CEO ERA - The Money Issue

“Money comes to me in unexpected ways”

FROMTHEEDITOR’SDESK

I am THRILLED to bring you the first issue of CEO ERA - The Magazine!

And boy are we covering a big topic this month... money. Like that toxic ex, even the mention of it can bring up strong, uncomfortable feelings in some circles We’re going to dive into why that may be and explore how to start changing your relationship with money (no sage required).

While creating this issue, I had the pleasure of speaking with two women who’ve mastered the art of money psychology; Money Breakthrough Coach Sarah McGirr and Success Advisor Louisa Havers. Our conversations covered everything from the root of our money issues to how society influences our decisions around what we spend our money on

Make sure to check out how to connect with my new business besties in the Promos Section!

KatieEditor-in-Chief Founder, CEO ERA™ Coaching

LIFE LATELY

Currently reading...

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MONEY

by Morgan Housel

This book combines two things I love reading about money and psychology! Morgan Housel shares 19 short stories about how people think about wealth, greed and where happiness fits into the equation

Currently binging...

HOW TO GET RICH on Netflix

In this mini-series, New York Times Best Selling Author Ramit Sethi meets with people across the US to teach them how to manage their money and achieve their financial dreams!

Currently loving...

PLANNING FOR THE SUMMER

With the last day of school quickly approaching, I have flights to book and loose ends to tie up for my daughter’s summer camp Anyone else love looking at your plans laid out on the calendar for those three months of summer?!

Love of Money

MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

with contributions from Money Breakthrough Coach Sarah McGirr

If you grew up anytime between the 1800s and today, you’ve probably heard it a thousand times from wellmeaning grandmothers and elementary school teachers : “money is the root of all evil"

It's a saying that has echoed through generations, shaping our perception around money, imprinting a sense of guilt or shame around wealth.

“It’s rarely about the money,” Money Breakthrough Coach Sarah McGirr said. “People think [they have] a money problem, but it’s not.”

Sarah went on to tell me that money isn’t the root of all of our problems, after all… our perception of it is. And for women, our perception of money is often more multi-layered than the plot of a Leonardo DiCaprio movie

Fun fact : the actual saying

But why is this?

“For women, we’re conditioned early on that we’re not enough,” she said.

Think about the ads that you were exposed to as a teenage girl –makeup campaigns that promote whatever standard of beauty is popular at the time and fashion spreads full of barely-there models (don’t even get me started on the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show… why was I so captivated by these women?)

Not to mention all of the gendernorm conditioning both girls and boys are exposed to from an early age.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil” is centuries old, originating from the book of Timothy in the Bible, with other variations of this verse found in multiple religious texts… so your grandmother was, in fact, not the first to coin this phrase Society has given us a set of standards and expectations to live by, and when we stray from those standards – say by making double your husband’s salary, for example –we’re looked at as different.

“It’s the fear of leaving the tribe,” Sarah said. “No one wants to be looked at as different from the tribe. It’s the ‘what will my friends think?’ concept.”

Societal pressures. Gender stereotypes. Deeply rooted selfworth issues

t’s the perfect storm of subconscious conditioning that affects every area of our lives, including manifesting as an extremely toxic relationship with money.

But how do we start to repair this relationship?

“Start by writing a letter to money, ” advises Sarah “You’ll often find it helps you uncover your relationship with money. You’ll be surprised at what comes up.”

Identifying your conditioning around money – your “money stories” as they say in the biz – is the first step in changing the narrative.

Understanding and reclaiming our money stories allows us to make more empowered decisions and begin to rewire that old subconscious conditioning.

In the end, money is just a tool. It’s a resource that can provide more freedom, options, and better opportunities When we learn how to let go of the shame and guilt around money, and stop building it up into this thing bigger than what it is – a tool – we begin to shift our perception of money more positively.

And who doesn't want a more positive relationship with money?

ON THE NEXT PAGE, write a letter to your money; write whatever comes up as you think about what you’d like to say to your money. What would you like to tell it? What would you like to ask it? How are you currently feeling about your relationship?

WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR MONEY

Dear Money,

with contributions from Success Advisor Louisa Havers

In a world where anyone can claim to be a financial guru on TikTok, you’re sure to see a lot of advice flying around; from budgeting techniques like the envelope method to saving spare change in a ‘Treats Jar’ (you won’t catch me paying for my Starbucks in 545 pennies!), it’s easy to feel like your bank account is the boss.

But what if you could shift that narrative?

What if you could move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, allowing money to work for you?

MONEYMAYI?

Success Advisor Louisa Havers has a few tips for creating a daily practice on how you can stop asking your bank account for permission, and start feeling more empowered when it comes to your money.

Rewrite Your Money Story

“The subconscious has a 100% success rate in delivering our programming,” Louisa said, reiterating what you learned in the last article.

Everyone has a money story – your beliefs around money that have rooted themselves into subconscious programming.

Now, it’s time to rewrite that narrative.

(If you haven’t completed your Letter to Money, now would be a good time to go back and get writing)

After you’ve identified the limiting beliefs you have around money, replace them with empowering affirmations – such as “I am a magnet for financial abundance” and “money comes to me in unexpected ways.”

“I AM A MAGNET FOR FINANCIAL ABUNDANCE”

When you catch yourself running your old, negative programming around money :

1. Recognize that it’s just a thought that you keep thinking

2. Acknowledge the thought and let it go (I like to picture it as a cloud floating away… don’t knock it until you try it!)

3. Replace the thought with your new empowering affirmations

The more you do this, the easier it becomes until one day you realize those negative beliefs don’t even pop up anymore!

