May 21, 2025 • 23 mins
Evangelist Bertha Winston opens up about her remarkable journey from financial struggle to global influence in this powerful conversation about faith and finances. As a Forbes-featured financial expert whose accolades include Billboard's 2024 Top Woman in Business and Ministry, Bertha shares the pivotal moment that changed everything - realizing at age 62 she wasn't financially prepared for retirement.
With refreshing honesty, Bertha reveals how she transformed from living paycheck-to-paycheck, using credit cards as emergency funds, to developing strategies for true financial independence. Her approach uniquely blends biblical principles with practical money wisdom, demonstrating how scripture provides both the foundation and roadmap for economic success. "You cannot work your way to wealth," she explains. "You have to strategize yourself to wealth."
The conversation goes deeper than typical money advice, exploring how business ownership creates tax advantages, why passive income streams are crucial for retirement, and how changing your relationship with money can transform your entire life trajectory. Bertha challenges listeners to recognize that while 80% of Americans lack even $500 in emergency savings, breaking free from financial bondage is possible at any age.
What makes this discussion truly special is Bertha's holistic definition of wealth that extends far beyond the balance sheet. At 74, she describes these recent years as "the epitome" of her life, proving that true prosperity encompasses peace, joy, health, and meaningful relationships alongside financial abundance. Her powerful testimony serves as both an inspiration and a practical guide for anyone seeking to build a legacy of economic wisdom.
Connect with Bertha Winston on Social Media
https://berthawinston.myecon.net/lp/m-fsm/?a=1-47746E
LI - linkedin.com/in/bertha-winston
IG - instragram.com/winstonexperience
FB - facebook.com/thewinstonexperience
http://www.thewinstonexperience.com
http://www.retiredanddebtfree.com
Phone: 202-503-8491
email: berthawinston@aol.com
Subscribe, share this episode, and prepare to transform how you think about money, faith, and your financial future. Connect with Bertha through the contact information above
Join us next time for more collaborative conversations that build success.
Stay tuned for the next episode of Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson. Subscribe - Follow and Like Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to Ready Set.
Collaborate with Wanda Pearson.
This is where ideas spark,connections grow and
collaborations fuse success.
Tune in for inspiring stories,expert insights and
game-changing conversations.
Let's build, connect and thrivetogether.
Remember collaboration is thekey to success.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Welcome, welcome to the Ready Set Collaborate
podcast with Wanda Pearson.
I am thrilled that you'rejoining us today, and this
episode is truly special.
My guest is someone whoinfluences Spain's continents
I'm saying continents like y'all, all different countries here
evangelist bertha winston.
She's a global speaker,financial expert and author
(00:52):
whose wisdom has landed her onthe covers of forbes, one black
woman magazine, cbs, fox newsand nbc.
Her passion for faith andfinancial empowerment is
transforming lives around theworld.
Bertha, I'm just in awe ofeverything you do, but I wanted
to mention this too.
You was featured in thebillboard title 2024 Top Woman
(01:13):
in Business and Ministry forMother's Day, honored as the top
20 authors in the AuthorAll-Star Magazine in 23 and 24.
So was I?
2024, bertha?
Yes, and we're going to do itagain in 2026, right?
Yes, we are.
So her latest releases isEmpowered Me, the Glory of His
(01:36):
Presence, volume 2, out ofNigeria and the Path to
Financial Independence exemplifyher commitment to financial
empowerment and personaldevelopment.
So I just wanted to have thislittle bit more about you and
then we're going to get the showrolling here, bertha, okay,
okay.
In 2024, evangelist BerthaWinston was highly recommended
to receive an HonoraryHumanitarian Doctor Award,
retired from her office-managedjob at 15 years with prestigious
(01:58):
law firm in the District ofColumbia, bertha is more
fervently engaged than everteaching individuals how to
build passive income streams andretire debt free.
I love that, beyond her balancesheet, her life reflects
resilience and faith.
As a dynamic educator,influencer, bertha Winston comes
to inspire others on theirjourney to financial
(02:18):
independence.
Wow, bertha, this is just yeah,I'm just in awe.
And that's just a little bit ofy'all of what I'm talking about
with her.
I mean, she is just like a longlist, but we just summarize it
a little bit.
But, bertha, welcome to theshow.
I'm honored to have you hereand thank you so much for
inviting me.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
It's such a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Absolutely.
I'm so glad you said can I beon your podcast?
Yes, you can.
Yes, you say can I be on yourpodcast?
Yes, you can.
Yes, you can come on.
That's what I want to do.
I'm about educating andempowering people so they can
see what you can do.
You know, and collaboration.
So I always say collaborationis the key to yes collaborate,
and I've always did that.
God put me into this podcast.
