Why Financial Independence Is About Power—Not Just Money with Eleanor Beaton

You can be doing well on paper and still feel like you’re one level below where you should be. You’re earning good money. You’re responsible. You’re working hard. But there’s this quiet question in the background: What’s the next move? In this conversation, Shari Rash sits down with leadership coach and entrepreneur Eleanor Beaton to talk about the real drivers behind financial growth for women—power, flexibility, and financial agency. Eleanor Beaton is the founder of Safi Media, a coaching and education company dedicated to doubling the number of women founders who sustainably scale to $1M+ by 2030, and the host of the Woman Owned podcast, now ranked in the top 0.5% of all podcasts globally, providing insights and strategies to empower women entrepreneurs. Since 2016, Eleanor has provided training to over 25,000 women entrepreneurs worldwide. A former chair of the Visiting Women’s Executive Exchange Program at the Yale School of Management, Eleanor has won national awards for her achievements in entrepreneurship, leadership development and business journalism. They explore why so many women unintentionally limit their earning potential in exchange for flexibility, how early money experiences shape our decisions as adults, and why financial independence is about more than income. It’s about having options. Eleanor shares the lessons she learned scaling her own business, including the importance of paying attention to your numbers, creating simple money habits, and focusing on the tasks that actually move your financial life forward. You’ll also hear a powerful discussion about the gender wage gap, the role flexibility plays in earnings, and why second-guessing your goals is often a normal part of growth—not a sign to stop. This episode will help you rethink how you spend your time, how you define success, and how to build the kind of financial life that gives you both freedom and control. You’ll hear why financial agency matters more than income alone, the sneaky mindset block that keeps high-achieving women playing small, how to identify the highest-value tasks in your life, and the one habit that can accelerate your financial progress faster than you expect. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to protect your independence, make more intentional decisions with your time and money, and give yourself permission to go after what you actually want. If you’re ready for personalized, judgment-free financial guidance, learn more about working with Shari. Shari Rash is the founder of GWA Wealth, a virtual advisory firm helping women make confident, values-aligned decisions with their money. Visit GWA Wealth to explore your next step. Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app! Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Shari Rash is a financial planner and Investment Adviser Representative of GWA Wealth, a Registered Investment Adviser. The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an advisory relationship with Shari Rash or GWA Wealth. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to specific investments, strategies, or securities are for illustrative purposes only and are not recommendations. You should consult your own financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney regarding your individual situation before making any financial decisions. The views expressed by guests are their own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of GWA Wealth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices