Lissa Appiah

Certified Career Transition & Job Promotion Coach | Career & Leadership Development Workshop Facilitator | Speaker & Trainer | Canada's Top 100 Black Women to Watch of 2022

Are you an introverted manager or director who’s driving results, developing teams, and still being passed over for promotions? You’re not alone.

Research shows introverts with a bachelor’s degree earn on average $290K less over their careers than extroverted peers and the gap widens to $760K with advanced degrees. Because workplaces too often reward visibility over quiet impact.

I know this struggle firsthand. As an introvert, I used to believe I had to “act extroverted” to succeed. But when I stopped trying to fit that mold and started owning my introvert strengths, everything changed. I earned 5 promotions in under 8 years without burnout or pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

Now, I help other introverted professionals do the same through The Introvert Leadership Method™, a proven career transition and leadership growth system that helps you rebrand, reframe your expertise, and land $100K–$300K roles with selling themselves short.

💡 With this system, you’ll learn how to:
✔ Position your résumé, LinkedIn, and personal brand to reflect your leadership value
✔ Build influence and visibility without draining your energy
✔ Walk into interviews and salary negotiations prepared to secure top offers
✔ Step into leadership roles where your quiet expertise commands recognition and reward

📈 Client Results:

“Shortly after working with Lissa, I received a job offer exactly aligned with the role I was seeking.” — Anna Savelyeva, Director of Programs 

“Lissa’s program gave me the tools to land new roles, negotiate better salaries, and not sell myself short.” — Linda Adwoa Aidoo, Certified Finance Professional 

“Her coaching gave me clarity, confidence, and opened doors to new opportunities I never thought possible.” — Grace Udodong, Founder, Oasis Youth Care 


🏆 Featured in: The Globe and Mail • Fortune Magazine • LinkedIn News • CTV News

👉🏽 Ready to turn introversion into your advantage and claim the career growth you deserve?
📩 Message me here on LinkedIn or book a discovery call at weapply.ca

Founder, Career & Leadership Development Workshop Facilitator

We help organizations develop and retain talent through career and leadership development workshops or programs. As a Workshop Facilitator & Keynote Speaker, my signature presentations are: 

"Building with LinkedIn: Mastering LinkedIn for Career Success"
"Brand You: Unlocking the Power of Personal Branding to Stand Out in Your Career"

All our workshops and coaching programs are customized based on your organizational needs.

My first hire taught me more about leadership than any training ever could.

She had recently relocated to Canada and was applying for an entry-level role.

Her resume stood out.
She was clearly overqualified.

I asked why she was applying for such a junior position.

She said, “As soon as I mention I’m on a work permit, no one’s interested.”

The interview confirmed what her resume hinted at:
She was exceptional.

When she left the room, I turned to the other interviewer and said,
“She’s the one.”

The response?
“She’s on a work permit. That’s extra paperwork. You’d have to justify it.”

I didn’t hesitate.
She was worth it.

She joined my team. She outperformed. We kept her on long after.

Years later, I ran into her again.
She was in tears.

She’d bought a home.
Became a Canadian citizen.
Started a family.

She said, "you gave me a chance and changed my life"

Sometimes leadership means choosing the harder path for the right person.

Because talent doesn’t always show up in the most familiar or expected way.
But when we bet on people, it pays off.

----

P.S. I've put together a list of 125+ hidden & remote job boards

Download the full list here → https://lnkd.in/gjAC8V2W

I help introverted managers and directors land $150K+ roles without endless networking | Top 20 Career Coach in Canada | Certified Career & Executive Coach | 400+ client wins | $36K avg. salary increase

Someone at work once told me I needed to “flex” and be more extroverted if I ever wanted to succeed.
 
It’s not about flexing.
 
It’s about knowing yourself and showing up as your true self.
 
It’s about being comfortable in your own skin, interacting with others in a way that feels natural and allows you to be effective.
 
That’s how you’ll set yourself up for success.
 
Being my introverted self has worked for me, and it’ll work for you.
 
There is certainly a time and place to "flex" and step outside of your comfort zone, but not at the expense of pretending to be someone you are not!

That's simply exhausting 😩
 
Are you showing up as your true self each and every day?

----

P.S. I’m taking 3 new clients in December, if you’re ready to elevate your career or personal brand, let’s work together >>> https://lnkd.in/gyGrMWVg

I help introverted leaders land $150K+ roles and elevate their personal brand without endless networking | Certified Executive Coach | Top 20 Career Coach & Top 20 LinkedIn Top Voice in Canada | 400+ client wins

Hitting “Post” changed everything.
For months, I doubted myself.
I wasn’t sure my voice belonged on LinkedIn.

But one day, I pushed past the fear and pressed “Post.”
That single moment set everything in motion.

