317: Dare to be Wealthy - Mel Browne’s mission for you

Dare to Be Wealthy: How Mel Browne is Redefining Wealth for Women

If there’s one thing that stands out when listening to Mel Browne talk about women and wealth, it’s passion—a bold, unapologetic drive to rewrite the rules and show women everywhere that building wealth isn’t just possible; it’s a right. In the latest episode of the Her Empire Builder Show, Tina Tower welcomes her long-time friend and powerhouse financial educator, Mel Browne, for a conversation that's equal parts practical wisdom, fierce truth-telling, and genuine encouragement.

Breaking Down the Patriarchal Myths About Money

From the very beginning, Mel Browne makes it clear: the financial world is still heavily conditioned by patriarchal biases. Society has long told women we’re “too emotional” to be good investors, or that we shouldn’t be assertive with our money.

But here’s the kicker: research actually shows women outperform men in investing—often by keeping things simple, steady, and focused on the long game. As Mel Browne passionately points out, women tend to be “time millionaires,” with the ability to turn small, consistent investments into genuine wealth over time.

A Personal Story That Inspires Change

What makes Mel Browne’s advice so impactful is her story. She’s not someone who grew up with a silver spoon or a string of easy financial wins. Raised in a tumultuous Western Sydney household, she witnessed coercive financial control firsthand—a narrative familiar to far too many women.

Her journey out of debt and heartbreak into multimillionaire status is both raw and real. She shares how, after her first marriage ended and she gave away all her divorce proceeds to charity (something she now cautions others against doing in the heat of emotion), she rebuilt her finances brick by brick: learning to invest, building businesses, and never letting her past limit her belief in what’s possible.

Why Language Matters When It Comes to Wealth

One of Mel Browne’s most powerful insights from the episode is about the language of money—how terms like “aggressive” and “assertive” are coded as masculine, subtly nudging women into “balanced” or “safe” investing strategies that often yield less growth over time. She makes the case for a new financial language that recognizes the strength, intuition, and intelligence women bring to their wealth journeys.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

A question Tina Tower hears over and over from women: “Have I left it too late?” Whether in their 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, women wonder if the window for wealth-building has closed. Mel Browne is resolute: it’s a myth, fueled by ageism and limiting beliefs. With strategic, manageable steps (like investing small amounts regularly), women at any age can build the financial future they want.

A Practical and Empowering Approach

True to form, Mel Browne doesn’t just talk theory. She drops immediately-useful strategies, like:

• Start with what you have—even $20 a week can change your future when invested consistently.

• Match indulgence with investment (“If you buy a pair of shoes, invest the same amount in shares!”).

• Don’t let shame or fear block you from learning—no one is born with all the answers.

And, as always, she’s a champion of going beyond just “paying off debt”—encouraging women to blend sensible debt reduction with smart investing to maximize future choices.

Leading By Example

Does Mel Browne plan to ride off into the sunset now that she’s achieved financial independence? Not a chance. Her mission is to inspire as many women as possible to own their wealth journey, find their voice, and change the world—one bold financial decision at a time.

If there’s one sentence every woman should hear tonight, it’s hers: “You’re not too old, too young, too busy, or too broke. You just need to start.”