Her Empire Builder Show with Tina Tower

Join me as I welcome my fabulous friend, long time client and absolute legend, Melissa Browne. Mel is a renowned financial educator, to discuss her journey from a challenging upbringing in Western Sydney to becoming a successful businesswoman and author. In this episode, Mel shares insights from her new book, 'Dare to Be Wealthy,' highlights her passion for empowering women in financial literacy, and addresses the impact of patriarchy on women's financial confidence. Mel and Tina also delve into practical advice on investing, overcoming limiting beliefs, and the importance of setting personal boundaries for long-term success. This episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories aimed at helping women achieve financial independence and build a wealthier future. Don't miss Mel's candid and motivating conversation that could change the way you think about your financial future. Get Mel's awesome resources: https://www.melissabrowne.com.au/herempirebuilder Get the book, Dare To Be Wealthy: https://amzn.to/3NTkvA8 Where to find Tina: Join us inside Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/join Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/?hl=en Key moments: 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Today's Guest 01:22 Mel Brown's Background and Achievements 03:44 Discussing Mel's New Book: Dare to Be Wealthy 04:26 Impact of Patriarchy on Women's Finances 05:09 Gender Differences in Investment Behavior 10:59 Mel's Personal Financial Journey 15:30 Challenges and Strategies for Women in Finance 23:20 The Importance of Language in Finance 26:58 Dealing with Negative Comments and Trolls 29:59 Rallying Positivity in the Face of Negativity 30:58 Balancing Public Persona and Personal Boundaries 34:36 The Drive to Keep Building and Giving Back 38:29 Empowering Women to Start Investing at Any Age 45:42 Navigating Debt and Investment Strategies 50:37 Secrets to a Successful Financial Education Business 56:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement About Melissa Browne: Mel is an award-winning, ex-accountant, ex-financial advisor and now financial educator who is licensed to give general advice. She founded her own successful accounting and financial planning firm before selling to an ASX listed company just before Covid. Over the past 13 years, Mel has also written 5 books about business and money including the global bestseller, Unf*ck Your Finances, and her latest book (released Feb 2026), Dare to be Wealthy. So, she has the theory. But Mel also has the life experience. She grew up in the Western Suburbs of Sydney in a violent, often inconsistent household and came back from less than nothing in her early thirties, after giving all of her money to charity (a move she instantly regretted). Despite these starts, set-backs and mistakes – she is now a multi-millionaire gaining financial independence from the strategies she put in place for herself. Mel genuinely believes, as a result of her own story and working with tens of thousands of women and families, that understanding how to build wealth shouldn't be abdicated or just for the select few who can afford it – but is something that everyone can achieve. Mel is regularly asked to comment on money and finances making regular TV and radio appearances including Triple J's The Hack, the Today Show, Weekend Sunrise, Weekend Today, Sky Business and The Daily Edition. She has also been featured in or written articles for a variety of places including CEO Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Who, Vogue, Yahoo Finance and had a fortnightly column in the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne's Age for 7 years.

Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, I am embracing a new vibe. It's a fresh approach to the podcast, social media and how I'm running, well, everything. I'm talking about experimentation and failure, dropping the facade of perfection and the practical things I'm changing this year to have more fun. Let me know what you're changing to be more aligned in 2026! Resources: Get on the waitlist for the Her Empire Builder launch here: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/waitlist Check out Welcome to Adulting here: https://www.welcometoadulting.co/ And that viral social post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ3gk8aEZWz/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

In this reflective and inspiring solo episode, Tina Tower shares her most impactful business and personal lessons from 2025. As the year draws to a close, Tina pulls back the curtain to reveal the decisions, pivots, and strategies that led to her most expansive, profitable, and joy-filled year to date. Key Topics Covered Design Your Business Around What Matters: Tina Tower emphasizes aligning your business to your values and lifestyle goals, highlighting how she achieved the best balance ever this year. Information Courses Are Dead: There's a major industry shift; pure information is now easily accessible via AI. What sells is transformation, accountability, and live, high-touch elements tailored for true results. AI Is a Game Changer: Tina Tower leaned heavily into AI, streamlining operations and freeing up more time for client connection and creativity. She discusses specific tools (Delphi, Freepik, custom GPTs) and how they enhanced delivery and impact. Brand Consolidation for Simplicity: After experimenting with multiple spin-off brands, she consolidated everything back under Her Empire Builder for clarity and ease—making the customer experience and promotions much simpler. Small But Mighty Team: Tina Tower optimized her team to just a few core members, focusing on high trust, strong culture, and prioritizing profitability and lifestyle over scale. Evergreen Funnels & Consistent Revenue: Significant investment and effort in building robust evergreen funnels and leveraging affiliate sales have enabled consistent revenue throughout the year, reducing launch dependence. Prioritizing Health & Energy: Personal wellbeing had a transformative ripple effect on her business performance, boundaries, and overall happiness. Strong Boundaries Create Greater Joy: Being intentional and sometimes "selfish" with time and commitments allowed Tina Tower to focus energy where it mattered most. Travel & Creativity: A year rich with travel (both for work and leisure) fuelled creativity and underscored the importance of enjoying success along the journey—not just at "retirement." Intimate Masterminds Are Most Impactful: Smaller groups and deeper connections have delivered more value both for members and for Tina's fulfillment as a coach. As you reflect on these lessons, let them be an invitation to design a business and a life that feels both profitable and deeply fulfilling. 2025 proved that success isn't about doing more, but about doing what matters with clarity, intention, and joy. As you move into a new year, may Tina's insights remind you that you can simplify, elevate, and still create extraordinary impact. The future is bright, and the best chapters are yet to be written. Resources Mentioned: Entrepreneurs Holiday Survival Guide: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/break Where to find Tina: Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

