Joy Alford-Brand is someone you want on your team if you’re starting over financially.
Many of us, in midlife, find ourselves in that situation… for good or bad. Whether we are struggling financially, dealing with a severe change in our revenue model due to a grey divorce, or we have been gifted an inheritance from our family; we may find ourselves in need of ‘figuring the whole money thing out’.
Joy, a ‘transitioning’ attorney has found her passion in helping us do just that – conquer the money thing! We are fortunate, here at Kuel Life, to have Joy’s expertise. Joy is one of our MONEY Kuel Category Experts. This Sunday, we get to learn a little bit more about her and what makes her ‘tick’. Please welcome, Week 42 of my Share Your Story series, Joy Alford-Brand.
KUELLIFE: What are you pursuing now, at this stage of your life, that surprises you or might appear to others as if it comes out of left field?
JOY: I’m transitioning out of the active practice of law to teaching people basic financial literacy techniques. I’m very active on YouTube and other social media platforms as well.
KUELLIFE: What’s a typical day like for you?
JOY: I take time for self-care, first and foremost. After that, I have multiple projects to work on, including marketing my personal finance webinars (Student Loan 101, Credit Management 101 and my 60 Minute Budget Bootcamp). I’m currently developing several new products, a 30 minute credit webinar (for people who need help getting their credit in shape to get a mortgage, for example), and a simple course based on my book ‘Money Basics’.
“Being an online entrepreneur and public speaker is a different marketing animal”
KUELLIFE: With what do you struggle?
JOY: Marketing is an area I am new to. As a lawyer, there were set marketing avenues and tools you could use to build your practice. Being an online entrepreneur and public speaker is a different marketing animal, altogether! I am learning as I go.
KUELLIFE: How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
JOY: People need my knowledge and expertise. Every day, I am reminded that I truly have a wealth of personal finance knowledge that regular people simply don’t have the time or tools to learn. It would be a travesty for me to not share it with those who need it.
KUELLIFE: What advice would you give fellow women about aging?
JOY: Enjoy it! We are lucky to live in a time where we have choices that the women who came before us did not have. Getting older will be what you make it. Take the time to take care of yourself and look for the joy in every moment.
“Stepping into the world of social media and YouTube has helped me get used to being vulnerable.”
KUELLIFE: What does vulnerability mean to you? What has the ability to make you vulnerable?
JOY: Vulnerability to me means stepping out of my comfort zone and being seen. For me, stepping into the world of social media and YouTube has helped me get used to being vulnerable.
KUELLIFE: What are three events that helped to shape your life?
JOY: My parents filing for bankruptcy and divorcing when I was very little, going to law school, and marrying the love of my life.
KUELLIFE: Who influenced you the most in life and why?
JOY: My mother and my family in general. They’ve been there in my life since the beginning and we’ve watched each other change. Also, I’ve been lucky to have wonderful friends, as an adult, who have helped me evolve into the person I am today.
KUELLIFE: What is the best advice you’ve been given from another woman?
JOY: It’s okay to reinvent yourself, periodically. In fact, it’s probably necessary!
KUELLIFE: What woman inspires you and why?
JOY: Eleanor Roosevelt. She thrived on her own terms while adding value to society. I aspire to achieve those things as well.
KUELLIFE: Are you grown-up?
JOY: Yes, thankfully!
KUELLIFE: What do you do for self-care?
JOY: I try to meditate every day. I also have begun incorporating exercise into my day for at least five days every week. Finally, I try to remember to have fun every day, too!
KUELLIFE: And last but definitely NOT least: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
JOY: Helping as many people with money issues as possible. Travel, travel, travel. Growing my public speaking audience.
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Great article. Thank you for sharing.