Full Transcript for Stop Using Your Own Money: Keisha Allen on Money & Mindset

00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:57.599 And then I remember having an individual that is still to this day my mentor, but it was very authentic. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:02.000 And it's authentic because it's, hey, you can work on this by doing this. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:06.319 Or hey, you can work on this by being more active in this. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:13.759 So that's how I knew that that was coming from a good place versus other individuals who say no because of this, but didn't give a solution. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:14.800 Right, right. 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:15.599 I love that. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:19.360 And I think that's something for everybody to think about because you really do have to make the distinguish. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:24.959 You have to distinguish between who is there to help you and maybe who's there to hurt you. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:26.800 And sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:37.360 Now you spent your career helping others achieve all this financial success, but what beliefs and habits did you personally have to unlearn about money, success, or even leadership? 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:43.120 Well, the one thing that I had to unlearn about money was it wasn't created equal for everyone. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:47.920 And I say that because being in a family where I felt like I was privileged. 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:55.439 And when I say I felt like I was privileged, I went to the private schools, I went to the best schools, but then I had family members that didn't have the same opportunities. 00:04:56.240 --> 00:05:00.560 So very early on, I learned the value of a dollar and what it meant to save that dollar. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:09.040 And I always knew that once I got to a certain age, if I didn't see a certain dollar amount in my bank account, I felt like I wasn't privileged anymore. 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:11.680 So that was my association with money. 00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:16.000 It valued whatever dollar amount I felt like valued me. 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:21.920 Um, I would definitely say when it comes to leadership, teaching teams how to value themselves, right? 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:27.519 Because even though my value was the dollar amount, their value may be the production. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:28.000 Right. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:33.600 So being able to turn that value into something different than dollars into production. 00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:40.879 So me being relatable to them in those aspects, because no matter how you look at it, it's about the end result, right? 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:45.759 So whatever goal I'm trying to achieve, whatever dollar amount I'm trying to achieve, it's still there. 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:46.000 Yeah. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:49.199 Whatever production, whatever you're trying to do, it's still there. 00:05:49.519 --> 00:06:00.800 You know, it's funny you bring up the childhood stuff because I I had not thought about it um when I was younger

in terms of money, but I did realize that we had more than some of our some of our relatives. 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:03.199 You know, some of our cousins and things like that. 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:08.399 And I remember at a very young age telling my sister, let's not put out all of our Christmas gifts. 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:17.759 Let's just take out a few because I knew that they maybe didn't get anything for Christmas, or maybe they got things, you know, didn't get uh near as much or something like that. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:18.480 Absolutely. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:22.480 And I remember feeling kind of bad about that difference. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:25.519 And so, but I didn't equate it to I didn't know what it was. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:29.120 You know, but it is it certainly is money, it is a mindset. 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:38.639 It is, it it really is because you can grow up not having a lot and you can be used to things like the bills not being paid, the the lights cut off, and stuff like that. 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:53.920 And I remember being with the friend, and I had I had moved to a new house, and it's a long story, but the there was two bills, and so I'd paid I paid the old bill, the old account, and so I came home and the gas was cut off, and I mean I was upset. 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:59.360 Like, it was the gas or the lights or something, but I was upset, and this friend was like, Why are you so mad? 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:02.959 Like it's not a big deal, and I was like, It's a huge deal. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.199 Like, what do you mean it's not a big deal? 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:08.399 But I realized she had grown up like that. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:20.720 And for me, I'm just like, I mean, I am on the phone with this man who was on his way home, and I explained to him what happened, and he said, ma'am, I'm just gonna go by your house real quick on my way home, get this turn on for you. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:22.319 I said, Thank you. 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:26.639 But I began to to realize that it is truly a mindset, yes. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:39.839 And it's something that I think we should learn in high school with our other classes that they make us learn, that we might not, you know, some things we can, I I would trade out some of those things that we they make us take before financial literacy. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:40.560 Absolutely. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:43.120 And I see that more and more in the ISDs. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:48.639 I do a lot of partnerships with some of the larger ISDs in North Texas because that is the thought, right? 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.319 They're not getting it. 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:57.199 And when I say they're not getting it, not saying that they're not getting it from maybe teachers, but you need it from someone that's that's their lane, right? 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:57.519 Right. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:59.839 I always tell people stay in their lane. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:07.279 I can't tell you about life's challenges and what that equates from a financial standpoint, from an account standpoint, if that is not my lane. 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:07.519 True. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:10.399 And sometimes we're trying to teach individuals outside of our lane. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:11.120 Yes, for sure. 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:18.319 Now, I explain what a financial inclusion leader is because it was a I it was a title that I wasn't familiar with. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:22.240 And so I'm sure there are a lot of people that would like to understand more about it. 00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:23.199 It intrigued me though. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:25.920 So it's definitely an intriguing title. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:29.839 When it was created, it was with the wholeness of everyone in mind. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.160 Okay. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:37.440 So a lot of times when you think about financial education, you think about financial literacy, you think about the underrepresented, the underdeserved. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:38.720 And that's not true. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:42.000 Everybody can use some financial education, financial literacy. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:44.559 Because what we see is more individuals. 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:51.759 I was just listening to the radio on my way in, and they were talking about individuals that's earning six figures are more stressed now than ever, right? 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:54.639 Because they're still living paycheck to paycheck. 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:59.279 But you would think that those individuals would have it figured out and have a nice savings. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:08:59.600 Right. 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:01.200 No, that is not the case. 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:08.720 So we had to take the the thought out of how can we not only represent one community, but represent all. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:14.559 So the inclusivity of everyone and making sure that that education bleeds over to everyone in every community. 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:22.480 Now, do you find that your six-figure people have some shame around not knowing how to um because I know it was something important. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:24.799 I I kept telling myself, I'm running this business. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:31.679 Like, one of the things I really have to do is go get some financial literacy around because it's one thing to manage your bank account, right? 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:32.799 Your personal account. 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:37.759 It's another thing to manage a business and have PL statements and all of these things. 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:41.919 And so you do get to a certain level where you're like, I should have already known this. 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:43.279 I'm a little embarrassed. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:45.759 So, do you have to have those kinds of conversations? 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:49.919 Definitely have to have those conversations, but more or less it's the trust, right? 00:09:50.320 -->

