Money isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s power, freedom, and a tool for systemic change.

Tori Dunlap, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Her First 100K, joins Liz Plummer to explain why financial independence is not just personal but political. She shares how her journey from a corporate job to financial educator revealed the systemic barriers that keep women from building wealth. Personal finance is less about skipping lattes and more about confronting policies, wage gaps, and financial abuse that limit opportunities for marginalized groups.

Tori makes the case for policy changes like paid family leave and a higher minimum wage while offering practical steps for financial stability. She lays out the essentials of building an emergency fund, automating savings, and setting clear, mission-driven financial goals. Through personal stories and real success cases, she shows how financial literacy is not just about security. It is a form of protest.

This episode is a call to action for women to take control of their money, expand their choices, and create lasting change for themselves and the world around them.

Quotes

• “I think it’s really important that we acknowledge that we need policy change, we need legislation that supports us, and that most of personal finance actually has nothing to do with your own personal choices.” (04:13 | Tori Dunlap)
• “You control what you can control. So you do learn everything you can about money. And then you use money as a tool to build the life that you love. Because when you’re rested, when you’re stable, when you’re healthy, that is a radical act of protest in a society and a system that wants to keep you disenfranchised, tired, sick, poor, broke, etc.” (04:36 | Tori Dunlap)
• “99% of women in abusive relationships have some sort of financial abuse. So what that tells me is that this is something that they want to escape, but can’t because they don’t have the money, or because their partner is controlling their money, or tanking their credit score, or barring them access to the funds that they have.” (07:47 | Tori Dunlap)
• “A goal without a plan is just a wish. And I think a lot of people, when they’re trying to get better with money, they do the, ‘Okay, my goal this year is to get better with money.’ That is not a goal, because it’s not trackable. You can’t tell by the end of the year if you got better with money or not.” (22:31 | Tori Dunlap)
• “For me, having a financial education is your best form of protest. And in a society, in a system that constantly disenfranchises you, you learning more about money, learning more about how you can control the things you can control. And again, not ignoring your money because it’s scary, but rather controlling your money, learning how to use it in a way that makes your life better is one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal to create a life and a society that you enjoy.” (25:24 | Tori Dunlap)

Links

Trending Today: www.trendingtoday.com

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Doug Wood has redefined Tommy Bahama, transforming it from a men’s clothing brand into a lifestyle powerhouse that brings the essence of island life to every experience, from apparel to dining. With over 20 years at Tommy Bahama, Doug shares how the brand expanded beyond its roots in men’s fashion to become a destination for both men and women, offering more than just products, but a taste of the relaxed island spirit.

Joining Liz Galloway, Doug talks about the importance of quality, innovation, and customer connection. How has Tommy Bahama stayed true to its identity while expanding into food and beverage, and what role do restaurants and Marlin bars play in building that connection? Doug also shares the brand’s latest ventures, like a new denim line and the Tommy Bahama Miramonte resort, pushing the boundaries of what an island lifestyle can be.

Doug’s leadership approach is rooted in teamwork, communication, and a willingness to adapt. As Tommy Bahama looks to the future, how does Doug see the brand continuing to grow while staying grounded in the desires of its customers? Tune in for a refreshing look at how to build a brand that evolves with the times without losing its core identity.

Quotes

• “I’m not trying to sell our guests an item. I’m trying to sell you an experience.” (02:21 | Doug Wood)
• “What was the magic of the brand was we figured out that our guests wanted more.” (04:22 | Doug Wood)
• “Exceeding people’s expectations is, in this world, the greatest thing you can do—bringing something that people are thinking is going to be one way. And you actually know you’ve exceeded and made it better. And that’s what our restaurants really were able to do.” (17:32 | Doug Wood)
• “Some of the worst decisions that are made are the ones you choose that you didn’t make and you just let something happen.” (29:07 | Doug Wood)
• “When I would talk to guests and we have focus groups around the country, I’d always finish with the last question I always ask: What’s next? What should we do that you’d like us to do?” (34:42 | Doug Wood)

Links

Connect with Doug Wood:

tommybahama.com

Trending Today:

www.trendingtoday.com

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

In the world of consumer brands, “trust is everything,” according to Howard Holmes, president of Chelsea Milling Company, the company that makes “JIFFY” baking mixes. He joins Liz Galloway in this episode to share his thoughts on leadership, handling the challenges of a multigenerational family business, and adapting to shifting trends in the foodservice industry.

Howard reflects on his rise through the company, emphasizing how his hands-on experience shaped his approach to leadership. Can practical experience truly define leadership, especially in a family-run business? For Howard, it’s indispensable. It’s allowed Chelsea Milling Co. to maintain tight control over quality and vertically integrate their operations, giving them a unique competitive edge.

Howard shares how the pandemic rekindled interest in home baking and pushed the company to invest further in new product development, making innovation more important than ever. The challenge? Balancing tradition with the need to evolve. For Howard, the challenge is to maintain the company’s core values while fostering innovation and giving customer service top priority in a market that is becoming more and more dynamic.

Tune in for sharp insights into leadership and business strategy, showing how family-owned businesses can thrive by staying true to their roots while embracing the future.

Quotes

• “I think sales is a great place to start any career. You have to know how your products are made. You have to know your customers and your consumers, and all the merchandising agreements and opportunities that can exist there.” (03:41 | Howard Holmes)
• “We’ve been around for a long time, and there’s a lot required to do that. It’s not just having a great product; it’s having the right facilities, the willingness to reinvent yourself, and the willingness to invest in your organization, which we’ve done in a variety of ways. Having the right people is important. I think, as a family business, we’re always focused on the future and what we can do to be around for another 100 years, as opposed to what we can do to make our report to Wall Street next quarter as polished as possible.” (14:36 | Howard Holmes)
• “Trust in the world of consumer brands is everything… I think during the pandemic, what we recognized was that it’s critical to stick to what we do best, and that’s meeting people’s expectations and being there for our consumers. It worked for 130 years, and I’m pretty confident that it’ll work for another 100 years.” (22:11 | Howard Holmes)
• “Our definition of culture is the process surrounding how you communicate and the process surrounding how you make decisions. That, I think, is a fair definition of just culture in general. So the process surrounding how we communicate is extremely collaborative.” (36:39 | Howard Holmes)

Links

JIFFY:

https://www.jiffymix.com/

Trending Today:

www.trendingtoday.com

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm