Podcast
Divas, Diamonds & Dollars: The Podcast for Women Building Wealth and Wisdom
Hosted by Leadership, Legacy & Leverage Hosted by Larisa Troche and Cecelia Benford · EN
Welcome to Divas, Diamonds & Dollars—the go-to podcast for bold, brilliant women 40 and better who are ready to build wealth, grow their leadership, and reclaim their financial confidence. Hosted by sisters and seasoned professionals Larisa Troche and Cecelia Benford, this weekly show brings real talk and real strategy to women navigating the power moves of midlife.
From business ownership and income diversification to personal finance and legacy building, we share practical tools, mindset shifts, and candid conversations to help you elevate every aspect of your life. Whether you're pivoting
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
260-Congratulations, You're a Homeowner! Now Here's What Happens Next
1w ago00:35:57Tap to summarizeNew homeowner tips can help midlife women avoid costly surprises, protect their investment, and confidently navigate the first year of homeownership.Yay—you've closed on your new home! The papers are signed, the keys are in your hand, and you're officially a homeowner. But what happens after closing? In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we share ten important things everynew homeowner should know, from supplemental property taxes and escrow adjustments to homeowner exemptions, insurance coverage, and even why your mortgage may be sold shortly after closing.You'll learn practical new homeowner tips to help you understand changing monthly payments, build equity faster, improve your credit score, avoid common financial pitfalls, and prepare for the unexpected costs that often catch buyers off guard. We also discuss condo special assessments, homeowner's insurance gaps, and smart strategies for paying down your mortgage early.Whether you're celebrating your first home purchase or adding another property to your portfolio, these insights will help you protect your investment and build long-term wealth with confidence.If you're passionate about financial independence for women, personal development for women, wealth building, and making informed financial decisions, this episode offers practical guidance to help you thrive long after the moving boxes are unpacked.Keywords & Tags: New Homeowner Tips, Homeownership, Women Over 40, Financial Independence for Women, Personal Development for Women, Wealth Building, Real Estate, Home Buying, Money Mindset, Financial Freedom, Midlife Pivot, Business Ownership, Personal Finance, Property Ownership
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Ep 259_What Buyers Really Get When They Pay a Realtor's Commission
3w ago00:27:29Tap to summarizeA professional real estate consultant can help women navigate the home-buying process with confidence, avoid costly mistakes, and make smarter financial decisions for their future. For years, many homebuyers assumed their Realtor was "free." Today, with new buyer representation agreements becoming required, buyers are asking an important question: What exactly am I getting when I pay a Realtor's commission?In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we break down the real value of professional buyer representation andwhy working with a knowledgeable real estate consultant can be one of the smartest investments you make during a home purchase. You'll learn how an experienced agent helps with market analysis, open house evaluations, offer preparation, negotiations, inspection reviews, insurance research, vendor referrals, and navigating the countless details that can impact both your transaction and your wallet.We also discuss the difference between working with a listing agent who represents the seller and having your ownadvocate focused on protecting your interests throughout the process.Whether you're a first-time buyer, rebuilding after a major life transition, or pursuing financial independence for womenthrough homeownership, this episode offers practical insights to help you make informed decisions and avoid expensive missteps.If personal development for women, financial freedom, wealth building, and strategic decision-making matter to you, this conversation will help you better understand the true value of professional real estate representation.Keywords & Tags: Women Over 40, Financial Independence for Women, Personal Development for Women, Financial Freedom, Career Strategy, Money Mindset, Business Ownership, Leadership for Women, Midlife Pivot, Wealth Building, Homeownership, Real Estate Consultant, Real Estate Investing, Personal Growth
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258_Starter Home, Dream Home, or Investment Property: Which Should You Buy First?
4w ago00:47:49Tap to summarizeStarter homes, dream homes, and investment properties each offer unique advantages for midlife women seeking financial independence, wealth building, and a smarter path to homeownership.In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we tackle one of the most important real estate questions you'll ever face: What should you buy first? While social media, HGTV, and comparison culture often encourage buyers to chase the perfect house, the smartest home purchase is often the one that best supports your current season of life and long-term goals.We'll explore the pros and cons of starter homes, dream homes, and investment properties, including how each option impacts cash flow, equity growth, lifestyle flexibility, and future wealth-building opportunities. You'll learn why some buyers benefit from starting small, when a dream home makes strategic sense, and how investment properties can create diversified income streams and long-term financial freedom.Whether you're rebuilding after a life transition, planning for retirement, pursuing a midlife pivot, or exploring entrepreneurship for women through real estate investing, this episode offers a practical framework to help you make confident decisions.If you're focused on personal development for women, financial independence for women, and creating a future aligned with your values, this conversation will help you evaluate your options with clarity, strategy, and purpose.Keywords & Tags: Women Over 40, Financial Freedom, Income Streams, Business Ownership, Entrepreneurship, Midlife Pivot, Career Strategy, Personal Growth, Money Mindset, Diversified Income, Leadership for Women, Wealth Building, Real Estate Investing, Homeownership, Financial Independence for WomenWant to go deeper? Make sure to attend my homebuyer workshop on Saturday, 6/20 at 10AM PST Follow me on IG @LarisaHomeandRealtyfor all the registration details!
