Getting Rich Together

I am joined this week by the remarkable Madeline Darcy. Madeline is not only an award-winning venture capitalist making waves in the industry but also a generous spirit devoted to empowering women to become financially independent. Today, we dive deep into her journey from an adventurous and unique upbringing in Australia to becoming a top investor in the U.S. venture capital landscape. You'll hear about Madeline's early life growing up in an Indigenous community in Australia, her passion for saving from a young age, and how these formative experiences shaped her views on money and investing. Madeline shares her first jobs, along with how she navigated a new and unfamiliar financial landscape when she moved to the US for university. The important lessons she learned from them ultimately helped set her up for a successful career in consulting and later, venture capital. Listen as Madeline talks about her transition into launching Kaya Ventures, the risks and rewards involved, and her commitment to investing in areas that empower and uplift women and marginalized communities. Madeline's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and strategic risk-taking. It's a conversation brimming with insights on how to build wealth, seize opportunities, and make a meaningful impact on our communities and the world. Key Topics: Growing up in Indigenous communities and how that shaped Madeline's perception around money and resources Beginning work as early as possible to get control of her financial future Taking on a savings mindset from an early age Moving to the US for part of her university education How Madeline navigated finances and her financial education after moving to the US Learning to leverage a lower cost of living to help set her up for more risk later in her career Transitioning out of consulting into venture capital What it was like going from working with $50 billion companies to companies that had no money The mistakes Madeline made and how she navigated her first few years in venture capital Learning patience through early angel investments Launching Kaya Ventures and the investments the firm was interested in making Managing a high-risk, high-reward phase of life How her parents feel about her career path after seeing her success unfold Motivating people to live better through financial education Connect with Madeline online: Websites: https://www.madelinedarcy.com/ https://www.kaya.ventures/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinedarcy/ Instagram: @madeline.f.darcy @kaya.ventures Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Please join me in welcoming the gorgeous and prolific Eva Yazzari, founder and CEO of the Beyond Capital Fund, to the show this week. Eva, who has spent the past 15 years driving transformative change through her investment fund, shares her remarkable journey from a precocious child in Staten Island to a powerful venture capitalist investing in emerging markets. We explore her early money stories, her initial foray into finance, and the profound life experiences that shaped her entrepreneurial spirit and values-driven investment philosophy. Eva recounts her childhood entrepreneurial ventures, including selling bubble gum at a profit, and her ambitious pivot from pre-med to mathematics, which set the groundwork for her future in finance. She discusses her unconventional path, starting a career in finance before she even graduated college, maneuvering through hedge fund work, and her decisive move to Switzerland during the financial crisis, which was pivotal in her founding the Beyond Capital Fund. Eva candidly reflects on her personal growth, the importance of aligning money with values, and the moment she fully realized her life's mission. Eva's inspiring story illuminates the path of marrying profitability with purpose and highlights the significance of building a legacy that transcends mere financial success. Tune in for a deeply reflective and enlightening conversation on how money can serve as a force for good in the world. Key Topics: A childhood with one foot in the art world, and one foot in the NYC hustle culture Deciding between medicine and mathematics as a degree path Eva's first step into the finance and investment world at Merrill Lynch Investing in the future, aesthetics, and herself with early career money Finding her footing in the finance world How Eva's perspectives on money changed as a high-earner Learning to outsource money management — even if you work in finance Moving to Switzerland and starting a new career chapter Getting introspective about money and values Starting a new fund centered around philanthropy and doing more with money Leaving a legacy of building wealth while remaining true to values There's a difference between enjoying spending money, and spending it to feel worthy Connect with Eva online: Websites: https://www.beyondcapitalfund.org/ https://www.beyondcapitalventures.com/ https://www.evayazhari.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-yazhari/ Book: https://www.thegoodyourmoneycando.com/ Instagram: @consciousinvestor Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Today I have the immense pleasure of speaking with Jes Wolfe, the remarkable CEO of Rebel Girls, a company dedicated to inspire the next generation of girls to embrace their most confident selves. In this deep dive into Jess's life, Jes shares her inspiring story from a small-town Oregon upbringing filled with lots of outdoors time to becoming a powerhouse operator and entrepreneur who is making waves in the world of children's literature and female empowerment. Jes takes us back to her childhood, recounting her early money stories that taught her the value of saving and investing from a young age and ultimately set the groundwork for her future in finance, consulting, and, eventually, entrepreneurship. We journey through her career transitions, from her first job picking blueberries, to impactful roles at Morgan Stanley, the International Finance Corporation, and BCG, to selling her first business and finding her true calling at Rebel Girls. Throughout the episode, Jess eloquently discusses the importance of long-term thinking in personal finance, the grit required for entrepreneurial success, and her unwavering commitment to supporting women and girls in all her ventures. We also learn valuable lessons in planning out your