Three years ago, I came across a statistic that stopped me in my tracks:
Less than 10% of the U.S. population are millionaires, and of those, only a fraction are women or BIPOC.
It dawned on me that the issue wasn’t necessarily a lack of access to financial tools or education but rather a lack of representation. We needed more accessible role models—women we could see and hear from—who have forged their own paths and reached the million-dollar milestone. Women who could inspire others to have the confidence that they could do it, too.
That realization led to the launch of Women’s Million Dollar Conversations (WMDC). In May 2022, my friend Laura Salerno Owens joined me as my first guest, and I hit record, officially kicking off the WMDC project. That moment became the first of more than sixty interviews spotlighting CEOs, entrepreneurs, creatives, trailblazers, and quiet disruptors—women built financial success while defining what success looks like on their own terms.
There’s No One Right Way to Her First Million
Throughout this project, the most significant takeaway I’ve had is that there’s no single formula for achieving financial success. Some women built slowly over several years. Others took leaps of faith. Some were driven by vision, while others were driven by necessity. But what united them was how they aligned their journey with their values.
As Kirsten Meneghello shared, “When we’re grounded in what our values are, we make better decisions because they’re in alignment with our core being.”
As I reflect on all of the wisdom shared over the years, I think of:
- Michele Hecken who reframed delegation as entrusting others with responsibility, not just tasks.
- Kim Kelleher who taught us that clarity doesn’t come first—it comes through movement.
- Laura Salerno Owens who opened up with honesty and set the tone for truth-telling from day one.
Their stories, along with those of many others, have inspired thousands. How do I know? Because women have written, messaged, and told me in person: “That episode helped me see my financial journey differently.” The impact has been profound, but we’re not stopping there.
The Next Chapter: Throwing the Rope Back Down
Picture this: a world where every young girl and woman has the unshakeable belief that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. That world is possible, but not by accident.
As Celeste Mergens said, “Let’s stop and acknowledge that we just took a mountain. Let’s pause for a moment. And then run on, because it recharges you for the next run.”
We’ve paused. We’ve celebrated. Now, it’s time to reach down and pull the next woman up.
Whether you’re at the summit or still climbing, your story matters. You hold wisdom someone else needs. You don’t need a stage or a microphone to make an impact. It starts with:
- A 15-minute intentional conversation
- A word of encouragement during a meeting
- A kind nudge when someone doubts herself
That’s micro-mentoring. And that’s how we build the ripple effect.
So I Ask You: Who Are You Bringing Along?
As we celebrate three years of WMDC, I invite you to reflect:
- Who are you bringing along on your journey?
- Whose path could you illuminate by simply sharing your own?
You don’t have to be “ready.” In the words of Ana Chaud: “Sometimes you just need to jump in.” You just have to start, whether it’s with one conversation, one connection, or one generous act of mentorship.
I’m deeply grateful to every woman who has trusted me with her story—and to every listener who has felt a shift because of them. The truth is that we’re all still climbing. But now, we’re climbing together.
