My recent interview with Sharon Epperson left a mark. From the moment I sat down with this CNBC reporter, Time magazine journalist and mother, she bubbled contagiously with passion for life. Sure, it's always tricky juggling work and home, but a few minutes with Sharon will teach you that's what it's all about.

KOUSHI: I was looking at some of the awards you've won, the Gracie Allen and the Trailblazer of the Year. Did you always have your heart set on becoming a journalist, or was it something you stumbled into?
SHARON: I was always interested in journalism in high school. I took an elective called Journalism 101. We did our own radio show with a cassette tape. We figured out how to do an ad campaign, and we did some articles for the school newspaper. I was fortunate because by the time I went to college I knew that I wanted to be a journalist. While at Harvard, I did a number of internships including ones at The Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, and the Washington Post. I applied for a number of jobs, and I eventually landed a job at Time magazine. Right now I'm focusing on personal finance. It's the best job ever. I feel like I am doing a service to people by covering these issues.

KOUSHI: It seems from everything you're telling me that you were so motivated. Is there anyone you looked to for inspiration?
SHARON: There were so many people. I mean my parents were fabulous and they were very supportive of everything I did. But the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation was my biggest inspiration. I think seeing other African American journalists in my community who had such a passion for their jobs and were willing to take time out to teach me about it really, really inspired me.

KOUSHI: Do you feel that the fact you're both a woman and a minority has helped or hindered you?
SHARON: I don't think it's necessarily helped me, and I don't think it's drastically hindered me either. Slowly, people are starting to realize that you should be rewarded by your talents. Also, as an African American, personal finance is something our community doesn't ever really talk about around the dinner table. It's not something you get a chance to talk about with your investment banker father or marketing executive mom. Having me out there talking about why it's a good time to get into mutual funds and how to participate in open enrollment at your job, there's something for everyone, but I really feel it's especially important for me because of the African American community as well as for all of the other millions of viewers that watch CNBC. I love it. I just love it.

KOUSHI: You've covered such a large range of topics and issues in the years that you've been a journalist. What issue has become the most important one to you?
SHARON: I would say what I'm covering now. Business news is still the sexiest story out there. I mean, if it's not a corporate scandal or white-collar crimes, it's a company that you frequent all the time launching a new product.

KOUSHI: What advice would you give to an aspiring broadcast journalist?
SHARON: Read as much as you can. Study as much as you can. The best thing that someone told me about journalism is that you need to have something to talk or write about. You really need to stand out.

KOUSHI: Do you have any specific advice for young women in particular?
SHARON: I think it's important to do what you have a passion for, and don't limit yourself to necessarily one thing. For women in particular, it's important to multi-task, and I'm learning now as a new mom of a 17 month old, that my whole life is about juggling work and family. Don't be so narrow minded and so ambitious that you're solely focused on doing it one way, there are many ways to approach it.

KOUSHI: How have you, or will you be altering your financial lifestyle and what advice would you give to new mothers or mothers of young children?
SHARON: My focus is on my son. So of course I've increased college savings for him, I don't buy clothes as often as I used to, I buy clothes for him. I really focus on things for my home, things for my family much more than things for myself. I actually feel really great about doing that, it's not like I'm making a great sacrifice.

KOUSHI: When do you think is the best time to start thinking about investing in a child's future? 
SHARON: Immediately. I started a college fund for Dylan before he was born. I started a 529 plan in my own name because you can do that and change the beneficiary. And if I have any other children I would do the same thing.

KOUSHI: Many new mothers have to give up their jobs. What tips would you give them on saving their money and stretching their dollars?
SHARON: My husband and I tried to live off of one income after I became pregnant. What you need to do is plan. The general rule of thumb in financial planning is three to six months of an emergency fund in case you lose your job, leave because of a pregnancy, disability, or whatever the case may be.