In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this episode of the Savvy Ladies Power the Ask podcast focuses on the often-overlooked issue of financial abuse. We rarely hear about it, but it's a devastating reality for many — and often intertwined with physical and emotional abuse.

Join us as we welcome back Mayra Alejandra Garcia of Debt-Free Latina, a certified financial coach who achieved financial independence overcoming $21,000 in debt. Get ready for a candid conversation about:

• Understanding Financial Abuse: Learn to recognize the red flags and subtle signs of financial abuse, whether you're married or in a committed partnership.
• Finding Support: Discover how to break free from the cycle of abuse, seek help from professionals, and regain control of your financial life.
• Empowerment Through Financial Literacy: Understand why financial knowledge is crucial for women, providing the confidence and tools to ask for what we need and deserve.

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, you're not alone. Savvy Ladies is here to help, offering resources and support to empower you on your journey to financial freedom.

About Mayra Alejandra García:

Mayra Alejandra García was born and grew up in East Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Laveen, AZ, a Phoenix suburb, with her husband and two children and started living the American dream, including getting into debt. By 2010, her family had credit card debt, student loans, two car loans and a house they couldn’t afford. Mayra got serious and developed a budget and strategic plan. They sold their house and moved into a small apartment, and within 17 months they had paid everything off. They were then able to purchase their current home with a 20% down payment and a 15-year mortgage. With hard work and by following a budget, Mayra transformed her life from significant debt to financial expertise. Living debt-free has increased their net worth and given them financial independence. In 2017, Mayra was able to leave her career in media and train as a certified financial coach. She’s been teaching determined individuals and families how to organize their finances and become debt free with practical strategies ever since.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Mayra Alejandra García LinkedIn

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features Mayra Alejandra García, certified Financial Coach and founder of Debt Free Latina, a website dedicated to empowering and motivating families to gain control of their money, bid farewell to debt, and watch their net worth soar. Mayra shares her inspiring journey from being $21,000 in debt to becoming financially free in just 17 months and her passion for working to help other families find the same freedom.

Growing up in a bicultural, bilingual household in East LA helped shape Mayra’s outlook on finances. She learned from her father the critical difference between offering a hand up and a hand out and emphasizes the importance of helping family without enabling dependency.

What she didn’t learn was how to talk about money and to plan and budget for spending. That, Mayra notes, was the hardest lesson. When she found herself stressed about significant debt in 2010, she didn’t know where to start. So she grabbed the tools she had – a piece of paper and pen – and wrote every debt out. In the next 17 months, using Mayra’s rudimentary budget, the family paid off its debt and was able to move from a small apartment to a new home. Since then, her family has remained debt free. In 2017, she followed her heart to become a certified financial coach, offering her own cash flow plan sheet, one-on-one coaching and financial literacy resources on her website, DebtFreeLatina.com.

The website was a passion project for Mayra. When she couldn’t find the resources she needed online, she decided to create them herself, starting a blog about budgeting, empowering and motivating families to become debt-free and build wealth.

“I know the struggle,” she shares. “I know that people may feel lost in that position, and that's where I love to help. My debt-free lifestyle enables me to focus my passion on helping other families.”

But it’s not just about a budget. Mayra concludes by explaining that it all comes down to having a written plan with a goal and specific ways to reach it. Start with small steps, she shares, like saving or cutting out impulse buying. While she says it will take hard work and time, the financial freedom is worth the effort.

About Mayra Alejandra García:

Mayra Alejandra García was born and grew up in East Los Angeles, CA. She moved to Laveen, AZ, a Phoenix suburb, with her husband and two children and started living the American dream, including getting into debt. By 2010, her family had credit card debt, student loans, two car loans and a house they couldn’t afford. Mayra got serious and developed a budget and strategic plan. They sold their house and moved into a small apartment, and within 17 months they had paid everything off. They were then able to purchase their current home with a 20% down payment and a 15-year mortgage. With hard work and by following a budget, Mayra transformed her life from significant debt to financial expertise. Living debt-free has increased their net worth and given them financial independence. In 2017, Mayra was able to leave her career in media and train as a certified financial coach. She’s been teaching determined individuals and families how to organize their finances and become debt free with practical strategies ever since.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Mayra Alejandra García LinkedIn

On this episode of “The Power of the Ask,” financial services veteran Tina Powell joins co-hosts Lisa and Precious for an inspiring conversation about her personal and professional journey. Tina is the Chief of Community at Intention.ly, a growth engine design firm transforming the way fintech and finserv organizations approach growth, and the founder and former CEO of C-Suite Social Media.

