Square graphic for the Money Secrets Podcast featuring guest Nataleigh Elzein holding a handwritten money question. — **Psst! The Power of Letting Your Clients Decide for Themselves.**
If you’ve ever hesitated before sending a proposal or second-guessed what a client is willing to invest in your product or service, this episode is for you.

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by **Nataleigh Elzein**, marketer and video strategist at Pinch Studios. With a background in acting and production, Nataleigh is obsessed with storytelling that drives movements. In this conversation, Nataleigh shares how she moved from discounting her work to valuing it fully—without making financial decisions for her clients. She opens up about navigating financial literacy as a business owner, learning to pay herself with intention, and why putting the best offer on the table is the most empowering thing you can do for your clients.

Listen to Episode 8

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Let Clients Decide: Instead of assuming what’s “affordable,” present your best work and allow them to choose.
Profit Means Impact: Paying taxes? That means you’re running a successful, profitable business—and that’s a good thing.
Pay Yourself Like an Employee: Knowing your numbers and setting a salary is key to financial clarity and long-term success.
Money Mindset Matters: Shifting from scarcity to abundance changes how you approach business and pricing.
Confidence in Pricing: The right clients will see your value—your job is to offer it, not to discount it preemptively.

Transcript: Let Your Clients Decide for Themselves: Interview with Nataleigh Elzein

Money Secrets Podcast – Episode 8

Introduction

We've made a lot of progress as a society in many areas, but one thing that hasn’t changed enough is our relationship with money. If we want to tip the scales in favour of marginalised people, we need to understand the secrets to making money in small business.

The more we talk about money — especially the secrets that usually stay behind closed doors or on the golf course — the more empowered we become. My mission is to get more money into the hands of good people, specifically business owners like you.

Because I believe small business can change the world. And to do that, we need to be making more money.

Acknowledgement of Country

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. I’d like to acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land and water that I live, work and play on.

I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.

Introducing Nataleigh Elzein

Hi there—Fi Johnston here from Money Secrets. A little while ago, I did something I’d never done before: I created a documentary.

I invited eight of my clients to a gorgeous Airbnb in Seddon, Melbourne, and asked them some truly spicy questions about money. We turned this into a mini documentary called Lifting the Curtain. The feedback, especially from female small business owners, was incredible. So, I thought this would be the perfect place to kick off the Money Secrets podcast.

In today’s episode, you’ll meet Nataleigh Elzein, a video strategist and producer for Pinch Studios

Telling Stories and Creating Movements

"I get to produce stories, tell people’s stories, and create movements from those stories—which is everything I love and more." – Nataleigh

Nataleigh specialises in working with people who are disrupting their industries. Her background as an actor and her experience in production give her a unique perspective on storytelling through video.

Feeling Ashamed About Money

When asked if she’s ever felt judged, silly, or ashamed about money, Nataleigh shared:

She hasn’t felt judged much, mainly because her family doesn’t know how much she makes.
Shame comes from the fact that we often don’t talk about money openly.
She believes we should celebrate the hard work behind our earnings.

She recalled a moment at a family gathering when she asked her cousin how much her wedding cost—an innocent question that caused surprise, but ultimately led to an open and valuable conversation.

Taking Action in Business

Nataleigh credits a pivotal coaching session with Fi for helping her create Pinch Studios.

"We wouldn’t have Pinch Studios without Fi. The idea came from a single conversation where we connected my love for storytelling with social impact."

Revenue and Paying Herself

In the past year, Pinch Studios generated $180,000 in revenue. While Nataleigh has covered her expenses—including a mortgage, bills, and Sydney rent—she admits she doesn’t yet have a fixed salary.

Her goal for next year? To pay herself a set monthly amount and treat herself like an employee.

Good Money Club

Are you a female or LGBTQIA+ business owner who wants to make more money and create meaningful change? My 6-month program, Good Money Club, is designed to help you do exactly that.

We work on your pricing, positioning, business model, and mindset — so you can build your bank account and your impact. Read more about Good Money Club.

Comfort with Money

Although Nataleigh feels comfortable talking about money, she recognises there are still mindset blocks. She’s working daily on building a sense of abundance, even in small life moments—like when her partner ate both gingerbread cookies from their gingerbread house!

The Best Money Advice

The best advice she’s received:

Paying tax means you’re making a profit.
Profitability allows you to create impact and do good.

Defining Success as a Business Owner

Nataleigh admits she wouldn’t have called herself successful a few months ago due to challenges in her team. Now, she feels successful because she’s rebuilt her business with strong foundations and intentional financial decisions.

Biggest Money Mistake

Her biggest mistake? Letting emotions influence financial decisions, such as heavily discounting services to help struggling clients. She’s learned that this can harm both parties and that charging appropriately creates more impact in the long run.

The Biggest Lie About Money

Growing up, Nataleigh was told that making money meant working hard in a job you don’t like until retirement. She’s learned that with systems, passion, and strategy, making money can come with ease and joy.

Income Over the Years

Year 1: $59K (starting in October)

Year 2: $108K
Year 3: $180K

Her big audacious goal for the next three years? $1 million in revenue—and she’s determined to make it happen.

Asking for Money from Clients

Nataleigh is now confident in sending proposals, even large ones. She shared the story of her biggest project—a $12K website—that she nervously quoted before landing the client. That experience taught her to let clients decide for themselves.

Managing Money Today

Nataleigh uses the Profit First system to manage her finances. It’s helped her pay tax bills without stress and avoid repeating past mistakes.

Fi’s Key Takeaway: Let Clients Decide

Fi highlighted an important concept Nataleigh brought forward: stop making decisions for your clients’ wallets.

When we try to make our offers “affordable” by default, we take away the client’s opportunity to choose the best we have to offer. Present your best option—whether it’s a wedding dress, a website, or a service package—and let the client decide if they’re ready to invest.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for listening to this conversation with Nataleigh Elzein. If you enjoyed it, subscribe to the Money Secrets podcast, leave a review, or share it with a friend.

Outro

Thank you for listening to Money Secrets. If you loved this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a review. Your support helps us get these conversations into the hands of more good people who deserve to thrive in business.

We’ve come so far as a society in many ways, but money is one of the areas where progress hasn’t been enough. If we want to tip the scales in favour of marginalised people, it starts with understanding the secret: money in small business.

In this podcast, Money Secrets, host Fiona (Fi) Johnston—Chartered Accountant, small business advocate, and impact enthusiast—dives into the conversations we need to have about money. The secrets that once stayed behind closed doors (or on the golf course) are finally out in the open.

Fi’s mission? To get more money into the hands of good people, like you. She believes small businesses have the power to change the world, and the key to making a bigger impact is to make—and manage—more money.

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Thank you to everyone involved for bringing this podcast together. We are excited to hear from you with any questions, feedback or suggestions for future episodes that you might have. Send a Direct Message to @peach.business

If you are excited for what’s to come, please like this episode, follow the podcast and share it with your friends. We are thrilled you're here.

Want to find out more about Good Money Club? It's for female and non-binary business owners ready to make more money and impact. Join us?

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