00:09:54.879 Because a lot of times individuals don't trust the person that they're getting the education from. 00:09:55.039 --> 00:10:03.440 So for me, it's understanding where your gaps are and how to relate that to trust, okay, and then allowing for you to open up to be able to get the information. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:06.639 What we see a lot of times is individuals have a wall up. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:09.600 And because that wall is up, you can't build the trust. 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:10.799 So I can't tell you everything. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:14.960 It's like going to the doctor and saying, Oh, my pressure is good, but you know your pressure is not good. 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:24.720 But you can't allow for him to know that your pressure is not good because then he may put you on medication, and then it becomes more vulnerability in everything that's going on. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:28.080 So, yes, that's what we see in a lot of our high income earners. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:39.679 And since we're talking about mindset, when it comes to our uh diverse communities, and I've seen this in the black communities specifically, where we really don't want people to know our business, right? 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:50.320 So I I actually knew someone whose son did not get uh free money for college literally because she was going to have to turn in her her tax her uh her taxes. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:51.919 And she didn't want to do that. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:54.720 And I remember saying, but now you gotta pay for school. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:56.320 Like this makes no sense. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:00.960 But literally, in her mind, it made it made all the sense in the world. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:07.519 And you know, and I'm thinking this poor kid's in debt because uh trying to go to college because we can't we don't want to open up enough. 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:11.360 Um is there do you notice that level of of mistrust in the work that you do? 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:15.840 Absolutely notice that level of mistrust because it's almost like now you're in my house, right? 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:19.840 Yeah, and now you can see where I may have things hidden or covered, right? 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:25.440 And that exposure is everything because if I don't have to expose it, I don't have to live in the reality of it. 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:28.240 And I guess it goes as the trust that you're that you're talking about. 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:28.639 Yes. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:32.000 And is that is that something in your job that is is paramount? 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:34.399 Absolutely, especially being in the community. 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:40.480 I think that for me, people will trust me a little bit more because my job is to meet them where they're at, right? 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:47.120 So when you think about the trust of somebody walking into a financial institution, it's already a wall up. 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:47.360 Okay. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:52.399 But if I come to where you're at, your wall is down a little bit because now I'm where you're at. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:55.360 And that playing field is even and level. 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:57.279 So now I can have that conversation. 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:57.919 Gotcha. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.320 Okay. 00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:01.039 Well, y'all, that right there, that is the foundation. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:03.200 That's the mindset behind the mission. 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:08.000 Now that we know what shaped who you are, let's talk about what you built with it. 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:13.039 Coming up next is the play, the bold moves, the tough calls, and the powerful purpose behind Keisha Allen. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.039 Want more of what you're watching? 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:24.159 Watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire, or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to name a few. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:36.320 We are back with Keisha Allen, financial inclusion leader at Truist Bank. 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:39.279 Now, let's get into the moves, the risk, and the results. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:45.600 Now, I always say that personal culture is the vibe you bring when you walk in the room and the impact that you leave when you walk out. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:48.799 That mix of how you see yourself and how others experience you. 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:55.519 So, who did you have to become from a personal culture standpoint that to be where you are right now? 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.320 Absolutely. 00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:57.200 Great question. 00:12:57.360 --> 00:13:00.000 For me, it was being my authentic self. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:00.480 Okay. 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:04.080 Every person that experiences me experience energy. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:06.000 They experience smiles, right? 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:07.840 Like I see you smiling right now. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:11.440 Like that's what you get when you experience me. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:20.159 But I try to humble myself in certain settings or in certain environments because it was too much. 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:20.639 Okay. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:23.200 Do you think it's too much, or do everybody else think it's too much? 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:24.639 Everybody else thought it was too much. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.919 It definitely wasn't me. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:27.519 Everybody else thought it was too much. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:32.879 Oh, you're doing too much, or you have too much energy, or you're overpowering the conversation. 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:37.360 Yeah, the reason I started smiling is because I remember our first phone conversation. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:40.559 And literally it was like we had known each other for years. 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:44.639 I mean, because you you brought that energy of me not being a stranger. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:45.120 Yes. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:47.120 And so, yes, I would I would agree.

00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:59.679 It was it's it's one of those things where um you don't know how it's gonna be when you talk to somebody that you've never met before, and I'm I'm talking about this show, and you just people can be really dry, and that was not the experience. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:01.519 And that will never be the experience. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:03.440 And I had to learn that that was me. 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:08.799 And no matter how many times somebody told me, don't be that, that is who I am. 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:14.799 And now that same energy has opened more doors than closing them, right? 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:18.799 And not that you can just really get into their mindset, but do you know why they would think that? 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:23.120 Because the warmness and now maybe it's from small town Oklahoma, and I like that. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:27.120 Maybe it's it's it's that, it could just be that. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:31.759 But um, why why do people I think that it was the Southern Hospitality? 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:36.080 I'm from Louisiana, born and raised, and that's who we are, right? 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:41.519 You never meet a stranger in Louisiana, New Orleans specifically, you never meet a stranger. 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:49.840 But sometimes when you go into different atmospheres, some people are reserved and they don't like to open up and tell you good morning and all of those things. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:52.080 It's more of you're bothering me. 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:53.679 Like keep that energy to yourself. 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:55.840 Let me put my head down and do my work. 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:58.080 And that didn't work for me. 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:58.399 Right. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:00.000 So I was still good morning. 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:00.960 How are you? 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:13.919 Yes, and I and let me just give a shout out to Sepulpa, Oklahoma, because I talk about Tulsa a lot, but I am from I am from a really small town and only about 20,000 people when I grew up there. 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:14.320 Okay. 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:19.120 And it was the kind of place that I don't care who drove around the corner 10 times, you were going to speak. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:19.600 Yes. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:21.120 Or you were going to get in trouble. 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:21.360 Yeah. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:28.399 And I specifically remember my grandmother's friend who had driven around probably 30 times, and I'm just waving, and one time, I guess I missed her. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:34.399 And as soon as I got to my grandmother's house, she said, You didn't speak to Sister Breaker Ring. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.039 Yes, I did. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.240 You're calling me a lie. 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:40.879 No, no, but I promise I spoke. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:43.840 So it is, it's how I grew up. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:46.559 So it it's very uh it was very inviting to me. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.120 So I don't care what anybody's saying to you. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:55.039 So you you're known for turning feedback into real-time strategies that drive results. 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:56.879 Walk us through how you do that. 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:57.600 Absolutely. 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:01.120 Sometimes feedback is not failure, right? 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:01.759 It's a gift. 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.159 Yes. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:05.919 And if you don't get it in the real time, then that gift is expiring. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:10.960 And a lot of times, individuals want to know in that moment, what could I what could I have done better? 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:13.120 How can I course correct right now? 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:16.320 So for me, the feedback is more on the financial side. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:16.559 Okay. 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:22.639 And a lot of times individuals don't realize it's small things that they can do to be able to make big impact. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:24.879 So giving them that give us that small thing. 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.279 Absolutely. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:28.960 I'm one trying to do something with my finances because I'm I'm all ears. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.759 Some of those small things. 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.399 Absolutely. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:35.919 So one of the small things is assessing what we're spending our money on. 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:38.000 A lot of times it's out of sight, out of mind. 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.440 How often are you refreshing? 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:42.080 How often are you looking at those things to wean out? 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:44.159 Do these automations still need to happen? 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.559 For most people, it's set it and leave it. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:46.799 Yes. 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.159 And they don't revisit it. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.399 Okay. 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:52.399 Well, when you revisit it six months later, you're with a different mindset, right? 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:55.039 Because when I started it, I was in one mindset. 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:57.039 Six months later, I'm in a different mindset. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.320 Do I really need that? 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:00.480 So that's what I tell people the small things, right? 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:02.639 So if I can say I need to get rid of my DoorDash. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.200 Absolutely. 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.799 DoorDash needs to go. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:05.519 DoorDash. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:07.200 It is hurting my bank account so badly. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.960 DoorDash needs to go. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:11.200 Some other things that need to go. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.400 Maybe Uber eats. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.160 Like, how often are we eating out? 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:17.920 We don't realize how much money we're spending on little things. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:21.920 And when we're looking