pivots and taking time to really absorb life to figure out the best move for you and your future. Key Topics: Growing up in small-town Oregon and the first jobs Jess had as a kid Learning to invest in high school to start saving for her future Taking time to explore the world while decided on a life path The career fair that had Jes dreaming of work in the private finance sector The aha moment of learning how the world works and understanding how to play the game of life Jes's start at Morgan Stanley out of university How Jes planned her career moves to always be one step ahead The long-term planning and saving that allowed her to graduate from business school debt-free Moving to DC to work for BCG and all the places that job took her Investing in her friends' success by investing in the companies they worked for Following her desire to build companies through another career pivot Soul-searching in Asia, looking for her new path in life The move to SF that allowed Jes to finally start building things bigger than herself Navigating finances on a smaller salary while building a startup The lessons learned from selling her first business The pivot that brought her to Rebel Girls as the CEO Investing in the next generation to support female founders Connect with Jes online: Website: https://www.rebelgirls.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jes-wolfe-a58921/ Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Join me as I sit down with the incredible Alyssa Arnold, a powerhouse in women's investment and empowerment. In this enlightening conversation, Alyssa takes us through her journey from growing up in Houston, Texas, to becoming a pivotal figure in the realm of venture capital. Alyssa shares her early inspirations to become an engineer through her father, and how her education laid the groundwork for her strategic mindset in business and investments. Alyssa opens up about her transition from a promising corporate career to entrepreneurial success and the eventual co-founding of her consulting firm with her husband. She discusses the formation of Pearl Influential Capital and her mission to democratize investment opportunities for women by creating Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). Alyssa's insightful reflections on risk, reward, and learning from early investment mistakes are invaluable for anyone looking to venture into the world of finance. As we explore Alyssa's current endeavors with Cherub, we delve into the importance of network building, the role of education in fostering confident women investors, and her vision for making wealth-building accessible to future generations. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned investor, or someone curious about the intersection of gender and finance, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. Key Topics: Following in her dad's footsteps to become a civil engineer Feeling like she had something to prove in university Alyssa's initiation into entrepreneurship after having her son Finding excitement in saving and watching her bank account grow in her 20s Navigating the ups and downs of working in the energy sector Alyssa's first exposure to the world of investing through her coworkers The importance of diversifying deal flow Balancing safety and risk in investments Writing her first investment checks and what she learned from those first experiences Getting strategic about diversifying deal flow Figure out what you absolutely don't want to invest in, and build a thesis from there Learning the hard way from doing things the wrong way for a long time Going from solo investor to building a business around helping women invest What Alyssa learned from starting Pearl Influential Getting acquired and what led to that decision Joining forces with Cherub Connect with Alyssa online: Website: https://www.investwithcherub.com/ https://pearl.rocks/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssacatherinearnold/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/pearl-influential-capital/ Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

In this episode, I'm thrilled to sit down with the inspiring Elaine Asher, a powerhouse in educating and empowering women to gain financial independence through investing, especially in alternative assets. Elaine shared how she grew up being super studious with a heavy emphasis on getting a liberal arts education after high school. We dive deep into Elaine's early memories of money and how the Black Monday stock market crashed in 1987 served as an early lesson in the broad impact the stock market has on society. Elaine takes us through her diverse career, from non-profit fundraising to private wealth management, eventually leading her to the dynamic world of cryptocurrency. Her mission is clear: to break down barriers and enable more women to participate in all types of investing — especially crypto. Elaine also discusses her latest venture, Eve Wealth, which aims to simplify and demystify investing in digital assets for women. Tune in to learn about the impactful changes Elaine is making and how you can take steps toward your own financial empowerment. Key Topics: Early lessons in the volatility of money through the 1987 stock market crash Attending 3 high schools in four years as a type A teenager Choosing a college major for enjoyment vs. out of necessity Cold-calling Wall Street for her first job in 1998 Elaine's first exposure to the power of investing Learning not what to do with money after her grandfather died An initiation into investing through an inheritance and how it helped drive her career moves Quitting her job to travel Europe Lessons from the wealthy at her fundraising job A desire to get into finance to inspire more women interested in investing Elaine's journey to working with JP Morgan The breakthrough moment that got her into cryptocurrency investing The untapped opportunities for women with crypto Having a high risk tolerance for investing Going on a mission to educate more women in the power of crypto Starting Eve Wealth and fundraising her startup Connect with Elaine online: Website: https://www.evewealth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-asher-0a49a24/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/evewealthhq/ Instagram: @evewealthhq Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I am thrilled to have the incredible Sam McLemore