Ready set collaborate.
I thought about the name.
(02:59):
Yes, ready set collaborate.
So let's collaborate.
That's how you becomesuccessful, right, that's right.
I'm so honored that you'd behere, so let's start at the
beginning.
Ok, a powerful platform rootedin both faith and finance.
What inspired you to step intothis calling?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
What inspired me to step into the financial call was
I wanted to retire at 62.
And when I did an inventory ofmy finances, I saw that I wasn't
financially set to retire.
And so I had to talk to Berthaand say, oh, young lady, you got
to get busy.
If you keep doing what you'redoing, you're going to keep
getting the same results.
(03:40):
So I had to work somestrategies.
I had to change my mindsetabout finances and I had to work
some strategies.
I had to change my mindsetabout finances and I had to get
busy because I wanted to retire.
I didn't want to work for no onethe rest of my life and looking
at my finances, I had to worksome extra years and I wasn't
happy about that.
And I said, if I'm in thatpredicament, I'm quite sure
(04:03):
there are others in thatpredicament too.
So I began to work strategiesto strategize myself out of debt
.
I was living paycheck topaycheck, my credit card was my
emergency fund.
I didn't have no investment.
I was like, look, girl, you gotto get yourself together.
(04:24):
And that's what I did.
I started working on myfinances because I wanted to
retire debt free.
And that's what put me into the, gave me that passion, that if
this is what's going on with me,I know there are others out
there going through the samething, so that's what put me in
that arena.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Absolutely, and I'm looking at your book the Path to
Financial Independence.
I love that.
That's probably what youstarted here.
So you merged from ministry andmoney, two areas I often talked
about, together.
How has your faith guided yourjourney as a financial leader
and evangelist?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
So my faith has guided me, because the word
talks about finances more thanit talks about anything.
The word said I would that youprosper and be in health, even
as your soul prosper.
And then I also read where itsaid the borrower is slaved to
the lender.
So true, and we are slaved tothe lenders with our credit
(05:22):
cards and all these things thatwe buy, and we don't even have
an emergency fund.
80% of us don't even have $500that we could set aside if an
emergency comes.
So the Bible talks so muchabout finances, even the parable
of when the traveler went away,jeroboam when the traveler went
(05:42):
away, he left his money forthem to put his money to use.
So, with the word of God, it'swhat we need to be doing.
If you read the word, you'llsee God want you to be
financially free, Because hesaid the rich ruleth over the
(06:02):
poor.
So when I got into the word, Iwas like sure, so I'm doing what
the word says.
So yeah, this goes right alongwith my book and God, I love it.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
That is so true.
So you've helped so many peopleshift their financial
situations.
What are the top three moneyprinciples you live by and teach
others.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
To set a budget.
It's a bad word because if youbudget, if you write your money,
if you write it down and cansee where it's going.
Eliminate the debt with thecredit cards, because my mentor
said, interest is the penaltyyou pay to own something in
advance that you cannot evenafford.
So most of the time we go andbuy stuff that we can't even
(06:56):
afford and we don't even need it, we just want it.
So, budgeting, eliminating debt, eliminate your credit cards
and really it first starts withyour mindset.
You have to change your mindsetabout finances because, let me
tell you, you cannot work yourway to wealth.
You have to strategize yourselfto wealth.
So you have to set somestrategies, you have to set some
boundaries and you have to stopgiving the giving your money to
(07:22):
those that are already rich,because Because, like I said,
the Bible said the rich rule isover the poor and you're going
to make somebody rich, so whynot yourself?
Amen.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
I love that and actually we're going right into
this next segment.
But for those who experiencelack or struggle, what's the
first mindset shift?
They need to start creatingfinancial freedom Debt.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Eliminate those credit cards, eliminate going
eating out so much.
You need to start eliminatingunnecessary spending because we
have the money and startinvesting and start an emergency
fund.
We have the money.
(08:09):
We just don't know how to takethe money and put it where it
needs to work for us.
We want your money to work foryou, not you work for the money.
That's what rich folks do.
They put their money wheretheir money works for them and
they don't work for the money.
And I would encourage everybodyto own a business.
(08:33):
Get a business, because you aretaxed differently when you own
a business than you are ifyou're just a nine to five.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yes, exactly that's what I did when I retired from
IBM.
Oh yeah, oh yes.
So we had our business.
We had legal shield business.
I would never be without abusiness.
Oh please, I tell you, it'sjust amazing how and when I was
actually networking.
I first got in when I left IBM.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
The people that I networked with.
They told me Wanda, you got toget your own brand, why not get
my own brand?
I'm so glad I did.
Yes, it actually makes a bigdifference, because that's how I
started doing my podcast, mybook, consulting, coaching, all
of that, because I know it's aservice that we provide, but I
wanted my own business.
