WMW #15: Meera Meyer, Mum of 2, Certified Financial Planner, founder of online business
"Time management isn't really the issue, energy management is"
Hi there,
I haven’t done an interview in a while, so I’m really excited about this issue today! (Well, I’m excited about all my newsletters but when I feature another mum, my excitement and inspiration goes through the roof! :)
However, before I start, a quick question for you please.
If you are a mum looking to turn your skill into an online business, what would help you most get started?
What would help you most get started? Please click on an option.
Thank you for your feedback <3
Now onto today’s interview.
I found Meera online through someone else I follow, and really enjoy her content and what she offers.
After being terminated from her job unexpectedly, she decided to use her expertise to start her own financial advisory business online to empower women with their money. She is growing exponentially and couldn’t be happier.
Here is a bit of her story. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me.
Meet Meera Meyer, a Certified Financial Planner, founder of online business and mother of two.
Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself (work, family and personal interests/hobbies):
Hi! I'm Meera Meyer, I'm a Certified Financial Planner and mother of two aged 6 (Piper) and 3 (Kepler). I am also the founder and president of Life.Money.Balance, an investor advisory firm to empower women with their finances.
I never ever thought I would be working in finance but I am so passionate about my work and helping women feel empowered by their money.
I am a total Type B person; love sleeping in; I love to be outside in nature (which is easy when you live in Colorado!). I enjoy cooking and baking and also really love traveling - we took our kids on a 6 week trip to India, Bali, and France this year and it was so wonderful to have that experience.
Q. What is your mission at Life Money Balance? How is it going so far?
My mission is to empower more women, especially business owners and entrepreneurs, to feel empowered and confident in their finances.
I am constantly blown away by the brilliance of the women I work with. It is such an honour to be a part of their entrepreneurial journey.
Last year, I started investing more into myself and my business and it has paid off at least tenfold. It's been fascinating to see how the more I lean into the real authentic version of who I am, the more clients I attract - at the end of the day, people just want to do business with other humans!
Q. What inspired the launch of your businesses?
Actually a friend was the inspiration for my business. I've always had an entrepreneurial streak in me (I have many half-started businesses under my belt!), but after having what was meant to be a long-term contract position be terminated early and unexpectedly, I was pushed into this world. I was about to start job hunting when this friend told me I should just try to do it on my own.
At first I thought she was crazy but the more I leaned into it, the more I realized that I could actually make this work. And here we are!
Q. At what point did you decide that corporate wasn't for you - and you pivoted to becoming an entrepreneur?
I've always known that the corporate world wasn't for me - I have never really felt comfortable in an office setting - I tried and tried for years, but deep down I knew that there was something bigger out there waiting for me.
Q. What are the challenges you face?
It's funny, I have had such a mindset shift that I don't really focus on challenges in my work! More so, opportunities for growth, how I can stretch, how I can make things easier. Of course, running a business requires a lot - random working hours, juggling childcare, etc., but I like to see all of those things as a beautiful part of the experience. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Q. As a mum, founder and creator, how do you manage your time?
I realized early in my career that I have this magic ability to create time; I know this might sound a little woo-woo, let me explain :)
The realization happened when I was asked to put together a presentation for a group of new moms about budgeting. I'd just had my daughter, so I had two kids under 3 years old. I had minimal childcare at the time and was barely able to keep up with my regular work but by some miracle, I had managed to put together this presentation! I woke up early one Saturday and went to a coffee shop, I stayed up later than usual one Tuesday, and it was done!
And that's when I realized that time management isn't really the issue I was having - it was energy management. It was enthusiasm management. If I'm excited about something, I'll figure out a way to make it work.
Q. How has having your own business online / in the creator economy changed your life, both as a professional and a mum?
It has opened up a whole world of potential for me. Previously, financial planning needed to be local so clientele was limited. The fact that through the internet I can reach people all over the world has opened up my business in a way I never thought possible.
Q. What are your thoughts on the emerging growth of creatorpreneurs and future potential of this space, especially for mums?
It's so beautiful that we can find things we are passionate about and have the ability to make that into a career path.
I spent time and know so many others who have spent time being miserable working for somebody else - and that's not what life is about, especially as a mom. Being able to be there for your children and still earn a great income is beautiful.
Q. What is your ultimate goal as a working mum?
My goal is to create a life for myself and my family where we can fully appreciate the world. I love to travel and explore new places with my kids, I love helping them understand how the world works, I love that they see me as an independent professional and see that all of the possibilities that are available to them.
Q. Where do you get your inspiration?
I get inspired when I see other women living their lives authentically. When people who run businesses do so because they want to make a positive impact on those around them. I also get inspired when I see how I don't want things to be - I get inspired to create in a new way that makes understanding money easier for everybody.
Q. What is your best productivity hack?
I wouldn't call it a "hack" per se, but DOING. Instead of trying to find the tools and the strategy, just pick one thing to do and do it.
I spent so much time buying planners and hiring coaches who had me using all kinds of tools that didn't work with my brain. Once I realized that I could just take action on the thing I wanted to accomplish, my productivity shot through the roof.
Q. What do you do in your 'me-time' and how does it help you?
My me-time includes learning through online programs, reading, being in nature (walking, running, hiking). I also love to cook and write in my journal. All of these help ground me and come back to who I am and my mission.
Q. What is your advice to mums looking to get into the creator economy with an online business?
Just start! Everyone started somewhere. We sometimes enter this space of fear of being judged, fear of getting it wrong. Just know that all of those things might/will happen and you will still be okay.
We can't stop people from judging us, we can't avoid every mistake, but we can stand firm in who we are and what we believe in and learn as much as possible along the way.
Q. Favourite tool that makes your life / business easier?
Having a Virtual Assistant! I love having support and having someone available to take things off my list has been life-changing.
Q. Favourite quote
"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a seed a long time ago." - Warren Buffett
Q. Best thing you have read or watched lately
I love reading books! Psychology of Money is so good, as is Rewire for Wealth. I also really enjoyed the book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.
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So inspiring, right? Any feedback would be so welcome! Hit reply or leave a comment here.
If you have any more questions for Meera or want to connect with her for anything, you can reach here via this newsletter ( leave a comment or email me and I will connect you), or you can find her on her website or instagram.
Some resources for you from me:
If you are a mum looking to start something that will:
Help you make money
Help you be your own boss one day
Give you the freedom of managing your own time
The creator economy is for you.
Creator Economy Guide for Mums: If you want to know more about the creator economy and the potential it has for mums, get my free Creator Economy 101 guide: The creator path to time freedom and financial independence for mums:
Email course to start your business in the creator economy: If you feel that the creator economy is for you and your want to get started, check out my free email course on how to begin: 5-Step blueprint on starting a business you love with the skills you have
Great interview! Very Inspiring! I would love to hear more about Meera's story.