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Name:  Rebecca Eve Selkowe

Business:  Financial Fitness, a provider of financial coaching for women

Industry:  Coaching & Consulting

Location: New York, New York, U.S.

Reason for starting: There are a lot of incredibly confident and smart women in my generation who are not at all confident or smart about managing their money. We have a culture of buy-now-pay-later (or never), in which people borrow tons of money to finance everything from education to dinners out. There’s a lot of misinformation, boring information, and no information out there. I started this business to teach young professionals how to get and stay on top of their finances, have fun, and feel good about money.

Related: Reflecting on Women’s Relationship with Money 

How do you define success? Success to me is having true financial freedom (meaning your means are nowhere near the amount of money you have and/or earn), a life filled with people you love, who love you, and work that ignites your passions.

Biggest Success: I left a “successful” career as an attorney to start this business when my daughter was only two months old. One month later my grandmother, who was my favorite person in the world, passed away. Somehow I found the strength and spirit to keep working and grow my business while I just wanted to hold my baby and cry, and that is my biggest success. It is a testament to having found my true passion and the courage to breathe life into it.

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? My top challenge has been finding the time to cram all my to-dos into each day. Being there for my baby and husband, mourning the death of someone I loved so dearly, finding a new identity as I shed my lawyer skin, delivering for my clients, and finding ways to market myself…. challenge is an understatement! I have addressed this by focusing on understanding my limitations and weaknesses, setting priorities, and asking for help.

Related: Women & Money: Setting an Example

Who is your most important role model?   My grandmother. She moved to this country when she was 21, a WWII bride, and was, by my definition, hugely successful. She had a devoted husband and loving family. She was generous, strong, beautiful, and unafraid to speak her mind. She had a fulfilling career as a university professor, and she was a talented artist. She was also extremely good with money. She taught herself about investing, and enjoyed life while living comfortably within her means. She is my inspiration in most everything.

[box_light]Website   www.rebeccaeve.com
Facebook   www.facebook.com/rockyourmoney[/box_light]

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