Oh yeah, oh yes, you got to.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
If you don't have a business, please start one.
Baking, crocheting, whateverYou're good at something.
We all are good at somethingMaking that cake, making that
potato salad.
Yeah, I told my daughter, thereare so many things that we can
do, that we can use for abusiness that we don't even
think about.
You could be a business ownerabsolutely.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
That is so true because, I tell you, when I
first left corporate, I startedto work.
No, I'm sorry, covid happened,so we had to do oh yeah, covid,
yes a lot of people that let gofrom their jobs, and that's yeah
people.
Yeah, that's when I started mywdp is passion.
What is your passion?
What have you always wanted todo?
Right exactly your own business.
So I started coaching andconsulting doing that and
(10:11):
helping them with their LLCs.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Right Good.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Yes, yeah, it really makes a difference.
So let me ask you anotherquestion.
So how do you integratespiritual wisdom into your
financial teachings?
Speaker 3 (10:29):
financial teachings.
Well, I use the word.
I use scriptures when I'm doingmy presentation, because it's
all in the Bible.
I use those scriptures that Ijust talked about Proverbs and
Deuteronomy.
I've given you power to gainwealth.
It's so full of scriptures.
It's so full of scripturesabout finances and that's how I
give them the word.
Absolutely, if you catch me outof the book, hey yeah, I love
(10:55):
it.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
My husband and I started reading the bible in a
year again a lot of the bible.
I was like, oh my god, this iswhat's going on in the world
today.
This is what's happening todayand it's really given us like a
vehicle to really understandwhere we go and when you think
about all the patriarchs werewealthy.
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
They were Abraham Solomon, all of them.
They were wealthy.
Yeah, they weren't paupers.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Yep, exactly, they were wealthy, they were.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
So God want you to be wealthy as long as you can
control it.
You know, yeah, control, that'sthe biggest word.
As long as you can control it.
Yeah, because he gave you thepower to gain it.
He gave it to you.
Nobody have to give it to you.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
God gave it to you exactly.
I'm enjoying this girl becauseI'm gonna have to have you back
on my show again, so can youshare a powerful moment where
your faith and finances alignedand you knew God was positioning
you for more?
Speaker 3 (11:55):
It's kind of like God gave me a prophecy years ago
about one day I would bestanding before great men, that
royalty.
So I always held on to thatprophecy and I always reminded
God.
Ok, god, you said I was goingto be standing before great men
(12:17):
and women and I would havewealth.
And I said, ok, it ain'tlooking like it right now, but I
trust your word and I know ifyou said it, it's going to come
to pass.
So I kept reminding God of thatpromise, that prophecy that I
got from this prophet, and Iknew it was God and I just held
(12:37):
on.
Well, 20 years down the road,it's coming to pass.
And so I equate that withknowing that I'm in the will of
God, because God spoke it overmy life at that time, just like
Joseph, joseph dreamed thatdream and you know you're going
to be bound before me.
(12:58):
But it didn't look like it wasgoing to happen, because the
brothers sold him into slaveryand he went on for boredom and
the wife lied on him and he wentto prison.
It didn't look like that wasgoing to come to pass, but he
still trusted God.
God still elevated him in everyarea that he was in.
(13:18):
God was still with him.
So I think he had to say, okay,god, I'm trusting and I'm
believing.
So I trusted God that it wasgoing to come to pass.
So I intertwined that with mymission, because God has a
mission for all of us and he hasa path for all of us.
He has a plan for all of us.
(13:39):
We got to walk in it and yougot to believe it.
You got to believe and you gotto trust God, because if God
said it and spoke it, it'scoming to pass.
If he said it if he said it iscoming to pass.
So I take that and I stand onthat.
I stand on what God has givenme and what he's told me and I
(14:01):
trust him because I know he's aGod that he will not lie.
And I trust him because I knowhe's a God that he will not lie
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
And you know what, bertha?
My favorite verse when I leftcorporate Jeremiah 29, 11.
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
I know the plan.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
My answer props for me, plans to get me up?
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Yes, and I hold on to that.
That's so true, and if it's inhis word, it's true and he is
there for you.
It's true, and it's there foryou and you got to know.
But you got to know what hesaid and then you got to remind
him.
Okay, god, this is what yousaid.
Now I'm trusting and the beliefis not looking like it, but I
(14:39):
know you said it in your word,so that means I could trust what
you said.
And I tell you, I go throughthat Bible, honey, and I'll be
telling God okay, this is whatyou said.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Come on, I need your help.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
Lord, yeah, I'm reminding you of your word.
Now, what's going on here?
