🙌🏽 🙌🏽
Please remember to stay safe this week! There are Please remember to stay safe this week! There are a lot of things happening in DC and all over the USA. Stay vigilant, stay away from people whenever possible, and stay home if and when you can! Also, remember that is it perfectly acceptable to celebrate tomorrow. These past four years have felt like a lifetime. We still have so many steps to take to make this nation a truly accepting, fair, and free place but let's hold on to the little happy moments along the way until we get there.
As a born and raised Orlandoean (is that what we s As a born and raised Orlandoean (is that what we should call ourselves?!) I haven't ever really experienced a winter season. I've enjoyed winter many times while in many different cities including, Edinburgh, London, NYC, and Boston. But I've never lived in winter day in and day out. After a week it was always time to fly home to my palm trees and theme parks. This winter is the first time that I am experiencing cold temperatures daily and often experiencing grey skies. It's only been about two weeks and I have to admit that it is a huge adjustment. But I am doing my best to embrace the season and stay as cozy as possible. I am used to being outside as often as possible in winter while hibernating with the A/C running all summer. So I guess now I will be reversing those habits and bundling up until spring gets here.
For my birthday I wanted one thing and one thing o For my birthday I wanted one thing and one thing only, @hipcityveg. Although I still miss all my favorite Orlando foodie places, I am so excited to finally be so close to a Hip City Veg location. It's my all-time favorite plant-based restaurant and I have been craving this vegan milkshake for months! If you haven't been yet and you are in DC or Philadelphia, go right now!
I'm currently reflecting on a very wild year. This I'm currently reflecting on a very wild year. This last trip around the sun was during a very difficult time in our world but I can't personally complain much about the last 365 days. I thought I would be taking over as the lead on a contract at a Disney hotel as their main wedding photographer. I had been photographing weddings there for years but covid had other plans. Instead, I watched as the entire world shut down around me, only for the hotel to reopen as a part of the NBA bubble. So I decided to jump headfirst into running a product-based business. It's something I wanted to do for years and yet I could never quite seem to muster up the nerve to fully go after that dream. I launched my first collection of candles, sold out in days, and things have been steadily growing since then for @kismetandcharisma. After finally going after my dream of switching from service-based to product-based, I co-founded a nonprofit. This has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and the stars finally aligned to bring it to light. Along with my best friend, Anna, I co-founded @LoveDoesntHurtInc. It has already healed me in ways I never thought possible and I can't wait to see what our nonprofit does for other people. I also consistently recorded @heartandhustlepodcast all year alongside my ride or die, @studio404design. Outside of work, I adopted the sweetest little pup ever as a present for my husband's quarantine birthday (best present ever). I didn't finish writing my own book but I managed to read quite a few other books. I battled anxiety as usual but I managed to learn when to turn the news off and FaceTime a friend instead of continuing to doomscroll. I also convinced my husband to leave OCPS to work for a school district that would like to keep him alive during the pandemic, which resulted in us relocating to the DC area. Here's hoping that this trip around the sun is filled with the same amount of professional success but WAY more hugs.
Lately, I have been getting acquainted with some o Lately, I have been getting acquainted with some of the local coffee shops in DC and NOVA. You would never know that I don't like coffee by how often I am spending money in coffee shops. I do, however, love just about every tea I come across. Earthy, fruity, sweet, bitter, it doesn't matter. I love them all. Any other tea lovers out there? Do you like coffee and tea or just one or the other?
This year is off to a wild start. I literally star This year is off to a wild start. I literally started the New Year on the road, driving somewhere just south of Raleigh. We slept in Raleigh for a few hours and then finished the drive to our new home in the DMV. We have been here just over a week now which feels pretty hard to believe. In some ways, it feels shorter and in others, it feels much longer. I don't feel at home yet but yesterday was a beautiful day and definitely the best one that I have had since we moved here. It definitely has me feeling hopeful. I know that this year won't magically be better than last year but I am going to be doing everything I can to make it a better year for myself and everyone I know.
Instagram post 18186913066037488 Instagram post 18186913066037488
Saying goodbye to Christmas and Orlando at the sam Saying goodbye to Christmas and Orlando at the same time is going to be incredibly difficult! đź’”
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Uncategorized · July 15, 2015

