Leading With Meaning at Every Stage of Life

By Mercelyn "Kerry" Francis

My name is Mercelyn "Kerry" Francis. I am the founder of Clever Hustle Wallet, a personal finance blog focused on helping people make smarter money decisions and build wealth.

My social media platform, @itskerryfrancis, shares a lot of videos on Money, Mindset, and Motivation for Women.

I believe that women have been downplayed for decades, not just in the home but also in big companies. I know this because in 2017, I started my sales and marketing company that helped 100s of companies drive sales into their businesses through email marketing, sales calls, and social media.

On the side of that, I had young kids, which offered the opportunity for me to run a business from my kitchen counter while being a leader in both my home and my business.

In my field of sales, I found that most executive leaders were typically men who made the decisions, and oftentimes felt intimidated if a woman was running her own brand. And this isn’t just something you hear about men not wanting women to become leaders; they actually think a woman should not lead a company, and not because they can’t, but because being a leader also comes with a form of being masculine. And society painted this picture decades ago; that as a woman, we shouldn’t be loud, we should dim our lights, and be in the home.

The most important thing for me as a woman is to empower other women, and that really creates a strong shift or impact on what the world sees women as. Many women doubt themselves because of society's definition of what they should be. The purpose of a woman shouldn't be highlighted as just a wife, sister, or daughter, but as a true leader, a woman who builds million-dollar brands and creates a legacy for her generations.

Being a leader as a woman isn't easy, especially for women with kids. I believe that as women, our partners play a huge role in how we show up and win any business deal, even if we have all the discipline and motivation. Take a look at Leila and Alex Hormozi, for example; they run a 250 million dollar company, and they are also on social media. They thrive because of each other's dynamics. It's the same for women; the influence we have on the world comes from our beliefs, who we surround ourselves with, and being authentic about it.

Women can lead tremendously with the right partner. Most women never win because of the wrong partner and the wrong mindset. If you marry the wrong person, they will drain your ability to show up and set you back financially, spiritually, and emotionally..

Even amongst the people in our network, as women, we must sit around other women who talk about growth and not gossip, women who talk about investing in assets and not creating drama or chaos. They say the 5 people whom you spend the most time around can determine who you are, and that is definitely true. Women who are winning in life never focus on who is doing better than them; they focus on creating an impact.

As a successful woman, leadership should be built through integrity, emotional intelligence, and compassion towards creating an impact for the betterment of other women. And never about who is better, who is smarter, or who is prettier.

Women juggling and wearing many hats are thriving in their lives and businesses because they understand the power of creating the right systems and routines. Without structure, everything will feel like work, and eventually, being a leader becomes a burden. When women lead with meaning, they’re showing the world that they have a purpose beyond what society labels them as. They aren’t just moms, wives, daughters, sisters, or nieces- they are powerful women who created a lifelong legacy.

Connect With Kerry

www.cleverhustlewallet.com