Get ready to dive into the emotional side of wealth and discover why mastering your EQ around money might be the key to true financial freedom.Welcome to another inspiring episode of Empowering Entrepreneurs! Today, Glenn Harper and Julie Smith sit down with the dynamic Shannon Ryan—a certified financial planner, author, and advocate for financial literacy, whose deep understanding goes far beyond spreadsheets and investment strategies. In this conversation, Shannon shares her unique approach to helping clients reconcile their emotional relationship with money, revealing how childhood experiences and family history shape our financial behaviors and beliefs. From her entrepreneurial spirit as a California kid (and top Girl Scout cookie seller), to career-defining moments in the high-stakes world of finance, Shannon opens up about resilience, overcoming fear, and finding meaning in our financial choices. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone curious about building a happy relationship with money, this episode will challenge you to see your finances in a whole new light. Moments00:00 "Shannon's Transformative Money Insights"06:10 Money, Emotions, and Strategy07:59 Entrepreneurial Financial Leader's Journey13:28 Resilience Born From Childhood Struggles15:40 Entrepreneurial Struggles and Breakthroughs18:45 Redefining Success Beyond Money24:23 "Client Money Concerns Explained"26:58 "Use Money, Enjoy Life"28:53 "Reflections on COVID Lessons"31:59 "Financial Wounds and Scar Tissue"37:18 "Redefining Money and Impact"40:25 Investor's Dilemma: Emotion vs Returns44:11 "Defining Moment: Emotion Over Money"46:54 "Leadership, Attitude, and Team Morale"48:52 "Legacy, Growth, and Impact"51:37 Shannon Ryan's Resource HubThis episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone looking to rethink their relationship with money:Money is More Than Numbers: Success isn’t just about your net worth or the latest statement balance. True fulfillment comes from aligning your financial strategy with what actually matters to you—your values, dreams, and the life you want to live.Your Money Story Starts Early: According to Shannon, over 98% of our beliefs about wealth and spending stem from childhood experiences—sometimes not even traumatic, just formative. Understanding your “financial scar tissue” is the first step to rewriting your money story.Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy: Many high-achievers struggle to enjoy what they’ve built, holding onto wealth out of fear or old habits. Shannon’s advice? Don’t wait—use your resources to create memories and make an impact now. Money is a tool, not just something to be hoarded for “someday.”Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you ne