Growing up, Tina watched her single mother juggle two jobs to make ends meet, which inspired her to pursue her own financial empowerment through education and a career in wealth management. She credits her aunt, an estate planning attorney and the first in her family to earn a law degree, with setting an early example of what she could become in spite of her family’s financial instability. Tina also touches on the positive impact of male allies in an industry like financial services, and emphasizes her passion for building community through her work.

Tina also opens up about her recent battle with stage four lung cancer, stressing the importance of seeking help and support in dealing with life’s challenges, whether they’re health related, financial, or personal, and shares her approach to mindfulness and staying present during difficult times.

During the episode, Tina:

• Offers guidance and inspiration for those experiencing challenges, particularly to seek help and build community
• Shares her approach to remaining mindful and present during difficult times
• Emphasizes the power of the ask: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”

Throughout the episode, Tina’s passion for her work at Intention.ly and empowering the next generation of financial services talent shines through. She draws inspiration from seeing young professionals succeed and from witnessing the positive impact of her work on others.

-----
About Tina Powell:

Tina Powell is a trailblazer in the digital marketing industry, with over 20 years of experience driving growth for financial services companies. As the Chief of Community at Intentionly, she works alongside CEO and Co-Founder Kelly Waltrich, revolutionizing how financial technology and services companies approach marketing. Tina’s track record of delivering results for her clients led to her founding C-Suite Social Media, a high-growth digital marketing agency that Intentional.ly later acquired.

Her passion for helping financial services companies thrive in the digital age is further demonstrated through her industry-renowned podcast, In The Suite, where she spotlights the careers and leadership of mid to senior-level women in the financial services industry. Tina earned a Master’s from NYU in Graphic Communications Management and Technology and the NYU Prism Alumni Achievement Award. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, magna cum laude, from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Tina Powell's LinkedIn

This episode of the Power of the Ask podcast features Bonnie Wan, AdAge 2022 Chief Strategy Officer of the Year, partner and Head of Brand Strategy at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and the bestselling author of “The Life Brief.”

An immigrant from Taiwan who lived in both Los Angeles and New York City, Bonnie has always been fascinated by human behavior, by what drives people, and by what fuels their purpose. That curiosity led to her transformative roles in branding and strategy and to develop the “Life Brief,” a creative brief that helps people find clarity about their life goals and navigate challenges with purpose.

For many people, the idea of transformation brings images of giant leaps, but Bonnie suggests small changes that can be implemented every day to help create forward momentum. Bonnie has written briefs to fit all aspects of life, from marriage to leadership to finances. She notes that the practice of being very clear and connected to your innermost truth about what you want and what matters most at each stage of your life will help you navigate through that compass.

In the financial realm, that means asking the right questions. As a strategist, Bonnie says questions are her best friends. Her first wealth brief question is, ‘What is enough?’ The second is, ‘What do you want to be rich in?’ Bonnie believes the power of the ask is important to women, especially financially. She declares, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” She concludes by saying women need to know what they’re worth, what’s sacred and what’s worth fighting for. That kind of clarity allows them to pivot their careers and their asks in different ways when the time calls.

------------

About Bonnie Wan:

Bonnie Wan is Partner and Head of Brand Strategy at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and the bestselling author of “The Life Brief.” AdAge named her the 2022 Chief Strategy Officer of the Year and a 2023 Leading Woman for reaching new heights in an ever-changing marketing landscape. A career brand strategist, Bonnie has spent more than 30 years working with companies to articulate the essence of who they are and has transformed this practice into a creative brief for her life and a personal development strategy for individuals — “The Life Brief.” Bonnie’s creative brief has grown from an agency talk into a workbook, keynote talks and workshops, and, in 2024, a book.

“The Life Brief: A Playbook for No-Regrets Living” is a USA Today bestseller and Amazon Best Book of the Year 2024. Modeled after the creative brief, a tool used by many innovative companies to unlock clarity and unleash action, The Life Brief carves a path for living with intention and imagination.

Today, Bonnie teaches others how to get clear, get creative, and get courageous about living without regret through her keynote talks, workshops and retreats. And thanks to the clarity she found in her own Life Brief, Bonnie answered her desire to spend more time with her husband, four kids and dog Charlie.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Precious Williams' LinkedIn
Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn
Bonnie Wan's LinkedIn

This Power of the Ask podcast episode features smart shopping expert, lifestyle journalist and TV commentator Trae Bodge.

With a passion for helping people save and get the best value for their money, Trae has been featured on national and regional news, sharing her expertise in smart shopping, saving money, and setting financial boundaries. She not only teaches others to be mindful of what they spend and how, but she also walks the talk. Trae calls herself a notorious penny pincher but notes she doesn’t sacrifice style or fun. She encourages open discussions about financial boundaries, setting spending limits, and creating allowances.

