Transforming Financial Hardship into Empowering Others with Laurie Wood of Evolution Financial Coaching

Jun 24, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

I am joined this week by the inspiring Laurie Wood of Evolution Financial Coaching. Laurie is a dedicated financial coach who has transformed her early experiences with financial hardship into a mission to help others achieve financial independence and break the taboo around money conversations.

Today, we dive deep into Laurie's journey from growing up in a single-parent household reliant on public assistance to becoming a successful financial coach helping others navigate their money stories. You'll hear about Laurie's early exposure to corporate finances as a budget manager, her real estate investing adventures with her sister, and how she discovered her calling to help others with their financial lives.

Listen as Laurie shares her transition from a 30+ year corporate career to launching Evolution Financial Coaching, the importance of "paying your future self," and her philosophy around using money as a tool for both security and joy. Laurie's story demonstrates the power of turning personal challenges into purposeful work that creates lasting impact in the lives of others.

Key Topics:

Growing up with financial hardship after her parents' divorce and learning early lessons about money and survival
Early career exposure to corporate finances as a budget manager and discovering salary disparities and gender pay gaps
First steps into investing through company programs, early losses, and building consistent 401k contributions
Real estate investing journey inspired by Rich Dad Poor Dad, partnering with her sister, and overcoming fear to purchase property in San Francisco
The natural evolution from helping friends with money decisions to moonlighting as a financial coach
Formal training and launching Evolution Financial Coaching while working full-time, including her first beta client success story
Building a coaching practice through networking, referrals, and helping clients transform their financial lives
Money philosophy around "de-cumulation strategy," using money for self-care and joy, and creating philanthropic legacy through donor advised funds

Connect with Laurie online:

Evolution Financial Coaching: https://www.evolutionfinancialcoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolution_financial_coaching

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolution-financial-coaching/?viewAsMember=true