for our budget, we're like, oh, well, I have to cut money on the big things. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.359 No, it's so small things. 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:25.200 The small things are adding up. 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.799 And then practice makes perfect. 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.000 So that's the feedback. 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:31.680 How do we start practicing cutting small things to then get to the big things? 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.960 Give me one more thing. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:38.960 Um, one of the other things is how often are we assessing what we're spending our large dollars on? 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:39.359 Okay. 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:44.240 And when I say large dollars, for most of us it's mortgage, for most of us, it's rent. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:49.440 Those large dollars, how are we reassessing that to see where I can cut that cost in? 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:49.839 Okay. 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:57.440 And for some individuals, you may not have thought about what's my tax bill, what's my insurance bill, because again, it set it and leave it, right? 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:01.680 And even refinancing, like it's something that I I just didn't think much about. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:07.279 It's like Andy and got the yeah, didn't yeah, did not did not think about it. 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:17.440 But then it's it also it makes sense sometimes to go in and and re refinance some things for lower interest rates and you know, just whatever, whatever it is. 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:19.440 But um that that is super helpful. 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:19.920 Absolutely. 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:31.599 And then for my business owners, a lot of times individuals take that equity out of their home, they take that 401k and they take all of these things and invest it into their business. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:34.480 Until you reassess that plan. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:38.640 Because six months, not in take everything and invest it into the business. 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:44.640 And if that business doesn't become profitable in six months to a year, how am I reallocating those funds? 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.920 Because I still want to retire. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.160 Yeah. 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:50.559 I still want to have that life of luxury, but again, how often am I assessing it? 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:54.079 There are things that happen that you can never account for. 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:54.640 Yes. 00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:57.200 And everything can look a certain way. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:19:05.119 And you know, you go from speaking 70 times a year to to nothing because of the the climate around DEI and what happened this year. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:13.119 And when I tell you it threw me for a loop financially in a way that I never because when you're an entrepreneur, you don't have the 401ks and all that stuff. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:16.799 You really have to get to a certain level to be able to have those things. 00:19:17.200 -->

00:19:20.960 And so I had, I mean, I finally, I was like, I got it all. 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.480 It's it's there, I've I've done it. 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.599 I I did the thing. 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:34.240 And I tell you this last year and a half pretty much wiped out everything that I had built and have been building for all these years. 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:44.799 How do you, if if I because again, banks, all of these things that you're supposed to be able to go and get money from, banks are everything is risky to a bank, in my opinion. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:53.839 And don't get me wrong, I I I had the credit, had all the stuff to go and get these loans, but when you have your own money, you feel like it's better to spend your own money so you don't have to deal with it. 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:55.039 But you're saying no. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:20:04.079 So it's like in my 25 years of experience of being in the banking realm, I never tell someone to use their own money. 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:09.279 It's better to get money when you don't need it than when you do need it, right? 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:19.839 So having that safety net, even if I never have to use it, having that safety net is gonna always provide you with more liquidity than using your own money. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:23.839 Because at the end of the day, your money should be growing and working for you in different ways. 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:26.559 So go get go get the line of credit. 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:28.400 Go get go get whatever it is. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.079 And it's there if you need it. 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:32.160 If you don't need it, you're just building credit. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:32.880 Absolutely. 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.279 Okay. 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.000 Absolutely. 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:36.079 And that's one of the things that we don't do, right? 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:41.599 And kind of going back to your point feeling like banks don't lend, banks are a for-profit business. 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.519 So that's the goal, right? 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:45.279 They have to be able to make money. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.799 They are a for-profit business. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.240 Let's be very, very clear. 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:48.559 Yeah. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:53.519 What normally happens is you don't have the right person telling your story to get the lending. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.720 Mmm. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:21:10.480 Now that's that's really something I want to get into because that feels like that feels like it can be privileged to a certain degree because I now I will say, in this challenging time, I went to an organization that I I've worked with for years. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:16.319 And this time they've changed everything to where you don't speak to the people yourself. 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.759 Somebody else is telling your story. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:21.839 And I could tell through all these meetings with her, she was not getting the story right. 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:29.759 And I text my friend who runs this organization because I know there's a level of she has to step out because everybody knows that we were good friends. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.720 Correct, correct. 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:33.039 But I said, listen, can I do a video? 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:36.960 I don't want her to tell my story because she's not getting it. 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.920 Right, correct. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.880 She's not getting it. 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:41.359 And so you saying that is so interesting. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.759 How do you find the person to tell your story? 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:46.960 I always tell people, well, going back to relationships, that's number one. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:53.680 But then I always tell people you know when you have the right person when you ask certain questions, and they give you the answer that resonates within you. 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:59.759 A lot of times we don't trust our good, we just go with that person because said person works for said place. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:05.200 Or a said place has so many locations, so they are doing said things. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.720 Trust your gut. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:12.400 Anytime that you have a relationship, you want to interview that person, just like getting into a relationship, right? 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:12.720 Right. 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:15.680 You're not gonna pick a significant other without trusting your gut. 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:15.920 Right. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:17.440 It's the same thing in everything. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:25.519 And there and there is a lot of truth to it because even the help that I have gotten for banks, I've been in business 27 years, it has been through relationship. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:31.920 It I have never walked into a bank where I didn't know anybody and just said I want to apply for a loan. 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:43.599 I made sure that I had an account at that bank, that I'm I'm maybe on the board with somebody from that bank, or I've gotten to know them because it is a different experience to be able to do that. 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:49.599 But in that situation with this person that I've known forever, I said, Why did you go to that model? 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:53.680 And I think it's because she's built so many relationships that it's hard. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:55.119 Um, it's hard for her. 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.519 Yes. 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:58.640 And the board is like you stay, you know, you stay out of it. 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:05.200 But literally having somebody speak for you, um, it it made a it made a huge difference. 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:09.920 I know that she I knew there was no way that she was representing me well. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.160 Right. 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:15.200 Keisha, before we move on, where can people go to connect with you and