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257 Beyond the Commission: Why Your Realtor Should Be Your Long-Term Advisor
Jun 500:37:26Tap to summarizeMidlife women who are considering homeownership canbenefit tremendously from working with a professional real estate consultant who helps reduce costly mistakes, streamline the buying process, and build long-term wealth.Buying a home has changed. With new buyer representationagreements becoming standard practice, many buyers are discovering that choosing a Realtor is no longer a casual decision—it’s a strategic partnership.In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we unpack what these industry changes mean and why today's buyers should expect far more than someone who unlocks doors and writes offers.You'll learn how a professional real estate consultant can save you time, guide you through complex disclosures and negotiations, explain local market conditions, help you understand home values and equity, recommend value-adding renovations, and provide access to trusted home service professionals. We also discuss maintenance planning, insurance considerations, and the red flags that signal you're working with a transactional agent instead of a true advisor.Whether you're a first-time buyer, returning to the market after a major life transition, or simply exploring homeownership as part of your long-term financial plan, this conversation will help you make smarter decisions and approach real estate with confidence.If financial independence for women, personal developmentfor women, wealth building, and strategic decision-making matter to you, this episode offers practical guidance to help protect one of the largest investments you'll ever make.Keywords: Homeownership, Real Estate Consultant, WomenOver 40, Financial Independence for Women, Personal Development for Women, Business Ownership, Leadership for Women, Career Strategy, Wealth Building, Financial Freedom, Midlife Pivot, Money Mindset
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256 - Why Smart Women Entrepreneurs Must Stay N.I.M.B.L.E.
May 2800:27:43Tap to summarizeMidlife women entrepreneurs and women leaders who want sustainable business growth will learn how to build a bold, strong, and N.I.M.B.L.E. business strategy that creates resilience, profitability, and long-term success. Based on the realities of entrepreneurship during and after the pandemic, this episode explores what it really means to stay adaptablewithout losing focus on your core mission.In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, Larisa and Cecelia unpack the key business principles every woman entrepreneur should revisit in today’s changing economy: refining your niche, strengthening your systems, improving your CEO decision-making, benchmarking performance, andexpanding your reach through intentional networking. Whether you are building a side hustle, scaling multiple income streams, or navigating a midlife pivot, this conversation offers grounded business strategy with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.Listeners will also hear why staying N.I.M.B.L.E. mattersfor multipreneurship, personal branding, and long-term financial independence for women. From market positioning to leadership mindset, this episode speaks directly to women over 40 who are ready to stop operating reactively and startleading strategically.If you’ve been rethinking your business model, evaluatingyour next move, or trying to create more freedom through entrepreneurship, this episode will help you sharpen your focus, strengthen your operations, and confidently position yourself for the next level of growth.Stay in touch between episodes – now accepting new members in my free online community, MakeIt, Mind It, Multiply It!
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Ep 255_Beyond ChatGPT Basics: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Use AI Strategically
May 2200:27:10Tap to summarizeMidlife women entrepreneurs and women leaders can useartificial intelligence to work smarter, strengthen business strategy, and create an unfair advantage in today’s fast-changing professional landscape.In this episode of the Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, wemove beyond using AI for simple email edits and explore how women entrepreneurs, career professionals, and multipreneurs can strategically use tools like ChatGPT and Claude to improve productivity, leadership, marketing,and decision-making.If you’ve been wondering whether AI is “for you,” thisconversation offers a grounded and practical introduction to using artificial intelligence in ways that support midlife career growth, entrepreneurship for women, and long-term financial independence for women. You’ll learn five real-world AI use cases including strategy development, marketing planning,leadership and staff training, smarter prompting, and using AI to identify collaboration and networking opportunities.This episode also explores why multipreneurship anddiversified income strategies increasingly require adaptability, personal branding, and the willingness to learn emerging tools. Whether you are building a business, leading a team, planning a midlife pivot, or exploring new incomestreams, understanding how to leverage AI can help you move faster, think bigger, and position yourself more competitively.If there was ever a time to embrace working smarterinstead of harder, this is it.Stay in touch between episodes – now accepting new members in my free online community, Make It, Mind It, Multiply It!
