The Empowered Money Girl

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela interviews Renata Calderaro, an accomplished immigration attorney and entrepreneur. Renata shares her journey from working in a law firm to starting her own practice, emphasizing the importance of living boldly and authentically. She discusses the cultural shifts in her previous firm that led her to leave and create a business focused o...

Josette Mandela interviews Dominique Nika Cagle, an award-winning entrepreneur, author, speaker, and founder and CEO of Nika Corporate Housing. Dominique shares how the events of 9/11 pushed her to pivot from airline work into entrepreneurship, and how one bad corporate housing experience became the spark for a company built around better service, cleaner standards, and stronger systems. In this c...

This conversation breaks down how families can approach college planning with more clarity, less panic, and a sharper eye on fit and affordability. Josette Mandela talks with Margaret Baudinet, owner and CEO of College Solutions and a national scholarship specialist, about early college exploration, merit scholarships, and how to avoid costly decisions driven by prestige alone. In this episode, Ma...

In this empowering conversation, Chelsea Jones shares her journey of resilience, navigating personal and professional challenges, including a cancer diagnosis and a difficult divorce. She emphasizes the importance of grounding oneself, taking micro-commitments, and seeking support during tough times. Chelsea encourages women to embrace their capabilities, make informed decisions, and find joy in t...

In this empowering conversation, Amy Janece shares her journey from being a ghostwriter to becoming an image consultant and stylist. She emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, authenticity, and the impact of personal image on confidence and success. Through her experiences, she highlights how embracing one's true self can lead to personal and professional growth, and encourages women to mod...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with Catharine Montgomery, founder of Better Together Agency. They discuss Catharine's journey in entrepreneurship, the challenges of navigating investor relationships, and the importance of communication in business. Catharine shares insights on the impact of AI on communication and the necessity of financial independence for wo...

Josette Mandela talks with Nathalie Mansueti Stratton, co founder of Hearth, about how her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants shaped her money mindset, career choices, and approach to family life. Nathalie shares how she moved from architecture into tech and then entrepreneurship, and why she built a household coordination product for moms and families after living the problem herself. In th...

In this episode, we explore how shifting from security-focused roles to purpose-driven endeavors can lead to profound personal and planetary impact. Shab Azma, founder and CEO of Arc Collective, shares her inspiring journey of navigating career transitions, embracing authenticity, and building a platform dedicated to healing and human evolution. We discuss: Shab Azma’s non-linear career path from...

In this episode, Angela Healy shares her inspiring story of transforming her childhood fascination with real estate into a thriving multi-million dollar company. She discusses strategies for managing property portfolios, navigating seasonal income challenges, and pivoting during COVID-19 to meet changing client needs. Takeaways: Angela’s early exposure to real estate through her parents’ rental pr...

In this episode of The Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with Wendy Wiseman, founder and CEO of Constellation Collective. They discuss Wendy's creative journey, her insights on marketing strategies, and the importance of financial independence for women. Wendy emphasizes the need for women to take control of their financial futures, overcome fears, and seek mentorship. The conversa...

In this conversation, Judy Shapiro shares her journey as a pioneering marketing strategist and entrepreneur, discussing the challenges women face in the marketing and tech industries. She reflects on her experiences with venture capital, the importance of understanding human motivation in marketing, and the lessons learned about trust and financial independence. Judy emphasizes the need for women...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela interviews Gina Cotner, founder and CEO of Athena Executive Services. They discuss Gina's journey from executive assistant to entrepreneur, the importance of delegation, and how to build successful partnerships with virtual assistants. Gina emphasizes the psychological shift needed to let go of control, the financial and emotional costs...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela interviews Katie Bigelow, a former military member turned entrepreneur who founded Mettle Ops. Katie shares her journey from the military to starting a business from her kitchen table, the challenges of navigating financial hurdles, and the importance of creating a supportive work environment. She emphasizes the significance of financia...

In this episode of The Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela interviews Danyetta Fleming Magana, a cybersecurity expert and founder of Covenant Security Solutions. Danita shares her journey into the cybersecurity field, the challenges of starting her own business, and the importance of protecting personal data in an increasingly digital world. She emphasizes the need for awareness and intenti...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with Meghan Herwehe, a transformational leader with extensive experience in driving growth and innovation in various industries. Meghan shares her unconventional journey from the Peace Corps to becoming a CEO, emphasizing the importance of financial independence, strategic decision-making, and the impact of mindset on success. Th...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with Debbie Seidel, a seasoned dental consultant and speaker, about her journey from dental hygienist to a successful consultant. They discuss the critical connection between oral health and overall well-being, the importance of patient education, and the challenges faced in the dental community. Debbie emphasizes the need for de...

In this conversation, Josette Mandela interviews Diana Simmons, co-founder and CEO of Simply Cabinetry, who shares her journey from flipping houses to building a successful cabinetry franchise. Diana discusses the importance of empowering others, adapting business strategies during economic downturns, and the significance of financial independence for women. She emphasizes the need for continuous...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with Ileana Lucas-Fey, CEO of Florida Palm Construction, about her journey from an Ivy League swimmer to a successful entrepreneur in the construction industry. They discuss the challenges of balancing motherhood and work, navigating financial struggles, and overcoming limiting money beliefs. Ileana shares valuable lessons learne...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with fintech product leader Karen Hsu about the importance of financial security in a digital world. Karen shares her journey from studying engineering at Stanford to becoming a pioneer in blockchain technology and fraud prevention. The conversation explores various use cases of blockchain, including healthcare and energy, and de...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with Korena Keys, a successful entrepreneur and author, about her journey from poverty to financial independence. Korena shares her insights on the importance of financial literacy, the challenges women face in managing money, and the necessity of building a supportive financial team. She emphasizes that knowledge is power and en...

In this enlightening conversation, Josette Mandela speaks with Kai K. Fuentes, a leader in multicultural market research, about the importance of financial confidence and understanding diverse voices in financial decision-making. They explore Kai's journey from a shy child conducting interviews to a successful business owner, emphasizing the significance of budgeting, credit management, and the em...

Are you unknowingly making divorce decisions that could cost you thousands, financially and emotionally? In this powerful episode of The Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela sits down with former family lawyer Kim Korven, who reveals what really happens inside the legal system and why approaching divorce as purely a legal process can be a costly mistake. After leaving law practice, Kim devel...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela shares her personal journey from financial uncertainty to empowerment. She discusses the importance of taking responsibility for one's financial future, the pitfalls of relying on others for financial security, and the transformative power of small, intentional steps towards financial clarity. Through her story, she emphasizes the need...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with Carol Vick, founder of Carol Vick Creative Recruiting, about her journey in the creative industry, the importance of financial independence, and the evolving landscape of creativity in the age of AI. Carol shares her personal experiences, lessons learned about money, and the significance of self-sufficiency for women. The co...

In this episode of Empowered Money Girl, host Josette Mandela speaks with Anna Bjorkenbaugh, CEO of Lxmi, about her journey in the skincare industry and the importance of purpose-driven business. Anna shares her insights on financial independence, the impact of money on women's empowerment, and the mission behind Lxmi's social impact initiatives. The conversation emphasizes the need for women to e...