on the show this week. Sam is a true champion of empowering women to achieve financial independence and leads a prolific career in investing. In this episode, we dive deep into Sam's fascinating life, starting from her childhood in Vermont, where she grew up with parents who had contrasting views on money. These early exposures to money, working from a young age, and navigating financial anxieties shaped her relentless drive to never be dependent on anyone financially. Sam shares how her father's introduction to the stock market during her teenage years sparked her interest in investments, which fueled her pursuit of a finance career, eventually working with legendary investor Bill Miller. Sam's journey is marked by calculated career and investment moves, including buying her first house just a year out of college and trying to live an aspirational life as a Vermont innkeeper` – a challenging yet illuminating experience. As the founder and managing member of Patient Capital, Sam discusses her vision for creating a highly trusted, investor-friendly firm, and shares her passion for supporting other women in finance. We talk about balancing career and family life, the importance of instilling financial values in her children, and her drive to integrate principles of stoicism and mindfulness into her business practices. Key Topics: Opposites attract in money values Sam's early anxiety around money and how her dad influenced her to start investing Starting university with a chemistry major and ending with a business degree How meeting Bill Miller gave Sam an early launch into the investment and finance field Building equity by buying her first house one year out of university Finding satisfaction and fulfillment from saving money Aspiring to become a Vermont innkeeper in 2011 How her money mindset shifted after selling the inn Setting a goal to get more women into investing Instilling good money values in your kids without an inherent struggle mindset How Sam is starting to see her values take shape in her business Bringing the ideals of Stoicism and Buddhism into finance and investing Connect with Samantha online: Website: https://patientcapitalmanagement.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patient-capital-management-llc/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-mclemore/ X: https://x.com/patientcm Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I'm thrilled to have the brilliant and incredible Heather Udo on today's episode of Getting Rich Together. Heather is not just an outstanding entrepreneur who's been leading her business, Shoppable, for nearly 15 years; she also holds a U.S. patent and dedicates her time to coaching first-time founders. In this conversation, we journey through Heather's life, starting from her formative years growing up in La Crosse, Wisconsin, as 1 of 8 children in her family, to her early entrepreneurial endeavors, and finally to her successful career in tech. Heather shares fascinating stories from her childhood, the influence of her parents on her financial mindset, and her early adventures with eBay arbitrage at only 12 years old. We also dive into her early experiences during university and starting out in the workforce, her strategic decisions in the early days of her career, and the financial moves that laid the foundation for starting her own business. Especially notable is how Heather always found a way around the frustrations of hitting artificial ceilings throughout her career and opened other paths to success despite the hurdles. Heather's insights on managing personal and business finances, navigating entrepreneurial challenges, and balancing family life make this episode a goldmine of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs. Key Topics: The money stories Heather grew up with in her family What it was like growing up in a family of 8 kids Heather's initiation into entrepreneurship with eBay arbitrage at 12 years old The first moments of freedom in her teenage years with her first jobs Navigating early career ceilings and arbitrary experience requirements Taking a risk to work with the founder of Military.com to help him launch another business Gaining the financial confidence to branch out on her own Heather's early investing and saving strategies Preparing financially to make Shoppable® happen Learning the right and wrong ways to pay yourself as an entrepreneur Navigating money conversations at home and with kids Learning you need to be financially successful on your own in order to make a broader impact on others Join Frec to start getting more out of your investments today: https://frec.com/?utm_source=GRT&utm_medium=GRT&utm_id=GRT Connect with Heather online: Website: https://www.heatherudo.com/ Shoppable: https://about.shoppable.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherudo/ Instagram: @heather__udo Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I'm thrilled to welcome the prolific, beautiful, and brilliant Divya Gugnani on today's episode. Divya is known as a fearless founder, deeply committed investor, and incubator of brilliant ideas. In this episode, we explore her inspiring journey from a shy child growing up in Long Island to becoming a serial entrepreneur and founder five times over. We kick things off by diving into Divya's early years, where she shares intimate stories of her introverted childhood and the foundational experiences that shaped her entrepreneurial DNA. She candidly talks about how her career in finance helped her build the confidence to kickstart her first successful business, leading to multiple startup launches and significant exits. We also explore the dynamics of navigating a predominantly male finance industry and the hard lessons Divya learned about self-advocacy and financial management in a highly competitive industry. