Today we’d like to introduce you to Marin Laukka.
Hi Marin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My background is in positive psychology, and for more than a decade, I’ve been fascinated by the part of money that spreadsheets can’t fix, the emotional and psychological side that everyone feels but few people talk about.
Early in my career, I started coaching clients who were financially stable on paper but still felt anxious, guilty, or disconnected from their money. That’s what led me to create what I now call the Joyful Budgeting Method – a values-based approach that helps people align their financial decisions with what matters most to them.
And then life gave me two very personal tests of that philosophy. The first came during a shocking inheritance conversation that forced me to confront what I truly believed about wealth, family, and worth. The second was when I lost my home and everything in it, to a house fire just two months before my wedding. In both moments, I learned that peace of mind doesn’t come from having more; it comes from knowing what you value and living in alignment with it.
That’s why I do this work. Whether I’m coaching one-on-one or speaking to an audience, my mission is to help people see money not as a source of stress or shame, but as a tool for purpose, freedom, and joy. When we shift our mindset from “how much” to “what for,” everything changes, not just our finances, but the way we live, lead, and connect with others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road, but I don’t think it’s supposed to be. My work is all about finding purpose and clarity through life’s challenges, and I’ve had my fair share.
When I first started, I was deeply passionate about helping people feel more peace with money, but I didn’t always feel that peace myself. I struggled with self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear that I had to have everything figured out before helping others. Then came the moments that truly tested me — navigating an unexpected inheritance conversation that brought up guilt and confusion, and later, losing my home in a fire just two months before my wedding.
Those experiences shattered the illusion of control but deepened my compassion and faith in the work I do. They taught me that resilience isn’t about staying unshaken, it’s about staying aligned with what matters most, even when everything else falls apart.
Now, I help others do the same: to see that our financial and emotional struggles can become the very foundation of our freedom, if we’re willing to look at them differently.
We’ve been impressed with Yes& By Marin, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m the founder of Yes& by Marin, where I help people transform the way they think and feel about money through a psychology-based approach called the Joyful Budgeting Method.
At its core, my work isn’t just about budgets or numbers, it’s about helping people connect their financial decisions to their values, purpose, and overall well-being. I blend insights from positive psychology with practical financial tools to bridge a gap that most money conversations miss: the emotional and relational side of finance.
What sets my approach apart is that it’s not about restriction, it’s about alignment. I help clients and audiences move from guilt and overwhelm to confidence and clarity by showing them how to make money decisions that genuinely feel good and reflect what matters most.
Brand-wise, I’m proud that Yes& has become a space where honesty and optimism coexist. Where people can be both real about their financial challenges and hopeful about what’s possible. I believe money is meant to support the life you want to live, not control it.
Whether I’m speaking on stage, leading workshops, or coaching individuals, my mission is to remind people, especially women, that financial freedom starts with emotional freedom. It’s not about having more; it’s about feeling at peace with what you have and using it intentionally to create a joyful, purposeful life.
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about how much money you make or how perfectly everything turns out, it’s about how aligned you feel with what matters most.
I define success as the ability to make decisions that reflect your values, to live in a way that feels true to you, and to experience peace and joy in the process. There was a time when I chased achievement and checked all the boxes but still felt disconnected and anxious. It wasn’t until I started aligning my money, time, and energy with my purpose that everything shifted.
Now, I measure success by how present I am, how authentically I show up, and how much meaning I create in my work and relationships. It’s less about external validation and more about internal harmony. Feeling proud of the life I’m building and the person I’m becoming along the way!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yesandbymarin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yesandbymarin/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinlaukka/
