From Poverty to Power: How Women Business Owners Break Financial Chains

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When Audrey Faust filed her tax return as a 27-year-old mom with two babies under two, she got a nasty wake-up call. That big tax refund? It wasn't luck. It was the government telling her she was poor enough to qualify for help.

"Although I was happy I was getting the money, it was a really upsetting moment for me," Audrey shares. That moment when she realized her family of four was scraping by on just $24,000 a year became her turning point.

Today, Audrey has built a $2.5 million net worth. How did she climb from poverty to wealth? By breaking the financial chains that hold most women back.

The Hidden Financial Trap Most Women Fall Into

Imagine being trapped in a maze where all the exits are hidden behind false walls. That's what the financial system feels like for many women business owners.

Here's the brutal truth: Most women don't fail in business because of their products or services. They fail because no one taught them how money actually works.

"Women could not have a credit card till 1974. Women could not have a business loan until 1988," Audrey reminds us. That's not ancient history – that's within many of our lifetimes.

This isn't just about history. It's about the invisible chains still holding you back today.

The Missing Piece Between Bookkeeping and Taxes

If you're running a business, you probably have a bookkeeper. Maybe you have a tax person too. But here's where most businesses bleed money without even knowing it:

This missing middle is costing you thousands – maybe tens of thousands – every year.

In one eye-opening case, Audrey discovered a client was losing over $10,000 in tax deductions because her bookkeeper was wrongly categorizing business expenses as personal draws. Another client was paying a full-time salary to someone working just 20 hours a week.

These weren't rare mistakes. They're happening in your business right now.

Why Your "Money Confidence" Is Actually Holding You Back

The word "confidence" makes many women defensive. "I have plenty of confidence!" you might think.

But here's what's really happening:

This mindset kills women's businesses before they even start. You think you need to know everything before you can move forward. Meanwhile, the guy who knows almost nothing is already making sales.

This isn't about being "confident" in the usual sense. It's about being willing to jump without a perfect plan.

The Three Financial Roles Every Business Needs

If your business is going to grow, you need to understand the three critical financial roles:

1. Bookkeeper: Enters transactions and keeps records

2. Controller/CFO: Analyzes data and helps you make financial decisions

3. CPA/Tax Preparer: Handles tax returns and compliance

But who's making sure your financial decisions actually make sense? That's the missing piece most women skip – and it's costing you everything.

How to Break Your Financial Chains (Starting Today)

You don't need an MBA or fancy background to change your financial future. Audrey started with nothing – not even the belief she was smart enough for college.

Despite those voices, she moved forward anyway. Here's how you can too:

1. Look at your numbers monthly

Business owners are 80% more successful when they review their finances monthly. No more hiding from your money reality.

2. Separate personal and business finances

"You should have a business card, credit card and checking account and a personal credit card and checking account and keeping them separate," Audrey insists.

This isn't just about organization – it's about legal protection and tax benefits.

3. Get financial education

You don't need to become an accountant, but you do need to understand the basics of how money works in your business.

Your Financial Freedom Is Closer Than You Think

The journey from financial struggle to wealth isn't about fancy strategies or secret investments. It's about facing your numbers, understanding what they mean, and making decisions based on reality instead of fear.

Audrey's journey from poverty-level income to a $2.5 million net worth didn't happen overnight. But it did happen – one brave decision at a time.

"It took me time to go back to school, so things didn't change overnight," she acknowledges. "But I felt like I was making progress though."

Your next step might be scary. Take it anyway. Financial freedom isn't just for other people – it's waiting for you on the other side of that fear.