The Economic Empowerment of Women Will Change the World

I have had the immense pleasure of meeting Lateisha Johnson. She is leading the charge of helping women build a better relationship with their money through proven strategies that create profitable businesses.

Lateisha is a Wife, Money & Business Strategist, Best-Selling Author, International Speaker, Philanthropist and Creator of Wealth & Wellness Network; a membership community and app that promotes women economic empowerment through personal development and entrepreneurship.

Formerly working with companies such as CNN News and CBS Radio, Lateisha speaks on various platforms where she teaches others how to live abundantly and promotes overall financial well-being. She also lives as a digital nomad between the US and Ghana, West Africa with her husband and son.

What inspired Wealth & Wellness Network?

My career and entrepreneurial journey have been what I like to say, colourful. I began my career in Broadcast Media where I worked in news production for one of the world’s leading media companies with many perks, unique experiences, and a “good” salary. However, I struggled with proper money management due to my own limiting money beliefs. I was in what seemed like a never-ending cycle of saving thousands of dollars and then depleting my savings, which ultimately led to getting into consumer debt; not to mention I already had over $20K in student loans.

As I moved up the corporate ladder, I noticed other young professional women had the same issue. We literally had no clue how to responsibly handle our finances. So that’s when I decided to take control of my personal finances and pursue financial independence. I became licensed in Life Insurance. I also obtained my Series 6 and 63 licenses so I could invest and manage other people’s money. From there I began running my own financial services firm where I led over 40 agents, managed about $500K AUM (Assets Under Management) personally within my first two years and educated over 200 families on how money works and best wealth-building strategies for their particular needs.

Then something totally unexpected happened. While travelling in 2020 for a charitable event in West Africa, the pandemic hit. What was supposed to be a three-week trip, turned into six months being stuck abroad due to the closing of the borders. My office in the United States closed indefinitely. So, I had to think fast. How would I be able to educate others and communicate regularly with my clients? This is when the Wealth & Wellness Network (WWN) app was born.

How do you hope your work will impact the world?

Originally, the intention behind Wealth & Wellness Network was to promote financial literacy, but it quickly evolved. As the pandemic continued to unfold, I noticed a greater need. Women entrepreneurs needed a supportive community where they could get resources that would help them successfully transition to the digital space, opportunities to promote their products and services and learn ways to generate profits.

Wealth & Wellness Network is an app and membership community that was created to promote women economic empowerment through entrepreneurship and personal development. WWN provides free resources and low-cost events in the areas of finance, business management, marketing, mindset and more. We offer female professionals and entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn, grow, connect, collaborate, network and gain exposure for themselves.

Why is the economic empowerment of women so important for the world?

There is an African proverb that states,

“If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”

Therefore, women economic empowerment is vital. Women who are financially empowered impact their communities at large. Women are known to create provisions for their household and give generously to others around them when there is a need. Women are also naturally nurturing and relationship-builders, which are fundamentals to having a thriving business. In addition, studies have shown that small businesses can stimulate the economy.

Although I am a wife and mother, let’s be clear, I’m a financial feminist. I want to bridge the gender gap and help women become more financially independent. What I have found is that entrepreneurship is an avenue where women can take control over their resources. That means no glass ceilings, no concerns around male domination in the workplace, protection from violence, no struggle for equal pay, greater opportunity for security, and the ability to create generational wealth. By providing financial education, funding, and developing entrepreneurial skills, women across the globe will not only take control over their own lives, but will also change the lives of those around them.

Over the years, what have you learned about leadership?

I’ve learned that leadership is the foundation for impacting change and having influence. Here’s what I mean. When I was in Corporate America, my idea of a leader referred to having a big title. I thought that being an executive meant that you were a leader. Well, I quickly found out that there is a difference between a leader and a manager.

A manager is known to dictate and push responsibility onto others. In contrast, a leader is an influencer. A leader takes responsibility for her actions. She guides and educates her team, invests in herself so that she can become a better version of herself, corrects her wrong-doings, and isn’t afraid to bring in people who operate better in areas where she may be weak.

I’ve made it a point to focus on my leadership, which means to take charge and responsibility for the success in whatever it is that I am doing. Over the years, I’ve learned that this level of leadership empowers others and attracts dedicated individuals to want to join in the mission.

How important is mindset in your work and how do you improve yours?

Mindset is EVERYTHING. I strongly believe that an abundance mindset is what separates those who achieve their goals from those who give up at the first sign of adversity. Your mindset determines the outcome: will you give up just because you get a NO or will you be resilient? Even when it comes to finances, I always tell my clients that being wealthy is a mindset, not an amount of money. We achieve what we can believe.

For example, I had every reason in 2020 to just give up on my dreams. But guess what, I started over and pivoted. I was determined to make a strong comeback, and I did. During the pandemic, I wrote my book, 5 Money Mistakes That Are Costing You a Fortune, which became an Amazon Bestseller and #1 in New Releases in its first week.

I also married my soulmate and we have been enjoying safely travelling the world.

Not to mention, I have been able to inspire others through my story as a speaker on many virtual stages and through the Wealth & Wellness Network.

I believed I could, therefore I did.

What change would you like to see in the world of work and business?

I would like to see more women operating at a higher frequency. This means being totally confident in her abilities, becoming fiscally responsible and having enough emotional intelligence to make sound business decisions. This also includes knowing her worth and charging accordingly.

I’m on a mission to provide a platform where at least 10,000 women can gain the knowledge they need to build profitable businesses that create generational wealth. My goal is to create 10 women-owned million-dollar businesses and to give a portion of Wealth & Wellness Network (WWN) revenue towards our ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Do you have a “business pet peeve” that you recommend people avoid?

One thing that really grinds my gears is when someone does what I call “verbal vomit” in my DMs or on a post that is totally unrelated to what they are commenting on. What I mean by that is when someone sends links or information about something they are selling that is inapplicable to me. For instance, someone may DM me about a product that helps with ageing spots due to sunburn without even looking at my profile. If that person did, she would know that I am in my mid-30s, black female and I don’t have that problem.

I see it all the time — particularly in the digital space. Everyone is just throwing things at the wall hoping that something sticks. Most think that if they just “verbal vomit” everywhere, then eventually someone will accept. In all actuality, this is unprofessional and plain ignorant. People just don’t know what they don’t know. Many people aren’t being taught proper business etiquette, how to sell or even understand their numbers so that they can hit their financial targets. I always say that the bottom line is your bottom line.

Quite frankly, I don’t believe that ignorance is bliss. I come from the school of thought that in business, what you don’t know will hurt you. This is why I’m so committed to making sure that every WWN member gets access to resources and the proper training that will allow her to show up in business the right way.

Where can people find you?

The simplest way to find me is to go to www.lateishajohnson.com. That is where you will find my social media links, products, and free resources such as a money meditation and financial quiz.

Also, if you are an aspiring female entrepreneur or woman in business, check out the Wealth & Wellness Network app.

About FEM

FEM stands for Feminist Entrepreneurs Magazine (or Finally Eradicating Misogyny, if you’re feeling cheeky), and is a House of Hives publication. We started this magazine to support entrepreneurs who feel disenchanted with the 24/7 hustle culture, the competitive narrative of toxic masculinity and narrow definitions of success, value and wealth that it peddles. We want to talk about balance, the importance of mental health, the power of collaboration and diversity, and much more.

We hope to inspire and support entrepreneurs as they build their businesses in enjoyable and sustainable ways, by sharing stories and tips from thought-leaders and change-makers. Join the mailing list to have the FEM e-magazine sent directly to your inbox.

Originally published at https://www.houseofhives.com on February 21, 2022.