On the podcast, Trae provides practical tips for smart shopping, including timing purchases for sales, using deal sites, earning cash back, and leveraging credit card points. She highlights the significance of regular savings for emergencies, vacations, education, and retirement. At the same time, Trae emphasizes the balancing act between saving and prioritizing yourself, saying it’s important to enjoy life while creating joy for others.

As the mother of a teen, Trae understands that teaching kids about money is the key to preparing them for a financially independent future. She shares ideas on teaching them about identifying money, understanding its value, and distinguishing wants from needs. For adults, she suggests setting personal spending limits, shopping in their closets, and making saving a positive habit. Trae concludes by discussing the importance of saving for both short-term needs and long-term goals, encouraging listeners to adopt mindful spending habits and utilize available tools to enhance their financial well-being.

--------
About Trae Bodge:

Trae is an accomplished lifestyle journalist and TV commentator specializing in budget-friendly living, personal finance, family travel, and retail for more than a decade. She has appeared on-air over a thousand times, including GMA, Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS Mornings, Inside Edition, and network affiliates around the country. Her writing and expert commentary have appeared in Forbes, Time, Marketwatch, MSN, USNews.com, Kiplinger, Yahoo, and numerous others. Her money-saving tips can be found online at truetrae.com and at @truetrae on IG, FB, and Twitter.

Trae was selected as a founding member of the Kiplinger Advisor Collective, named one of 5 Black Financial Influencers to Follow in 2024 by Nerdwallet, one of 10 Best Savvy Shopping Bloggers for 2024 by Cardrates, a Top Voice in Retail by LinkedIn, and a top personal finance expert by GoBankingRates and FlexJobs. In 1997, she co-founded the cult cosmetic brand, Three Custom Color Specialists and is co-founder of the media coaching firm, One Take.

Important Links:
Savvy Ladies
Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Trae Bodge |Linkedin

This Power of the Ask podcast episode features Jully Alma Taveras, also known as Investing Latina, a Plutus Award-winning bilingual personal finance expert.

In this powerful episode, Jully shares her journey of starting Investing Latina to help others avoid the financial struggles she faced herself, such as credit card debt, and emphasizes the importance of building good credit and establishing sound financial habits.

As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she connects deeply with her audience, many of whom share similar backgrounds. Her platform focuses on creating a supportive community where people can share their financial stories and learn from one another.

Despite facing cultural barriers and financial challenges throughout her life, Jully highlights the importance of small, consistent investments and savings. She encourages people to look at their financial goals as separate but related endeavors—savings for security and investing for future growth. Jully's story of overcoming debt and building wealth is a testament to the power of intentional financial planning and resilience.

Her efforts have significantly contributed to increasing financial literacy and wealth-building in the Latina community. By promoting open conversations about money and providing practical steps to achieve financial stability, Jully continues to inspire and empower others to take control of their financial futures.

------
About Jully-Alma Taveras:

Jully-Alma Taveras, also known online as Investing Latina, is a Plutus Award-winning bilingual (Spanish) personal finance expert. She writes for publications like CNBC, Time's Next Advisor, HuffPost, and others on money topics ranging from saving to investing. On her YouTube channel, she tells money stories from the lens of a Dominican Republic-born immigrant living in New York who went from being a shopaholic to a smart spender and diligent investor. Her money philosophies have inspired thousands of women to live minimally & spend intentionally, so that they can invest more.

Jully is a sought-after Fortune 20 speaker and facilitator that has led workshops at Nasdaq, Google, Verizon and at The White House Economic Council (2021) among others. She has taught over 10,000 people how to invest through her program The Investing Workshop. Although she has a social following of 39k+ on Instagram and collective social impressions of over 23 million, she is extremely approachable and is an educator to the core. She is the eldest of 3 in her own family, so her audience sees her as the older sister who will force you to do better while also being your cheerleader along the way.

Important Links:

This Power of the Ask podcast episode features Jo Franco, CEO of JoClub, a journaling company that fosters clarity, connection, and community. Jo's journey is marked by resilience and determination, from her early years in Brazil to her current success as an entrepreneur and content creator. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Jo moved to the USA at age six, learning English and navigating challenges as an undocumented immigrant. Despite these obstacles, Jo excelled academically and professionally.

