Financial author sheds light on earning power to OWL members

Are you earning what you're worth? Members of the Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL) group gained some interesting insights from financial educator Barbara Stanny during a networking event Monday evening at the Venetian Hotel.

Until a devastating financial crisis served as her personal wake-up call, Stanny relied on her father, who was the "R" of H&R Block, and later her husband to manage her money. The author of "Secrets of Six-Figure Women," Stanny became a six-figure woman herself (before the book was even finished) while interviewing more than 150 other women for the book.

Stanny's goal is to empower women to "get smart" about money and earn their true value. She conducted an interactive session with her audience about the basic differences in the way men and women approach finances.

"Women have been raised to be financially dependent, men have been raised to be financially successful, but no one is taught how to manage money," she said.

"If you don't deal with your money, your money will deal with you," she said.

Her message for upping earnings was conveyed on two levels: how to make more money and how money is a metaphor for life. Both are integral for progressing to the next level. Much of a person's success (whether personally or professionally) comes from within, she said, and offered three musts:

• You have to want to make money. When you make a solid commitment, you'll suddenly start experiencing coincidences and resistances that are part of the process to reaching your goal.

• You have to do what you don't want to do or don't think you can do (to effect change). Stretch yourself by doing something unfamiliar, letting go, and speaking up.

• You have to be careful who you hang around with. Eliminate nay-sayers and surround yourself with people who support you.

She cautioned the audience that "just because you have money, doesn't mean you'll keep it."

She concluded by offering this hierarchy of tips for managing money: spend less; save more; invest wisely; and give generously.

Stanny also signed copies of her book for OWL members following her talk.

In addition, to give others an opportunity to serve, the OWL leadership torch was passed from Tamara Church Swanson (left), communications consultant, to Jaci M. Lindstrom, executive director,International Intra-Ocular Implant Club (IIIC). Swanson is the first president and a co-founder of the group that was established at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in Anaheim, CA, in 2003.