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 ____

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?

"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.

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?

"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.

MBC Consulting Solutions, LLC

Personal Branding and LinkedIn™ Strategist

DIY Influence

Co-Founder and Head of Community Engagement

RedBoxMe in Collaboration with Cartier

Luminary Thinker

Outlier Magazine

Copy Editor

Polo Ralph Lauren

Successfully developed, mentored, and managed team of 15 people to facilitate fabric, trim and product development for Chaps Mens and RTW. Facilitated open lines of communication and regular touch point meetings with cross-functional partners and teams in design, merchandising, sales, planning, technical design, and production operations. Daily communication and problem solving with overseas offices, agents, and vendors on cost, deliveries, and technical issues.
•	Revamped the entire buying commitment process. Reduced overall production lead times by 14%, resulting in better buying decisions, ability to chase trends, and reduced excess inventory.  Facilitated greater in-region sourcing and development of raw materials.
•	Partnered with overseas sourcing offices to drive on-boarding of new vendors and off-shore facilities. Reduced percentage of sweater (high FOB) category made in China from 80% to zero in order to shield against China tariff cost pressure.
•	Advocated the use of preferred/sustainable fibers and successfully transitioned men’s sweaters to the use of Better Cotton.

Vice President, Production, Chaps Mens and RTW

Responsible for the development and production of all categories and divisions of Childrenswear from design handoff to finished goods, generating $884M in revenue for FY19.  Product categories included all knits, wovens, and sweaters for Boys 2-20, Girls 2-16, and Baby Newborn-24 months.
•	Developed, mentored, and managed a team of 24 people to facilitate fabric and product development for all channels of global distribution for Ralph Lauren Childrenswear.
•	Collaborated with testing, quality, and legal teams to ensure product was compliant with global regulatory standards.  
•	Partnered with raw material teams to drive the implementation and growth of the use of preferred/sustainable fibers and components such as traceable down suppliers, BCI cotton, and recycled polyester.
•	Led the initiation of vendor-created digital product development by creating a “Shirt Shop” for Polo Factory Stores which resulted in the elimination of the need for samples or sketches and allowed buyers to assort their woven shirt lines in a digital environment via Browzwear and Stylezone, saving 4-6 weeks development time.
•	Rolled out fabric platforming and positioning across all channels to reduce cost and lead time.  Reduced overall production lead times for Basic Stock Replenishment (BSR) programs by 28 days. Reviewed global inventory needs and rebalanced purchasing cadence to improve fill rates.
•	Reduced lead times and TFG cost by strategic allocation of product based on buying region and existing Free Trade Agreements.
•	Traveled to Asia, India, and western hemisphere vendors for cost negotiation, development trips, and factory visits.

Vice President, Product Development, Childrenswear

Developed and produced all categories of Childrenswear for Polo Factory Stores, Chaps, American Living, and Off-price accounts from design handoff to finished goods.  
•	Accountable for all knits, wovens, and sweaters for Boys 2-20, Girls 2-16, and baby newborn-24 months.

Senior Director, Product Development - Childrenswear

Best and Company

Identified and on boarded new vendors, increasing factory matrix to improve costing and meet new category needs.  Negotiated all prices, deliveries, and minimum order quantities. Ensured that product was compliant with rapidly changing regulations for children’s apparel imported into the United States. Sourced, costed, and developed all private label styles for Best and Company. Developed and implemented calendar, costing, and time and action templates. Sourced all raw materials for production in tandem with head designer.
•	Reviewed production at local domestic vendors in tandem with technical designer to confirm quality standards were being met and to trouble shoot any production issues.
•	Partnered with the company’s President on special collaborative projects with celebrity design partners for exclusive product launches.
•	Regularly traveled to flagship store in Greenwich, CT and Bergdorf Goodman boutique to merchandise floor, meet with sales team, and engage with customers.  Assisted with trunk shows and other in-store events.