learn more about how you can help them with their finances? 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:15.839 Absolutely. 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:19.359 You can always find me on LinkedIn at Tamika.alin. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:19.839 Okay. 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.839 Now Keisha, y'all. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:24.000 Tamika.allen. 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.599 I know. 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:29.119 It's it's it's okay. 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.160 All right, y'all. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:32.960 Coming up next, it is the postgame. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.680 Want more of what you're watching? 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:48.720 Watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire, or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to name a few. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.519 Welcome back to Be Better Than Your BS. 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:06.880 It's time for the post-game where we slow it down, reflect, and share the real playbook for anyone out there trying to make their mark. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:15.519 And we've been we've been sharing the playbook, but I this is where I really want to give people as much as we can in terms of what they can do because finances make or break us. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:15.920 Absolutely. 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:18.319 They can depress us, they can make us happy. 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:26.319 Look, seeing certain dollar amounts can make you happy, and seeing you lose that can definitely make you sad. 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.759 I don't care what you know. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:34.240 People say money is not everything, and I agree, it's not nowhere close to everything because it it doesn't matter. 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:36.480 The people in your life are everything. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:40.240 But I will say I've been on both sides of the coin and I like more coins. 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:43.839 I've been on both sides. 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:47.759 I don't want to be out here without any coins. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.519 So tell us everything. 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:52.880 And we talked about some of these, um, some of these things already. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:58.480 But what is one thing that people can start doing today to build financial stability no matter what their income is? 00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.359 I got$10. 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.240 What can I do? 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:03.200 Well, first of all, we got to save 20% of that$10, right? 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:06.160 So I need to be saving$2 out of that$10. 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.599 And that's something small, right? 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:10.799 I can't even buy a combo meal with$8. 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:15.200 Well, you got to change where you're going to get that combo meal from. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.559 And that's the other thing, right? 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:24.160 Adjusting to the money that you do have instead of making the money that you do have not work for you because you're living outside of your means. 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:28.559 If I now only have$8 and I'm trying to spend$10, then I'm already living outside my means. 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:31.759 And then that becomes a mindset that people continue to do, right? 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:35.200 I have$20 instead of me saving the four, I'm trying to spend the whole 20. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:35.359 Right. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:37.279 So starting small with that 20%. 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:43.519 The other thing that I will say is how often are you setting a goal to what you want to have saved by the end of the year? 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:46.240 A lot of times we do that at the beginning of the year. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:53.759 Look, we start with our New Year's resolutions and our goals, and by mid-year, that has gone and fallen by the wayside. 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.079 Right. 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:57.119 How can we continue that strategy and that pattern? 00:25:57.440 --> 00:26:00.400 Sometimes when that goal is too large, you don't achieve it. 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:04.079 So how do we set smart goals to ensure that we can achieve it? 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:08.960 And then the third thing is having an assessment of that financial strategy and plan. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:17.920 So often we feel like we can't get a financial plan done because we're not in a certain caliber of income to have that. 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:19.839 No, you can have that plan done. 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:23.039 You just have to find an organization that can do it and meet you where you're at. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.559 Yeah, that's true. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:31.519 I when when I did not have any money, you know, I was it was always something that I'm like, I'm gonna do that as soon as, you know. 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:41.279 Um and I would, I would, and that was real, and I and I actually did that, but I wish I had started, even when I didn't have, even if I was putting up the 25 bucks a month. 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:41.519 Yes. 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:45.759 And I even tried that for a while, but I'm telling you, entrepreneurship is a different beast. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:51.759 It's tough because sometimes you don't know what your month-to-month looks like. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:55.680 You know, you are figuring it out, you're you're eating what you kill every day. 00:26:55.839 --> 00:27:00.400 So for those of us that are business owners out there, maybe we're just getting started. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.759 What should we be doing? 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:07.119 So, one thing that business owners should be doing is investing into themselves in some shape, form, or fashion. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:12.160 So maybe your percentage looks a little different because you're putting it aside differently, right? 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:14.640 What does that retirement strategy look like? 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:17.359 Because at the end of the day, you know you don't want to do this forever. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:20.640 So you have to start building that other

nesting to allow for it. 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.000 If I'm already ready. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.640 I'm ready. 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:29.119 If I if I could just kick my feet back, I'm tired. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.839 Yes. 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:32.480 So but then you have to see the benefits of it, right? 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:38.160 Sometimes the benefits outweigh the hassle that it becomes to do the thing. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:56.079 A lot of times, entrepreneurs do not look at what do their investments look like from a small business or from a strategy standpoint to ensure that, hey, maybe I'm putting these dollars over here to allocate towards retirement, but then it's gonna save me from a tax standpoint on this side over here. 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:58.160 So just having someone take a look at that. 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:06.960 Is there a book or something that you would recommend for one, the person that's just starting out, that's that's younger, and saying this is I know this is important, I don't know how to do it on my salary? 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:12.799 And then two, for that business owner that um So for the individual, I always say Rich Dad, poor dad. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:15.039 That that's always that book. 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:19.279 That book was was uh very inspirational and life-changing for me at an early age. 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:23.920 And then for the entrepreneur, I always say the Simon Cynic why. 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:26.400 Because it always goes back to your why, right? 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:26.640 Yeah. 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:33.599 So when I understand why I'm doing what I'm doing, then I can understand what my long-term goal is and what the outcome should be. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:36.079 So if I start with my why, then I can definitely make it. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:39.119 Now, have you ever read the book uh What Would the Rockefellers Do? 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.599 No. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.279 You have got to read that book. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:44.319 That book was life-changing for me a couple of years ago. 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.960 And it's something that I plan to read every day. 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:49.359 But once you read that, we got we've got it. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:51.039 We have to come back and have a conversation. 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:58.720 It's a very thin book, okay, but I would love from your perspective as a financial uh leader, adding that to my list today. 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:01.039 Yeah, what you uh what you think of that book. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:03.839 So if I'm trying to get out of debt, where do I start? 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:11.759 Because debt sits on our sits on your shoulders, and I always suggest a Dave Ramsey snowball effect. 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:13.359 A lot of times what the snowball effect is. 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:16.880 The snowball effect is listing your debt from smallest to largest. 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:20.640 A lot of

