Danielle LaPorte was a natural choice to debut my Money Talk interviews. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working personally with Danielle—2 individual Fire Starter Sessions and 1 group session. She was instrumental in helping me to re-brand my business to Sophisticated Woman and Mama.The new name better encapsulizes my perspective on how to empower women who are mothers. Danielle dazzled me with her business acumen, clarity, humor and candor. Additionally, this married mother knows how to rock an outfit.
Danielle is the creator of WhiteHotTruth.com, which has been called “the best place on-line for kick-ass spirituality.” An inspirational speaker and business strategist, Danielle’s new digital book, THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS pre-launches today, April 7, 2010.
THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS, based on her legendary one-on-one and group FIRE STARTER sessions, helps entrepreneurs rock their career according to their truest strengths. From social media to social responsibility, branding to creativity, Danielle is known for her philosophical and candid take on doing meaningful work.
Danielle is a former news show commentator, and director of a Washington-DC think tank, where she managed a team of analysts studying global trends for the likes of the Pentagon and the World Bank. She is the lead author of the Amazon bestseller, Style Statement: Live By Your Own Design, and has been featured in Elle, Vogue Australia, Body + Soul, The National Post, Entertainment Tonight, and The Huffington Post. You can find her on Twitter @daniellelaporte
1. Describe your relationship with money.
I love it. I love making it. I love using it to have fun, to explore, to thrive. I’ve been a bit rebellious with it in the past. Now I’m having a great, healthy love affair with it. I respect money and the funny thing is, it respects me back by being there when I need it – sometimes rather magically.
More people should talk about their relationship with money. Could you start a revolution in that, please?
2. Why do you think that most women would rather discuss their sex lives or their husbands rather than their finances?
One word: responsibility. When you talk about your loverly action, you usually come out looking good, even if you’re talking about ways that you personally want to improve, you look like a cool, aspirational chick. But if you talk about money and it’s not positive, there’s more shame involved. Who wants to talk about racking up their credit card yet again, and feeling like a loser because of it?
Also, if there are, say, inequity differences, Jane is bringing in $300k a year and Kate is struggling to make her rent, it’s just as uncomfortable as…saying how good your man (or woman) is in bed, when your friend is starving for some sexy sugar. Personal worth is, well, a deeply personal subject.
3. What is the most important lesson that you’ve learned about earning and managing your money?
-When you value yourself, other people will do the same.
- Don’t spend it before you make it.
- Until the cash is in hand and you’re walking out of the bank with it —you have not made the money.
- AND…you gotta believe it to see it.
4. How can women learn to overcome underearning? (chronically making less than what they need to comfortably meet their expenses)
*Cheap is expensive in the long run*, I say. This is paradigm-buster for a lot of us. I still slip and cheap out on myself sometimes and it’s so frustrating. But, YOU ARE WORTH IT.
You are worth a boss that fosters your true strengths. Don’t let yourself be hemmed in by other people’s objectives.
You are worth service and support that is stellar, on time, and delivered with a smile. Don’t settle for shoddy or resentful.
You are worth quality things, pleasures, experiences. So buy one pair of great pants that you’ll feel amazing in and will last you for years, rather than three pairs of cheapies that make you feel cheap.
Invest in your growth. Hold out for quality. Say no to cheap and compromise and eventually–and it does take time–eventually, your life fills up with valuable things – from relationships to art — that reflects your true worth.
5. Money helps women to stand in their power and be of service to more people. How has having more money helped you to better reflect your values and ideals with your family, friends and community?
I’m more available to people. I send more flowers. I’ll spend the extra few bucks to buy the eco-friendly cleaner or the organic cotton.
Mostly, though, earning a living based on who I am has deepened my trust in my creativity, my stamina, and, most beautifully my faith in other people. The more I put myself out there and committ to shining and valuing my own shine, the more amazing people I connect with. People have shown me some profound kindnesses and expanded my definitions of prosperity these last few years. Rich in love. Rich in love…
Learn more about THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS:
Spark your genius. Ignite your business.
Make it matter.
by Danielle LaPorte,
creator of WhiteHotTruth.com
…a digital experience for people with the entrepreneurial spirit.
Pre-ordering opens April 7 with a special sneak peek chapter. Worldwide release is May 12. The program is $150, with $5 from every purchase going to The Acumen Fund or WomenforWomen.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Danielle sparking up The Fire:
Photo Credit: Anastastia Photography
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