E7: Let's Talk About Finance

Female finance expert Roxanne Goodman joins us for a powerful, myth‑busting conversation about money, funding, and the realities facing women in business. Roxanne shares her unconventional journey from qualified nursery teacher to 20‑years‑deep commercial finance broker, explaining how she “fell into finance by accident” and later founded Female Founder Finance after noticing the “lack of women that we were dealing with” in the industry. Her mission now is to close the knowledge and access gap for women entrepreneurs who are building brilliant businesses but often lack the networks, language, or support that male‑led companies take for granted.We dive into the real barriers women face—from confidence gaps to networking limitations to the simple truth that “you don’t know what you don’t know.” Roxanne breaks down the finance jargon that often intimidates founders, sharing stories of women who were offered the wrong products, misunderstood by banks, or left without guidance until they reached crisis point. She explains why cashflow is queen, why overdrafts rarely solve the real problem, and how products like invoice finance, trade finance, and supply‑chain funding can transform a business when used correctly. Her examples—like founders stuck with high‑cost short‑term loans when they actually needed invoice finance—shine a light on how costly the knowledge gap can be.Roxanne also champions the importance of community, collaboration, and asking questions without fear. She highlights the rise of women‑only networking groups, the value of scrappy resourcefulness, and the role of CDFIs—Community Development Finance Institutions—in supporting underserved founders with more accessible funding options. This episode is a masterclass in financial empowerment, packed with clarity, compassion, and practical tools every founder should know. Whether you're scaling, starting, or simply trying to understand the money side of your business, Roxanne’s insights will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take action.