Chelsea Williams’ journey to financial literacy began on the school bus.
“My first lesson about money was from a bus driver when I was a sophomore in high school,” says Williams. “It was surprising that a bus driver took the time to explain to me and my friend how much we would earn, what that meant after taxes, and the costs of rent, internet, and other expenses. I later realized that no one was teaching us about money. It’s not a mandatory subject in school.”
This realization motivated Williams to help people, especially women, understand their relationship with money and how it impacts their lives.
Years after the bus incident, Williams has become known as “The Money Whisperer.” She trains other women using courses, apps, budgets, workbooks, and other materials on understanding how money works.
First steps in financial literacy
At 20, Williams was pregnant, “financially alone,” and studying healthcare administration. During this time, she discovered accounting and realized her aptitude for it.
“I enjoyed playing with numbers,” she says. “I could not only analyze past data but also predict possible future scenarios based on the numbers and equations I uncovered.”
After working at a tax and accounting firm, Williams noticed that many business owners struggled to understand the numbers and financial reports presented to them. This led her to start her own firm, Core Solutions Group, in 2017, with the aim of helping others—particularly women and mothers—succeed financially.
“I wanted to bridge the communication gap between accountants and business owners, teaching them a simple way to understand their numbers and use them as tools for growth and achieving their desired lifestyle through their businesses,” she explains.
However, Williams realized that financial literacy issues weren’t just about understanding numbers; they also required mindset development.
Purchasing a feeling
For Williams, a key aspect of her teaching is understanding the psychology of money. “Money is 90% mental,” she says. “To sustain any change in your finances, you must change how you think about money and the beliefs you hold about yourself. You need to separate money as a tool from the feelings and values you attach to it.”
Developing this skill requires time, reflection, and self-compassion.
“All we purchase are time, experience, and feelings,” she explains. “If you assign a feeling to each transaction you made in the past year, even for basic expenses like rent, you create a feeling of security. So, it’s important to ask yourself, ‘What are you really chasing?’ Money is a tool for trade, and everything else involves psychology. Money can be a powerful mirror in our lives.”
Empowering women to succeed
Looking back on her journey, Williams acknowledges the role of working in a male-dominated industry in creating a space where women can feel empowered to manage their finances. She believes that education can close the gender gap in financial knowledge and opportunities.
She credits her upbringing for empowering her, thanks to her father’s belief that gender is irrelevant. However, she acknowledges that not all women have the same access to education and experiences she had.
“Women are still new to financial literacy. It’s important to focus on the abilities we have rather than what we lack. Women have the power to drive change, which can happen quickly,” she says. “Change is a mindset, not just an event, so don’t limit yourself from opportunities.”
Observing the financial literacy of women reinforces the importance of narrowing the gap between men and women in terms of investing, money management, and financial empowerment.
Williams recalls a client raised in a household that believed women shouldn’t be involved in financial matters. When she took control of her life and business, she achieved great success. Williams emphasizes the importance of women owning their understanding of finances and leadership capabilities.
The future is bright
While there’s still work to be done in financial literacy, Williams is excited to contribute to the solution by helping women build a healthy relationship with money. She believes that viewing money as a tool, not as the sole definition of success, can lead to a more compassionate world.
“Money doesn’t create happiness; it facilitates it,” she concludes.
Photo courtesy of Chelsea Williams.