Women in Business: Michelle from The Holistic Wallet

Too often in our society, people picture men in their heads when they hear words like, “boss”, “entrepreneur”, or “CEO”. Being a small business owner has put me in touch with so many successful female business owners and entrepreneurs that when I hear these words, I often picture a woman or I just don’t assume anything at all. Women are obviously just as capable as men when it comes to the business world and it is high time that women business owners and entrepreneurs are more visible in the media in our society. This is where the idea for Women in Business was born. Women in Business is a bi-weekly feature that highlights female entrepreneurs and business owners. Not only is it a fantastic opportunity to learn more about small businesses in various fields, but it is a great shopping guide for supporting small businesses.  

An Interview with Michelle from The Holistic Wallet

Tell us a little bit about The Holistic Wallet. What exactly do you do and what is your favorite thing about doing it?

The Holistic Wallet is my personal finance strategy company where I help creative-minded professionals pursue their passions in the most fiscally responsible ways possible. I’m a conscious capitalist and values-based spending enthusiast and I believe in the power of the wallet to create meaningful change in the world. I help ambitious idealists set strong financial foundations by tidying up their financial lives, mapping out goals and strategies to reach them, and creating sustainable systems to carry it all out. My favorite part used to be the actual number crunching (not that I’m not still obsessed with that!) but now I really appreciate the reaction I get from clients when they receive their plan and realize “Wait, I can actually do this!” That feeling of empowerment is contagious! That, and I dance in my home office often.

 

sideshotWhat are three things that someone can do now to have a more financially stable future?

First, setting goals is critical. It’s the fuel to your financial engine. Our goals may change throughout our lives, but pinpointing what you really want to work towards (what you really want – not what you “should” want) sets organic boundaries in your spending. Second, track your spending. Being conscious about your spending and expenses is a more effective way to save money than just buying stuff on sale. And, third – keep a budget! Budgeting is not a bad word – it’s a really empowering way to assign your money specific purposes. Those three things are so basic but they’re really all you need to turn personal finance into a happy lifestyle choice.

Do you use any apps or programs that help with budgeting? Which are your favorites?

My monthly budget is written on a sticky note in my planner next to another sticky with my financial goals – that’s my favorite! But I’m also borderline obsessed with YNAB (You Need A Budget). I don’t balance it well because I’m always testing out apps and programs for clients so my personal budget is in 10 different places at once (I definitely don’t recommend that kind of consciousness overload!), but YNAB is my favorite spending tracker. It costs $60 but I’ve never met anyone that regretted the purchase because it really changes the way you interact with money. I don’t like sites like Mint because the automation is too mechanical and rarely syncs up properly. Everyone wants to use Mint but I’ve found that conscious manual entry is the most effective route towards financial well-being.

Have you always been great with finances or is it something that you had to learn over time? How did starting your own business change your views on finances? (If at all).

Absolutely not! It’s all totally learned. And if I can do it – anyone can! I grew up believing that being wealthy was greedy and I eventually graduated from college with $50,000 in student loans, credit card debt and an auto loan (like it was my personal responsibility to maintain the American economy!). At the most basic level, I didn’t know how to control my spending and I realized that I was far from alone in that struggle. I’m an innovative problem-solver at heart so I entered the personal finance industry mostly for selfish reasons – I couldn’t find a financial planner I liked! It took me a whopping 5 years to pay off all the debt and stockpile some solid savings/investments on my own, but I’m most proud of the way I transformed my outlook on financial empowerment and the way I interact with money daily.

