ Index funds portfolio but only after she felt ready

The first investment was $15k.

She texted me that night:
"I keep checking to see if it's gone."

It wasn't.

Three months later, she moved another $50K.
Then another.

Now she's fully invested with a plan that makes sense.
Not because I convinced her.
But because she convinced herself.

Sometimes the smartest financial move
isn't following the perfect strategy.

It's honoring where your fear comes from
and building something you can actually stick with.

→ Fill in the blank: 'My parents always said _____ about money, but I've learned ____

Most people focus on the wrong part of wealth.


You’ve probably been told to:
→ Earn more
→ Find the “perfect” investment
→ Chase the next tax hack

And sure, those things matter,
but they’re only half the game.

The other half?
Getting your money to work together.
(That part’s closer to 70% of the game.)

When it doesn’t, here’s what happens:
→ Cash piles up without purpose
→ Tax time becomes surprise season
→ Every decision suddenly feels heavier than it should

But when everything starts talking,
your income, investments, and taxes
you finally see what’s working, what’s not,
and what to tweak before it snowballs.

That’s when money stops feeling chaotic.
It starts feeling led.

Because earning more without direction isn’t wealth.
It’s just juggling with nicer props.


💰 Right now, do your finances feel like teamwork or more like a group project gone wrong?

Sometimes the worst time to travel is exactly when you should.

Had a client text me her photos yesterday.
Barcelona with her family to visit friends instead of their traditional Thanksgiving plans.

Six months ago, she almost canceled it because her husband had been laid off.  
"Maybe we should wait until things are more settled."

They'd saved for this trip for two years.
Between their emergency fund and his severance, they had enough.
Not perfect "sleep-like-a-baby" money.
But enough.

The thing is, when life feels uncertain, "enough" never feels like enough.
You want to hoard every dollar.
Just in case.

But, they had the funds.
They had the time.
They had everything except permission.

I asked them one question:
"In 10 years, will you regret going or regret waiting?"

They went.

Her text yesterday:
"The kids are already asking when we're coming back."

Some moments can't be recreated.
Some windows close.
Some "next years" never come.

Your accounts will never give you permission.
That's not supposed to come from a spreadsheet.
That comes from you.

As we head into December, maybe it's worth asking:

What have you been putting off that your future self would tell you to do today?

→ What's your "Barcelona" that keeps getting pushed to next year?

"I'm tired of being my own CFO."

She said it on our intro call last week.

VP at a tech company.
Two kids.
Six-figure income.
Doing everything "right."

And exhausted.

Not from her actual job.
From her second job: managing money.

The Sunday account login sessions.
The 11pm Googling "RSU tax strategies."
The group texts asking colleagues what they're doing.
The constant feeling that everyone else has it figured out.

Sound familiar?

You're running a household, killing it at work, raising humans...

And somehow you're also supposed to be your own:
→ Investment advisor
→ Tax strategist  
→ Estate planner
→ Risk manager

All while making dinner and answering Slack messages.

I see this all the time.
Brilliant women treating their finances like another project to manage.

Building spreadsheets that impress their team.
But still feeling behind.

Because being smart doesn't mean you should do everything yourself.

You wouldn't perform your own surgery.
You wouldn't represent yourself in court.
You wouldn't cut your own hair.
(Well, 2020 aside.)

So why are you trying to be your own financial team?

The women who build real wealth?

They don't DIY everything.
They delegate what drains them.
So they can lead what matters.

Your time is worth more than the hours you're spending trying to figure this out alone.

Your energy is worth more than the stress of second-guessing every decision.

Your peace is worth more than proving you can do it all yourself.

The $12K question she almost didn't ask. 


She'd been sitting on it for three months.

"Is it too late to do anything about my taxes this year?"

We were on a call last week.
Six weeks left in 2025.
And she thought she'd missed her chance.

(Most people think tax planning ended in April.)

But when we actually looked?

We found $12,000 in deductions and retirement space she hadn't used.

→ Charitable donations she forgot about. Medical expenses that actually crossed the threshold. That advisor fee from January.

She thought she'd maxed out her 401k.

→ Turns out she had $8,000 of space left.

The underperforming stocks in her account became a tax strategy.

→ We sold them to offset the gains from her RSUs.
(The tax savings alone made it worth it.)

Those last two December paychecks became an opportunity.
Perfect time to fix her withholdings.

All of this disappears on January 1st.

The question saved her $4,800 in taxes.

I see this constantly in November.
People suddenly realizing there's still time.

Time to use those tax strategies that expire December 31st.
Time to top off retirement contributions.
Time to balance out investment gains.

Six weeks isn't the end of your financial year.

It's actually when some of the best moves happen.

→ You checking your stuff before year-end?

P.S. - Want to know what moves you could still make? Reply with 'MOVES' and I'll send you what I'm telling all my clients right now.

Having someone manage your investments isn't the same as having a plan.

I hear it constantly:
"I already have someone."

But then they follow it with:
"I still handle all the tax stuff myself."
"I'm not sure if I should exercise these stock options."
"We never talk about anything except the portfolio."

You have someone managing one account.
Not your financial life.

When April brings a surprise $20K tax bill, when RSUs vest with no clear strategy, when you're running private school numbers alone?

That's not in their department.

I see this all the time.
Smart women with "help" still playing CFO.

Still coordinating between:

Still coordinating between:
→ The person who handles investments (but not taxes)
→ The person who handles taxes (but not planning)
→ The estate attorney (from 2019)

Everyone managing their piece.
No one managing the whole picture.

One client put it perfectly:
"I have a team but no quarterback."

She had all the players.
But she was still calling all the plays.

Real planning connects everything.

Your investments know about your tax situation.
Your tax strategy considers your equity comp.
Your estate plan actually reflects your life today.

Because you shouldn't need a spreadsheet to track who handles what.

You need one person who sees it all.
Who connects it all.

That's the difference between having investments managed and having your life planned.

→ What would you do with your time if you weren't playing financial coordinator?

"Are we missing something?"


I hear this from people who already have financial "help."

They've got investments. They've got someone managing things.

But that nagging feeling won't go away.

Had a client come to me with $2.5 million in an annuity.
She'd put in $325k twelve years ago and $40k every year after. 

"It's been fine," she said. "I just haven't looked at it much."

Twelve years.
Her whole life had changed.
New job. Kids in college. Different dreams.

But that money was still sitting in 2013.
Stuck in a product someone sold her once and forgot about.

When we looked at everything?

That annuity hadn't made sense for her in years.
Nobody was handling her taxes.
Her ex-husband was still on her estate plan.

She had money. She had investments. She had "help."

Spread across seven different logins she could barely remember.

What she didn't have was someone looking at how it all worked together.
Someone asking "what else could this be doing?"
Someone who'd catch what everyone else missed.

We restructured the annuity to actually work for her current life.
Found $32K in annual tax savings she didn't know existed.
Got her ex-husband's name off everything.

She texted me last week:
"For the first time in years, I'm not wondering if I'm doing this wrong."

That's what my clients pay for.
To stop wondering.
To know someone sees everything.
To trust that the important stuff isn't getting missed.

Because the real cost isn't what you pay for planning.
It's living with that constant question mark.

→ How many passwords did you have to reset this year?🙋‍♀️

taplio

The Battle

April Little

Renee Cohen, CFP®

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreApril Little's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreRenee Cohen, CFP®'s LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

April Little

Renee Cohen, CFP®

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}April Little's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreRenee Cohen, CFP®'s LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreApril Little's LinkedIn Performance