In this heartfelt episode, Tina Tower explores the very real experience of self-doubt as a business owner. Drawing from over two decades in business and personal moments of vulnerability, she shares tangible strategies for recognizing, managing, and overcoming self-doubt at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey. Key Topics Covered Self-Doubt Is Part of the Entrepreneurial Ride Tina Tower normalizes self-doubt, sharing personal stories from her own journey, including reaching 100 members in Her Empire Builder and facing challenges after her son's accident. How Self-Doubt Shows Up Procrastination, endlessly tweaking but never launching, underpricing offers, avoiding visibility, and seeking constant validation—all signs of self-doubt. Real-Life Solutions and Mindset Tools Naming your self-doubt Using journaling prompts: What would I do if I fully believed in myself? What is the actual fear behind my hesitation? Where have I succeeded before, and what did it take? Reframing failure as part of the messy middle and essential to growth The Power of Community and Support Letting yourself be supported by others, especially in tough times Building cheerleader circles and masterminds for external perspective Managing Comparison and Keeping Focus Advice on running your own race and putting blinders on to avoid comparison-itis Confidence Is Built by Action Confidence doesn't come before success—it grows from repeatedly showing up and taking micro steps Protecting Your Energy The importance of morning routines, listening to inspiring content, reducing social media usage, and staying connected to your purpose Celebrating Small Wins The value of keeping a "proof file" of positive feedback to revisit during low-confidence moments Knowing When to Rest Recognizing the difference between true self-doubt and just needing to recharge As you step back into your day, remember that self-doubt is simply part of building something meaningful—not a stop sign. Keep taking those small, brave steps, lean on your people when you need to, and celebrate every win along the way. You're doing better than you think, and your confidence will keep growing each time you show up. Resources Mentioned: Books: "No Bad Parts" by Richard Schwartz; "Self Help" by Gabby Bernstein; "Epic Retirement" and "Prime Time" by Beck Wilson App: Opal (social media blocker) https://www.opal.so/ Where to find Tina: Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

In this insightful episode, Tina Tower dives deep into how building a personal brand can be one of the most powerful, leveraged assets for entrepreneurs—especially course creators, thought leaders, and those seeking longevity in their business journey. She shares candid stories from her own evolution and breaks down the scalable pillars that help you stand out and thrive in today's business landscape. Key Topics Covered Personal Brand vs Business Brand: Tina Tower shares her early days of physical hustle—newspaper ads and flyers—before realizing the potential of personal branding for free, scalable visibility. Personal brand isn't about your logo or colors; it's about you, your story, and your unique perspective. Evolution and Authenticity: The journey from projecting what you "should be" to genuinely showing up as yourself, as Tina Tower recounts her shifts through various business stages and fashion choices. Examples from fellow entrepreneurs like Naomi Simpson highlight how a signature style (like always wearing red) can become a memorable brand cue, yet it's okay to evolve. AI's Impact on Personal Branding: Tina Tower discusses leveraging AI to scale her expertise, but emphasizes the irreplaceable connection that comes from real human interaction. As technology accelerates, authentic personality remains the differentiator. Why Personal Brand Matters: Trust, connection, and aligned clients are all built through personal brand. Success and credibility from previous ventures carry over, so you never start from scratch when you've cultivated reputation. Personal brand attracts the "right" people and repels those you're not aligned with—a competitive advantage and a filter. Pillars of Scalable Personal Brand: Message: What are you known for? Is your content reflecting this consistently? Media: Cultivating visibility through podcasts, newsletters, social media, articles—be consistent but don't feel pressured to be everywhere. Momentum: Stay visible; use systems, repurpose, and don't let fear of judgment hold you back. Overcoming Fear & Judgement: Common blocks like the fear of being "too much" or "not enough," and worrying what friends or family might think. Tina Tower shares practical approaches to quiet those fears and stay focused on your business and personal growth. Practical Steps: Build teams and systems once you're earning over $100k to amplify your brand. Collaborate, seek out media features, and show up with confidence and conviction. Get feedback from trusted peers to ensure your brand matches your intentions and current evolution. As Tina reminds us, your personal brand isn't something you create once—it's something you live and evolve. It's the ongoing story of who you are, what you stand for, and how you show up for the people you serve. Whether you're just starting out or refining your next chapter, remember: your greatest business asset is you. So keep showing up with courage, consistency, and conviction—because the world doesn't need a more polished version of you, it needs the real one. Where to find Tina: Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

