Meet Jessica Meunier | Financial Coach and Advocate
We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Meunier and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I grew up as a child of alcoholic in a chaotic, abusive home. My future was often uncertain. Money was always a point of tension and anxiety. I also knew money was key to my survival. If I could make informed decisions and be consistent, I could escape my circumstances and create my dream life.
My Dad shared some key personal finance lessons with me early on. These, along with my love for math and need for financial independence led me down a career path in financial planning. I dream of a world where everyone feels financially confident, no matter where they came from or how much money they have in their bank account. I want personal finances to be a normal topic of conversation, no stress, no taboo. If I wasn’t going to help make this societal change, who would? This is why I started my company.
I focus on reaching communities marginalized by the financial advising industry – women, students, people of color and young families. I created Empowered Personal Finance as a safe space educate and guide others to financial freedom.
What should our readers know about your business?
Nothing worth having has come easy to me. As a woman and person of color, I’m used to working twice as hard for half as much. But that has never stopped me from reaching my goals, and starting Empowered was no different.
I’m not the financial adviser your parents used. I get to know my clients, their families and their values before creating a plan. Personal finance isn’t one size fits all. It’s a two-way conversation, not one in which I make blanket recommendations and charge a fee. I also work with my clients as their lives change. Previous financial strategies may no longer make sense after a life event occurs such as a move, job change, or family growth. I’m the person in your corner monitoring the economy and stock market changes, so you can be confident in your financial future.
I make financial planning fun, relevant and approachable. I’ve learned that with the right tools and an advocate in their corner, my clients are confident in managing their finances. Some even look forward to meeting and talking about finances, which they never expected!
There are so many tools in personal finance today. There are articles online telling you goals you should have, apps to manage your own investments and new products like crypto and NFTs coming out all the time! I help you sift through the noise and choose the right portfolio for your lifestyle. Together, we implement a financial plan so you never have to wonder if you’re making the right choices again.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The bay area is so expensive, but for good reason. There is so much to see and do, eateries for every type of foodie, diverse landscapes to explore and amazing weather. Everything you want to do is within a few hours’ drive.
I would start with a day in San Francisco to get the week started. We would go to Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf for sourdough bread bowls and Golden Gate Park to pedal boat in Stowe lake and walk through the botanical garden. Then, we would end in Hayes Valley and shop in the cute local boutiques.
A trip to the Bay wouldn’t be complete without seeing wine country. I love Sebastopol and we could explore the Barlow and eat at Blue Ridge Kitchen. I wouldn’t mind going further into Yountville to get english muffins at Model Bakery, either! Carmel is another favorite spot of mine. We would drive down 17 mile scenic drive and stay in one of the adorable B&Bs downtown. The beach is walkable from there as are the adorable shops downtown. We would have dinner at La Bicyclette and wine taste at nearby tasting rooms. We could go on a hike the next day in Point Lobos and enjoy beach views.
Half Moon Bay is an easy half day trip as well. We would go to Granolas for a bagel sandwich and then a walk on the beach or grab a drink at the Ritz near the firepits. On the way back, we would stop at the roadside stores for succulents and gifts. Before leaving, we would have dinner at Protege in old downtown Palo Alto. You can’t leave without having one (or more) of their soft pretzels!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate this shout out to my dad, Isaac Jhinnu. I will be forever grateful for the foundational money lessons he taught me. He helped me open a bank account at an early age, started my first investment account and emphasized the importance of owning real estate. Core principles he shared were to never live above your means, be resourceful and never forget where you came from. These values drive my personal actions today and are guiding forces in my work with my clients.
Website: https://www.empoweredpersonalfinance.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowered_personal_finance/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowered-financial-wellness/
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