And that's so good, to havethat intimate relationship with
God where you could talk to himand believe and trust him,
because he is going to, he's notgoing to deny his word, he's
never going to deny his wordbecause he is his word
(15:16):
absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So we got to get girl .
We can be talking all day here,but I want to get get into just
for us.
You've been featured onmagazine covers and global media
.
What moment stands out the mostand what did you mean?
What did it mean to youpersonally in the book?
Speaker 3 (15:34):
the Forbes magazine.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
Yeah, on the Forbes, yeah.
So yeah, what moment?
Which one did that sit out toyou more and what did it mean to
you personally when you was inForbes?
You was in so many.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Yeah, a Glead magazine.
It meant that I have the power.
I have power to gain the wealththat God has given me.
It highlighted me that I was,am somebody, I am, I am valuable
(16:03):
, my life is valuable and itmeant that, well, no matter what
people say, you are what Godsaid you are, and when.
In those magazine, let me seethat you are important.
You know, because sometimes wedon't give ourselves credit, but
(16:23):
that gave me credibility, thatyou got it going on, girl.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
You sure do.
You sure do, and it's beingrecognized on a global scale.
How you impact missions and thepeople you serve is something
to really be proud of.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
As far as yes and when people recognize your worth
, that gives you credibility andit gives you, it makes you
proud.
You know of yourself, becausethat credibility is all that you
have.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
And when other people see that in you.
It really means something.
It really does, bertha.
I really and being especiallyas you grow up, you didn't think
that you would be doing whatyou're doing.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Oh, my God Lord, have mercy.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
God put you in that position to be able to do what
you have accomplished so far.
God put you in that position tobe able to do what you have
accomplished so far.
So when people around the worldsee you in these powerful
spaces.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
what message do you hope they receive?
I hope that they will see thatthey can redirect their life,
they can redefine themselves andthey can renew themselves and
never let your past dictate yourfuture, because God does have a
plan for you.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I love that.
That's when we get back in that.
Jeremiah 29, 11 girl.
Yes, so let's talk about yourlegacy and wisdom.
So what is one myth aboutwealth or success that you'd
love to break down from ouraudience today?
Speaker 3 (18:03):
day.
Let's see.
Wealth is not all about money.
It's about your life.
You could have all the money,but you could be so miserable,
you could not have peace, youcould not have health, you could
be lonely.
So wealth is not all aboutmoney.
It's about your character.
It's about who you are and howyou collaborate with people, how
you love people, how you lookto people and how you treat
(18:27):
people.
Wealth is not about havingthings.
It's about who you are and howyou impact other people's lives.
So that's the way I look atwealth.
It's good to have the money,because money ruleth all things,
as the words say.
But you got to have more thanmoney.
You got to have peace, you gotto have joy, you got to have God
(18:51):
.
You could have all that money,and if you don't have God, you
you're really empty, becausemoney could buy things, but it
can't buy health, it can't buypeace, it can't buy love.
It may buy satisfaction, but itreally can't buy love.
So hey, that's the way I see it.
As wealth, life being in yourlife, you want to have peace and
(19:15):
joy and understanding andwisdom.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
And happiness, happiness, yes, because Not
happiness.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Money cannot buy happiness.
It just could buy you some.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Well, I hear what you're saying here.
Yes, you've already createdsuch a powerful impact, but what
do you want your legacy to be?
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Oh, I want my legacy to be.
I want my family to see how Icame from being nobody to be
somebody.
I want my legacy to be for myfamily to see that, if I can
make it from a young lady to I'm74 now and I'm living my life,
(20:11):
I'm at the epitome of my lifenow and the last three years of
my life has been just a rollercoaster in a good way.
So I want them to see that lifedoesn't stop when you retire.
Life doesn't stop when you are74.
Life is just beginning for meand that you can have that same
(20:36):
momentum in your life.
But you have to have a desireto want to be who you are and
you want to, and I want them tosee that when I leave this world
they could say my grandmotherand my mother was a woman of
(20:56):
integrity and resilience amen, Ilove that and I was going to
ask you well, finally, what isone empowering word of scripture
you'd like to leave ourlisteners with today?
oh, let's see which one would Ilike to leave with them, believe
, oh, oh, let's see which onewould I like to meet with them.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Billy.
Okay, bertha's going to comeback with us here, but I enjoyed
her story as far as what shewith her financial wealth, but
she is actually doing God.
I've learned so much about thishere.
So, bertha, thank you so muchfor sharing your life, your life
, your lessons and your legacywith us.
Your words have stirredsomething in us all Faith to
(21:52):
rise, wisdom to build, andcourage to walk boldly in
purpose.
Faith to rise, wisdom to buildand courage to walk boldly in
purpose.
To our amazing listeners.