Fast forward 4 years:

▪️ 50M+ post views
▪️ 63K+ followers
▪️ 400+ client wins
▪️ 50+ media features (LinkedIn News, Globe & Mail, Fortune, CTV, Rogers TV)
▪️ 100+ workshops and speaking engagements
▪️ Multiple awards for LinkedIn + career coaching
▪️ And earlier this year, I went full-time in my business

Yesterday, I stood on the WBE Canada conference stage sharing my story, all because of one decision to show up.

The moment you stop hiding your voice, your world starts to open.
Small acts of courage create life-changing opportunities.

-----
If building your brand on LinkedIn is a goal for you, grab the LinkedIn Profile Cheat Sheet + Masterclass here: https://lnkd.in/enku2cRc

I learned the hard way that no visibility means no opportunities.

At an old job, there was an unwritten rule:
The more junior you were, the further back you sat.

As an introvert, I loved it.
Hiding felt safe.
Even after I became a manager, I still sat at the back.

Then one day, I started hearing a question I didn’t expect:
 “Where is Lissa?”

That was my wake-up call.
I realized people couldn’t recognize my leadership if they couldn’t even see me.

So I did the thing I had been avoiding, I moved to the front of the room.
It felt uncomfortable at first.

But the more I showed up, the more I stopped questioning whether I belonged there.

Here’s what changed:
 👉🏽 Embracing imperfection: Confidence grows through action, not perfection.
 👉🏽 Celebrating wins: Big or small, acknowledging progress builds momentum.
 👉🏽 Borrowing confidence: Pulling strength from the parts of my life where I already excelled.

Your leadership can’t grow if you’re hiding.

If this resonates, you’ll love Leading Quietly, my weekly newsletter with unconventional leadership strategies for introverted managers and directors.
Join 3K+ readers here → https://lnkd.in/enku2cRc

I've missed birthdays, family events and get-togethers.
Because there was an “important” meeting or conference.

Recently, my husband’s cousin was graduating in Windsor.
When I looked at my calendar, it was full: deadlines, client calls, prep for upcoming speaking gigs.

For a moment, I almost said, “I can’t go.”
Then I stopped.
Because there’s always something to be busy about.

I decided this year, I no longer want to be the person who misses the moments that actually matter.

So, I closed the laptop.
Dropped work for three days.
And celebrated with family.

Work will always find its way back to your to-do list.
 But time with loved ones doesn’t come twice.

Being quiet shouldn’t put your career at a disadvantage.
But in many workplaces, volume still wins over value.

I’ve watched brilliant introverts get passed over,
while louder, less qualified colleagues moved ahead.

And the data says the same thing:
 🟡 65% of executives think introverts aren’t strong leaders
 🟡 Only 2% of senior roles are held by introverts
 🟡 Introverts earn $12K less per year on average

That used to be me.
I had the skills, just not the visibility.

Everything changed when I stopped trying to be louder…
and built a personal brand aligned with my real strengths.

Now I help other introverted managers and directors do the same:
 👉🏽 Average $36K salary increases
 👉🏽 Promotions into leadership roles
 👉🏽 More clarity, confidence, and opportunities

Introversion isn’t a limitation.
It becomes an advantage when you learn to leverage it.

Ready to uncover your most marketable introvert strengths?
Take the free quiz → https://lnkd.in/e8TsqSz5

Raise your hand to speak.
Wait your turn to be called.
That’s what we were all taught in school.

But in the workplace, that same habit can make you invisible.
Doing great work quietly doesn’t guarantee recognition.

If you don’t speak up, someone else will fill the silence.

Here’s how to change that:
1️⃣ Own your accomplishments.
 Stop downplaying your impact. Self-promotion isn’t arrogance, it’s awareness.

2️⃣ Be proactive, not patient.
Don’t wait for others to notice your value. Market yourself the same way companies market great products.

3️⃣ Leverage your relationships.
Build authentic connections. People promote and support those they know, like, and trust.

You don’t have to shout to be seen.
You just have to speak with clarity, confidence, and intention.

If you’re a quiet leader ready to grow your influence without changing who you are. Join my Leading Quietly newsletter for weekly strategies for introverted managers and directors.

 👉🏾 Join here: https://lnkd.in/enku2cRc

I know what it feels like to be the first.
Because I am that first.

The first in my family to:
👉🏽 Be born in Canada
👉🏽 Earn a degree
👉🏽 Build a career in the public service

But being “the first” isn’t just a milestone, it’s a responsibility.
There’s no playbook or safety net.
You’re expected to lead the way, even while still finding your own footing.

That’s why I started WeApply, to make sure other “firsts” don’t have to do it alone.

