In this warm, energizing conversation, Desiree Stanley sits down with Jennifer Kornoely, creator of She Reads She Leads, an online collaborative book group where women read, discuss, and grow together. Jennifer shares how losing her corporate job and six-figure salary as a single mom led her to start her own business, teach herself everything through audiobooks, and eventually discover the one ingredient that was missing all along: community. Jennifer explains the powerful difference between passive and active learning, and why the real magic isn't in the book itself but in the conversation afterward. When you know you're going to discuss what you read, ask questions, and hear other perspectives, your brain absorbs and retains so much more. It's why reading in isolation so often falls flat, and why gathering with other women to talk it through changes everything—turning "boring business stuff" into genuine insight and connection. The conversation also digs into money, mindset, and the stories women tell themselves. She makes a heartfelt case for women reading personal finance as the foundation, having honest conversations about real dollar amounts, and setting their future selves up for security rather than settling for less. Whether you're an entrepreneur winging it and craving a sounding board, or simply someone who wants to feed your mind something better than another hour of doomscrolling, this conversation is full of encouragement and practical wisdom. As Jennifer puts it, eat the chicken and leave the bones: take what serves you, leave what doesn't, and never underestimate the power of learning alongside other women. Bio:Ten years ago, Jennifer Kornoely lost a $100,000-a-year corporate job for reasons that had nothing to do with her performance. She was thriving as a single mother who finally felt like she'd made it when a supervisor who felt threatened by capable women let her go with no warning. The experience lit a fire in her: she decided no one would ever control her income again, and she started her own business. Leveraging her photography hobby, Jennifer built a real estate photography business. She loved the freedom, but quickly hit a wall—she didn't know how to network, market herself, handle taxes, or run a business at all. Her turning point came when she assisted another photographer who seemed to have it all figured out. The answer? Business audiobooks and mastermind groups. Jennifer traded her commute music for Audible and Libby, devoured books on finance and wealth building, and grew her business toward six figures. But consuming content alone left her isolated and struggling to retain what she learned. That gap became the seed for She Reads She Leads, the online book club community she launched just over a year ago. Built on the idea that we retain far more when we discuss, apply, and teach what we read, it's less a book club and more a "mini mastermind" for women. Jennifer's deeper mission is giving women access to knowledge, community, and financial literacy—because when women have those things, they gain the freedom, security, and choice to build the lives they actually want. Connect with Jennifer:Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | LinkedIn Books mentioned:The Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap – Bookshop | Amazon Podcasts mentioned:Financial Feminist with Tori Dunlap ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a friend. The more we educate, inspire, and empower each other, the further this conversation goes. Questions or just want to say hi? Find me at PocketsofKnowledge.com or on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening! This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services mentioned. Nothing here is medical advice—I'm not a doctor. Please consult a qualified health professional for any medical concerns.