Divas, Diamonds & Dollars: The Podcast for Women Building Wealth and Wisdom

Leadership, Legacy & Leverage Hosted by Larisa Troche and Cecelia Benford

Welcome to Divas, Diamonds & Dollars—the go-to podcast for bold, brilliant women 40 and better who are ready to build wealth, grow their leadership, and reclaim their financial confidence. Hosted by sisters and seasoned professionals Larisa Troche and Cecelia Benford, this weekly show brings real talk and real strategy to women navigating the power moves of midlife. From business ownership and income diversification to personal finance and legacy building, we share practical tools, mindset shifts, and candid conversations to help you elevate every aspect of your life. Whether you're pivoting

  1. 257 Beyond the Commission: Why Your Realtor Should Be Your Long-Term Advisor

    4d ago

    257 Beyond the Commission: Why Your Realtor Should Be Your Long-Term Advisor

    Midlife women who are considering homeownership canbenefit tremendously from working with a professional real estate consultant who helps reduce costly mistakes, streamline the buying process, and build long-term wealth. Buying a home has changed. With new buyer representationagreements becoming standard practice, many buyers are discovering that choosing a Realtor is no longer a casual decision—it’s a strategic partnership. In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we unpack what these industry changes mean and why today's buyers should expect far more than someone who unlocks doors and writes offers. You'll learn how a professional real estate consultant can save you time, guide you through complex disclosures and negotiations, explain local market conditions, help you understand home values and equity, recommend value-adding renovations, and provide access to trusted home service professionals. We also discuss maintenance planning, insurance considerations, and the red flags that signal you're working with a transactional agent instead of a true advisor. Whether you're a first-time buyer, returning to the market after a major life transition, or simply exploring homeownership as part of your long-term financial plan, this conversation will help you make smarter decisions and approach real estate with confidence. If financial independence for women, personal developmentfor women, wealth building, and strategic decision-making matter to you, this episode offers practical guidance to help protect one of the largest investments you'll ever make. Keywords: Homeownership, Real Estate Consultant, WomenOver 40, Financial Independence for Women, Personal Development for Women, Business Ownership, Leadership for Women, Career Strategy, Wealth Building, Financial Freedom, Midlife Pivot, Money Mindset

    37 min
  2. 256 - Why Smart Women Entrepreneurs Must Stay N.I.M.B.L.E.

    May 28

    256 - Why Smart Women Entrepreneurs Must Stay N.I.M.B.L.E.

    Midlife women entrepreneurs and women leaders who want sustainable business growth will learn how to build a bold, strong, and N.I.M.B.L.E. business strategy that creates resilience, profitability, and long-term success. Based on the realities of entrepreneurship during and after the pandemic, this episode explores what it really means to stay adaptablewithout losing focus on your core mission. In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, Larisa and Cecelia unpack the key business principles every woman entrepreneur should revisit in today’s changing economy: refining your niche, strengthening your systems, improving your CEO decision-making, benchmarking performance, andexpanding your reach through intentional networking. Whether you are building a side hustle, scaling multiple income streams, or navigating a midlife pivot, this conversation offers grounded business strategy with practical takeaways you can apply immediately. Listeners will also hear why staying N.I.M.B.L.E. mattersfor multipreneurship, personal branding, and long-term financial independence for women. From market positioning to leadership mindset, this episode speaks directly to women over 40 who are ready to stop operating reactively and startleading strategically. If you’ve been rethinking your business model, evaluatingyour next move, or trying to create more freedom through entrepreneurship, this episode will help you sharpen your focus, strengthen your operations, and confidently position yourself for the next level of growth. Stay in touch between episodes – now accepting new members in my free online community, MakeIt, Mind It, Multiply It!