Vice President of Sourcing and Manufacturing

Directed the development, costing, allocation, and production of girls knit and woven apparel. Collaborated with cross functional partners including design, merchandising, technical design, and testing. Communicated daily with overseas offices and vendors.
•	Successfully attained divisional margin goals while maintaining design aesthetic and brand quality.
•	Ensured timely delivery of all showroom samples globally for rig and showroom setups.

Director Of Product Development - Childrenswear

Sustainability Focused Strategic Sourcing | Personal Branding and LinkedIn™ Presence Expertise | Panel and Podcast Guest | The Good Witch of LinkedIn™ ✨

I want you to love LinkedIn as much as I do.

It's no longer the LinkedIn of 2015; a dry repository for an electronic version of your resume and a place to frantically go when you need to find your next opportunity.

I speak from personal experience.

I am not just another LinkedIn coach. I have lived the experience of going from being inactive here (a few hundred connections, zero engagement) to being a LinkedIn Top Voice with an instantly recognizable personal brand and a powerful community.

In 2020, I lost my job at my dream company -- where I had worked for over a decade. Living in NYC in the heart of the Covid pandemic, I felt both lost (who was I without the title I had worked so hard to achieve?) and trapped (lockdowns were in full force for many months).

For years, I had been the embodiment of climbing that corporate ladder. I grew from an entry level assistant to a brand Vice President, working for iconic American fashion companies. Driven by my love of the industry and a vision cultivated since high school, I was living the dream career that I had thoughtfully crafted. And then suddenly, it was gone.

What now?

After much soul searching, I launched my own consultancy - guiding brands through their product development, sourcing, and production needs. This unveiled a world of possibilities, granting me the opportunity to collaborate on a wide variety of products and projects.

But the pandemic offered another gift; a newfound love for LinkedIn. I was able to witness firsthand the magic that emerges when we harness this platform's full potential. LinkedIn gave me back my voice, and helped me to build an incredible community that it is my privilege to be part of and to support.

I realized that my true calling is helping others to find their voice, develop their personal brand, and craft their thought leadership. Whether your goal is to future-proof your career, build your audience, launch your own consultancy, or develop a content and engagement strategy, I look forward to helping you.

Melissa Cohen

I was so excited to receive my friend Jessica Weiss’s new book, Happiness Works, that I couldn’t even wait to take my hat off. 

(Needing to wear a hat yesterday did NOT make me happy, but that’s ok).

This book could not be more timely. Workplaces are in a crisis. While I no longer work in the corporate world, I often work with people and organizations in it. I hear and sense a growing amount of disconnection in the workplace.

What I appreciate most about this book is that it’s rooted in psychology and research. My heartfelt advice? Grab your copy now.

Full title: Happiness Works: The Science of Thriving at Work

And yes, it’s available on Amazon.

Personal Branding and LinkedIn® Strategy | Build Your Brand, Find Your Voice, Build Your Business | Amazon Bestselling Author | The Good Witch of LinkedIn 🪄

Hello, North Carolina! I'm heading your way for something truly special on December 8th: The Own Your Spotlight Summit.

We designed this event to feel like a masterclass meets a mastermind, not another conference where you collect business cards you'll put in a pile and forget about.

Showing up and owning your voice is harder than people admit. I know because I've been there. The market is loud. Visibility can feel exhausting. And many people are still trying to figure out how to share their ideas with confidence, without listening to that nagging voice of self doubt in their heads.

That’s why we built this experience the way we did.
Kevin D. Turner, WENDY SHORE, Donnie Boivin, and I spent a lot of time discussing one question:
 
What would truly help people step into their spotlight, and in a way that has lasting impact?

We designed a day that gives you clarity, community, strategy, and momentum... all in the same room.

You'll learn from speakers who walk the talk: Stacy Eleczko🔅, Larry Long Jr 🎤, and Brian Ondrako.

This day is designed for you if you're ready to stop overthinking how you show up… and start owning the impact you’re capable of.  The world is waiting for your brilliance.  See you there! https://lnkd.in/epmm8V5W

An image of Raleigh, North Carolina at sunset (Golden Hour). The sky is beautiful shades of pink and blue,  illuminating the skyline.