After all that, starting a business was a huge shift in my financial life. I’m definitely not much of a financial risk taker and starting a business was a huge risk, but I’m really passionate about revolutionizing the personal finance industry, so I bit the bullet anyway. I did it in a way that felt safe for me – planning well and not taking on any debt or dipping into my emergency savings. Plus, I’ve found that employing yourself is more stable and dependable than being employed by someone else. I don’t have to worry about laying myself off… I don’t think… but not getting a biweekly paycheck took a little getting used to. Now I pay myself a fixed salary every month so that’s getting better.

office1

What is your favorite social media platform that you use to connect to new clients and why?

Social media is really new to me because I started building my business locally (in person). I like Instagram because it’s pretty and I can use ironic hashtags and post a plethora of puppy pictures and WordSwag quotes. But I’ve really started coming around to Twitter. I get really, really giddy each time I get a retweet or a mention – see what I did there? I used the right terminology! I used Facebook and Pinterest also but they don’t feel very business-y when I’m there.

What has surprised you the most about being a small business owner?

Hands down – the supportive communities of fellow small biz entrepreneurs! I spent 8 years in the corporate finance world where we competed for business and celebrated the failures of other institutions throughout the financial collapse. Heck, corporate can be dog-eat-dog internally at times and that mentality is whack! I’m not a competitive person and I don’t feel good winning at someone else’s loss, so I was afraid I wasn’t cut out to start a business. Luckily, I’m part of entrepreneurial communities where we lift each other up and are comfortable in our expertise and talents to know that there’s enough business out there for all of us.

desk1

What goals do you have for your business over the next five years?

Generally, my goal is to revolutionize the personal finance industry and make more people realize financial empowerment. Ya know – just because I think it’s good for the economy! I’m going to be expanding The Holistic Wallet’s reach and releasing more educational products and programs that are scalable enough that I can still work one-on-one with clients. Also, I’m switching from local roots to location-independent so I’d like to finish that transition and leave NY in the next 5 years. I hate NY. Well, I love it, but I hate it.

How do you define success as a business owner?

Success is the freedom to take time to toss a rubber squeaky chicken around my backyard with my dogs, hah! But seriously, it’s being sustainably profitable with a work/life balance. I come from the corporate world with exhausting 60-hour work weeks, uncertain employment, and the occasional mean-spirited colleague. Now I’m doing what makes me happy, networking with like-minded folks and I have the freedom to put my time and money where my heart is. I probably work a 60-hour work week anyway but it doesn’t feel like work.

Do you have any upcoming workshops, webinars, or e-courses that readers can look forward to?

I host a free 7-day challenge to Get Fiscally Intentional (http://www.theholisticwallet.com/free-stuff) because getting clear and honest on what you want to do with your money is essential to setting a financial foundation and sticking to a money plan. I don’t have any webinars scheduled at the moment, but I usually announce one every couple months to my mailing list (sign up at http://www.theholisticwallet.com) when the inspiration strikes! What I’m really, really excited about is a self-paced money e-course I’m launching this summer. We tend to be very private with our money so I want people who are fiscally shy to be able to benefit from the approach I take with clients and DIY their own financial plan. michthwheadshot

You can find Michelle here: The Holistic Wallet | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram 

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Hi! I'm Charisma, a creative entrepreneur who loves to help others reach their full potential. I'm a photographer, a writer, and the owner of Kismet + Charisma, an online boutique that pairs minimalist, cozy, boho style with activism. In my little corner of the internet you'll find my latest travels, what I'm currently reading, how I practing Black joy as resistence, and how I'm finding hygge in my daily life. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and stay awhile.

