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Meet Sharon Lechter of Pay Your Family First in Paradise Valley

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Lechter.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sharon. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my career as a CPA in public accounting… but by the age of 25 the entrepreneurial bug bit me when I was offered an opportunity to join a start-up. Instead of asking “why?” I chose to ask myself “why not?” which has become my personal mantra for my entire career. When you ask “why?” you are waiting for someone else to provide the answer, while asking “why not?” triggers you to look for the answer within.

I am very proud of helping start and expand the talking children’s book industry. When we sold that company, we relocated our family to Arizona. A year later, our oldest son left for his freshman year at ASU and got himself into credit card debt. I was angry with him…but even more angry with myself… as I thought I had taught him about money. That was December of 1992 and I dedicated the rest of my career at that time to financial education and helping people take control of their financial lives.

A few years later I co-founded the Rich Dad Company and co-authored Rich Dad Poor Dad, the first of 15 books I co-authored in the Rich Dad series. We expanded to over 100 countries and published in more than 50 languages, and Rich Dad Poor Dad was on the New York Times Bestselling list for over 7 years…because it was the right message, at the right time

After leading the Rich Dad Company for 10 years, in 2007 I chose to leave the company and was appointed by President Bush to the first President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. I served both President Bush and President Obama on that Council.

After having built the Rich Dad Organization, the largest personal finance brand, I was honored to be asked in 2008 to help reinvigorate the worlds’ largest personal development brand, the Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich brand. I work alongside the Napoleon Hill Foundation in releasing books like Three Feet from Gold, Outwitting the Devil and Think and Grow Rich for Women and speaking internationally on the topic of self-empowerment.

Today, I continue to serve my dedication to financial education and empowerment as the Founder and CEO of Pay Your Family First and as a national spokesperson for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants on the topic of financial literacy. I also serve on the National boards of the Women Presidents Organization and Childhelp.

Has it been a smooth road?
The decision to leave public accounting turned out to be the worst business decision of my life. But as Napoleon Hill said, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” Had I not made that mistake, I would not have met Michael Lechter, my husband of 37 years. So the worst business decision turned out to be the best life decision.

Making the decision to leave the Rich Dad organization in 2007 was very difficult. However, had I not closed that door I would not have had the opportunity to serve on the President’s Advisory Council or work with the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Sometimes you have to close one door for other doors of opportunity to open for you.

We all face adversity and challenges. Through determination and perseverance, we want to turn those obstacles into opportunities.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pay Your Family First story. Tell us more about the business.
My company Pay Your Family First is dedicated to creating tools and programs to support anyone seeking to improve their financial position. I am very proud to have been the driving force behind getting the Arizona law changed to require the teaching of personal finance education as a high school graduation requirement.

The following mantras highlight my philosophy and how I approach new opportunities for my own growth, as well as empowering others.

“You are the CEO of Your Life.”
“You are either a Master of your money or a Slave to it.”
“It is really quite easy….Spend less than you earn!”
And, of course…”Why not?”

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Whether the economy is up or down, people will always need to understand and educate themselves about money. You are either a master of money, or a slave to it.

Pricing:

  • Outwitting the Devil Book: 14.95
  • Think and Grow Rich for Women Book: $25.95
  • ThriveTime for Teens award winning Money and Life Reality Game: $49.95
  • You and Your Money online video series: $197
  • Think and Grow Rich for Women Book Salon online course: $997
  • Essential Components of a Successful Business online course: $1997

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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