On this episode of I Want Her Shoes, host Anna speaks with Brooke Sharpton, a seasoned financial expert and wealth advocate. Their discussion covers wealth beyond numbers, navigating transitions, balancing motherhood with financial planning, and the evolving role of style.
For Brooke, wealth is not only about balance sheets. It is about designing a life and leaving a legacy. “Wealth to me is being able to live the life and build the legacy that you foresee for yourself” she said.
Brooke has seen this take different forms among clients. For some, it is centered on family, children, and philanthropy. For others, it is about enjoying life without focusing on legacy. Personally, she aims to combine both approaches – living well while ensuring she leaves something meaningful for her daughter.
Facing Life’s Transitions
Brooke works with clients during pivotal changes such as divorce, inheritance, career shifts, or entrepreneurship. She notes that these moments often create a sense of lost control.
“The biggest thing people tend to forget is you are in control” she said. Her approach is to ground clients by helping them clarify goals and create a structured plan. This process gives them confidence and restores a sense of agency.
Motherhood and Money
Motherhood has had a strong impact on how Brooke manages finances and time. She explains that having a daughter has made her more risk averse. More importantly, it has shifted her priorities toward being present.
“Whenever I come home, I will intentionally put my phone on the other side of the room and try not to touch it for two hours” she said. This awareness extends to long-term planning, ensuring her choices account for both current presence and future security.
Style as an Evolving Identity
Brooke describes her professional style as evolving through several stages. Early in her career, she imitated what she saw other women wearing, even when it did not fully fit her. Later, she leaned into feminine and colorful looks. More recently, she has embraced edgier brands such as Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
This shift reflects how her definition of femininity has changed over time, moving from bright florals to minimalist cuts and materials.
Building Wealth and Community
A significant part of Brooke’s work is with Black wealth creators. She emphasizes the value of building professional relationships, particularly with Black women. Miami’s economic landscape is changing, with new residents and industries beyond hospitality, including finance and technology. Brooke sees opportunities in this evolving environment and finds passion in serving her community.
Brooke’s own experience after separating from her daughter’s father showed her the importance of being fully informed about household finances.
“I encourage women to ask questions, get to know who your financial advisor is, who your CPA is, who the attorney is” she said.Her core advice is simple: “Advocate for yourself even when it feels very uncomfortable or not natural for you.”
This applies to small decisions, like voicing a preference at a salon, and larger ones, like questioning financial transactions.
Miami’s Influence on Style and Success
Growing up in Miami shaped Brooke’s view of style. She explains that the city’s diversity prevents her from assigning a rigid definition of what success looks like.
“I don’t put women in a box as what a successful or powerful woman looks like because everyone has their own style here” she said.
This perspective allows her to maintain creativity and independence in how she presents herself, without conforming to industry stereotypes.
Conclusion
Brooke Sharpton’s story illustrates that wealth encompasses far more than numbers. It is about clarity, control, and values. Through her career and personal experiences, she encourages women to take ownership of financial decisions, remain present in family life, and express individuality through style.
Her message is consistent: wealth is not only about financial capital—it is also about personal freedom, community, and legacy.
