What money mistakes made you richer in the long run? Molly sits down with entrepreneur, author and founder Lisa Messenger for a refreshingly honest conversation about business, money and reinvention. Lisa's built (and rebuilt) some of Australia's most iconic brands over her 25 years in business, including Collective Hub, the cult magazine-turned-app that's just relaunched for 2026. In this episode, she gets real about the financial mistakes that nearly broke her, why she believes bigger isn't always better, and what she'd do if she only had $5,000 to start a business today, no fluff, no ego, just the lessons she wishes someone had told her earlier.

Whether you're dreaming of starting your own business, trying to get your head around AI and whether you should be using it, or just love hearing successful women talk honestly about the times things didn't go to plan, this episode is packed with wisdom you can actually use. In this episode, you'll learn:

• The financial mistake that had Lisa's CFO asking for another $100K, every single day
• Why "bigger" isn't always "better" when it comes to profit and business growth
• How to reverse engineer worst-case scenarios before you take a financial risk
• What Lisa would do with $5,000 to start a business today =
• Why you should test demand before you spend a cent on your idea
• How to find non-competing partners who can promote you for free
• Why women should be adopting AI now, not later, and how to actually use it in your business
• How one piece of intellectual property can become five different revenue streams
• Lisa's biggest lesson from becoming a mum, and how it's shaped her as a founder

Perfect for: aspiring founders, women thinking about starting a side hustle, and anyone who wants a masterclass in money mindset from someone who's built (and rebuilt) it all.

The biggest takeaway from this episode? You don't need money to start, you need clarity, courage, and a plan for what happens if it doesn't work. 🎧

If you're serious about building long-term wealth, don't miss our Online Wealth Summit - https://www.ladiesfinanceclub.com/online-wealth-summit-2026, where Australia's leading money experts will share practical strategies to help you grow your wealth with confidence.

Buying a property? Need Financial Advice? Time to sort the Will? Let us help connect you with an awesome woman in finance! https://directory.ladiesfinanceclub.com/

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The advice shared by Ladies Finance Club is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Our content is for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon to make financial decisions. If you are considering purchasing a financial product, read the PDS and TMD and seek financial advice tailored to your personal needs. Molly Benjamin and Ladies Finance Club Pty Ltd are authorised representatives of Wattle Partners Pty Ltd, AFSL 383169.

Ladies Finance Club acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which this podcast was recorded, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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