During a recent corporate training, I asked everyone to pull up their LinkedIn profiles.

A surprise for me? Almost half the group didn’t know there was a Featured section. (And yes, you have to add it manually.  It isn't part of your default profile layout.)

The Featured section is prime LinkedIn real estate, just after your About section and before people get to your post current posts. Think of it as your personal highlight reel.

So what belongs there? It isn't necessarily your post that got the most impressions. What I recommend:

If you’re in a corporate role:
 • An insightful post or article on a current industry relevant topic that showcases your knowledge and expertise
 • A press mention, podcast, or panel appearance
 • Important company news

If you’re a business owner or consultant:
 • Your signature offer or free resource 
 • Client success story or recommendations
 • A link to your newsletter or website

If you haven’t set it up yet, consider this your friendly nudge. It's a low lift upgrade and instantly elevates your digital first impression.

What’s the first thing you want people to see when they land on your profile?

I say it all the time: LinkedIn is the world's greatest free education. Sometimes it's long form content, sometimes it's a LinkedIn Live. And sometimes, it is 
#linkedinnuggets. What are LinkedIn nuggets? They are nuggets of wisdom I found in my feed this week that were so good, I want to share them with you:

✨ “Those who can use the organization's data to reinforce it's vision will be at a premium, and in large companies a good Finance team should be driving and enabling the leaders to do this on a regular basis.” - Jeffrey Kishner

✨ “The truth is, we are not defined by our past mistakes or regrets. We are defined by our ability to acknowledge them, learn from them, and move forward with newfound wisdom and purpose” - Rachelle Sosa

✨ “In work and in life, every so often you meet a friend who sticks. Yup just like a good Sunday casserole: warm, simple, and there when you need it. They check in when the noise gets loud. They clap for your small wins. They tell you the blatant truth. They visit you even if across two oceans. If you’ve got one of those, give ’em a call today. If you are one, keep going. The world needs more of you.” - Valentin F.

✨ “Health is the key to it all. I had everything I thought I wanted, but I didn’t have what I needed: connection, community, and simplicity.” - Zohaib Aziz

✨ “What happens when we slow down, get honest, and let ourselves be seen changes everything.” - Nicole Bliss

✨ “Yes, sometimes phone or laptop use in meetings is about distraction or tech addiction. But other times? It’s reality. People are juggling life outside of work (or trying to catch up because they’ve been in back-to-back meetings all day and there’s literally no time for “work-work” without sacrificing every night to emails and messages). Before we jump to a rule, maybe we should be asking the reason why people feel they can’t put them down.” - Ashley Herd

There is so much wisdom to be found every day on LinkedIn. I encourage you to stop the scroll, and look for the nuggets in your own feeds. I promise you will be pleasantly surprised. Which nugget resonated most with you today?

I first met Jerry Macnamara in September of 2024. I was speaking at the Badass Business Summit in Fort Worth, and he was leading the VIP sessions. 

I was absolutely blown away by what he taught us. In an after-session later that year, he kept the momentum going, continuing to challenge our assumptions and also give us support.

Fast forward to 2025. Jerry was leading the VIP sessions again. (Donnie Boivin - please have Jerry back in 2026). Again, off the charts insights. Also off the charts memory recall. I walked into the room and he asked me questions about my business that showed he remembered small details most would forget.

Why am I sharing this?  Because I love Jerry!  And, because he is offering something that every business owner would highly benefit from taking part in. I want to spread the word, because gatekeeping just feels so... ick.

This Friday, November 14th kicks off The B2B Revenue Machine Bootcamp and if you can join, I highly recommend that you do. 

8 hours of live instruction
12 hours of office hours
A community of fellow entrepreneurs to support you
14 custom GPTs to accelerate your progress

I know how good this is going to be, and Jerry does too -- he even has a money back guarantee.

Link for more info: https://lnkd.in/eMF-CkSp

I am not an affiliate in any way. I am just sharing what I know will be an incredibly impactful way to end 2025. Because when one of us wins, we all win.