Her entrepreneurial spirit blossomed during college in Manhattan, where she rejected corporate roles to launch a YouTube channel. Overcoming financial struggles and visa uncertainties, Jo's breakthrough came with a major deal in 2015, leading to her hosting a Netflix travel show and founding a successful journaling company during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jo credits her mother's fierce independence and resilience throughout her journey as guiding forces. Her upbringing taught her the value of hard work, financial responsibility, and seizing opportunities. Jo's story reflects a blend of ambition, adaptability, and a deep-rooted desire to create a global impact through her ventures and personal growth.

On this episode of the The Power of the Ask podcast, Jo Franco:

💠 Shares her passion for building relationships by making other people feel seen and heard.

💠 Explains the role of preparation, research, asking questions, and actively listening in moving forward.

💠 Discusses the importance of finding common ground and maintaining relationships.

Jo advises listeners to invest in themselves, their skills, and their knowledge through research and conversations with people from all walks of life. For her, the long game is the bottom line.

“Power and progress come the earlier we can get our hands on the books, have these conversations, take action, and look at investing or saving,” she said. “There should be a sense of urgency. You can start seeing how it moves -- if you're in the money world, time is your greatest asset, and that’s the bottom line. You need to get into the game and also invest in yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask anyone, ‘How can I help?’ This is the number one question that opened doors for me.” Sharing the story of creating a cycle of empowerment makes this Power of the Ask a great listen.
--------
About Jo Franco:

Jo Franco is the CEO and creator of JoClub, a journaling company fostering clarity, connection & community. A world traveler, TV and podcast host, writer, polyglot, and global soul, Jo moved to the United States from Brazil at age six with her mother and siblings and uses her life story to teach others to invest in themselves, their skills, and their knowledge. A gifted content creator, writer, on-camera host, and brand enhancer, Jo finds energy and enlightenment in connecting with strangers and firmly believes in making moves.

Jo also hosts the Not Your Average Jo podcast, designed to amplify perspectives from all over the globe. Jo and her co-adventurers cover topics ranging from travel hacks to financing the lifestyle of a digital nomad, language learning, finance, love, culture, fitness, and anything that will help grow our perspectives and minds. Each episode has a global filter. At the end of every episode, Jo shares tangible takeaways that will inspire all her listeners to make daily life feel a little less average — at home or on the road.

Jo earned a BBA in Marketing and Communications from Pace University. Her impressive resume includes being a speaker at the SXSW Interactive Conference on Innovation in Digital Media

In this episode of the Power of the Ask podcast, Dana Cox, MBA, PMP, Senior VP of Global Delivery Enablement at MasterCard, and 2023 Savvy Ladies Mentorship Award recipient, shares insights on cultivating talent, building transformative relationships, and balancing her roles as a mother of six and grandmother of three. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, strategic communication, and self-reflection in leadership.

Dana recounts overcoming corporate challenges, including a pivotal moment when her innovative idea saved her company millions. Her dedication to empowering others is evident in her work with Custom Collaborative and her travel business, Cox Travel Adventures. Dana inspires through meticulous time management and continuous learning.

In this episode, we will discuss how Dana:

💠 Shares her passion for realizing your full potential and fearlessly pursuing it.

💠 Explains that preparation and being well-informed are key to meaningful contributions.

💠 Discusses the importance of creating a cycle of empowerment and guiding others in their careers.

She credits her success to a supportive network, constructive feedback, and the inspiring stories that make the Power of the Ask come to life

--------

About Dana L. Cox, MBA, PMP:

Dana L. Cox, MBA, PMP, is a highly accomplished executive in the corporate world, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Global Delivery Enablement at Mastercard. With a heart full of love for family, friends, and community, Dana has successfully climbed the corporate ladder from an administrative assistant to her current role, raising her family and becoming an entrepreneur, building her curated luxury travel business. Dana combines traditional work ethic, modern thinking, and passion for mentoring rising talent. Recipient of the 2023 Savvy Ladies Mentorship Award alongside her mentee Mara, Dana cultivates talent across cultures and teams while forging relationships that transform, inspire, and make an impact on not only the people she works with but also how her work moves forward, embracing her brilliance.

Dana earned a BS in Business from Upper Iowa University and an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University. She calls her six children and three grandchildren her “heart and soul” and calls out her “support system village” for supporting her on her journey. She serves on the board of Custom Collaborative, an innovative New York City-based social enterprise that helps women from low-income and immigrant communities earn fair pay by launching businesses and careers in the fashion industry.

Important Links:

Savvy Ladies
Lisa Zeiderman, Esq., CDFA, CFL - Forbes Business Council | LinkedIn
Precious L. Williams - Perfect Pitch Group | LinkedIn
Dana Cox | LinkedIn