times we stay in debt because we don't even know all the debt that we have. 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.359 That's true. 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:24.400 And a lot of times we try to tackle the largest debt. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:29.039 Well, as I'm trying to tackle the largest debt, I might get exhausted and I might get burnt out. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.680 And guess what? 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:34.079 The smaller things are still sitting there versus doing the smaller to largest. 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:37.599 When I pay off that small item, you feel that sense of gratitude, right? 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.640 You're like, okay, I did it. 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:41.039 I can do this again, rinse and repeat, right? 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:43.359 And that allows for you to achieve it. 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:46.799 So definitely, snowball effect and listening. 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:48.319 Well, and it was really easy. 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:56.079 Like when I started making money, those small debts, I'm like, yes, I'm you know, and I started committing to every time I make money, I'm gonna take care of something. 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:58.319 And it did, it felt great. 00:29:58.400 --> 00:30:03.519 I don't care if it was$20, and then you're sitting there like, now why did I wait this long to pay this bill? 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:06.720 Like it is, it is, and sometimes we get mad about the bills, right? 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:11.119 And then we just don't pay off because we're pissed off. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:13.119 And we definitely don't want to do that. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:16.559 But then we also have to get in the mindset of not all debt is bad debt. 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:17.759 Tell us about that. 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:20.559 So not because the word debt just bad is just bad. 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:23.200 We're all like, no, there's nothing good about this. 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:25.200 But so not all debt is bad debt. 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:27.920 If I have a line of credit for my business, that's not a bad debt. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.319 Right. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:30.559 If I have a home, that's not a bad debt. 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:33.359 Now, if I have an auto loan, that's a bad debt, right? 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:36.640 Because that's gonna depreciate everything else, it's gonna appreciate. 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:39.839 But just getting out of the mindset that I have to live debt-free. 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:41.920 No, not all debt is bad debt. 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:45.119 So it's it's good debt if it is making you money. 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:45.839 Oh, right. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:52.799 And it's appreciating your property value or whatever it is, but it's bad debt if it is depreciated. 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:53.440 Correct. 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.160 All right, y'all. 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:54.480 Yes. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.599 That's that's pretty simple. 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:57.200 We we got that, okay? 00:30:57.599 --> 00:31:00.960 What's a financial habit that you think more people should develop? 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:03.279 And then the one they need to break immediately. 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:11.119 So the one that I think people should develop is diversifying their money and then assigning every dollar a job or a goal, right? 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:28.079 Because when you think about your paycheck, if I assign$100 to retirement and I assign$200 to building a house, and I assign$300 to buying that new car, then now every dollar has been assigned, right? 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:28.400 Okay. 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:36.559 And it makes it a little bit different because when I'm trying to achieve that goal, I know that if I do this$100 for 52 weeks, I'm definitely gonna have$5,200. 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.039 Right. 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:41.839 If I do that$200 for 10 weeks, I know for sure I'm gonna have$2,000. 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:48.960 And now that looks and feels a little different than me saying, I want to say$30,000 to do this, this, and this. 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:57.359 When you start breaking it down to bite-sizing and assigning every dollar a destination, it just makes it feel a little different than where the money is going. 00:31:57.680 --> 00:32:01.599 I love that so much because I did, I was that person, I want to make a million dollars at this. 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:05.440 And you make it up, you try to make a million dollars, but you bringing in$250 a month. 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:06.640 Yes, yes. 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:08.880 And it feels insurmountable. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:11.920 And I wish I I wish someone had said, do it like that. 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:12.400 I love that. 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:16.240 Now, what should we stop doing immediately besides trying to get rid of my DoorDash? 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:22.240 Cause it's because I because I don't want to get out of the bed sometimes to go get the food. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:28.640 You know, I heard an interesting saying, and the saying was people will buy what they want, not what they need. 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:33.200 I I heard it as people uh buy what they want and beg for what they need. 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.000 Yes. 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:35.519 We gotta stop doing that. 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.160 Yes. 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.839 We gotta stop doing that. 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:38.079 Yeah. 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:42.160 Because we tell ourselves, well, I need, but it's really your one. 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:46.160 Or I have to have, but it's really just a one. 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:48.720 So how do we change our mindset? 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:54.559 And one thing that I can say that's very small is wait 48 to 72 hours to purchase that thing. 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.119 Okay. 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.559 And that's something small, right? 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:59.759 If I know that I'm gonna buy something, wait 42 to 78. 00:33:00.079

--> 00:33:03.920 Well, I'm sorry, 48 to 72 hours to see if I still want that thing. 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:09.359 And if I still think about it in 72 hours, then how am I financing it? 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:12.480 Do I want to pay for it for a long period of time or a short period of time? 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:16.720 Yeah, well, let me ask you this because now you have places like or companies like a firm. 00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:19.920 And a firm will allow you to buy anything. 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:26.400 I mean, you can just it it'll be$20, then a firm will show up with the ad saying, you can get this for$4.99 a month. 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:28.559 And so, and I'm thinking, you know what? 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:32.400 That's that's great if you're if you really don't have the money, but you need the thing. 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:37.519 Um but what what is your overall feeling about places like that? 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:40.720 So I'm gonna take two deep breaths. 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.359 Okay. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:49.759 And the only reason why I say that is because we've come to a culture where it's buy now, get it now, and I'll pay for it later. 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:52.000 And then that increases the debt, right? 00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:57.039 Because if I didn't have the money to buy it now, then how am I gonna pay for it later? 00:33:57.359 --> 00:34:00.799 Well, you rationalize I can do$5 a month for four months. 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:04.480 That's a rationalization that is that is in your head. 00:34:04.880 --> 00:34:07.519 It is, but how do I how do I think differently about that? 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:11.519 So the first thing that I have to think about is where am I getting these five dollars from? 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:14.239 Because if I didn't have the five dollars, where am I gonna get it from? 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:19.599 And if every dollar is already accounted for, then I didn't have the five dollars to begin with. 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:19.920 Okay. 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:24.639 But when I start being disciplined about my funds to say that this money is going here, this money is going here. 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:29.360 Because if I know that I love a firm and I do that, then allocate those funds towards a firm, right? 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:29.679 Right. 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:39.119 I'm not saying not to do it, but what I am saying is have that money already saved in some type of account where it's immediately paying it off after maybe two or three months. 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:44.239 That way you're not really thinking when it gets to four months when it's due, where am I pulling that money from? 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:47.440 But instead having that pool of money where I can pull it from. 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:47.599 Okay. 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:50.000 And just allowing me to grow it a little bit. 00:34:50.079 --> 00:34:58.960 And the reason why I say that is because sometimes it's not a bad thing if my money is sitting in a savings account that may be earning me three or four percent of interest, right? 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:04.800 And I'm doing this for two months, but I'm building this money and I'm getting the interest and I'm taking the interest and I'm paying that. 00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:08.079 So now I'm not using my money, I'm using someone else's money to pay. 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:10.239 So just being disciplined and smart about it. 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:10.800 Okay. 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.199 Okay. 00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:13.360 Because I I just that's something I always think about. 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:16.960 Like, how is that hurting people that don't have a lot of money? 00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:21.119 Um, is it something that is further deteriorating their funds? 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:29.920 And so I you're saying it's really all about your mindset going into your and and making sure, because I mean it's to me, it's the same thing as layaway. 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:33.679 It's you know, it's just with layaway, you didn't get the stuff till you paid for it. 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:36.320 And this, they send it to you and you're paying for it afterwards. 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:40.639 So all right, you have just been handed the game. 00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:44.239 Trust me, your wallet and your future self. 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:45.119 Well, thank you. 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:51.360 Up next, we are going into overtime, and that is where we are going to learn some of those personal things about Keisha. 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:52.719 Y'all, we will be right back. 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.679 Want more of what you're watching? 00:35:56.000 --> 00:36:02.719 Watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire, or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio, to name a few. 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:15.280 I am here with Keisha Allen, financial inclusion leader at Truist Bank. 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:21.280 All right, y'all, it's time for this lightning round of fun, quick fire questions, and sometimes they're not that quick to answer the way you want. 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:23.519 But we're gonna get to know Keisha a little better. 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:25.199 One mindset shift. 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:28.079 What is one mindset shift that has changed your career? 00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:30.719 Owning the room instead of being in the room. 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.440 Mmm. 00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:32.639 Say that one more time. 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:34.400 Owning the room instead of being in the room. 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.599 How do we own the room? 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:42.639 It's about your personality, it's about your mindset when you go into the room, knowing that what you have to offer is what they need to hear. 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:42.960 Okay. 00:36:43.199 --> 00:36:44.639 And that took a long time for me. 00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.679 But now I own every room. 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:47.199 Now you own every room. 00:36:47.440 -->

