Redefining Wealth: How 'Girls That Invest' is Empowering Women to Own Their Financial Future with Founder, Simran Kaur
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Good morning Caffeinators!
Congratulations, you’ve made it another week and so did we. I hope you’re all feeling better than Donald Trump’s debate prep team.
Speaking of powerhouse women, in today’s Friday Feature we’ve been lucky enough to nab some time with the incredible Simran Kaur, Founder of Girls That Invest [especially as we’re in the company of the likes of Vogue, Forbes, BBC, ABC, Glamour and Cosmopolitan 👀]. We’re big fans of Sim and as always loved what she had to say.
In celebration of the weekend we’re adding some extras recommendations to watch, read and listen to while sipping a cocktail recommended by a reader.
Thank you to everyone for your kind messages and generous support so far.
It’s been a big few weeks for Caffeine but hearing from you guys makes every late night worth it.
Finn & the Caffeine Team
Redefining Wealth: How 'Girls That Invest' is Empowering Women to Own Their Financial Future with Founder, Simran Kaur.
1. Looking back on your journey, what’s something surprising that you’ve learnt about yourself or the world of finance that you didn’t expect when you started?
When I first started 'Girls That Invest,' I thought my biggest hurdle would be creating something that wasn’t a “fad” or “new trendy business”. The amount of people who told me to be careful because our revenue was a “one hit wonder” was something that I believed, so I scurried away all our profits, and took minimum wage out of the company.
2. How do your personal values shape the decisions you make for 'Girls That Invest,' both in content and in business growth?
My personal values centre around authenticity, inclusivity, and empowerment. These values are at the core of every decision we make at 'Girls That Invest.' We’re committed to representing diverse voices and experiences.
3. With such a mission-driven career, how do you find joy and fulfilment outside of work? What personal hobbies or passions do you turn to?
I love reading, especially autobiographies. I think it’s such a privilege to be able to read about someone's life and see the highs and lows that come with success. I recently just finished Trevor Noah’s book. Of course, nothing is more important than the people in your life. Spending time with my loved ones and my dog is what brings me the most joy. That is true wealth for me.
4. Can you share a moment when you felt truly proud of the impact 'Girls That Invest' has made on someone’s life?
I’ll never forget the first time I got to chat with someone who had been impacted by ‘Girls that Invest’. She came up to me while I was looking for a venue for our book launch in the Viaduct and told me how our podcast had helped her purchase her first home. It was surreal to think of the impact our work has created.
5. Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future of 'Girls That Invest' and the broader financial literacy movement?
I hope to continue to expand our reach globally, bringing our content to women in different countries and cultures who might not have had access to this kind of education before. I’m also excited about leveraging new technologies and platforms to create more engaging and interactive learning experiences.
6. If you could give your younger self advice—not as an entrepreneur, but as a woman navigating life’s challenges—what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to trust her instincts more and not be afraid to take up space. Growing up, I often felt the need to conform or stay within the lines to be accepted. But life is too short to play small. You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being for success.
7. How has your cultural background influenced the way you approach money and business, and how do you see this shaping the advice you give?
Coming from a South Asian family, I grew up with a strong emphasis on saving and working hard. This upbringing instilled a respect for money and an understanding of its value, which I carry into my work. It also made me more empathetic to the diverse financial experiences of our audience.
8. What do you hope will be the lasting legacy of 'Girls That Invest' 10 or 20 years from now?
I hope the lasting legacy of 'Girls That Invest' will be a global shift in how women and minorities perceive and engage with finance. I’d love to see a world where financial literacy is embedded in education systems and where the term ‘investor’ is as likely to conjure up the image of a woman as it is of a man. My hope is that 'Girls That Invest' will have played a meaningful role in making that vision a reality.
Icehouse is cooking: Cast your beady eyes over this post. Sounds like Icehouse have something special in the works next Thursday.
▪️ A curated, intimate dinner with 20-25 early stage kiwi operators/founders
▪️ Off-the-record conversations to spark innovation and collaboration
▪️ Networking with potential co-founders and team members.Sounds like a winner. Get in quick.
Trump v Harris: Whatever your politics, yesterday’s debate was historic. Simon Shepherd over at NBR has done a great breakdown on his podcast by zooming out from the horse race and analysing what a Presidency by Trump or Harris would mean for Kiwi businesses.
Mega Power Merger: RNZ reports a $2.3b dollar merger is on the horizon for Contact and Manawa energy in a major shake of Aotearoa’s energy market. But they won’t be counting electric chickens just yet, the deal has many hurdles to clear including Commerce Commission, High Court and shareholders approval. Read more here.
🏕️ Could you be our next Founder in the Wild?
🙌 We've teamed up with Unyoked to send kiwi founders on a digital detox - a chance to get away, get time to think, be in nature and shut out all the noise.
🤩 Sharesies co-founder and director Brooke Roberts was up first (check out her report here and we're looking for who's next.
💫 You can choose between an Unyoked cabin in Kawakawa Bay or Raglan - they're both pretty great! It’s all on us - all you have to do is share your experience.
Are you a founder who needs time out or know one who does? Join in the chat over on LinkedIn now. The comments are popping and now our only issue is that we want to send you ALL!!!!
Here’s what’s on our radar. Hit us with your own recommendations.
Podcast: Hard Fork, hosted by Kevin Roose from the NYT and Casey Newton from Platformer, is one of the funniest and most insightful tech podcasts out there.
Book: Nexus is the latest from Yuval Noah Harari, the brilliant mind behind ‘Sapiens’. His latest tackles the history of information networks, explores how they built our society and are now tearing it apart. You might not feel happier after reading but you'll definitely feel smarter.
Movie: If, like me, you are one of those well adjusted folks who relax by watching terrifying films then put this on your radar. Speak No Evil is an exceptional remake of a Danish horror/thriller starring James McAvoy hitting cinemas this week. He is absolutely eating the scenery.
Something to sip on:
Shout out to Simon Robertson for sending in this excellent cocktail recommendation: The Boulevardier. Perfect for fans of the Old Fashioned or Negroni who feel like something that balances the richness of the former with the freshness of the latter.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 ounces bourbon (or rye)
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Garnish: orange twist
Method:
Add bourbon, Campari and sweet vermouth into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh block ice.
(Tip: the smaller your ice the faster it melts and the more watery your drink will become)
Garnish with an orange twist.
That’s all from us. Look after yourselves and each other this weekend and we’ll see you Monday.
~ Finn and the Caffeine team
