Money, Money, Money – Firing Up Your Financial Resilience.

Fearless Entrepreneur & Leaders. JULIA LECKEY BLOG

By Julia Leckey. 17th October

Welcome to the 7th bi-weekly edition of?Think, Plan. Do for Fearless Entrepreneur & Leaders. ?

This week’s focus is on a topic that keeps coming up: Money—and how to build financial resilience. For entrepreneurs, money triggers emotions like excitement, fear, and ambition. Whether you’re starting out or running a business, your relationship with money shapes your journey.

A fearless money mindset goes beyond pounds and pennies. It nurtures curiosity, creativity, and risk-taking, helping you grow and adapt. Money isn’t just for the "rich man’s world"—it’s a tool that, when used wisely, helps you live the life you want and grow your business.

In my workshops, a common question is: How do I build financial resilience? After 20 years of managing money as if my house depended on it (because it did), I’ve learned valuable lessons. In this newsletter, I’m sharing 20 of those lessons, inspired by mentors and books, to help you master the financial side of business and life.

Let’s dive in!

Julia x

Thinking Fearlessly

THINK ??

What Is Your Relationship with Money?

Money is not just about numbers—it’s deeply connected to your mindset, values, and fears. For many of us, money brings up fear of loss, fear of failure, or even fear of success. It can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

Education

I’ve always been amazed at how little we are taught about money. When my son Fred chose to study BTEC in Business Studies instead of a traditional Economics GCSE, I was surprised. But after two years, I realised how invaluable it was—he learned about compound interest, investment returns, and how to create Profit and Loss (P&L) sheets.

Why isn’t this taught in schools and universities? It’s essential knowledge.

I’ve met people with high incomes who struggle with managing money and others who’ve been scammed because they didn’t know how to protect their finances. Financial education is key to building resilience.

One book that transformed my thinking is "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill it is a must-read for anyone looking to transform their financial mindset and achieve success. Get your copy here!

The 20 Lessons I’ve Learned About Money and Ways You Can Fire Up Your Financial Resilience:

1.?Money Isn’t Everything—But It’s Something: Money gives you choices. It’s not about accumulating wealth for the sake of it, but about using it to create freedom in your life and business. Let’s be honest: it pays the bills and helps keep fear at bay. So, make sure you fully understand it and remain aware of how it impacts your life.?Fire it up!?Create your own personal P&L (Profit and Loss statement) as soon as possible.

2.?Earning Money Doing What You Hate Is a Trap: If you’re in a high-paying job or business that drains you, you’re not free. True wealth is doing what you love. Richard Branson learned this after selling businesses didn’t give him the freedom he expected. For him, true happiness came from experiences and personal growth, not just financial success.?Fire it up!?The Wealth Money Can’t Buy?by Robin Sharma is an essential read, Download it today!

3.?Be Responsible: If you can’t read a P&L, you’re flying blind. A one-page P&L shows your financial health. Keep it updated. Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity, and cash is king. Focus on profit and cashflow, not just revenue.?Fire it up! Check your P&L daily.

4.?But Not Too Responsible: I feel creatively and professionally fulfilled because I took risks. I left a good job at WPP, but only because I had been responsible—saved money, knew my priorities, and built a support network. I took small, calculated risks to make bold moves. If you cover your bases, you can bet on yourself.?Fire it up!?Create a Plan A & Plan B.

5.?Save Consistently: The Richest Man in Babylon?teaches a simple rule: save at least 10% of everything you earn. By saving ￡75 a month from birth, we built a solid university fund for our son, helping him avoid debt.?Fire it up!?Set up a Direct Debit, put your savings in a high-interest account, and let it grow—￡1,000 of interest is tax-free in the UK. Get your copy here! of the book.

6.?Stocks and Shares: As a beginner, I dove into investing using the Plum app. I started with a small, weekly investment into Global Tech and emerging markets, thinking they might be safer bets. Watching my investments grow has helped me learn about this complex world, and because I can afford the small risk, it’s been a great way to gain awareness.?Fire it up! Check out the Plum app - Plum - Smart Money Management

7.?Creatives Need Basic Money Skills: If you work in the creative industry, learning basic money management is essential. Without it, you'll always rely on others to handle your income and pay you. Take control of your finances and empower your creativity.?Fire it up! Learn the basics to manage your money better.

8.?Pensions: Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming, but saving something is crucial. While I’m no expert, I found Martin Lewis's advice on checking the government website helpful. You can easily see how much your State Pension is worth (currently up to ￡10,600 a year). If you have gaps in your National Insurance record from taking time out, you can top them up for a relatively low cost with a significant return.?Fire it up!?Check your State Pension forecast here and ensure you’re on track - GOV.UK

9. Create Multiple Income Streams:?Reducing financial stress means diversifying your income. Whether it’s passive income, investments, or a side hustle, having more than one source builds security. Fire it up! As Rachel Rodgers highlights in?We Should All Be Millionaires?(2021, Get your copy here!), wealth-building isn't just about saving—it's about earning more. She encourages women to explore new income opportunities, from entrepreneurship to negotiating higher pay. What could your extra income stream be?

10. Money Follows Value: The more value you offer, the more money you attract. Focus on solving problems and helping others, and financial rewards will follow.?Fire it up!?Look for ways to add value in every interaction—whether it’s improving your skills, offering better services, or even helping in unexpected ways. The key is to stay consistent.

One of my favourite channels for entrepreneurial wisdom is?The School of Hard Knocks?on TikTok which shares powerful financial advice and motivational insights from successful entrepreneurs. It offers real-world stories on building wealth, overcoming challenges, and creating financial freedom—perfect for those looking to scale their businesses or improve their money mindset.

Here's a video from The School of Hard Knocks on TikTok, where they share valuable lessons on resilience and financial growth. Watch the video

PLAN ??

