3 Powerful Money Moves for Mission-Led Founders (Part 1)
Spoiler: These big money moves are actually small, intentional, and anyone can try them!
When we talk about 'powerful money moves', it’s easy to assume we’re referring to huge 'big bro' investments or highly complex financial strategies.
But, especially mission-driven founders, true power lies in small, intentional actions that create clarity and stewardship over your finances - without the stress or overwhelm.
In this article, we’ll explore 3 'powerful money moves' that anyone—no matter the size of your business or your financial experience—can try today.
These moves may be small, but their impact is anything but. Let's get into it.
Why it matters:
Our relationship and outcomes with money (in business and in life) are deeply influenced by our past experiences, cultural beliefs, and even financial trauma.
Understanding your money story helps us to recognise patterns that may no longer serving, set new intentions.
And importantly - make peace with the past by understanding that it's about what happened to you, not a reflection of your worth or actions.
What you can do today:
Take 10 minutes to journal about your earliest memories of money. Reflect on how your family, community, or culture talked about money.
Were there moments of scarcity, abundance, or financial struggle? How do these early lessons still show up in your life today, influencing your decisions as a founder?
Example journaling prompts:
- What did my family or caregivers teach me about money?
- How did early experiences with money shape my current beliefs and habits?
- In what ways do those lessons influence how I handle finances now?
Reflection:
Becoming aware of your money story is the first step toward rewriting it.
When you can see how the past affects your present, you can begin to make intentional, conscious financial decisions that align with your mission and values.
Why it matters:
For mission-driven founders, financial clarity means understanding your full financial picture - across both personal and business accounts, as well as any debts or loans.
When you’re not clear on where your money stands, it can lead to stress and disempowerment. But by knowing your numbers, you reduce uncertainty and empower yourself to make intentional choices.
What you can do today:
Start by reviewing your personal and business accounts, as well as any debts or loans you have.
It can be as simple as an excel sheet or even going pen to paper and noting down your current balance in each account. Including any credit card debt or loan repayments you’re managing so you have a full picture.
You may wish to go on to detail the money coming in and the money going out.
Actionable steps:
- Personal Accounts: Check the balances of your checking, savings, and emergency fund accounts.
- Business Accounts: Review your business checking account and cash flow. List any invoices that need to be paid or are still pending.
- Debts/Lending: List out any loans, credit cards, or lines of credit, including their interest rates and repayment schedules.
Bonus Tip:
If the idea of checking all your accounts feels overwhelming, start with just one area (like personal accounts) and expand from there.
It’s often less scary to see everything written down than it feels in your head!
Reflection:
While the prospect of gather this information may feel overwhelming, many people find that seeing the full picture actually reduces stress. What you imagine is often scarier than what’s really there.
Seeing the numbers on paper can give you peace of mind and clarity over your next steps - and a feeling of 'ohh actually its not that bad'.
THREE: Observe Your Spending and Emotional Patterns
Why it matters:
Surprisingly our money decisions are rarely based on logic alone. Emotions - like stress, excitement, or fear- often play a big role in how we spend and save and engage with our business finances.
By observing your emotional triggers around money, you can become more mindful of your financial decisions and start making choices that align with your long-term goals.
What you can do today:
Practice this in the wild... simply going about normal life and observe how you feel as you make any financial decisions or interact with money.
Whether you’re about to buy something small, like coffee, or something bigger, like investing in a business program, take a moment to check in with your emotions.
Ask yourself: "What am I feeling right now?" - this way you can observe a window into your often automatic money responses.
Example reflective questions:
- What emotional state am I in before spending? (Stressed, bored, excited, etc.)
- How do I feel after making the purchase? (Regret, satisfaction, relief?)
- Are there patterns in how I spend when I feel certain emotions?
Reflection:
By becoming aware of your emotional patterns with money, you create the space to pause and make more aligned decisions.
The goal isn’t to eliminate emotional spending altogether, but to notice your triggers and ask if they support your financial well-being and your mission as a founder.
Powerful Money Moves: Take Aways
These three powerful money moves are small but impactful steps you can take today to begin transforming your relationship with money.
By reflecting on your money story, getting clear on your current financial situation, and becoming mindful of the emotions driving your spending, you’ll build the foundation for long-term financial clarity and empowerment.
Financial well-being and is a journey, not a destination. Start with these small moves and notice how they begin to shift your mindset, giving you more confidence and control over your financial decisions and outcomes.
There's more to come...
Stay tuned for part 2 where we bring you 3 MORE Powerful Money Moves for Mission-led Founders...
We will be exploring building powerful financial habits and aligning your money with your mission. So you can manage your finances with consistency and integrity.
