I talk a lot about storytelling and the importance of integrating stories into your presentations and talks. Well, money has a story too. Your money story may be driving behaviors in your business. My guest is Melissa Houston, a CPA and Financial Strategist for CEOs. I’ve gotten to know Melissa over the past few months as she’s gone through our Thought Leader Academy to develop her speaking skills and create her keynote signature talk. Melissa and I talk about: The #1 challenge she sees with the women she works with about their finances What it means to have a money story and how much that can impact our relationship to money and to our business The difference between using money to spend vs. invest Melissa’s own story around money Why Melissa decided she wants to be a speaker What Melissa got out of her experience in our Thought Leader Academy Join our Thought Leader Academy to develop your speaking skills and create your signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ About My Guest: Melissa Houston is a CPA and Financial Strategist for CEOs. Melissa helps successful business owners increase their profit margins so they keep more money in their pocket and increase their net worth. Melissa is the host of The Business Society podcast and a columnist at Forbes.com. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/276/ Melissa’s website: http://melissahoustoncpa.com/ Melissa’s podcast “The Business Society”: https://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/think-like-a-cfo-podcast Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on social: Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Melissa Houston (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahoustoncpa/ Melissa Houston (guest) on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/melissahoustoncpa/ Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 161: Mindset and Negotiation Strategies for Speakers with Latesha Byrd Episode 243: How We Create a Signature Talk in a VIP Day JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.