Remember you were created forimpact, whether it's your faith,
your finances or your future.
It's all in God's hand, buthe's waiting on you to move.
Make sure you subscribe, leavea review and share this episode
(22:18):
with someone who needs thismessage.
Until next time, keep walkingin purpose, keep building your
legacy and stay ready tocollaborate.
Bertha, thank you once again.
I'm going to have herinformation on the show notes
how you can contact Bertha, butshe is a wealth of knowledge and
definitely a financial freedom.
This is a lady that you need tobe in contact with.
So thanks again, welcome andgoodbye.
Stay tuned for the next episodeof Ready Set.
(22:40):
Collaborate.
Make sure you follow, like andshare and subscribe on YouTube.
Until next time, keep shiningwith Wanda Pearson.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
I hope you found inspiration and valuable
insights to help you buildmeaningful connections and
successful collaborations.
If you enjoyed today'sconversation, be sure to
subscribe, share and stay tunedfor more great discussions.
Until next time, keepcollaborating and making an
impact.
Welcome to Ready Set.
Collaborate with Wanda Pearson.
This is where ideas spark,connections grow and
collaborations fuse success.
Tune in for inspiring stories,expert insights and
game-changing conversations.
Let's build, connect and thrivetogether.
Remember collaboration is thekey to success.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Welcome, welcome to the Ready Set Collaborate
podcast with Wanda Pearson.
I am thrilled that you'rejoining us today, and this
episode is truly special.
My guest is someone whoinfluences Spain's continents
I'm saying continents like y'all, all different countries here
evangelist bertha winston.
She's a global speaker,financial expert and author
(00:52):
whose wisdom has landed her onthe covers of forbes, one black
woman magazine, cbs, fox newsand nbc.
Her passion for faith andfinancial empowerment is
transforming lives around theworld.
Bertha, I'm just in awe ofeverything you do, but I wanted
to mention this too.
You was featured in thebillboard title 2024 Top Woman
(01:13):
in Business and Ministry forMother's Day, honored as the top
20 authors in the AuthorAll-Star Magazine in 23 and 24.
So was I?
2024, bertha?
Yes, and we're going to do itagain in 2026, right?
Yes, we are.
So her latest releases isEmpowered Me, the Glory of His
(01:36):
Presence, volume 2, out ofNigeria and the Path to
Financial Independence exemplifyher commitment to financial
empowerment and personaldevelopment.
So I just wanted to have thislittle bit more about you and
then we're going to get the showrolling here, bertha, okay,
okay.
In 2024, evangelist BerthaWinston was highly recommended
to receive an HonoraryHumanitarian Doctor Award,
retired from her office-managedjob at 15 years with prestigious
(01:58):
law firm in the District ofColumbia, bertha is more
fervently engaged than everteaching individuals how to
build passive income streams andretire debt free.
I love that, beyond her balancesheet, her life reflects
resilience and faith.
As a dynamic educator,influencer, bertha Winston comes
to inspire others on theirjourney to financial
(02:18):
independence.
Wow, bertha, this is just yeah,I'm just in awe.
And that's just a little bit ofy'all of what I'm talking about
with her.
I mean, she is just like a longlist, but we just summarize it
a little bit.
But, bertha, welcome to theshow.
I'm honored to have you hereand thank you so much for
inviting me.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
It's such a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Absolutely.
I'm so glad you said can I beon your podcast?
Yes, you can.
Yes, you say can I be on yourpodcast?
Yes, you can.
Yes, you can come on.
That's what I want to do.
I'm about educating andempowering people so they can
see what you can do.
You know, and collaboration.
So I always say collaborationis the key to yes collaborate,
and I've always did that.
God put me into this podcast.
Ready set collaborate.
I thought about the name.
(02:59):
Yes, ready set collaborate.
So let's collaborate.
That's how you becomesuccessful, right, that's right.
I'm so honored that you'd behere, so let's start at the
beginning.
Ok, a powerful platform rootedin both faith and finance.
What inspired you to step intothis calling?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
What inspired me to step into the financial call was
I wanted to retire at 62.
And when I did an inventory ofmy finances, I saw that I wasn't
financially set to retire.
And so I had to talk to Berthaand say, oh, young lady, you got
to get busy.
If you keep doing what you'redoing, you're going to keep
getting the same results.
(03:40):
So I had to work somestrategies.
I had to change my mindsetabout finances and I had to work
some strategies.
I had to change my mindsetabout finances and I had to get
busy because I wanted to retire.
I didn't want to work for no onethe rest of my life and looking
at my finances, I had to worksome extra years and I wasn't
happy about that.
And I said, if I'm in thatpredicament, I'm quite sure
(04:03):
there are others in thatpredicament too.