I have my good friend Colin Boyd joining us on the podcast today! I took Colin's online course back in 2019 to help me with selling from webinar and there's things he taught that I still use in every presentation I give. In this episode he's sharing how to sell with webinar, how to get your confidence when speaking, why he moved from Australia, to the US, back to Australia and has now settled in the US! AND - his new book, "One Presentation Away". Key Topics Covered Colin's Speaking Journey & Breakthroughs: From early nerves to landing high-profile clients like HP and building a decade-long relationship through value-driven presentations. Selling vs. Performing: Why standing ovations matter less than crafting presentations that lead to concrete opportunities, sales, and offers. Common Mistakes Among Speakers: Overloading content, teaching over the audience's head, and neglecting to guide the energy and next steps. Infusion Selling: Colin's framework for blending valuable teaching with natural, story-infused selling throughout the entire talk (not just the ending pitch). The Power of Presence: Strategies and easy exercises for grounding yourself before a talk—including Colin's signature "presence exercise"—to channel the right energy and confidence on stage. Authentic Connection: The importance of vulnerability, reading the room, and using stories so your audience feels personally understood. Identity Shifts for Aspiring Speakers: How to reframe your self-perception and step into leadership, regardless of nerves or experience. Style & Energy: Why you don't need to be a high-octane "hype" speaker—authenticity and energy variation are more important than bravado. Colin's Book – One Presentation Away: What inspired the book, who it's for, and the special bonuses for early orders. I hope you loved this conversation with Colin as much as I did. Speaking is such a powerful tool for creating both impact and sales when it's done with authenticity, clarity, and intention. If today's episode sparked something for you, I encourage you to grab a copy of Colin's new book One Presentation Away and start crafting the kind of talks that don't just inspire but also move people to action. Where to find Tina: Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder Where to find Colin Boyd: Pre-order Colin's New Book + Bonuses: onepresentationawaybook.com Instagram: @colinboyd Self From Stage Academy: colinboyd.co

In this episode, Tina Tower dives into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the course creation industry. Tina reflects on her early predictions about AI, how those have played out, and what has really changed in the last 12–24 months—especially when it comes to information accessibility and course value. She offers actionable insights on how to future-proof your business, leverage AI as a superpower, and why human connection and transformation remain at the heart of successful online programs. Resources: Join Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/join ChatGPT (for general AI tasks) CastMagic (podcasting support) Canva AI (AI-generated design & artwork) Delphi AI (Tina's AI-powered personal guide, launching soon) Replit, Lovable (tools for customizable learning paths) Key Topics Covered Current AI Landscape: ChatGPT has become the leading AI tool for many tasks. Other platforms used include Cast Magic for podcasting, Canva AI for design, and the soon-to-be-rolled-out Delphi AI for tailored support. AI's Impact on Course Creation: Information is cheaper and more accessible than ever. Traditional evergreen online courses without community or support are becoming obsolete ("the $2K course is dead"). Differentiators now include guided transformation, community, and genuine support. Future Trends in AI & Learning: Rise of AI-powered personalized learning paths ("choose your own adventure" style courses). Hyper-personalized feedback via coaching bots and simulated mentors (for example, Tina's Delphi AI project). Courses shifting focus from information delivery to actual transformation. The Ongoing Value of Human Connection: Emotional intelligence, lived experience, and real-time human interaction are irreplaceable. Personal stories, community, and live events will continue to be major value drivers. Even with AI answering questions, people crave and pay for real human support and engagement. Practical Strategies for Course Creators: Use AI to free up your time by automating backend and admin tasks. Invest more energy into coaching, community, and personalized connection with members. Stay updated, experiment with new AI tools, but don't rush into unproven platforms. Remember, AI enhances your business but does not replace the unique value you bring. AI is reshaping online learning, but it can't replace the power of human connection. The real opportunity is in blending AI efficiency with personal support and community, creating programs that deliver transformation—not just information. Where to find Tina: Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

This one is extra special 💛 I'm joined by my dear friend Ashleigh Smith, co-founder of Rainbow Sky Creations and fellow teacher-turned-entrepreneur. We studied together at Sydney Uni, shared our early dreams of shaping young minds, and now we've both found new ways to teach beyond the classroom. In this inspiring conversation, Ash shares how she transitioned from teaching in schools to building a thriving online business that serves educators through practical resources, mini-courses, and an incredible online community. 🌈👩‍🏫 We dive into: 🎓 Letting go of traditional teaching and carving a new path 📚 Creating digital products and courses that truly support teachers 🤝 Building a heart-led brand centered around connection 💡 The mindset shifts from educator to business owner 👩‍👧‍👦 Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship with purpose Whether you're a course creator, educator, or dreamer ready to grow something meaningful, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and deeply seen. Want to join us inside Her Empire Builder? We're open NOW! Check it out >>> https://www.herempirebuilder.com/join Where to find Tina: Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder Where to find Ashleigh Smith: Website www.rainbowskycreations.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rainbowskycreations/ Mini courses https://rainbowskycreations.com/maths/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/79OKIULuCv9KD97zaUh3eL?si=d66c4c7842af4819