00:36:48.400 I love it, okay. 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:52.800 What's a common money or leadership myth that you wish people would stop believing? 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:59.119 Don't believe that you can't do it because of your past. 00:36:59.679 --> 00:36:59.840 Okay. 00:37:00.159 --> 00:37:04.880 And the reason why I say that is because a lot of times individuals didn't grow up with the money. 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:12.400 So they don't feel that they can build a nest egg or the money goals that they desire because they didn't grow up with it. 00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:15.440 So stop believing that you can't just because you didn't have it. 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:16.239 Okay. 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:20.320 What is your biggest inspiration when it comes to leadership and why? 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:28.159 I never forget my first real promotion came from an individual that looked like me. 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:36.079 And the reason why I'll never forget that is because that was the most authentic and real person that was able to give me the feedback that I needed to grow. 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:42.559 And the reason why I value that individual so much is because they seen the potential that I didn't see in myself. 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:44.400 Those people are so important. 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:46.159 Remember them for the rest of our lives. 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:47.440 The rest of our lives. 00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:47.760 Yeah. 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.960 The rest of our lives. 00:37:49.760 --> 00:37:54.480 If you had to describe your leadership style in three words, what would they be? 00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:58.559 Don't let anything stop me. 00:37:58.800 --> 00:38:00.400 Don't let any that's more than three words. 00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:00.880 I know. 00:38:01.360 --> 00:38:01.599 Love. 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:02.800 I put both. 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:04.320 It's D-O-N-T. 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:05.599 Love. 00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.440 I tried. 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.239 I tried. 00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:09.440 I tried to give you three words. 00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:10.400 I'm just messing with you. 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:11.840 I am just messing with you. 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.320 All right. 00:38:12.400 --> 00:38:17.360 What is the one piece of financial wisdom you think everyone, no matter their income, needs to know? 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.320 Start small. 00:38:18.719 --> 00:38:19.039 Okay. 00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:20.320 Start small. 00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:27.360 And it sounds so simplistic when you say it, but it is truly everything because you just think I don't have it. 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:27.920 Absolutely. 00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:28.639 I don't have it. 00:38:28.800 --> 00:38:34.000 My mom would tell me all the time, Rish, I know you're doing your own thing, but you need to put money up. 00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:37.119 And of course, when you're in your 20s, you're like, I got a long time to think about that. 00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:37.519 Right. 00:38:37.760 --> 00:38:39.360 I'm like, mom, I'll get I'll get to it. 00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:40.320 I'll get to it. 00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:43.280 But as my grandma would say, keep on living. 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:48.239 You look up, you've been 40 and 50, and now it's like, ooh, I am way behind. 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:50.239 This entrepreneurship thing really gotta work out. 00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:50.719 Yes. 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:52.880 Or I'm gonna be a greeter at Walmart. 00:38:52.960 --> 00:38:54.880 Nothing was wrong with being a greeter at Walmart. 00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:56.480 Just not what I saw for myself. 00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:57.199 Right. 00:38:57.440 --> 00:38:58.639 So start small. 00:38:58.880 --> 00:38:59.440 Start small. 00:38:59.599 --> 00:39:06.000 Uh, what's one piece of advice you give to women who want to take control of their financial future but they don't know where to start? 00:39:06.320 --> 00:39:07.360 Get a mentor. 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:07.840 Okay. 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:08.719 Get a mentor. 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:09.760 Everybody says that. 00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:17.840 Is that as easy as um because everybody says it, and I've and I've had several, I still have several, but do you think it's easy to get a mentor? 00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:19.840 I think it is easy to get a mentor. 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:25.199 Being a mentor myself, the one thing that I do always encourage individuals is reach out. 00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:30.559 If you love what I'm saying and you want to learn more about my journey and you want help to get there, reach out. 00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:33.920 What I find is a lot of people don't want to be vulnerable and reach out. 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:37.920 I I tell people to get mentors all the time and they'll they will tell me it's hard. 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:41.440 And I said, you know how bad it looks for somebody to tell you they don't want to help you. 00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.000 Right. 00:39:42.400 --> 00:39:45.360 And especially somebody that is out here doing things. 00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:50.159 Um But I will say one thing that I don't think we talk enough about in mentorship is reciprocity. 00:39:50.320 --> 00:39:50.480 Yes. 00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:53.519 Because it can it it literally can be draining. 00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:54.159 It can. 00:39:54.320 --> 00:39:59.280 Um, and so I tried I I heard that many, many years ago, and I was thankful for it. 00:39:59.360 --> 00:40:10.960 So when people mentor me, I try to figure out ways that I'm able to give back even if it wasn't on the the level that because you know when you have a mentor, they're somewhere that you're trying to get to. 00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:11.360 Absolutely. 00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:13.519 So you think you don't have things to offer, but you do. 00:40:13.679 --> 00:40:14.320 You definitely have to do that. 00:40:14.400 --> 00:40:18.079 I've had a uh this woman's been my mentor probably 20 something