After a week off, we're back with Sunday's #fourtofollow. The best thing about LinkedIn are the people. Here are four to get to know and learn from:

Taresa Scott, M.S.Ed., M.A.C. is the founder of Bleuprint and a corporate training architect who helps companies turn learning into a competitive advantage. With dual master’s degrees in education and communication, she designs and implements custom, scalable training and onboarding programs that improve performance, strengthen retention, and close skills gaps across industries. Known for bridging people and systems with precision, she partners with organizations to streamline training, elevate employee experience, and build resilient, future-ready workforces. She is leading the way in redefining what effective learning looks like in today’s workplace.

Jerry Ryan is a personal stress coach, author, and speaker who helps people see their world differently, and live it with more calm, clarity, and purpose. A veteran and lifelong advocate for holistic wellness, he combines mindfulness based stress reduction with lifestyle and environmental coaching to help clients reduce anxiety, improve resilience, and design lives they love. Through his 12 week program, he guides individuals to identify barriers, build healthy habits, and create 3–5 year life plans that align finances, relationships, and wellbeing. Known for his empathy and evidence-based approach, he’s helped people of all ages, from teens to seniors, reclaim balance and peace of mind.

Sheena Yap Chan is a WSJ bestselling author, keynote speaker, and founder of The Tao of Self-Confidence®, leading a global movement to make confidence visible. Through her VISIBLE Framework, Sheena helps organizations bridge the confidence and leadership gap, empowering women to lead unapologetically and companies to build more inclusive, equitable cultures. Host of the globally ranked The Tao of Self-Confidence podcast, Sheena amplifies the voices of those who have reclaimed their power and risen to leadership. Her bestselling books, The Tao of Self-Confidence and Bridging the Confidence Gap, have inspired audiences worldwide to see confidence not as something you’re born with, but something you can build.

Mohamed Abdallah, MBA is the founder of Elhad Management Solutions, where he helps small businesses and nonprofits turn financial chaos into clarity. His proven 3-Phase Financial Model: Organize. Optimize. Grow. translates complex numbers into simple, strategic decisions that drive sustainable growth. A trusted QuickBooks expert and finance advisor, he supports clients with bookkeeping cleanup, grant budget preparation, and e-commerce audits. Beyond the spreadsheets, he builds genuine connections on LinkedIn through his Tag-A-Friend Tuesday series, where professionals meet, collaborate, and grow together in the comments. You know how much I love that idea!

I hope you enjoyed this week's group. Please share in the comments who you think is a must follow!

If it's Sunday, it must be a new #fourtofollow. Here are four of my connections on LinkedIn to get to know, because the best part of LinkedIn is the people!

James Corry is a Business and Entrepreneurial Outreach Librarian at the New York Public Library who connects New Yorkers to knowledge, opportunity, and community. A storyteller, facilitator, and connector at heart, he uses his platform to highlight the incredible events, programs, and people that make the NYPL a cornerstone of entrepreneurship and learning. Through his photography and reflections on life in New York City, he captures the vibrancy, diversity, and humanity of the city he serves, reminding us that libraries aren’t only about books; they’re about people, stories, and connection.

Jackson Edens  is “The Work Smarter Guy”, an entrepreneur and AI translator who helps small business owners turn confusing tech into practical, stress-saving solutions. With a fresh, modern approach to automation, he brings clarity to a world crowded with noise, helping businesses adopt tools that are simple, effective, and actually make life easier. By breaking down AI without buzzwords, he connects owners with what works for their business, and shows them how to use it. A sharp thinker, natural connector, and forward-looking problem solver, he’s the person you call when you want tech that works for you, not against you.

Karen Laos ✨ is a global speaker, TEDx coach, and three-time author on a mission to help 10 million women silence self-doubt and ask for what they want with confidence. Founder of The Confidence Cocktail™, she equips high-achieving women with practical communication strategies they can use immediately — from speaking up in meetings to negotiating for the roles, raises, and recognition they deserve. With 25+ years of experience working with organizations like NASA, Google, Netflix, Uber, and Sephora, she blends powerful storytelling with tangible tools that help women shift habits, build presence, and lead with authority. Her work turns hesitation into action and gives women the clarity, confidence, and courage to change the trajectory of their careers.

