Meet Jessica Meunier

We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Meunier recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
My definition of self-care is unapologetically taking the time and space needed to feel refreshed and ready to play all my roles. Since becoming a mom, I feel more guilty about taking time away, exercise breaks or nights out with friends. However, I have never been more convinced that these activities are critical for me to be able to pour into my family, community and profession.

It changes often, but currently my self care regimen involves many small but meaningful breaks throughout the day. I listen to a 10 minute meditation on my morning walk or drive. I put up a mindful affirmation every day on my desk where I can see it. I sit in my wellness corner and do breathwork before my kids get home from school so I can be ready for the next part of my day. These small but intentional breaks help me transition through various parts of my day with less stress and more presence.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My business, Empowered Personal Finance, was born out of wanting to combine my strengths in finance with a fulfilling career, and flexibility as a working parent.

My interest in personal finance began out of sheer necessity. My mother was an alcoholic who stopped meeting her financial obligations when I was a teenager. Anyone who has encountered financial insecurity knows how this experience can shape you. For me, it left a deep motivation to understand all things money. I became the one people would come to about personal finance questions, and I loved it. Eventually, it became clear that providing affordable financial guidance was my calling.

There are two prominent gaps in the financial advising industry: price transparency and a focus on financial wellness.Typical advisors charge a % of assets under management (AUM) and often won’t work with clients if they don’t have a certain net worth.

In my opinion, that is unacceptable – and a huge reason I started this business. Everyone should have the opportunity to manage their money and grow their wealth. I charge my clients by the session, so they know exactly what they’re paying for.
The other key difference is that I focus heavily on financial wellness. Much like a doctor helps you with your physical health, I help clients with their relationship and confidence with money – this benefit carries with them for the rest of their life. Together, we reframe negative feelings toward money, release baggage from the past and create a positive money mindset.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Time management, resilience and flexible thinking have been critical on this journey. We often think of qualities like networking, charisma, and attitude when we think of leadership. But, I’ve found that effective time management is of huge importance. Your time is a finite resource and how you use it matters. I use the urgent vs. important matrix to prioritize my to-do list. That means looking at things in 4 groups: what is urgent and important, what is important but not urgent and so on. Then, I “do, delegate, or dismiss” according to the results. This doesn’t always work if something comes up with my kids or with clients, but it does help in making more thoughtful use of my time overall.

Resilience is a necessary trait both in times of adversity and in the daily life of an entrepreneur. Charting my own non-traditional career path requires me to have confidence in my actions when no one else does. Uncertainty and rejection are common themes as I continue to grow this business. Despite these fears and obstacles, I’m unwavering in my commitment to bring financial freedom to as many people as possible.

Being flexible is a thread that helps me continue to be resilient and manage my time effectively. Through my business, I’ve met so many people from diverse backgrounds and with different life goals. In order to meet them where they are, I’ve learned to view the personal finance journey with more flexibility. Not every person should follow the same approach to budgeting, retirement, or investing. Each client has a different relationship with money, family situations, and lifestyle – their financial plan needs to reflect that. Becoming more flexible in my thinking has translated to more personalized and effective coaching for my clients.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
My practice is different because I focus on financial wellness as a key part of my clients’ overall health. My mission is to incorporate financial wellness in every person’s health regimen. To do so, I am partnering with wellness companies in this space to broaden the definition of wellness.

I’m excited about co-hosting wellness events where we can normalize financial discussions among other self-care topics. I am also pursuing connections on podcasts or in articles in this space to change the narrative around personal financial planning!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Danielle Polini Photography Kathleen Sheffer Photography

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