From Poverty to Prosperity
Summer of Change, June 2016
I sat in my car and cried my eyes out, feeling defeated. In my hand was the fourth eviction notice I had received. I was so tired year after year receiving the same letter in bold “30-DAY NOTICE TO VACATE.” I made a promise to myself that no one will EVER kick me out of their home again.
That night, I got on my phone and searched pinterest “Top Financial Education Books” headed to the library, and checked out every single book that was recommended. I spent the entire summer reading and educating myself on finances. I ate hotdogs and beans so that I could save money. By the end of the summer, I created my own budget and saved $2,000 on a $700 a month salary.
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That was 8 years ago, and I’ve been on the journey to financial freedom ever since. With the protection of God and a calling on my life. The woman you see today is a serial entrepreneur, certified woman owned business + certified financial educator , and a world traveler. I paid off $20,000 in credit card debt in 9 months and grossed half a million dollars in business and personal credit. I kissed the paycheck to paycheck living goodbye and said hello to living life on my own terms, FINANCIALLY FREE.
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8 years ago, you couldn’t have told me that my life would be where it is today. I was broken, my self esteem was in the pit, and I was embarrassed to tell others what I was really facing but the one thing I never did was give up on myself. I refused to be a victim. I was determined to break generational curses that plagued my family bloodline. Although we didn’t have things of monetary value, I thank my grandfather Clifton Lawrence for instilling in me the importance of reading and the value of education. I am the woman I am today because of those values.
Meet Ashmara,
the Self-Taught Personal Finance Educator Empowering Women to Achieve Financial Freedom.
My financial awareness really began when I was 4 years old. I witnessed first hand what it was like to truly live in poverty. I am a first generation American whose parents came from Kingston, Jamaica. They struggled to make ends meet and my environment was riddled with violence and drug addiction. By the time I was 6, my mother was a single parent and my father’s new home became the four walls of a jail cell. “If only I didn’t go to jail.” were my grandmother’s words to me. They had planned to use the drug money to get the single family home and the white picket fence. The American dream most immigrants have when they come to this country. Instead, it left my siblings and I in a broken home and unstable environment.
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I was never taught or knew anything about money. My family's only thought process was to stay alive and have enough money to keep food on the table and clothes on our backs even if it meant getting government assistance, standing in line at soup kitchens or selling drugs.
Little did I know that this lifestyle and mindset would trickle down to me and affect me in my adult life. I ended up homeless, living paycheck to paycheck, sleeping in my car, renting rooms, and living in motels by the time I reached 26. The last straw was when I couldn’t cover routine teeth cleaning because I had no money or dental insurance. I took a hard look at where I was headed and decided to make some serious changes.
Why I Started.
I answered the calling on my life. I knew one day God would take my story and use me as a vessel to inspire others. What I’ve been through isn't the half of my testimony but I am here to tell you that if I can do it, so can you. I’ve started many businesses and failed at a few, but nothing felt more rewarding than to help someone gain a financial footing in life. It’s truly a rewarding experience to help women like you become educated around money and confident when discussing it.
I believe that women should have access to financial information. At the core, it is the fundamental pillar for personal and generational well-being. I don’t just offer financial education, my purpose is deeply rooted in equipping you with the tools you need to navigate the complex world of finance, make informed decisions, and build a solid foundation for your financial future.
Life's Wealth
From Beaches to Beats
My Interests Outside Finance
When I'm not busy transforming lives and helping women achieve financial success, you can catch me living my best life on a picturesque island with those dreamy white sandy beaches, cheering my heart out, court side at a basketball game or living it up at a vibrant Jamaican party/event, delivering my signature two-finger gun salute.
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I'm a music enthusiast with a love for jazz. When I'm not immersed in music, you'll find me indulging in my passion for fashion, my love for all things Jesus, avidly reading, and bringing my style to life through sewing.
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Life's all about balance, and I'm here to show you how to achieve it in style and grace. Let's break those generational money curses together and retire rich.
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I would greatly appreciate it if you took a quick moment to support my Biweekly newsletter The Rich Review by subscribing and joining my community Rich Ambitions Social.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I hope the story of your life is filled with faith, hope, and love.
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