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her personal life — balancing motherhood, money in marriage, and being a mentor to many in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Tune in to this episode for high-value insights from one of the most dynamic women in business. You'll learn about the power of persistence, the importance of community, and strategies for financial success. Key Topics: How being a shy child helped shape Divya's inner entrepreneur What inspired Divya to pursue finance and a career on Wall Street Learning what not to do around money from her parents Treat money well, and it will treat you well Navigating a dramatic pay gap between men and women in finance Getting the inspiration to start her first business Riding the high of selling her first business and the lessons she learned as a first-time entrepreneur Lacking positive reinforcement from family and how that affected Divya How Divya invests the money she made from selling her business to support other entrepreneurs The biggest mistake Divya made in her money journey Navigating financial convos and money lessons with kids Leaving a legacy of support, kindness, and generosity for other entrepreneurs Join Frec to start getting more out of your investments today: https://frec.com/?utm_source=GRT&utm_medium=GRT&utm_id=GRT Connect with Divya online: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-gugnani-6ba98/ Instagram: @dgugnani Wander Beauty: https://www.wanderbeauty.com/ Concept to Co: http://concepttoco.com/ 5 SENS: https://5sens.co/ Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

Welcome to the 50th episode of the Getting Rich Together podcast! I can't believe we've made it here, and I'm so grateful to share this milestone with you. In this special episode, I reflect on the journey of this podcast, which started with the aim to help women understand their unique paths in wealth building. I discuss the incredible stories and vulnerable moments shared by our guests and the transformative impact these narratives have had on our audience. With notable achievements like surpassing 1000 five-star reviews on Spotify and winning an award for the most innovative podcast by and for women, we celebrate our global reach in the business and investing categories. I also introduce the upcoming Women and Wealth Catalyst Summit, which many of you have heard me promoting at the beginning of the show lately. I designed this as a safe space for women to share their wealth-building journeys and close the confidence gap. I want us to build a community where we're all truly getting rich — together! And lastly, I share some personal updates on my financial ventures, including investments in land, Broadway, and emerging market funds, and touch on emerging trends like AI. Join me in celebrating our past accomplishments, and looking forward to a brighter future in women's financial empowerment. Cheers to many more episodes to come! Key Topics: We made it to Episode 50! Wealth building isn't linear, but women aren't behind the game The milestones the podcast has reached so far Preparing for The Great Wealth Transfer How do we close the confidence gap between women and their wealth? The Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit The motivation and inspiration behind the summit What holds women back from opening up about money Where I've been investing and the financial goals I'm trying to meet Where I've lost some money on investments Getting more interested in AI and the investment opportunities there Getting started in venture fund investments Join Frec to start getting more out of your investments today: https://frec.com/?utm_source=GRT&utm_medium=GRT&utm_id=GRT Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com

I'm thrilled to welcome the brilliant Amberly Jones on today's episode. Amberly is a powerhouse in the world of finance, currently as Head of Growth at Frec, and she has an incredible journey to share with us today. We start by diving into Amberly's unique upbringing, shaped by her entrepreneurial parents and her early fascination with personal finance. She shares how moving frequently and having younger siblings grounded her, instilling a sense of independence and a keen interest in wealth-building from a young age. Her first major role at Realm, a startup focused on helping homeowners make better financial decisions, became a playground for her entrepreneurial spirit and desire to help others be financially educated. Amberly's journey culminates in her current leadership position at Frec, where she spearheads efforts to educate and provide tools for tax loss harvesting and direct indexing. She candidly talks about the challenges of educating people on these niche financial strategies and the impact they're making by lowering the barriers to entry for people to take steps toward growing their wealth. Throughout the episode, you'll gain insight into Amberly's steadfast approach to personal finance, her strategic career decisions, and her passion for making financial literacy accessible to all. This episode is a must-listen for anyone inspired by the intersection of personal finance, entrepreneurial grit, and impactful leadership. Tune in to learn how Amberly is paving the way for more people to achieve financial freedom and make smarter financial decisions. Key Topics: How Amberly's parents piqued her interest in personal finance from a young age Hitting the ground running with an entrepreneurial spirit and a dream The importance of creating the conditions to make your own success Early lessons in budgeting and money management from her father Pivoting from law school aspirations to building and founding startups Amberly's laser focus on networking and working in college How a mentor changed Amberly's view on negotiating and asking for what you're worth Amberly's start at Realm and surrounding herself with other successful founders How her perspectives on investing and saving have shifted as her career has developed The money conversations Amberly is now having at home with her wife Amberly's introduction to tax loss harvesting and direct indexing How Frec is working to help educate people on finances and change the way people save money Amberly's dream of being a founder who focuses on educating women and children for brighter financial futures Embodying more fearlessness and courage in future endeavors Join Frec to start getting more out of your investments today: https://frec.com/?utm_source=GRT&utm_medium=GRT&utm_id=GRT Connect with Amberly online: Website: https://frec.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberly-jones-247461a4/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/frecfinance/ Find more from Syama Bunten: Instagram: @syama.co, @gettingrichpod Website: https://syamabunten.com/ Download Syama's Guide to Getting Rich: www.syamabunten.com Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit: https://women.win/ Big Delta Capital: www.bigdeltacapital.com