Visualize Financial Success

Visualization is a powerful tool in building a more abundant mindset Dust off those daydreaming muscles and spend a few minutes each day visualizing what your life would be like after you’ve achieved your goals

How do you feel? What do you see? What do you hear? How do you show up differently?

For an extra potent punch, Louisa recommends practicing fully embodying the feelings you would have after achieving your goals. This helps to prime your nervous system to feel safe in a new reality, she said.

Let your mind run wild as you meditate in your visualization and let your subconscious start to noodle on how to accomplish these dreams You may be surprised at the unexpected opportunities that start popping up for you!

“MONEY FLOWS TO ME WITH EASE”

Instead of setting safe financial goals that keep you in your comfort zone, why not dream big?

Because you’re worthy, lady!

Whether it’s doubling your monthly income, saving for a dream vacation, or investing in your own business, set goals that excite and motivate you. Bold goals inspire bold actions, and you’ll soon find yourself making financial choices that support your biggest dreams.

Forget about the how, and focus on the specific goal

One tip from Louisa; “imposter syndrome is a signal you’re going in the right direction,” she said.

Imposter Syndrome is the feeling of self-doubt in a specific situation; it often pops up when you are stretching your comfort zone… which is a given when you’re on a journey of growth!

CASH MAD LIBS

By [date], I will have $ cash available in my account.

These next two tips are from me!

Cultivate Financial Confidence

Building financial confidence is like flexing a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Begin by educating yourself about finances. Read books, listen to podcasts, and maybe even take a course on personal and/or business finance.

Applied knowledge is power, and the more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in making financial decisions that align with your goals

You’ll start to step into the identity of someone who makes better decisions around money.

Celebrate Financial Wins

No matter how small, celebrating your victories can help shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance.

Got a new client? Celebrate! Paid off a credit card? Do a happy dance!

Every time you celebrate, you reinforce the belief that you are financially capable and deserving of more success.

Adopt these practices today and let money start working for you!

When you stop asking your bank account for permission to live your life, you take control of your money story; you create a more abundant mindset, empowering yourself to make decisions that lead to a more prosperous and fulfilling financial future.

Think and Grow Rich

by Napoleon Hill

Desire : The Starting Point of All Achievement

Faith : Visualizing and Believing in the Attainment of Desire

Autosuggestion : The Medium for Influencing the Subconscious Mind

Specialized Knowledge : Personal Experiences or Observations Imagination : The Workshop of the Mind

Having sold over 100 MILLION copies, ‘Think and Grow Rich’ is the most purchased self-help book in history.

First published in 1937 following The Great Depression, it was a beacon of light for many in a dark shadow of American history.

Hill outlines 13 steps to achieving wealth -- emphasizing the power of positive thinking and inspired action.

PROFITABILITYPRICING

Bad news : there is no magic formula for perfectly pricing your products and services.

Good news : there is a framework you can use that doesn’t involve you competing for the lowest price in the market... because no one wins in the race to the bottom.

In the fast-paced and competitive world of online business, strategically pricing your offers could be what makes or breaks your business.

Whether you’re launching a new offer or optimizing an existing one, understanding how to price effectively can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving.

Here’s how you can nail your pricing strategy for maximum profitability.

The framework :

+ understand your value

+ understand your market

+ understand your costs

Understand Your Costs

-

Separate from your self-worth, which is also important, understanding the value that you create for your clients is extremely important when considering your pricing strategy. What problems are you solving? What transformations are you creating for your clients’ lives and/or businesses?

Be clear about the benefits and results your clients receive, and remember, you're not just selling the features of your product or service; you're selling the transformation and an experience.

Understand Your Markets -

Market research is your best friend. Look at your competitors: What are they charging? How do their offers compare to yours (in terms of features, benefits, and client experience)? Understanding where you stand in the market helps you position your pricing strategically, ensuring you're competitive yet reflective of your unique value.

Understand Your Costs -

To be profitable, your prices must cover your costs and leave room for profit. Include both direct costs (like software subscriptions, labor, and any materials) and indirect costs (marketing and administrative expenses) Don’t forget to factor in taxes and any other overheads that affect your bottom line

Offer Multiple Pricing Tiers -

Tiered pricing allows customers to choose the level of service (DFY vs DIY) or features that best meet their needs and budgets This not only attracts a wider range of clients but also enhances the perceived value of higher-tier options!

Including psychological pricing strategies (pricing something at $99 instead of $100) can also influence clients’ buying decisions. For higher ticket offers, use round numbers (like $2000 or $5000) emphasizes quality and luxury.

Don’t be shy about communicating the value you create!

You are not a commodity. Help potential clients understand why your prices are set the way they are by linking them directly to the benefits and transformations they bring.

Pricing isn’t just a number -- it’s a reflection of the value you create for your clients. By setting the right prices, you not only maximize your profitability but also strengthen your position in your market.

Dive deep into understanding your value, costs, and customers, and let your prices tell a compelling story about your brand.

“I deserve to be fabulously compensated for doing work that I love”

PROMOS

THANK YOU to the following contributors that made this issue come to life.

Sarah McGirr, Money Breakthrough Coach -

Sarah helps business owners unlock their unique money personality to learn how to embrace their strengths and weaknesses, breaking through income plateaus to achieve financial freedom She is currently offering one-on-one Money Archetype Coaching over on her website here.

Louisa Havers, Success

Advisor -

Louisa is the creator of The Wealth Portal program, a four month program for entrepreneurs who want to expand their wealth consciousness by living at their fullest expression. Through this transformative experience, you’ll learn how to reset your wealth default setpoint and calibrate to new financial goals, calling in your next level of income

Interested in learning more about Success Advisor Louisa Havers? Check out her website here.