How to Take Control of Your Finances

Once you’ve rethought your relationship with money, it’s time to PLAN your financial future with awareness and intention. Here are 10 lessons to help you make smart, effective financial decisions and take control of your finances.

11. Budget Like Your Life Depends on It: Because it does. A budget keeps your spending in check and makes sure you have enough to invest in your goals.?Fire it up!?Don’t stress over small things like coffee, but think bigger—could you save ￡50 a month to put towards your child’s university fees (if that’s important to you) , even if they’re only 1 or add an extra 1% to your yearly savings plan? It’s a small sacrifice now that pays off big in the long run.

12. Set Money Goals—Big and Small: Define clear financial goals, from short-term savings to long-term investments like retirement funds.?Fire it up!?Try building a 5-10 year plan in Excel. I do this for the people I coach, and it helps them gain perspective and track their progress.

13. Invest Early and Consistently: Compound interest is the secret sauce of wealth.?Fire it up!?Start small, but start now.

14. Reinvest in Yourself and Your Business: Whether upgrading skills or hiring talent, reinvesting in yourself is essential for long-term growth. At 48, I trained to be an executive coach—an investment in my future.?Fire it up!?Invest in you.

15. Build an Emergency Fund: Aim to save three to six months' worth of expenses. Life happens, and having a financial cushion brings peace of mind.?Fire it up!?Start small but build your emergency fund—it was a lifesaver when I was pregnant and needed it.

16. Create a Personal and Business Dashboard: I keep banging on about awareness because it’s that important. Tracking your finances regularly helps you make smarter decisions. A dashboard gives you a clear snapshot of where you’re at.?Fire it up!?Put everything—personal and business—on one sheet, and make it easy to stay on top of things.

17. Pay Yourself First: If you’re running a business, don’t forget to pay yourself first to ensure your own financial stability.?Fire it up!?Tip: Set up an automatic transfer to your personal account as soon as your business gets paid. Make it a habit.

18. Taxes Are Your Responsibility: Many people I meet don’t save enough within their Ltd business. Understand and plan for taxes.?Rich Dad Poor Dad?by Robert Kiyosaki (Get your copy here!) offers great advice on taxes and wealth building.?Fire it up!?Tip: Learn about tax deductions and think about hiring an accountant—it’s worth it.

19. Financial Education Never Stops: Keep learning about money through books, podcasts, and courses. Knowledge is power.?Fire it up!?Tip: Dedicate 30 minutes a week to financial learning—small efforts add up.

20. Support Causes You’re Passionate About: True wealth is about impact. I love 1% for the Planet, which encourages donating 1% of revenue to environmental causes. Aligning money with values brings fulfillment.?Fire it up!?Tip: Pick a cause and dedicate a portion of your income to it.

DO ??

“Make each day your masterpiece.” – John Wooden

I’ve been deep in the grind these last two weeks. Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, and wherever we’re headed, we owe it to ourselves, our gifts, and the world to do it well. That’s our primary duty. It’s not always easy—sometimes it’s hard to push through, stop procrastinating, and set that 90-minute timer. But after all the thinking and planning, it’s the doing that moves the business forward.

At? Land of Colourful Creatures , it’s been a vibrant week of hustle:

1.???? New Website:?We’ve taken the website to the next level, and it’s super exciting. Click on the website here!

2.???? IP Building:?We’ve spent time on artworking and brand-building, thankyou to the amazing Marie-Julie Trijasson . This is a long-term investment in intellectual property, and if we get it right, the payoff could be big.

3.?Exhibition Showcase:?We’re preparing for the Maison Objet Paris exhibition on the 16th - 20th January , investing ￡3,000 in a stand. It’s a test with retailers and clients. If it works, amazing. If not, we’ll learn from it—but the process itself has been rewarding.

4.?Digital Integration:?The team have been working on the back-end digital process to ensure a seamless link with our supplier in Sweden.

At? Thinking Fearlessly when I started, my focus was on living boldly and building financial resilience. One of the 6 Ps in my?FEARLESSME? programme is?Profit?(along with Passion, Purpose, Pitch, Profile, and Partnerships).

1.?FEARLESSME? Programme:?A lot of clients have now completed the 6P course, and the results are incredible—new job opportunities, renewed focus, and fresh energy.

2.?FEARLESSME? Financial Resilience Programme:?I’ve been fine-tuning my Financial Resilience course and have been invited to speak at an amazing business event in November (stay tuned!).

3.?New Book:?I’ve also been working on my next book, and by the end of the month, I’ll have a solid synopsis. I’m playing with titles like?Is Fear Killing Your Potential??or?The Art of Turning Fear into Career Fast-Tracking. More ideas may come, but I’m excited to get this going.

This week, I’m focusing this blog on?Money and Building Resilience?because it’s been such a huge topic with the people I coach—and in my own business.

Mastering money isn’t about being a financial expert—it’s about having a fearless mindset and a solid plan. These 20 lessons, inspired by books, mentors, and real-life experiences, have guided me through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. I hope they inspire you to take control of your financial journey.

Remember, money is a tool.?Think carefully, plan strategically, and act fearlessly.

What can you....

THINK ??

PLAN ??

DO ??

.......this week to improve your financial health?

Here’s to building financial resilience,

Julia x

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Julia Leckey: Parents: Salvation Army officers, Social Worker, Accountant, Headteacher, Artist, entrepreneurs. Studied at Nottingham Trent. WPP as a Director.? Started own business at 31 with a baby; grew to high 7 figures. Sold it. Started new business at 43 with two boys; grew to 7 figures. Sold it. Started Thinking Fearlessly. Started Land of Colourful Creatures. Two cancers. Learned not to let FEAR drive my car.