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Ep 254_Small Business Week Success: 10 Powerful Ways to Market & Grow Your Business
May 1500:24:19Tap to summarizeMidlife women entrepreneurs and women leaders can useSmall Business Week strategies to grow visibility, strengthen customer loyalty, and build smarter systems that support long-term business success.In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we explore how women entrepreneurs and solopreneurs can use the momentum of Small Business Week to market more strategically, connect with their communities, andcreate sustainable business growth year-round. Whether you’re attending networking events, launching customer appreciation campaigns, updating your online presence, or collaborating with other local businesses, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can implement immediately.You’ll learn 10 powerful ways to maximize Small BusinessWeek, including how to leverage social media campaigns, strengthen referral relationships, improve customer engagement, and use educational resources to sharpen your business acumen. We also discuss why successful business owners can’t afford to market only once a year—and how systems, consistency, and visibility play a major role in entrepreneurship for women and long-term financial independence for women.If you’re focused on midlife career growth, women’sleadership, or building a profitable business with intention, this episode offers grounded, actionable strategies to help you grow your brand, increase opportunities, and stay competitive in today’s marketplace.Stay in touch between episodes – now accepting new members in my free online community, Make It, Mind It, Multiply It!
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Ep. 252 Think You’ve Defined Your Niche? Here’s Why Your Message Still Isn’t Landing
May 900:33:57Tap to summarizeFor midlife women entrepreneurs and women leaders, defining your niche is one of the most important business decisions you can make if you want stronger messaging, aligned clients, and long-term business growth. In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we break down why niche clarity matters, what happens when you try to market to “everyone,” and how narrowing your focus can actually expand your opportunities.If you’ve ever struggled to explain exactly what you do, who you serve, or why your content isn’t converting the way you hoped, this conversation will help you rethink your positioning from the ground up. We explore the real meaning of a niche, why specificity builds trust, and how women entrepreneurs can drill deeper than basic demographics to truly understand their ideal client avatar.You’ll also learn practical strategies to identify your audience’s moment of need, internal dialogue, and desired transformation so your messaging connects on a more powerful level. This episode is especially valuable for women pursuing entrepreneurship for women, midlife career growth, women’s leadership, and personal development for women who are ready to stop blending in and start building with intention.Because clarity is not limitation—it’s leverage. Stop trying to reach everyone. Start connecting with the right people.
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Ep.253_Cecelia Morris Interview - 1. From 9–5 to CEO: How Women Entrepreneurs Bounce Back and Build Smarter
Apr 3000:36:16Tap to summarizeThe Bounce Back Equation for women entrepreneurs and midlife women reveals how to turn setbacks into strategic growth, resilience, and business success.In this Women Trailblazers interview, we sit down with Cecelia Fay Morris—engineer turned CEO—who walked away from a25-year career to build a thriving digital business rooted in automation, AI, and intentional strategy. Her journey is a masterclass in midlife career growth, showing how setbacks are not stop signs, but signals to pivot, refine, and move forward with clarity.Through our signature “10 Questions and Expert Answers,” Cecelia shares how she overcame business disappointments,what “Business on Autopilot” really means, and the systems, habits, and mindset that support sustainable success. From leveraging digital marketing to building multiple income streams, her approach reflects the evolving landscape ofentrepreneurship for women.
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Ep. 251 The Power of Setbacks: How Smart Women Turn Disappointment into Strategy
Apr 2300:17:26Tap to summarizeReframing setbacks for midlife women is a powerful mindset shift that transforms disappointment into growth, clarity, and strategic opportunity.In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we explore how setbacks—those moments that feel like delays, detours, or outright failures—can actually become catalysts for midlife career growth and personal development for women. Instead of second-guessing yourself or retreating, what if you used every setback as data… as direction… as a strategic pause?Through a practical and empowering breakdown of the “Top 10 Reasons a Setback Can Be a Good Thing,” you’ll learn how to reinterpret missed opportunities, build stronger plans, and align more intentionally with what truly serves you. From recognizing when timing isn’t right to finding your tribe and embracing the power of a well-earned do-over, this conversation reframes setbacks as part of a larger success strategy.This episode is especially relevant for women leaders and women entrepreneurs navigating transitions, stretch goals, and evolving ambitions. By shifting your perspective on setbacks, you position yourself for smarter decisions, stronger execution, and long-term financial independence for women.If you’ve ever questioned your path after a disappointment, this episode will help you turn that moment into momentum—with clarity, confidence, and purpose.Stay in touch between episodes – join my free online community, Make It, Mind It, Multiply It!
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