So I began to work strategiesto strategize myself out of debt
.
I was living paycheck topaycheck, my credit card was my
emergency fund.
I didn't have no investment.
I was like, look, girl, you gotto get yourself together.
(04:24):
And that's what I did.
I started working on myfinances because I wanted to
retire debt free.
And that's what put me into the, gave me that passion, that if
this is what's going on with me,I know there are others out
there going through the samething, so that's what put me in
that arena.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Absolutely, and I'm looking at your book the Path to
Financial Independence.
I love that.
That's probably what youstarted here.
So you merged from ministry andmoney, two areas I often talked
about, together.
How has your faith guided yourjourney as a financial leader
and evangelist?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
So my faith has guided me, because the word
talks about finances more thanit talks about anything.
The word said I would that youprosper and be in health, even
as your soul prosper.
And then I also read where itsaid the borrower is slaved to
the lender.
So true, and we are slaved tothe lenders with our credit
(05:22):
cards and all these things thatwe buy, and we don't even have
an emergency fund.
80% of us don't even have $500that we could set aside if an
emergency comes.
So the Bible talks so muchabout finances, even the parable
of when the traveler went away,jeroboam when the traveler went
(05:42):
away, he left his money forthem to put his money to use.
So, with the word of God, it'swhat we need to be doing.
If you read the word, you'llsee God want you to be
financially free, Because hesaid the rich ruleth over the
(06:02):
poor.
So when I got into the word, Iwas like sure, so I'm doing what
the word says.
So yeah, this goes right alongwith my book and God, I love it.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
That is so true.
So you've helped so many peopleshift their financial
situations.
What are the top three moneyprinciples you live by and teach
others.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
To set a budget.
It's a bad word because if youbudget, if you write your money,
if you write it down and cansee where it's going.
Eliminate the debt with thecredit cards, because my mentor
said, interest is the penaltyyou pay to own something in
advance that you cannot evenafford.
So most of the time we go andbuy stuff that we can't even
(06:56):
afford and we don't even need it, we just want it.
So, budgeting, eliminating debt, eliminate your credit cards
and really it first starts withyour mindset.
You have to change your mindsetabout finances because, let me
tell you, you cannot work yourway to wealth.
You have to strategize yourselfto wealth.
So you have to set somestrategies, you have to set some
boundaries and you have to stopgiving the giving your money to
(07:22):
those that are already rich,because Because, like I said,
the Bible said the rich rule isover the poor and you're going
to make somebody rich, so whynot yourself?
Amen.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
I love that and actually we're going right into
this next segment.
But for those who experiencelack or struggle, what's the
first mindset shift?
They need to start creatingfinancial freedom Debt.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Eliminate those credit cards, eliminate going
eating out so much.
You need to start eliminatingunnecessary spending because we
have the money and startinvesting and start an emergency
fund.
We have the money.
(08:09):
We just don't know how to takethe money and put it where it
needs to work for us.
We want your money to work foryou, not you work for the money.
That's what rich folks do.
They put their money wheretheir money works for them and
they don't work for the money.
And I would encourage everybodyto own a business.
(08:33):
Get a business, because you aretaxed differently when you own
a business than you are ifyou're just a nine to five.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yes, exactly that's what I did when I retired from
IBM.
Oh yeah, oh yes.
So we had our business.
We had legal shield business.
I would never be without abusiness.
Oh please, I tell you, it'sjust amazing how and when I was
actually networking.
I first got in when I left IBM.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
The people that I networked with.
They told me Wanda, you got toget your own brand, why not get
my own brand?
I'm so glad I did.
Yes, it actually makes a bigdifference, because that's how I
started doing my podcast, mybook, consulting, coaching, all
of that, because I know it's aservice that we provide, but I
wanted my own business.
Oh yeah, oh yes, you got to.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
If you don't have a business, please start one.
Baking, crocheting, whateverYou're good at something.
We all are good at somethingMaking that cake, making that
potato salad.
Yeah, I told my daughter, thereare so many things that we can
do, that we can use for abusiness that we don't even
think about.
You could be a business ownerabsolutely.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
That is so true because, I tell you, when I
first left corporate, I startedto work.
No, I'm sorry, covid happened,so we had to do oh yeah, covid,
yes a lot of people that let gofrom their jobs, and that's yeah
people.
Yeah, that's when I started mywdp is passion.
What is your passion?
What have you always wanted todo?
Right exactly your own business.
So I started coaching andconsulting doing that and
(10:11):
helping them with their LLCs.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Right Good.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Yes, yeah, it really makes a difference.
So let me ask you anotherquestion.
So how do you integratespiritual wisdom into your
financial teachings?
Speaker 3 (10:29):
financial teachings.
