Exploring Life & Business with Taylor Sminchak of Blossom Financial Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Sminchak. 

Hi Taylor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Prior to my work as a financial coach, I worked in higher education as a student affairs professional. For several years, I worked at a student support office at a local University. During my time there, I supported college students who were struggling with any academic, emotional, and/or financial barriers. I quickly became the in-house specialist for students struggling with financial concerns of any kind. I developed a campus-wide financial wellness education program that creatively met the needs of our student population, made the topic of financial wellness approachable, and connected students to community resources and emergency assistance grants. 

I am humbled by the recognition I’ve received from various organizations for my work in this area, including the National Endowment for Financial Education (2019 Financial Educator of the Year), the Ohio Treasurer, and the US Department of the Treasury. In 2019, I attended a private White House Briefing regarding financial education at institutions of higher education. Louisa Quittman, from the US Department of the Treasury, said my name was shared with her as “someone who is leading the way on higher education financial education.” I was also recognized as one of Delta Zeta Sorority’s 35 Under 35 in 2020. 

I have since launched my own private practice, Blossom Financial Coaching. It’s my mission to help women gain clarity over their money and get excited about their financial future. I thoroughly enjoy coaching women to “win with money” and overcome financial anxiety through 1:1 coaching and group programs. 

My husband and I have been married since 2018, we have two toddlers, and we love to go camping in our travel trailer and travel to Walt Disney World frequently. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a journey! I felt called to start this business for several years, but something always got in the way. Either I didn’t believe in myself and my experience, motherhood pulled me away, or a global pandemic hit…there was always an excuse. When I commit to something, I want to do it right. And that’s been challenging as a business owner. Entrepreneurship is a bumpy road, and perfection is not possible. As a business owner, I’ve learned that messy action is better than no action at all. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
My mission at Blossom Financial Coaching is to help women gain clarity over their money and get excited about their financial future. Money can cause great anxiety and stress for individuals, as well as in their relationships. Through 1:1 coaching and group programs, I coach women (and their spouses) to “win with money” and overcome that financial anxiety they experience. 

My programs provide you with a plan for your money – one that gives you a clear path toward achieving your financial goals. If you’re in debt and want to get out of it, we will devise a plan to tackle it. If you want a picture that shows you where your money is going and where some simple changes might make a big impact, we can create that too. 

Most of my clients report that a huge weight was lifted off of their shoulders after we work together. They realize that they CAN actually do this and that their financial goals are possible. As an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC), I have the knowledge and experience to meet individuals where they are, help them build a strong financial foundation, and achieve lasting financial well-being. 

I offer 1:1 coaching both virtually and in person. I also lead women through various financial challenges. I’m currently leading a group of women through a Vacation Savings Challenge, where we save as much cash as possible for our upcoming vacations. Financial wellness can be fun and approachable! And this is what I help my clients realize. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
As a Christian, I believe that everything happens for a greater purpose. If you would have told me 5+ years ago that I would own my own business (helping people with their money at that!), I would have thought you were crazy. God has moved in such cool ways during the last few years. He’s softened my heart for helping people, revealed skillsets and passions that I didn’t even know were there, and is continually walking alongside me on this crazy entrepreneurship journey. Owning a business isn’t the easy route, but I’m confident it’s what I’m being called to do. 

Pricing:

• Free – 15-minute Q&A Call to see which of my programs meet your needs
• $177 – 90 minute Clarity Session
• $88 – Vacation Savings Challenge
• $37 – For Richer or Poorer: A Workshop on Money & Marriage – 6/24/23

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blossomfinancialcoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossomfinancialcoaching/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068887941725