This year, I’ve worked with incredible clients who’ve rewritten their stories:

▪️Amanda received 2 job offers and finally stepped into her Senior Director role.
▪️Shawna earned a $25K promotion + a 5% procurement incentive bonus.
▪️Antonio, a VP once labeled as “too quiet,” by his CEO, transformed his communication and leadership presence through coaching after a tough performance review.

Each of them shared one thing in common: they’re also all “firsts.”

Being the first takes courage.
But your courage becomes someone else’s roadmap.

👉🏾 I am hosting 'How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview)' on Dec 7 at 3pm. 
Join us here >>> https://lnkd.in/gv5EdJcP

Bad managers don’t always realize they’re bad. 
Some are doing their best, but they’re leading with blind spots no one ever told them about.

So here’s what your team wishes they could say out loud:

1. Stop trying to control everything. 

You don’t need to be in every meeting or copied on every email. 
Set the goals, and trust people to get things done.

2. Stop taking all the credit. 

Your team sees when their work is minimized so you can look good. 
Recognition builds loyalty and silence destroys it.

3. Stop setting impossible expectations. 

Long hours aren’t a badge of honour. 
Respect your team’s capacity and protect their time.

4. Stop preaching what you don’t practice. 

Accountability, transparency, respect go both ways. 
Lead by example, not by pressure.

When leaders grow in self-awareness, teams grow in trust.
And trust is what turns good managers into great ones.

------
P.S. I am hosting 'How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview)' on Dec 7 at 3pm.  Join us here >>> https://lnkd.in/gv5EdJcP

I’ll take any job.
That was my mindset during the lowest point of my career.

I had 20+ versions of my résumé, sending out hundreds of applications, hoping something would stick.

The stress was real and the silence was louder.
I was getting no call backs or interviews.

Then I did the opposite of what I thought I should do.
Instead of applying to everything, I narrowed my focus:
▪️ Specific industry
▪️ Targeted employers
▪️ Clear role fit

Suddenly, I wasn’t just another applicant.
I was the solution to their problem.

Within weeks, I landed the right role.
That role led to 5 promotions in less than 8 years.

I’ve taught the same approach to 400+ clients.

When you stop applying to everything, you start standing out for the right things.

On December 7 at 3pm, I am hosting a free webinar sharing my 3-Step System for Introverted Managers & Directors to Land $150K+ Roles
>>> https://lnkd.in/gCmMSxJ2

The moment you start comparing your growth, you stop honoring it.
Too often, we chase validation instead of transformation.

But real growth looks different.
It’s intentional and often unseen.

It happens when you stop trying to please everyone and start focusing on who you’re becoming.

You don’t need to compete to evolve. 
Grow for yourself, not for their applause.

She returned from maternity leave to a job that no longer felt like the one she left.

The support was gone.
The workload doubled.

Somehow, she was expected to “catch up” overnight.
They were penalizing her for taking maternity leave.
Her boss said "we have to make up for the lost time"...

That was the moment she knew something had to change.

Together, 
▪️we rebuilt her confidence 
▪️clarified her value, and 
▪️created an exit strategy that didn’t force her to start over or sacrifice the career she had worked so hard for.

A few weeks into working together she landed a new role on a healthier team at her company.

Her career didn’t stall because she became a mom.
It grew because she stopped shrinking for an environment that no longer deserved her.

You don’t have to stay where you’re undervalued.

I’ve helped 400+ professionals leave toxic workplaces, land promotions, and transition into roles that recognize their worth.

If you’re ready to stop waiting and start moving, let’s talk → https://lnkd.in/gyGrMWVg

This year, I’ve spent more time building behind the scenes than celebrating in public.
But every quiet season plants seeds.

And those seeds grew into recognition this year I never expected:
▪️ Top 15 Career Coach in Ottawa 
▪️ Top 20 LinkedIn Top Voice in Canada
▪️ Top 20 LinkedIn Career Creator in Canada
▪️ Top 20 Career Coach in Canada 

Next up: This week, I’ll be leading a workshop at the WBE Canada National Conference.
Topic: Building Your Business on LinkedIn.

If you’ll be there live, come say hello at WeApply Canada Inc.'s booth.

Keep planting. Keep showing up.
The results and recognition will find you.

I’ve seen ideas die in meeting rooms.
But this one didn’t.

I still remember the day Karla Briones shared her vision for helping immigrant entrepreneurs.

Back then, it was just a spark, a belief.
Fast-forward to today: that spark has become a movement.

Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada has changed countless lives, and I’ve met entrepreneurs who credit the community for the momentum that shifted their entire journey.

Next weekend, I’ll be joining them as a keynote speaker, sharing how building a personal brand helped me grow my side hustle into a six-figure business.

It’s a full-circle moment.

