How do families talk about money together? They usually don’t.
But talking about financial matters with family does not have to be awkward or taboo. In fact, finding small opportunities to discuss money with your kids can build a foundation for having bigger conversations about the family’s wealth and estate plan.
As co-founder of
Greenlight, Johnson Cook is helping to build this foundation for millions of Americans. Greenlight is a financial education app and debit card for kids and teens that allows parents to instantly send their kids money, set up chores and allowance, create savings goals, and more.
In today’s episode, Johnson shares his own entrepreneurial journey, as well as insights on how we can empower parents and kids with the tools to learn about, and talk about, money together.
In the episode we will learn:
- (03:13) - How did growing up on a farm shape Johnson's view on work?
- (06:26) - What differing money stories did Johnson and his co-founder have?
- (08:43) - How did Johnson's entrepreneurial journey start and evolve?
- (11:34) - What mistakes did he make as an entrepreneur?
- (14:38) - Why are some families reluctant to talk about financial education?
- (18:14) - How does Greenlight facilitate family money conversations?
- (21:07) - How does Johnson raise entrepreneurial and appreciative children?
- (24:13) - What is the bigger purpose behind Greenlight?
- (26:07) - What are Johnson's long-term plans for his entrepreneurial journey?
What is The Road to Why?
From start-up entrepreneurs to multi-generational family business owners, most founders are driven to succeed for reasons well beyond making money. Whether it’s a passion for reshaping their industry, building a family legacy or advancing the causes they care most about — or, in many cases, all of the above — exploring the larger “why” of their life’s work offers insights into how successful leaders operate and what is really important to them.
On The Road to Why, host Eric Czepyha, Director of Business Services at Northern Trust, speaks with business owners, entrepreneurs and visionaries about business, family, wealth and legacy and shares advice and life lessons from those who have found success in ways expected and unexpected.