Well, I use the word.
I use scriptures when I'm doingmy presentation, because it's
all in the Bible.
I use those scriptures that Ijust talked about Proverbs and
Deuteronomy.
I've given you power to gainwealth.
It's so full of scriptures.
It's so full of scripturesabout finances and that's how I
give them the word.
Absolutely, if you catch me outof the book, hey yeah, I love
(10:55):
it.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
My husband and I started reading the bible in a
year again a lot of the bible.
I was like, oh my god, this iswhat's going on in the world
today.
This is what's happening todayand it's really given us like a
vehicle to really understandwhere we go and when you think
about all the patriarchs werewealthy.
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
They were Abraham Solomon, all of them.
They were wealthy.
Yeah, they weren't paupers.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Yep, exactly, they were wealthy, they were.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
So God want you to be wealthy as long as you can
control it.
You know, yeah, control, that'sthe biggest word.
As long as you can control it.
Yeah, because he gave you thepower to gain it.
He gave it to you.
Nobody have to give it to you.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
God gave it to you exactly.
I'm enjoying this girl becauseI'm gonna have to have you back
on my show again, so can youshare a powerful moment where
your faith and finances alignedand you knew God was positioning
you for more?
Speaker 3 (11:55):
It's kind of like God gave me a prophecy years ago
about one day I would bestanding before great men, that
royalty.
So I always held on to thatprophecy and I always reminded
God.
Ok, god, you said I was goingto be standing before great men
(12:17):
and women and I would havewealth.
And I said, ok, it ain'tlooking like it right now, but I
trust your word and I know ifyou said it, it's going to come
to pass.
So I kept reminding God of thatpromise, that prophecy that I
got from this prophet, and Iknew it was God and I just held
(12:37):
on.
Well, 20 years down the road,it's coming to pass.
And so I equate that withknowing that I'm in the will of
God, because God spoke it overmy life at that time, just like
Joseph, joseph dreamed thatdream and you know you're going
to be bound before me.
(12:58):
But it didn't look like it wasgoing to happen, because the
brothers sold him into slaveryand he went on for boredom and
the wife lied on him and he wentto prison.
It didn't look like that wasgoing to come to pass, but he
still trusted God.
God still elevated him in everyarea that he was in.
(13:18):
God was still with him.
So I think he had to say, okay,god, I'm trusting and I'm
believing.
So I trusted God that it wasgoing to come to pass.
So I intertwined that with mymission, because God has a
mission for all of us and he hasa path for all of us.
He has a plan for all of us.
(13:39):
We got to walk in it and yougot to believe it.
You got to believe and you gotto trust God, because if God
said it and spoke it, it'scoming to pass.
If he said it if he said it iscoming to pass.
So I take that and I stand onthat.
I stand on what God has givenme and what he's told me and I
(14:01):
trust him because I know he's aGod that he will not lie.
And I trust him because I knowhe's a God that he will not lie
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
And you know what, bertha?
My favorite verse when I leftcorporate Jeremiah 29, 11.
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
I know the plan.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
My answer props for me, plans to get me up?
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Yes, and I hold on to that.
That's so true, and if it's inhis word, it's true and he is
there for you.
It's true, and it's there foryou and you got to know.
But you got to know what hesaid and then you got to remind
him.
Okay, god, this is what yousaid.
Now I'm trusting and the beliefis not looking like it, but I
(14:39):
know you said it in your word,so that means I could trust what
you said.
And I tell you, I go throughthat Bible, honey, and I'll be
telling God okay, this is whatyou said.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Come on, I need your help.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
Lord, yeah, I'm reminding you of your word.
Now, what's going on here?
And that's so good, to havethat intimate relationship with
God where you could talk to himand believe and trust him,
because he is going to, he's notgoing to deny his word, he's
never going to deny his wordbecause he is his word
(15:16):
absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So we got to get girl .
We can be talking all day here,but I want to get get into just
for us.
You've been featured onmagazine covers and global media
.
What moment stands out the mostand what did you mean?
What did it mean to youpersonally in the book?
Speaker 3 (15:34):
the Forbes magazine.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
Yeah, on the Forbes, yeah.
So yeah, what moment?
Which one did that sit out toyou more and what did it mean to
you personally when you was inForbes?
You was in so many.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Yeah, a Glead magazine.
It meant that I have the power.
I have power to gain the wealththat God has given me.
It highlighted me that I was,am somebody, I am, I am valuable
(16:03):
, my life is valuable and itmeant that, well, no matter what
people say, you are what Godsaid you are, and when.
In those magazine, let me seethat you are important.
You know, because sometimes wedon't give ourselves credit, but
(16:23):
that gave me credibility, thatyou got it going on, girl.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
You sure do.
