Money Talk Women’s Table: Practice the Ask — Arlington

Practice the money conversation before it becomes the real conversation.
Talking about money at work is a communication skill.
The conversation might be:
“I’d like to discuss my compensation.”
“My rate for this scope is changing.”
or:
“I can’t take this project at that price.”
Knowing what you want to say is one thing.
Actually saying it out loud is different.
Money Talk Women’s Table is a 2.5-hour practice workshop centered on women professionals, freelancers, consultants, and business owners who want to rehearse compensation and pricing conversations before having them in real life.
No investment discussion.
No personal financial planning.
No lecture about getting rich.
The room is built around role-play.
THE FOUR-STEP FRAMEWORK
Every practice conversation uses:
FACT → ASK → PAUSE → RESPOND
FACT
What objective context supports the conversation?
Examples might include:
• Scope has expanded
• Responsibilities have changed
• The project requires additional work
• Your pricing has changed
• The requested scope does not fit the offered budget
ASK
State clearly what you are requesting.
PAUSE
Let the other person respond.
You do not need to fill every silence.
RESPOND
Choose the next move after you hear the response.
ROLE-PLAY 1 - ASKING FOR A RAISE
Practice opening a compensation conversation.
A working structure might be:
“I’d like to discuss adjusting my compensation based on the scope I’m now carrying.”
Then practice:
• Giving concise context
• Making a specific request
• Staying quiet after the request
• Responding to hesitation
• Clarifying the next step
The workshop does not guarantee that an employer will approve a raise.
ROLE-PLAY 2 - RAISING YOUR SERVICE RATE
Designed for freelancers, consultants, and independent professionals.
Practice a structure such as:
VALUE / SCOPE
What work is being provided?
NEW RATE
What price are you prepared to state?
EFFECTIVE DATE
When does it apply?
SCOPE OPTION
If the client cannot support that price, can the project scope change?
Participants choose their own working numbers.
Worth Say Collective does not determine the correct rate for an individual business.
ROLE-PLAY 3 - RESPONDING TO A LOW OFFER
Sometimes the useful skill is not making a bigger pitch.
It is saying:
“I can’t take that scope at that rate.”
Then decide whether you want to:
• Counter
• Reduce scope
• Propose a later review
• Pause
• Decline
The goal is to respond clearly without unnecessary apology or pressure.
YOUR MONEY CONVERSATION SCRIPT
Before leaving, complete a working script:
OPENING
How will I start?
EVIDENCE
Which relevant fact or scope point supports the conversation?
THE ASK
What exactly am I requesting?
IF THEY HESITATE
What will I say next?
MY WORKING NUMBER
Which number or range am I prepared to state?
MY FALLBACK
What alternative would I consider?
MY STOP POINT
When would I pause or decline?
YOUR WORKING NUMBER
Each participant chooses one number or range to use in the practice conversation.
It might represent:
• Desired compensation adjustment
• Project price
• Freelance rate
• Minimum acceptable project fee
The number is selected by the participant.
Mentors do not certify that a number is financially optimal, legally required, or appropriate for a particular employer, client, industry, or market.
YOUR FALLBACK DOES NOT HAVE TO BE MONEY
Possible alternatives may include:
• Reduced project scope
• Different deliverables
• A future review date
• Role or responsibility clarification
• Another mutually agreed working arrangement
• Declining the opportunity
MENTORS:
1. Emily Carter - Career Communication Mentor
Emily Carter is a career communication mentor with a background in professional development, workplace communication, and career readiness coaching. Her mentoring approach focuses on helping early-career professionals and job seekers express their ideas with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
At Worth Say Collective, Emily guides small-group exercises focused on choosing effective language, organizing responses, and communicating professional experiences without unnecessary detail. She emphasizes practical techniques participants can apply during interviews, networking conversations, and everyday workplace interactions.
2. Michael Bennett - Workplace Communication Mentor
Michael Bennett is a workplace communication mentor specializing in professional dialogue, active listening, and effective interpersonal communication. His approach emphasizes thoughtful responses, concise messaging, and constructive conversations in professional environments.
During small-group mentoring sessions, Michael helps participants practice listening before responding, communicating ideas directly, and reducing unnecessary explanations. His sessions use realistic workplace scenarios to strengthen confidence and improve conversational effectiveness.
3. Lauren Mitchell - Career Confidence & Interview Communication Mentor
Lauren Mitchell is a career development mentor focused on interview communication, professional confidence, and structured verbal responses. Her mentoring approach helps individuals communicate their strengths, experiences, and career goals in a clear and authentic manner.
At Worth Say Collective, Lauren facilitates small-group exercises involving interview-style questions, professional introductions, and real-time communication feedback. She helps participants organize their thoughts, deliver concise answers, and respond confidently without overexplaining.
Mentoring Focus: Clarity, Response Structure, Directness.

Timeline:
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Check-In & Conversation Routing
Choose the type of conversation you want to practice.
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Money Conversation Framework
FACT → ASK → PAUSE → RESPOND
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Role-Play Round 1
Practice in pairs.
10:30 AM – 10:40 AM
Mentor Debrief
Focus on clarity, hedging, unnecessary apologies, and the specificity of the request.
10:40 AM – 11:10 AM
Role-Play Round 2
Switch partner or scenario and try the conversation again.
11:10 AM – 11:20 AM
Break
11:20 AM – 11:45 AM
Final Script Build
Write the version you could realistically use.
11:45 AM – 11:55 AM
Working Number & Fallback
Choose the number or range for your own practice scenario and identify an alternative.
11:55 AM – 12:00 PM
Seven-Day Practice Commitment & Close

Event venue & nearby stays

1101 Wilson Blvd, 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, United States

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