Episode 32: Talk About Financial Health with Michelle Loretta
This week, I’m chatting about financial health with business-planner and financial-strategist Michelle Loretta. Although we recorded this pre-pandemic, the lessons here are universal and evergreen. Too often women are hesitant to talk about financial planning, bookkeeping, forecasting, and money in general. But Michelle and I are here to tell you: it’s nothing to be scared about! Take a deep breath, grab a glass of wine, and let’s get your financial shit together.
Meet Michelle Loretta
With a degree in accounting, it seemed like Michelle had her career laid out for her when she began working in the corporate world at companies like Deloitte and Coach. It wasn’t until she started a stationery business in 2004 that she discovered what many already knew at the time: The events industry was chockful of incredibly talented creatives, but few had the business experience to truly understand the strategy behind running a sustainable company.
After spending a few years immersed in the industry, Michelle started a blog in 2009 aimed at educating fellow event professionals in the business of weddings. Sage Wedding Pros quickly took off as it was one of the first B2B resources specifically tailored to creatives who wanted to become better entrepreneurs. Since then, her business has developed into a consultancy and she now works one-on-one with event pros to adjust and redefine their business strategies. Sage Wedding Pros also hosts an annual Be Sage Conference, which welcomes creative entrepreneurs from around the world for a weeklong mastermind on all things business.
Michelle’s thought leadership has carried over to her professional speaking circuit, where she has been asked to speak at numerous national conferences including The Special Event, WeddingWire World, NACE Experience, POSH Retreat, ABC, and BizBash Live, as well as local chapter meetings for WIPA and ILEA. She is also a regular contributor to Wedding Business Magazine and has been featured on Planners Lounge, WeddingIQ, Aisle Planner, and countless other industry publications.
Key Takeaways:
- Math Shame
- Financial Health Fundamentals
- Finance Squad for your Business Strategy
- Investment Accounts/Personal Finance
- Organize Paperwork
- Other Financing Software to Look At
- Segmenting
- Financial Forecasting
Renee & Michelle Talked About:
(This section may contain affiliate links)
This Week’s Sponsor: Better Help
If you’re reading this in real-time, we are in the midst of a nation-wide stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ll be real honest here. Somedays I’m dealing with the isolation and this strange new normal pretty well. Other days? I’m very anxious and panicked about when this will all be over. If you’re familiar with me, you know I’ve never hidden the fact that I see a therapist. I believe taking care of our mental health should be as normalized as taking care of our physical health.
Because I travel so much I see an online therapist at Better Help. Better Help is the world’s largest e-counseling platform. They make professional counseling accessible, affordable, and convenient so you can get help anytime anywhere. You can video chat with your therapist or do your session by phone. You can even text them through the Better Help portal (I’ve done that a lot).
Listen. If you’re struggling, you aren’t alone, even if right now you’re physically alone. Get a free week of counseling if you go to reneedalo.com/betterhelp. You deserve to be happy. Now more than ever.
Thanks for Listening!
Talk back to Renee – she loves it!
- Leave a comment on this episode below.
- Leave us an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help our show immensely!
- Follow @talkwithreneedalo on Instagram!
- Follow Talk with Renee Dalo on Facebook
- Share this article on social media or send it to a friend!
Credits
Title Track Voiceover: Melissa Disney
Editor: M. Lynn
Photos: Courtney Paige Ray
Cover Art: Magnoliahouse Creative
