Who am I? For real. 

I am Charisse Conanan Johnson. I am a wealth expert, entrepreneur, writer, speaker, and strategist. I am committed to providing you with the tools to have the life you want. You've come to the right place to make money, and pursue wealth. 

I do things a bit differently - I share a lot of smart stuff for free, I sometimes dance when I talk about investing and wealth creation, and I geek out on anything that challenges the status quo. Stick around for a while, and I have no doubt that my unorthodox and fun approach will help you seize opportunity. 

I'm here to make things that might seem out of reach a little more attainable, and journey with you in the process. I want you to have the freedom and flexibility to do what you want. I get overjoyed when my advice leads you to make smart decisions. 

Like what you hear? Keep on reading to find out what inspires me to be committed to you...

I was born in Long Island to a teacher and nurse, who instilled in me the importance of being committed to something bigger than myself. I worked hard, and earned the opportunity to go to Yale University. I majored in Economics and American Studies, but I also learned one of my biggest life lessons - wealth matters.

Upon graduation from Yale, I earned a spot in JPMorgan's Asset Management division and soon became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, the most respected credential in the investment world. I spent years investing in the U.S. stock market making millions for our clients, and learning the ins and outs of the investing world. I also figured out how rich people get rich, and stay rich. I climbed the corporate ladder to Vice President in five years, and then had an epiphany - many of the rich people became rich by starting companies themselves. I wanted to build a company.

I moved to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago's Business School and studied entrepreneurship and finance. After I graduated, I co-founded Smarteys, a financial technology company that gave college graduates tools to manage their student loan debt and make smart money decisions. After four years, we closed Smarteys. I learned so many things along the journey, and I am excited to share them all with you so that you can apply the lessons to your entrepreneurial journey too.

I then started the Charisse Says platform, where I say a lot and provide the space for you to speak your mind as well.  I also took a position at Next Street, where I specialize in providing advice to businesses and non-profits on how to scale, and help philanthropists, governments and big institutions strategize on how to develop local economies.

Over the last 15 years, I have been committed to developing and sharing strategies to create wealth for individuals, organizations (public and private), and in communities across the country. I want to share my views because regardless of background, everyone can pursue wealth.

I am a regular contributor to American Express's OPEN Forum, where I write about how businesses can grow to the next level. I started the Nehemiah Entrepreneurship Workshop series, teaching a faith-based approach to starting a business.

I'm a proud alum of INROADs, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and the Toigo Fellowship Program - it took a community vested in my success for me to get to where I am, and that's right here building community with you.

I spend a lot of time with the amazing man I married and my joyous daughter, and you can also find me watching sports, playing cards, traveling, and experiencing new things every day with the people I love. I also volunteer as a General Partner with the Bulldog Innovation Group, a venture capital fund where Yale alums invest in other Yale alums.

And, I am living into God's purpose for my life. I am blessed beyond measure.

You have one life - why not make the most of it? I help you get there through my classes, my writings, and my videos because I care and I have a lot to share. Let's do this life thang together and have fun in the process!

My favorite sayings...

Get a Drop of Faith.

Faith is still believing, even when you cannot see what the outcome will be. Faith is hoping in what seems impossible. Faith requires patience and perseverance. All you need is a little bit of it. Go get your drop.