Today, we're in for an engaging Q&A session with Elly, a former portfolio manager on a mission to close the gender financial, wealth, pension, investing, and wage gap. Join us as we get to know her better and gain valuable insights into her journey and experiences.
Meggie: Hey there, Elly! It's fantastic to have you here today for a chat. To kick things off, could you share who you are with our readers and if you had to describe yourself in one sentence, apart from being a total legend, how would you put it?
Elly: Hey, Meggie! Of course, my name is Elly. I'd say I'm an ex-portfolio manager with the mission to close the gender financial, wealth, pension, investing, and wage gap.
Meggie: Love your mission, Elly! Now, let's dive into your career. What's your job title, and how did you get to where you are today?
“I’d say I’m an ex-portfolio manager with the mission to close the gender financial, wealth, pension, investing, and wage gap.”
Elly: I'm an ex-investment manager with ten years of experience. Today, I'm a content creator on Sqhermile and the CEO and Founder of WTS (Where to Start), helping those who want to start investing know where to begin.
Meggie: Impressive journey, Elly! Speaking of careers, have you ever felt like an imposter in your career? If so, how did you move past this?
Elly: Absolutely, Meggie. I joined a male-dominated field at the age of 21, and it often felt like I didn't belong. Growing up without much financial means, I always felt like an imposter managing others' money. I constantly had that nagging feeling that one day, someone would figure it out.
Meggie: That's something many can relate to. Now, who's in your cheer squad? Your ride or die crew, your allies who get you through, lift you up, and cheer you on? We'd love to know how important they've been in your journey.
Elly: My husband is everything to me, Meggie. He's been a tremendous source of support. Additionally, I have a close-knit group of about ten girlfriends who encourage every idea and cheer me along the way. It's been an incredible journey of empowerment, and now they openly discuss finances, which makes me proud.
“I joined a male-dominated field at the age of 21, and it often felt like I didn’t belong. Growing up without much financial means, I always felt like an imposter managing others’ money. I constantly had that nagging feeling that one day, someone would figure it out.”
Meggie: That's fantastic, Elly! Shifting gears a bit, how do you prepare for negotiation conversations, whether it's for a pay raise, promotion, or a brand partnership? We'd love to hear your hacks, top tips, or any awesome advice you've received!
Elly: Negotiation conversations can be quite the challenge! Here are my three key strategies:
1. Research – understand previous payment history and market rates.
2. Showcase what you can offer that goes above and beyond.
3. Highlight why they need you, making a compelling case for your unique value.
Meggie: Valuable insights, Elly! Lastly, did you ever agree to something in your career that you now regret doing?
Elly: Oh, absolutely, Meggie! So many times, as the only female on the team, I'd automatically get assigned admin or note-taking tasks, even when more junior colleagues (usually male) could have handled them. I also once turned down a fantastic job opportunity on the other side of the world due to personal reasons, and looking back, I regret letting it slip away.
Meggie: A big thank you to Elly for sharing her inspiring journey and insights with us. If you'd like to connect further or explore her mission, don't forget to check out her Instagram handle '@sqhermile' and visit her website.
Elly's experiences remind us of the importance of overcoming imposter syndrome, building a strong support network, and always knowing your worth in negotiation conversations.
“Negotiation conversations can be quite the challenge! Here are my three key strategies: Research – understand previous payment history and market rates; Showcase what you can offer that goes above and beyond; Highlight why they need you, making a compelling case for your unique value.”