years now. 00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:23.840 And I love that now we can have these conversations where the information I'm giving her helped. 00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:31.280 But I realized early on she is she kills it in her lane, but I had a completely different lane that she didn't know anything about. 00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:38.159 So it reciprocity is super important when you're looking for mentors, not just what they can do for you, but also what you can bring to do for them. 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:38.800 Absolutely. 00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:41.599 All right, what song do you have on repeat right now? 00:40:41.840 --> 00:40:43.039 I'm almost ashamed to say that. 00:40:43.199 --> 00:40:43.679 That's all right. 00:40:43.760 --> 00:40:45.679 I know you can say it. 00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:48.480 I'm almost ashamed to say it, Cardi B. 00:40:50.239 --> 00:40:51.920 A lot of people love Cardi B. 00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:54.000 I'm not gonna I'm not gonna say it. 00:40:54.159 --> 00:40:55.119 I'm not gonna say it. 00:40:55.280 --> 00:40:57.360 Just know it's one of her new ones. 00:40:57.760 --> 00:40:59.039 That's all I'ma say. 00:41:00.079 --> 00:41:03.360 I wish I could think of the name of her sub so I can start calling them out. 00:41:03.440 --> 00:41:05.199 But all right, it's Cardi B. 00:41:05.440 --> 00:41:07.519 That's what you get in hype tree right now. 00:41:09.039 --> 00:41:09.679 Yes. 00:41:11.519 --> 00:41:12.239 That's all I'ma say. 00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:13.599 Okay, I'm gonna leave you alone. 00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:14.079 Okay. 00:41:14.639 --> 00:41:18.960 What's one financial mistake you've made that taught you a valuable lesson? 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:24.320 Allowing other people to use my credit at a young age. 00:41:24.719 --> 00:41:26.400 Now, could you could you help it? 00:41:26.559 --> 00:41:28.400 Was it one of the things I could have helped it? 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.119 You could have helped it. 00:41:29.199 --> 00:41:29.360 Okay. 00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:30.159 I could have helped it. 00:41:30.320 --> 00:41:33.760 Yeah, well, I I did that before too, and it did not come, it did not come out well. 00:41:33.840 --> 00:41:40.320 But I will say my my parents borrowed my credit because my parents had me really young and didn't know anything about finances. 00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:43.760 So when I got to college, I had this 800 credit score. 00:41:43.920 --> 00:41:45.519 We're still soul sisters. 00:41:46.559 --> 00:41:49.840 But what I didn't know, I'm out there getting credit cards for t-shirts. 00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:54.400 Right, and you're getting and you're in the student union, and all of them are set up. 00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:58.800 And they're like, here's a t-shirt, a backpack, a thermos, and you're like, sure, right? 00:41:59.119 --> 00:42:05.280 Nobody says 10 years later, you're not gonna be able to buy the house, buy a house because you because you didn't pay that t-shirt bidder. 00:42:07.280 --> 00:42:10.559 I'm so happy

that institutions are not able to do that anymore. 00:42:10.719 --> 00:42:11.199 I didn't know that. 00:42:11.280 --> 00:42:12.239 Okay, so you can't do that anymore? 00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:16.159 I'm not saying that they can't do it, but we don't see it as much anymore, right? 00:42:16.559 --> 00:42:23.760 And the reason why I say that is because normally on college campuses, you have a lot of banks that's really trying to sell and solicit. 00:42:23.920 --> 00:42:29.920 But now the way that you sell and solicit sounds a little different than hey, just sign here for this application. 00:42:30.639 --> 00:42:36.320 Because I don't know what I'm signing, but at least now you have to be more transparent in what individuals are signing. 00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:40.719 Because I I love that my parents, I I I know stories from other people whose parents kill their credit. 00:42:41.360 --> 00:42:42.239 My parents didn't. 00:42:42.320 --> 00:42:46.000 They they really set me up, but they didn't tell me that they set me up. 00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:51.679 And that's one thing I told my mom, and just being very transparent here, I said, I wish you had told me about money the way you told me about sex. 00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:52.159 Yes. 00:42:52.400 --> 00:42:52.639 Yes. 00:42:52.880 --> 00:42:53.519 I said I do. 00:42:53.599 --> 00:42:53.840 Yes. 00:42:54.079 --> 00:42:55.760 I said, because I didn't know enough. 00:42:55.920 --> 00:42:56.159 Correct. 00:42:56.320 --> 00:42:58.960 And I had every credit card that you could have. 00:42:59.360 --> 00:43:00.880 I had every credit card you could have. 00:43:01.039 --> 00:43:01.199 Yes. 00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:06.000 And I had some sense about it, but at the same time, I didn't know the long-term effects of it. 00:43:06.159 --> 00:43:09.199 So, all right, one thing that people misunderstand about you. 00:43:09.440 --> 00:43:13.360 They confuse the smile with being gullible. 00:43:14.320 --> 00:43:16.880 Take your kindness for a week, this is my daddy would say. 00:43:17.280 --> 00:43:17.920 Yes, yes. 00:43:18.079 --> 00:43:20.320 They take the smile as being gullible. 00:43:20.639 --> 00:43:22.000 But will you stop smiling? 00:43:22.159 --> 00:43:22.960 Absolutely not. 00:43:23.199 --> 00:43:23.599 Gotcha. 00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:24.239 Absolutely. 00:43:24.320 --> 00:43:24.880 I'm pretty. 00:43:25.039 --> 00:43:26.000 I didn't think so. 00:43:26.320 --> 00:43:27.280 Okay, Cardi Baby. 00:43:30.000 --> 00:43:33.039 What is that routine that you can't live without? 00:43:33.280 --> 00:43:34.320 Oh my goodness. 00:43:34.480 --> 00:43:38.719 That morning, singing in the mirror, looking at those goals on the mirror. 00:43:38.800 --> 00:43:40.000 I I can't live without it. 00:43:40.159 --> 00:43:40.320 Yes. 00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:41.440 I gotta have it every morning. 00:43:41.760 --> 00:43:45.280 I had my stuff on the mirror until we started cleaning up, and I have not put it back up yet. 00:43:45.519 --> 00:43:53.519 And I

