The Money Secret They Don’t Want You to Know l Real Money Podcast
The journey to financial freedom often begins with understanding our deepest money secrets motivations. In my very first Real Money Podcast this year, I invited Dr. Nona Djavid, an individual whose journey from a war-ravaged country to the United States is nothing short of inspiring. As immigrants to the United States at age 16, she arrived with limited English skills and her family’s entire savings, which amounted to just enough for a few months of survival. The contrast between the war-torn homeland of Iran and America created a powerful drive to succeed financially.
Despite these obstacles, she forged her own path to success, thriving in areas beyond traditional expectations. Nona’s story illuminates her entrepreneurial spirit, driven by an early understanding of the scarcity mindset she encountered during her upbringing.
Having immigrated to the U.S. with her family, Nona witnessed first-hand the economic struggles and sacrifices her parents made, bringing their savings to a new land where opportunities seemed abundant yet initially out of reach. With a natural talent for math, she launched her first business venture as a teen, tutoring neighborhood kids to support herself. Her story is shaped by a unique blend of resilience, creativity, and an acute awareness of financial mindset influences, which continue to inform her work today.
Nona’s Immigration Experience as a Teen
Nona immigrated to the United States at 16 years old from Iran, a country experiencing significant turmoil following its revolution. Growing up during wartime, she witnessed bombing raids and frequently had to take shelter under desks or in basements for safety. Her family lived with rationed food, gasoline, and other necessities, creating an environment of scarcity that would later influence her perspective on finances.
Despite the cultural tendency in Iran for women to be directed toward domestic roles, Nona’s immediate family environment was different. Her parents and extended family encouraged women to pursue education and independence. When her parents decided to relocate to America, they sold everything they owned—their home, cars, and even jewelry—converting their entire life savings into what amounted to only a few months’ worth of living expenses in the US.
Nona’s Success Story
Upon arriving in America, Nona faced immediate challenges as she was placed in high school as a 16-year-old senior with limited English skills. This difficult transition period sparked her entrepreneurial journey. Recognizing her strength in mathematics, she began tutoring neighbourhood children since numbers required less language proficiency.
Her first unofficial business quickly evolved as she demonstrated remarkable business acumen:
- Started by tutoring math to local students
- Recognized the limitations of trading time for money
- Recruited other mathematically talented students from her high school
- Created a commission-based structure where she received a portion of their earnings
This early entrepreneurial experience taught Nona about leverage, scaling, and business operations. Interestingly, she acknowledges that her initial motivation came from a scarcity mindset—the fear of poverty drove her toward creating abundance. Through her later work in NLP and personal development, she came to understand this as “away from motivation,” recognizing that building success from fear rather than positive aspiration creates its own challenges.
Her remarkable journey continued as she applied to and attended UC Berkeley, laying the foundation for her future work with Tony Robbins and her eventual recognition as a Forbes council member and respected money mindset expert.
Nona’s Money Mindset Exploration
NLP Insights for Financial Growth
Nona has a strong foundation in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), equipping her with tools to help business owners refine their money mindsets. Her practical approach makes complex NLP concepts accessible, benefiting those who seek to enhance their financial outlook. This skillset stems from her own experiences and the transformations she fosters in others.
As NLP practitioner, she observed how deeply rooted our money mindsets can be in our early experiences. Growing up in a third-world country during wartime shaped her understanding of resources profoundly. Food and gasoline rationing created an atmosphere of scarcity that influenced her early financial perspectives.
Generational influences play a crucial role too. Many families pass down beliefs about money without realizing it. Whether from grandparents who survived economic hardships or parents who valued traditional career paths over entrepreneurship, these silent lessons shape our relationship with wealth. Safety and security frequently become prioritized values when economic instability has been the norm.
Impact of Tony Robbins’ Community
Being part of the Tony Robbins ecosystem has greatly influenced Nona’s professional journey. She entered this space to gain insight into self-improvement and motivational techniques, which have become central to her teachings. Her methodology encompasses strategies learned in this renowned environment, allowing her to inspire change effectively.
Role in the Forbes Network
As a member of the Forbes Council, Nona holds a respected position where she contributes her expertise on money mindset. This prestigious network has allowed her to engage with thought leaders and integrate new ideas into her practice. The membership underscores her influence and commitment to thought leadership in personal and financial development.
Expert Contributions to the Community
Nona actively shares her insights with a larger audience through community engagements. Her participation as an expert in mastermind sessions offers attendees valuable perspectives on financial attitudes and personal growth. This role highlights her dedication to empowering others to achieve financial well-being through informed and practical guidance.
Transformational Leadership Concepts
Our introduction to transformational leadership principles revolutionized our approach to wealth creation. This framework taught us to examine motivational patterns – particularly distinguishing between “away from” and “toward” motivations. The difference is significant:
- Away From Motivation: Building wealth driven by fear of poverty
- Toward Motivation: Creating abundance from a place of possibility
This distinction helps us understand that while fear can initially drive financial success, it rarely leads to fulfilment. We discovered that sustainable wealth comes from positive motivations rather than escaping negative circumstances.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Having a vision is crucial for personal and professional growth.
- Money mindset is shaped by personal experiences and cultural background.
- Scarcity can drive entrepreneurial spirit but may lead to unhealthy motivations.
ABOUT LISA CHASTAIN:
Lisa also uses many tools that she used throughout her money journey and invites you to try them as well. As a first step, she recommends reading her book, Girl, Get Your $hit Together in which she helps women tackle their financial story and shares her entire story. After reading the book, she invites listeners to join the Stop Budgeting System– the very method she used to gain financial freedom and clarity.