Rebecca A. Styn, Ph.D. is the Founder & CEO of Blind Tiger, Inc., an innovative beverage brand challenging norms by offering both sophisticated, zero-proof cocktails and high quality low-ABV ready to drink options. Inspired by the ingenuity of Prohibition-era speakeasies, Rebecca created a range of all-natural, mixologist-crafted drinks designed for inclusion: whether you abstain from alcohol or simply want lighter alternatives. With 30+ national and international awards, Blind Tiger has been celebrated for flavor, craftsmanship, and innovation. My personal favorite? The Lavender French 75, as pretty to look at as it is delicious.

I hope you enjoyed this week's four to follow. Please share in the comments who you think is a must follow!

One of the things I enjoy most about spending time on LinkedIn? Finding #linkedinnuggets. What are LinkedIn nuggets? They are nuggets of wisdom in my feed (or in the comments) this week that were so good, I want to share them with you:

✨ “Begin to look for those who keep their word and show up when it really matters. They're the ones who celebrate your wins while also telling you the truth with kindness. A cohort like this can be a quiet strategic advantage, adding the special sauce of being emotionally steadying, while also professionally clarifying.” - Kyra Faison-Gardner (she/her)

✨ “Those who hold on to the past, the past never lets them move forward. Those who learn from the past and move forward are the ones who succeed in the future.” - Muhammad Mahdi Hassan

✨ “People grow... we age and change physically in time... and my garden grows and changes with the season... and things change and it is beauty in becoming. Grace is more how you grow... a reminder to stay humble and kind and balanced and steady.” - Fred Lardaro

✨ “The truth is, the world doesn’t reward ideas that stay in your head. It rewards the ones you have the courage to bring into the room.” - Jesse Landry

✨ “The prevailing myth is that endurance and perseverance are solo acts. You power through, you tough it out. But the truth? The moment you stop relying purely on grit and start finding your people, is the moment everything changes.” - John Lindsey 

✨ “A conversation unearths a deeper win. A question reframes an entire strategy. A single sentence from the stage redirects the next twelve months. This happens in the room. It thrives on being present.” - Stacie Alexiou, CEM CEO

There is so much wisdom to be found every day on LinkedIn. I encourage you to stop the scroll, and look for the nuggets in your own feeds. I promise you will be pleasantly surprised. Which nugget spoke to you the most today?

A digital presence used to be optional. Now it’s the first filter buyers, partners, and even AI systems use to decide whether you matter.

Google is no longer the primary discovery layer. AI-powered search is.

AI assistants summarize you based on the digital footprint you’ve already created. If your digital presence is weak, the algorithms assume you are irrelevant.

This is a massive tension. And many founders and executives are still acting like it's 2017.

The Invisible Executive (or Founder) is the leader who still believes reputation is earned solely in conference rooms, not digital rooms. They hide behind outdated profiles, default to corporate-speak content, and assume their resume speaks louder than their online presence.

In a world that now forms first impressions through feeds, summaries, and AI-ranked profiles, the Invisible Executive is bleeding revenue in silence.

On a connection call, a potential client wondered why their pipeline was drying up. The reason wasn't what they thought. They didn't need more (often cold) outreach. The true root cause? Digital invisibility, created by a belief that a strong digital presence wasn’t “real leadership.”

A weak digital footprint isn’t just a branding issue. It's a revenue leak.

Are you a founder, executive, or entrepreneur who wants to elevate your digital presence? My DM's are open.

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Renee Cohen, CFP®

Melissa Cohen

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taplio

The Battle

Renee Cohen, CFP®

Melissa Cohen

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);}Renee Cohen, CFP®'s LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreMelissa Cohen's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreRenee Cohen, CFP®'s LinkedIn Performance