About Me: Whom I Am, What I Do and Why I Do It

Hi! I'm Patty Bonsera, Certified Financial Educator (CFEI), Financial Wellness Advisor and Coach. I am honored you're here and taking the time to explore if we might be a good fit to work together.
Perhaps you've raised a family, been through a divorce or became an unexpected widow. Or, maybe you've been in a financially abusive situation that you escaped from. These are traumatic events to your lifestyle and your finances, especially for women in midlife.
You're asking "What's next?" are looking for a fresh start and the traditional rhetoric from the financial services industry doesn't speak to you. I hear you.
Welcome to your new home to help you feel confident and beautiful about your life and your finances.
What is a Financial Wellness Advisor?
That's a great question!
It's like having a life coach and financial planner rolled into one, walking you through each step of the planning process, with encouragement and support, in a heart-centered, judgment-free space.
I do not sell insurance or investment products for commissions, nor do I manage assets, so you have me as an unbiased, advice-based guide. I pick up, where mainstream financial services leaves off to help you celebrate midlife with soulful abundance.
We help you design your life plan first, the most important things to you, and THEN we create the numbers around that plan so it all makes sense for you. Your life, your plan, your terms and no one else's.
"I want you to feel as confident and beautiful about your finances in the same way you feel confident and beautiful after a day at the spa."
Here's Why I Do What I Do
I have talked with many midlife women who have been through financial trauma and feel like they have nowhere to turn to heal those wounds. They do not feel prepared or protected to live a life of peaceful financial security. Maybe this is you?Your financial wellness is 80% soulful wellness and 20% math. When we nurture our soul-care, we feel more empowered to nurture our financial care. We can not have one without the other.
The bottom line? I do what I do so that you are empowered to have clarity, simplicity and peace of mind knowing you will never have to depend on family, friends or the government for your financial security; so that you can live a life of soulful abundance.
I am a Survivor of Life and Financial Messiness, too.
I spent 20+ years in corporate wealth management and had the securities licenses and expertise that came along with that side of the industry. However, that did not prevent me from experiencing my own financial trauma.
I've been married, divorced, spent 11 years as a single mom and am now an empty nester. I've experience income inequality, worked for a investment firm that was later indicted in securities fraud (unbeknownst to employees), gave my financial power away to my spouse, (eventually took it back), lost pretty much everything after 2008 (while hiding it from extended family) and rebuilt my life.
Over time, after confiding in close girlfriends, I discovered I wasn't alone in my circumstances. Income, education and status were irrelevant. These were women who had nowhere to turn without feeling like they were being judged by an industry created by men for men.
And, so I knew. I knew if there were a handful of us experiencing financial trauma and had nowhere to turn in the industry, then there has to be hundreds if not thousands of us. And there are.
That's when I decided to do something about it and how Fear.less Girl Financial was born.
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My Professional History:
Fear.less Girl Financial
Founder - CEO: 2018–present
Inspired WebWorks
Founder and Digital Marketing Educator: 2004–2018
Tapke Asset Management
Client Experience Strategist: 2001–2004
Retirement Capital Advisors
Director of Trading: 1999–2001
O.N. Equity Sales Company
Trading Desk Manager: 1997–1999
Renaissance Investment Management
Securities Trader: 1989–1997
Sena, Weller, Rohs, Williams (Reynolds DeWitt & Co.)
Assistant Securities Trader: 1987–1989
Provident Bank, Cincinnati
Money Market Dept - 1986 - 1987
I am an active member of the following organizations and communities:
Financial Therapy Association
National Financial Educators Council
Females & Finance Community
and have been a featured guest on various midlife podcasts.
Securities Licenses Formerly Held:
Series 6, 7, 65, 24
My Credentials and Academic History:
Certified Financial Education Instruction (CFEI): National Financial Educator's Council
Financial Recovery Coach course: Financial Recovery Institute
Financial Coach Academy graduate: Financial Coach Academy
B.A. - Communications: State University of New York, College at Buffalo
Coursework and Development:
The Financial Planning Process and Insurance: College for Financial PlanningCrucial Conversations Development Course
On a Personal Note:
As an advocate for single moms in crisis, I passionately serve on the Women's Auxiliary for Dream Centers - Mary's Home in Colorado Springs.
Here are a few quirky things about me.
- I have a deep obsession with dark chocolate - nothing else compares.
- I'm deathly afraid of crossing over railroad tracks - have no idea why.
- While I live near the mountains, I'm definitely a beach kinda gal - always will be.
- My birthday is on Talk Like a Pirate Day - aye, mate!
- I'll embrace my gray hair when I'm 90 - maybe.
Your Next Step:
If you haven't done so already, be sure to access your free Financial Wellness Guide for Women 40+ to get started on your journey to soulful abundance.