    28 min
  3. Ep 255_Beyond ChatGPT Basics: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Use AI Strategically

    May 22

    Ep 255_Beyond ChatGPT Basics: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Use AI Strategically

    Midlife women entrepreneurs and women leaders can useartificial intelligence to work smarter, strengthen business strategy, and create an unfair advantage in today’s fast-changing professional landscape. In this episode of the Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, wemove beyond using AI for simple email edits and explore how women entrepreneurs, career professionals, and multipreneurs can strategically use tools like ChatGPT and Claude to improve productivity, leadership, marketing,and decision-making. If you’ve been wondering whether AI is “for you,” thisconversation offers a grounded and practical introduction to using artificial intelligence in ways that support midlife career growth, entrepreneurship for women, and long-term financial independence for women. You’ll learn five real-world AI use cases including strategy development, marketing planning,leadership and staff training, smarter prompting, and using AI to identify collaboration and networking opportunities. This episode also explores why multipreneurship anddiversified income strategies increasingly require adaptability, personal branding, and the willingness to learn emerging tools. Whether you are building a business, leading a team, planning a midlife pivot, or exploring new incomestreams, understanding how to leverage AI can help you move faster, think bigger, and position yourself more competitively. If there was ever a time to embrace working smarterinstead of harder, this is it. Stay in touch between episodes – now accepting new members in my free online community, Make It, Mind It, Multiply It!

    27 min
  4. Ep 254_Small Business Week Success: 10 Powerful Ways to Market & Grow Your Business

    May 15

    Ep 254_Small Business Week Success: 10 Powerful Ways to Market & Grow Your Business

    Midlife women entrepreneurs and women leaders can useSmall Business Week strategies to grow visibility, strengthen customer loyalty, and build smarter systems that support long-term business success. In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we explore how women entrepreneurs and solopreneurs can use the momentum of Small Business Week to market more strategically, connect with their communities, andcreate sustainable business growth year-round. Whether you’re attending networking events, launching customer appreciation campaigns, updating your online presence, or collaborating with other local businesses, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can implement immediately. You’ll learn 10 powerful ways to maximize Small BusinessWeek, including how to leverage social media campaigns, strengthen referral relationships, improve customer engagement, and use educational resources to sharpen your business acumen. We also discuss why successful business owners can’t afford to market only once a year—and how systems, consistency, and visibility play a major role in entrepreneurship for women and long-term financial independence for women. If you’re focused on midlife career growth, women’sleadership, or building a profitable business with intention, this episode offers grounded, actionable strategies to help you grow your brand, increase opportunities, and stay competitive in today’s marketplace. Stay in touch between episodes – now accepting new members in my free online community, Make It, Mind It, Multiply It!

    24 min
  5. Ep. 251 The Power of Setbacks: How Smart Women Turn Disappointment into Strategy

    Apr 23

    Ep. 251 The Power of Setbacks: How Smart Women Turn Disappointment into Strategy

    Reframing setbacks for midlife women is a powerful mindset shift that transforms disappointment into growth, clarity, and strategic opportunity. In this episode of Divas, Diamonds & Dollars, we explore how setbacks—those moments that feel like delays, detours, or outright failures—can actually become catalysts for midlife career growth and personal development for women. Instead of second-guessing yourself or retreating, what if you used every setback as data… as direction… as a strategic pause? Through a practical and empowering breakdown of the “Top 10 Reasons a Setback Can Be a Good Thing,” you’ll learn how to reinterpret missed opportunities, build stronger plans, and align more intentionally with what truly serves you. From recognizing when timing isn’t right to finding your tribe and embracing the power of a well-earned do-over, this conversation reframes setbacks as part of a larger success strategy. This episode is especially relevant for women leaders and women entrepreneurs navigating transitions, stretch goals, and evolving ambitions. By shifting your perspective on setbacks, you position yourself for smarter decisions, stronger execution, and long-term financial independence for women. If you’ve ever questioned your path after a disappointment, this episode will help you turn that moment into momentum—with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Stay in touch between episodes – join my free online community, Make It, Mind It, Multiply It!

    17 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Divas, Diamonds & Dollars—the go-to podcast for bold, brilliant women 40 and better who are ready to build wealth, grow their leadership, and reclaim their financial confidence. Hosted by sisters and seasoned professionals Larisa Troche and Cecelia Benford, this weekly show brings real talk and real strategy to women navigating the power moves of midlife. From business ownership and income diversification to personal finance and legacy building, we share practical tools, mindset shifts, and candid conversations to help you elevate every aspect of your life. Whether you're pivoting