Never underestimate where one idea can lead.
What you start today could become the thing that changes someone else’s future.

Things we are no longer doing as introverts in 2026 👇🏾

🚫 Avoid networking at all costs

No more awkward encounters or forced interactions. 

We're now networking with intention, on our terms and building meaningful connections.

🚫 Stay quiet in meetings because you feel like you don't have anything to say

No more silence in meetings because we fear our ideas aren't worth sharing. 

We're preparing ahead, asking impactful questions, and sharing our unique insights. Our voices matter.

🚫 Getting passed up for promotions because we're quiet

This will be the year you'll stop being overlooked for that promotion because you're "quiet." 

We are confidently advocating for ourselves and sharing our accomplishments.

----

Ready to learn how to leverage your introverted strengths at work?

Join 3K+ quiet leaders and founders who have taken the Introvert At Work Quiz >>> https://lnkd.in/e8TsqSz5

It’s here!! 🎉

My next live masterclass → How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview).

If you’ve been landing interviews but not the offer, this is for you.

I’ve coached 400+ senior professionals and managers, and the pattern is always the same:
 👉 The problem isn’t skill.
 👉 It’s visibility, positioning, and communication.

That’s why I created this masterclass to teach you the exact system my clients use to land $150K+ roles.

In this 60-min masterclass, you’ll learn how to:
✦ Turn visibility into interviews and offers
✦ Position yourself as a six-figure leader through your résumé, LinkedIn, and brand story
✦ Interview using a simple storytelling methods

Join us on December 7 at 3pm ET
 >>> Register here: https://lnkd.in/gv5EdJcP

View event: How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview)

How to Get the Offer (Not Just the Interview)

Most high-achievers aren’t stuck because they lack talent.
They’re stuck because they’re waiting for permission to lead.

That was my client, an introverted director.
Brilliant, capable, and hard-working but quietly hoping someone would finally “notice.”

She considered another degree to feel “ready.”
She stayed quiet in meetings.
She second-guessed herself even when she knew the answer.

Her problem wasn’t skill.
It was the fear of being seen, being wrong, or not being perfect.
Something I see often after coaching 100s of introverted leaders into senior roles.

Then one day, she watched a colleague say exactly what she had been thinking and get all the credit.
That moment changed everything.

In coaching, we dismantled the real barriers:
▪️Fear of visibility
▪️Perfectionism
▪️Self-doubt

She learned to communicate with clarity and stop shrinking herself.

6 months later, she’s leading a team with confidence
and her boss says it’s the highest-performing team they’ve seen since joining the company.

She didn’t need permission.
She needed to step into the leader she already was.

If you’re done waiting for someone else to validate your leadership potential,  and ready to step into the role you’ve already earned. Let’s talk!

👉🏾 Book a discovery call: https://lnkd.in/gyGrMWVg

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

No alternative text description for this image

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?

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 ____

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?

"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?🙋‍♀️

"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.

"You need a partner as your backup plan."

If you're single and tired of hearing this, you're not alone.

You smile politely. Change the subject. 

But inside, you're screaming: 'I'm not broken. I don't need fixing.

I get how this feels. I didn't meet my partner until I was 41.

The truth is, you don't need a backup plan.

Whether you're single by choice, divorced, widowed, or just haven't met someone yet - the math is the same.

Your plan needs to fit where you are now, not where others think you should be.

My single clients may need a higher target to retire comfortably.
While their married friends may split that number between two people.

And if your situation changes? We adjust.
Your plan evolves with you.
But right now, today, we plan for the life you're actually living.

The math is different.
The questions are worse.

"What does your husband think?"
Asked by the realtor. The financial advisor. Your aunt at Thanksgiving.

Each time, you explain. Again. That it's just you.

And watch them try to figure out if that's sad or brave.

"Maybe wait until you're married?"
(You've been waiting. For the house, not the spouse.)

Meanwhile, you're out here buying homes, starting businesses, and building wealth without waiting for someone to split the check.

You don't need a backup plan.
You need a bulletproof one.

Yes, there are nights when you run the numbers and feel the weight of carrying it all yourself. 

When you wish someone else could make the hard calls. When 'independent' feels like a nice word for 'alone.'

Your emergency fund does need to be bigger.
Your insurance does need to be stronger.
Your retirement does need to be fuller.

Not because you're alone.
But because you're planning for your own security first.

And that's not sad.
That's powerful.

Some of my clients stay single. Some partner up later. Some are starting over.

Doesn't matter where you are now.

What matters is having a plan that works for today and can grow with you tomorrow.


→ What's the most awkward money question someone's asked you at a family dinner?


—

BTW - if you want help building that bulletproof plan, I'm opening up a few spots in January. Drop me a 'READY' and I'll send you the details.

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?

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