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🙌🏽 🙌🏽
Please remember to stay safe this week! There are Please remember to stay safe this week! There are a lot of things happening in DC and all over the USA. Stay vigilant, stay away from people whenever possible, and stay home if and when you can! Also, remember that is it perfectly acceptable to celebrate tomorrow. These past four years have felt like a lifetime. We still have so many steps to take to make this nation a truly accepting, fair, and free place but let's hold on to the little happy moments along the way until we get there.
As a born and raised Orlandoean (is that what we s As a born and raised Orlandoean (is that what we should call ourselves?!) I haven't ever really experienced a winter season. I've enjoyed winter many times while in many different cities including, Edinburgh, London, NYC, and Boston. But I've never lived in winter day in and day out. After a week it was always time to fly home to my palm trees and theme parks. This winter is the first time that I am experiencing cold temperatures daily and often experiencing grey skies. It's only been about two weeks and I have to admit that it is a huge adjustment. But I am doing my best to embrace the season and stay as cozy as possible. I am used to being outside as often as possible in winter while hibernating with the A/C running all summer. So I guess now I will be reversing those habits and bundling up until spring gets here.
For my birthday I wanted one thing and one thing o For my birthday I wanted one thing and one thing only, @hipcityveg. Although I still miss all my favorite Orlando foodie places, I am so excited to finally be so close to a Hip City Veg location. It's my all-time favorite plant-based restaurant and I have been craving this vegan milkshake for months! If you haven't been yet and you are in DC or Philadelphia, go right now!
I'm currently reflecting on a very wild year. This I'm currently reflecting on a very wild year. This last trip around the sun was during a very difficult time in our world but I can't personally complain much about the last 365 days. I thought I would be taking over as the lead on a contract at a Disney hotel as their main wedding photographer. I had been photographing weddings there for years but covid had other plans. Instead, I watched as the entire world shut down around me, only for the hotel to reopen as a part of the NBA bubble. So I decided to jump headfirst into running a product-based business. It's something I wanted to do for years and yet I could never quite seem to muster up the nerve to fully go after that dream. I launched my first collection of candles, sold out in days, and things have been steadily growing since then for @kismetandcharisma. After finally going after my dream of switching from service-based to product-based, I co-founded a nonprofit. This has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and the stars finally aligned to bring it to light. Along with my best friend, Anna, I co-founded @LoveDoesntHurtInc. It has already healed me in ways I never thought possible and I can't wait to see what our nonprofit does for other people. I also consistently recorded @heartandhustlepodcast all year alongside my ride or die, @studio404design. Outside of work, I adopted the sweetest little pup ever as a present for my husband's quarantine birthday (best present ever). I didn't finish writing my own book but I managed to read quite a few other books. I battled anxiety as usual but I managed to learn when to turn the news off and FaceTime a friend instead of continuing to doomscroll. I also convinced my husband to leave OCPS to work for a school district that would like to keep him alive during the pandemic, which resulted in us relocating to the DC area. Here's hoping that this trip around the sun is filled with the same amount of professional success but WAY more hugs.
Lately, I have been getting acquainted with some o Lately, I have been getting acquainted with some of the local coffee shops in DC and NOVA. You would never know that I don't like coffee by how often I am spending money in coffee shops. I do, however, love just about every tea I come across. Earthy, fruity, sweet, bitter, it doesn't matter. I love them all. Any other tea lovers out there? Do you like coffee and tea or just one or the other?
This year is off to a wild start. I literally star This year is off to a wild start. I literally started the New Year on the road, driving somewhere just south of Raleigh. We slept in Raleigh for a few hours and then finished the drive to our new home in the DMV. We have been here just over a week now which feels pretty hard to believe. In some ways, it feels shorter and in others, it feels much longer. I don't feel at home yet but yesterday was a beautiful day and definitely the best one that I have had since we moved here. It definitely has me feeling hopeful. I know that this year won't magically be better than last year but I am going to be doing everything I can to make it a better year for myself and everyone I know.
Instagram post 18186913066037488 Instagram post 18186913066037488
Saying goodbye to Christmas and Orlando at the sam Saying goodbye to Christmas and Orlando at the same time is going to be incredibly difficult! đź’”
Merry Christmas from our favorite little polar bea Merry Christmas from our favorite little polar bear. 🤍🎄

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