Certified financial coach empowering first-generation earners to build generational wealth through practical financial systems and proven wealth-building strategies.
The library was quiet at 11PM, but Ashmara Lawrence wasn’t ready to leave. Surrounded by stacks of personal finance books, credit repair guides, and business development manuals, she was racing against time, and her own financial reality. Living paycheck to paycheck with mounting bills and repeated setbacks, she faced a choice that would define everything: stay stuck or educate herself out of the cycle.
That late-night library session wasn’t just about survival. It was the beginning of a transformation that would eventually help hundreds of women rewrite their own financial stories.
Today, Lawrence stands as the founder of Ashmara Lawrence Financial Coaching, a mission-driven practice dedicated to empowering high-achieving, first-generation women to transform their income into long-term wealth. But her journey from financial struggle to wealth strategist reveals why her approach resonates so deeply with women who earn well but don’t feel wealthy.
The Self-Taught Foundation
Lawrence’s financial education didn’t come from privilege or family guidance. “I didn’t grow up with wealth, financial guidance, or easy opportunities,” she reflects. “I wasn’t handed resources or a roadmap. I was handed bills, barriers, and circumstances that should’ve kept me stuck.”
Instead of accepting limitation, she made a decision that would change everything. Armed with determination, faith, and unlimited library access, Lawrence dove into self-education. Books, courses, podcasts, and late-night research sessions became her financial university. She studied money management, credit systems, business development, and wealth-building strategies with the intensity of someone whose future depended on it.
The approach worked. Lawrence systematically raised her credit score, built business credit, eliminated debt, and transformed financial chaos into clarity and confidence. But she didn’t stop at personal transformation, she recognized the broader need for financial education among women facing similar struggles.
From Student to Certified Educator
Understanding that impact requires credibility, Lawrence pursued formal certification as both a Financial Education Instructor and Personal Finance Wellness Consultant. This combination of lived experience and professional credentials positioned her uniquely in the financial coaching space.
“I don’t just teach women how to manage money, I coach them to become the MVPs of their financial lives,” Lawrence explains. Her methodology blends financial literacy with wellness principles and faith-based guidance, addressing not just the mechanics of money but the mindset barriers that keep women stuck.
What truly sets Lawrence apart is her background in early childhood education, experience that shapes how she delivers financial concepts. “Before stepping into the world of financial education, I studied and worked in early childhood education.” she notes. “That background taught me something most financial coaches never learn: how people actually learn.”
This educational foundation allows Lawrence to understand behavioral development, learning styles, and the patience required to break complex concepts into digestible, empowering lessons. Where traditional financial advisors focus primarily on numbers, Lawrence addresses the complete picture: mindset, money mastery, and legacy building.
Recognition and Impact
Lawrence’s approach has earned significant recognition within the business community. She holds certification as a Woman-Owned Business in Maryland through WBENC, received a grant through the Hello Alice x FedEx Bootcamp program, and serves as a forum leader for WBENC-Greater DMV, advocating for women entrepreneurs to access state procurement and business opportunities.
In 2025, Ashmara Lawrence Financial Coaching was recognized as the “Best Personal Finance Consultant for Women in Maryland” by Best of Best Review.
This prestigious recognition highlights the company’s exceptional commitment to empowering women with practical, transformative financial education and wealth-building strategies.
These accolades reflect not just professional success but Lawrence’s commitment to systemic change. Her influence extends beyond individual coaching through her nonprofit organization, which delivers financial education and economic empowerment to underserved communities.
“My mission is personal: to break cycles of financial struggle, open doors for future generations, and ensure every woman, regardless of background, has access to the knowledge and tools needed to thrive financially,” Lawrence emphasizes.
The Holistic Wealth Philosophy
Lawrence’s coaching methodology centers on a comprehensive approach to wealth building that addresses the unique challenges facing first-generation earners. Her clients don’t just receive budgeting advice, they undergo complete financial transformation through strategic planning, mindset work, and faith-aligned guidance.
“Wealth is not just about money, it’s about wholeness, stewardship, and purpose,” Lawrence teaches. This philosophy recognizes that lasting financial change requires addressing underlying beliefs, behaviors, and spiritual alignment alongside practical strategies.
The approach resonates particularly with high-achieving women who find themselves earning well but struggling to feel wealthy. Lawrence helps these clients master money with clarity, build confidence in their financial decisions, and create systems for generational wealth transfer.
Breaking Barriers Through Education
Lawrence’s impact extends beyond individual transformation to community empowerment. Through her nonprofit work, she addresses the systemic barriers that prevent underserved communities from accessing quality financial education.
This dual approach, individual coaching and community education, reflects Lawrence’s understanding that lasting change requires both personal transformation and broader access to resources. She serves as mentor, educator, and advocate, committed to elevating financial futures across diverse communities.
The combination of personal experience, professional credentials, and community focus positions Lawrence as a trusted voice in women’s wealth empowerment. Her message resonates because it’s backed by authentic transformation and genuine commitment to others’ success.
For ambitious women ready to transform their relationship with money and build lasting wealth, Lawrence offers more than financial advice; she provides a proven pathway from struggle to prosperity. “I didn’t grow up with wealth, I built it,” she states. “And now my mission is to show other women they can do the same, no matter where they start.”
If you’re a high-achieving woman tired of living paycheck to paycheck despite your success, Ashmara Lawrence Financial Coaching offers the strategy, support, and faith-based guidance to finally make your money work as hard as you do.
About Ashmara Lawrence, Financial Coaching
Ashmara Lawrence is a Certified Financial Education Instructor, Certified Personal Finance Wellness Consultant, and women’s wealth strategist who empowers first-generation earners to build generational wealth. Through her practice at Ashmara Lawrence Financial Coaching, she combines financial literacy with wellness principles and faith-based guidance. Connect with Ashmara on LinkedIn and Facebook to join the community of women transforming their financial futures.