was just sleeping before I moved in, but I need to put my stuff back up because it really helped me to brush my teeth and and do other things and see those things. 00:43:53.760 --> 00:43:54.159 Absolutely. 00:43:54.559 --> 00:43:55.360 Goal for the day. 00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:56.000 Yes. 00:43:56.159 --> 00:43:59.440 Uh quote or mantra that you live by when things get tough. 00:44:01.199 --> 00:44:04.079 Weeping don't last all night. 00:44:04.320 --> 00:44:05.440 Joy comes in the morning. 00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:09.280 And what do you do when the joy when the weeping goes through? 00:44:10.000 --> 00:44:12.159 Because I've been there where it goes through the morning. 00:44:12.719 --> 00:44:13.840 Oh my goodness. 00:44:14.159 --> 00:44:15.360 It doesn't last. 00:44:15.920 --> 00:44:17.599 Here's one that that may be helpful. 00:44:18.000 --> 00:44:22.480 I ran across a few months ago by my Angelo that says every storm runs out of rain. 00:44:24.000 --> 00:44:28.960 And I love that because now I admit sometimes I'm like, my it's it's still raining. 00:44:29.840 --> 00:44:33.440 It's still raining, but eventually it's gonna run out. 00:44:33.679 --> 00:44:34.320 It's gonna run out. 00:44:34.400 --> 00:44:34.639 Yes. 00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:38.480 How do you define wealth beyond money? 00:44:39.119 --> 00:44:41.360 Assets, happiness. 00:44:41.760 --> 00:44:47.920 Sometimes for me, it's not about how much money I'm building, it's the legacy that I'm building and the lifestyle, right? 00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:52.559 A lot of times we hear that individual say, I built all this wealth and I didn't get to enjoy it. 00:44:52.800 --> 00:44:53.119 Yes. 00:44:53.280 --> 00:45:00.000 And I always joke with my parents and I always tell them, Y'all are building all this money, but I promise you, when you leave here, I'm gonna have a great time with it. 00:45:00.400 --> 00:45:03.119 I promise you, I'm gonna have a great time with it. 00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:08.079 Because your hard work is not going to translate into my sacrifices, right? 00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:14.800 So just know, I'm being very transparent, that your hard work, I appreciate you for it, but I am gonna live life. 00:45:14.880 --> 00:45:15.119 Yeah. 00:45:15.280 --> 00:45:19.119 I'm not gonna not live life because you chose to, just so that you can build that for me. 00:45:19.280 --> 00:45:19.519 Yeah. 00:45:19.679 --> 00:45:22.079 You know, it's it's funny, my dad is quite a character. 00:45:22.159 --> 00:45:33.519 I'm not going to him too much, but he uh he always tells, because I'm like, Dad, if something happens to me, you know, I want to I'm I made sure that my sister gets a certain amount of money to help with their care. 00:45:33.599 --> 00:45:38.079 If I was to go before my parents and my dad's like, girl, I don't care about that. 00:45:38.159 --> 00:45:39.039 I need my money now. 00:45:39.199 --> 00:45:46.400 If you have something, if you have something for me, he's like, when I get old and I

he's like, I want to spend my money now, I got things I want to do. 00:45:46.480 --> 00:45:47.440 And he tells me that all the time. 00:45:47.519 --> 00:45:49.920 I said, You realize you're the parent, right? 00:45:50.159 --> 00:45:53.199 Like, I'm just out of the kindness of my heart. 00:45:53.280 --> 00:45:56.400 I'm trying to, if something happens, my sister has some help. 00:45:56.480 --> 00:45:58.079 My dad's like, no, give it some. 00:45:58.400 --> 00:45:59.679 Give me my coins now. 00:45:59.920 --> 00:46:03.039 So do you like is it is it coffee, tea, or something stronger? 00:46:03.280 --> 00:46:04.239 Definitely tea. 00:46:04.400 --> 00:46:04.960 Definitely tea. 00:46:05.119 --> 00:46:06.480 Coffee is a downer for me. 00:46:06.559 --> 00:46:09.360 For some strange reason, I drank coffee and I'm ready to go night night. 00:46:09.440 --> 00:46:10.559 Uh, caffeinated coffee? 00:46:10.800 --> 00:46:11.119 I'm ready. 00:46:11.360 --> 00:46:18.159 Well, I'm one of those people, I think you have to uh develop a taste, acquire a taste for coffee in your younger years, because I hate coffee. 00:46:18.320 --> 00:46:18.800 Really? 00:46:18.960 --> 00:46:21.280 Yes, I love the smell, but every taste. 00:46:21.519 --> 00:46:27.840 Now, my partner makes me coffee sometimes and puts a lot of uh whipping cream in it. 00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:28.239 Okay. 00:46:28.400 --> 00:46:30.000 And then I can dig I can get that down. 00:46:30.320 --> 00:46:31.760 That don't seem like coffee anymore. 00:46:31.920 --> 00:46:32.559 It's not. 00:46:34.480 --> 00:46:37.039 It's not, and I absolutely love it. 00:46:37.519 --> 00:46:42.000 So, no, I love the smell of it, but every time I taste it, I'm let down. 00:46:44.239 --> 00:46:46.159 So, finish this sentence for me. 00:46:46.400 --> 00:46:53.440 Being better than my BS means showing up every day and doing it one day at a time better than I did it yesterday. 00:46:53.920 --> 00:46:54.559 I love that. 00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:57.599 Now, how do you define success for yourself? 00:46:58.159 --> 00:46:59.039 That's a good question. 00:46:59.280 --> 00:47:01.840 How many rooms did I impact on a daily basis? 00:47:02.159 --> 00:47:05.920 And when I impact that room, how many people listened? 00:47:06.320 --> 00:47:09.519 Because every room that I step in, I don't expect everyone to listen. 00:47:09.920 --> 00:47:13.679 But if one person listens, then I've done my job for that. 00:47:14.320 --> 00:47:14.880 I love that. 00:47:15.199 --> 00:47:19.679 All right, Keisha, before we get out of here, one more time, tell us where people can connect with you. 00:47:20.000 --> 00:47:20.400 Absolutely. 00:47:20.480 --> 00:47:23.039 You can find me on LinkedIn at Tamika.allan. 00:47:23.280 --> 00:47:23.760 All right. 00:47:24.159 --> 00:47:27.039 Keisha, I want to thank you for keeping it real with us today. 00:47:27.119 --> 00:47:33.199 You reminded us that financial inclusion isn't just about access, it's about awareness, accountability, and attitude. 00:47:33.440 --> 00:47:40.480 You showed that leadership starts with personal culture and that when we're better than RBS, we make better money moves and better life moves. 00:47:40.559 --> 00:47:45.199 So, to everyone watching, take the wisdom you heard today and put it in play. 00:47:45.360 --> 00:47:49.679 Don't just talk about building wealth, start today, even with something small. 00:47:49.840 --> 00:47:53.920 Because progress doesn't come from perfection, it comes from showing up with purpose. 00:47:54.079 --> 00:47:55.599 Thank you so much for doing this. 00:47:55.760 --> 00:47:56.400 My pleasure. 00:47:56.559 --> 00:47:57.519 Thank you for having me. 00:47:57.679 --> 00:47:59.119 Yes, I love this interview. 00:47:59.440 --> 00:48:01.440 How be better than your BS. 00:48:01.599 --> 00:48:03.920 Got a mirror in the mind, reflecting the test. 00:48:04.079 --> 00:48:05.280 What's the truth in your soul? 00:48:05.360 --> 00:48:06.239 What's the light to suppress? 00:48:06.639 --> 00:48:08.480 Till the layers back, onion of success. 00:48:08.639 --> 00:48:11.039 Gotta shut that oak in no time to regress. 00:48:11.199 --> 00:48:13.440 From the bullroom table to the block finesse. 00:48:13.599 --> 00:48:16.000 Richard breaking paints, working thought, no less. 00:48:16.159 --> 00:48:17.440 Want more of what you're watching? 00:48:17.599 --> 00:48:23.840 Watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire, or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. 00:48:23.920 --> 00:48:26.559 Today was better before break through the stress. 00:48:26.880 --> 00:48:28.159 Don't do it. 00:48:30.000 --> 00:48:31.039 Humanity lifestyle.