You sure do, and it's beingrecognized on a global scale.
How you impact missions and thepeople you serve is something
to really be proud of.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
As far as yes and when people recognize your worth
, that gives you credibility andit gives you, it makes you
proud.
You know of yourself, becausethat credibility is all that you
have.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
And when other people see that in you.
It really means something.
It really does, bertha.
I really and being especiallyas you grow up, you didn't think
that you would be doing whatyou're doing.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Oh, my God Lord, have mercy.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
God put you in that position to be able to do what
you have accomplished so far.
God put you in that position tobe able to do what you have
accomplished so far.
So when people around the worldsee you in these powerful
spaces.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
what message do you hope they receive?
I hope that they will see thatthey can redirect their life,
they can redefine themselves andthey can renew themselves and
never let your past dictate yourfuture, because God does have a
plan for you.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I love that.
That's when we get back in that.
Jeremiah 29, 11 girl.
Yes, so let's talk about yourlegacy and wisdom.
So what is one myth aboutwealth or success that you'd
love to break down from ouraudience today?
Speaker 3 (18:03):
day.
Let's see.
Wealth is not all about money.
It's about your life.
You could have all the money,but you could be so miserable,
you could not have peace, youcould not have health, you could
be lonely.
So wealth is not all aboutmoney.
It's about your character.
It's about who you are and howyou collaborate with people, how
you love people, how you lookto people and how you treat
(18:27):
people.
Wealth is not about havingthings.
It's about who you are and howyou impact other people's lives.
So that's the way I look atwealth.
It's good to have the money,because money ruleth all things,
as the words say.
But you got to have more thanmoney.
You got to have peace, you gotto have joy, you got to have God
(18:51):
.
You could have all that money,and if you don't have God, you
you're really empty, becausemoney could buy things, but it
can't buy health, it can't buypeace, it can't buy love.
It may buy satisfaction, but itreally can't buy love.
So hey, that's the way I see it.
As wealth, life being in yourlife, you want to have peace and
(19:15):
joy and understanding andwisdom.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
And happiness, happiness, yes, because Not
happiness.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Money cannot buy happiness.
It just could buy you some.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Well, I hear what you're saying here.
Yes, you've already createdsuch a powerful impact, but what
do you want your legacy to be?
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Oh, I want my legacy to be.
I want my family to see how Icame from being nobody to be
somebody.
I want my legacy to be for myfamily to see that, if I can
make it from a young lady to I'm74 now and I'm living my life,
(20:11):
I'm at the epitome of my lifenow and the last three years of
my life has been just a rollercoaster in a good way.
So I want them to see that lifedoesn't stop when you retire.
Life doesn't stop when you are74.
Life is just beginning for meand that you can have that same
(20:36):
momentum in your life.
But you have to have a desireto want to be who you are and
you want to, and I want them tosee that when I leave this world
they could say my grandmotherand my mother was a woman of
(20:56):
integrity and resilience amen, Ilove that and I was going to
ask you well, finally, what isone empowering word of scripture
you'd like to leave ourlisteners with today?
oh, let's see which one would Ilike to leave with them, believe
, oh, oh, let's see which onewould I like to meet with them.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Billy.
Okay, bertha's going to comeback with us here, but I enjoyed
her story as far as what shewith her financial wealth, but
she is actually doing God.
I've learned so much about thishere.
So, bertha, thank you so muchfor sharing your life, your life
, your lessons and your legacywith us.
Your words have stirredsomething in us all Faith to
(21:52):
rise, wisdom to build, andcourage to walk boldly in
purpose.
Faith to rise, wisdom to buildand courage to walk boldly in
purpose.
To our amazing listeners.
Remember you were created forimpact, whether it's your faith,
your finances or your future.
It's all in God's hand, buthe's waiting on you to move.
Make sure you subscribe, leavea review and share this episode
(22:18):
with someone who needs thismessage.
Until next time, keep walkingin purpose, keep building your
legacy and stay ready tocollaborate.
Bertha, thank you once again.
I'm going to have herinformation on the show notes
how you can contact Bertha, butshe is a wealth of knowledge and
definitely a financial freedom.
This is a lady that you need tobe in contact with.
So thanks again, welcome andgoodbye.
Stay tuned for the next episodeof Ready Set.
(22:40):
Collaborate.
Make sure you follow, like andshare and subscribe on YouTube.
Until next time, keep shiningwith Wanda Pearson.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
I hope you found inspiration and valuable
insights to help you buildmeaningful connections and
successful collaborations.
If you enjoyed today'sconversation, be sure to
subscribe, share and stay tunedfor more great discussions.
Until next time, keepcollaborating and making an
impact.
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