What do Sugar, Emcure Pharma, and Nykaa have in common? They are all led by some of the most talented female leaders. Everyone has worked their way up through sheer hard work and dedication. One such inspiring woman who is transforming the finance sector in India is Saloni Mehta, Founder of Green Shoots Wealth. Saloni is a capital markets expert assisting in building personal finance for her clients in the last 17 years. Over the years, Saloni has helped build wealth for local and global investors and has assisted startups and businesses in developing and executing effective strategies, plans, and pitches.

In this one on one interaction, Saloni speaks about her career journey, the current market and more. Let’s read on.

Can you please walk us through your career journey?

After completing my MBA from IIM – Kozhikode and gaining experience in management and finance, I knew I wanted to focus on the financial sector. I worked with Immediate Wealth Management for three years until 2009. After a brief break, I joined another company, MANTRAA where we dealt with the corporate finance, global market and managed start-ups.

I noticed a significant gap in the market, where many people, especially those without access to bank managers and those in lower-income brackets, lacked an understanding of financial jargon and had limited wealth-creation opportunities. To address these issues, in 2017, I founded Green Shoots Wealth to address personal finance issues.

With Green Shoots Wealth, I educate people about financial literacy and awareness. I saw how life policies were often mis-sold as investment tools. Therefore, our company’s mission is to spread financial literacy and help people plan for retirement, education, and financial security, including empowering women to understand and navigate the financial system.

We have assisted many blue-collar workers in securing their financial futures, planning for their children's education, and retirement by investing as little as a thousand rupees systematically in mutual funds over time. Our objective is to create maximum financial awareness and literacy among those without access to professional portfolio managers.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the financial sector?

This stems from my early days when I was primarily raised by my grandmother. At the age of six, she planted the seed of investment in me. She taught us the value of saving and the power of consistent saving. From that time, I always knew finance was my calling. Reading newspapers and articles, I noticed that people made a lot of money in finance, but it seemed accessible only to the wealthy, not to those with modest means.

I didn't have much financial exposure during my childhood. We started humbly and valued money greatly. My grandmother showed us how even small savings, like one or ten rupees, could secure our future if started early. Back then, there were limited investment options like post office savings, recurring deposits, or government schemes like Kisan Vikas Patra, offering simple interest rates of around 7-8 percent.

When I entered the finance world in 2007, I discovered equity funds and equity mutual funds, which offered compounded returns. This exposure to compounding interest, which Albert Einstein called the eighth wonder of the world, was a revelation. It made me realize the potential of systematic investment and compounding. This awakening led me to dream of creating my own financial firm.

As a woman entrepreneur, what were some of the key challenges you faced during the initial stages of setting up your own company?

Being a woman in the financial field is non-conventional. There is a common belief that women don't take financial decisions or understand finance, relying instead on male figures like their father, brother, husband, or male friend. Women are often underestimated in terms of their financial acumen and are seen as better suited for creative or ancillary activities.

In the financial industry, most CEOs and key positions are held by men, which highlights the gender gap. One of my primary challenges was to break this stereotype that women can't handle finances. Additionally, when dealing with male clients and colleagues, I often wasn't taken seriously. However, over time, I've managed to bridge this gap, and today, I serve over 200 clients.

As a business owner, what is your leadership approach towards mentoring and training your team members?

When training my team, I focus on a close-knit group passionate about finance and client service. First, I communicate our company’s WHY – 'Transform Lives' and daily inspiration to instill a sense of purpose. We emphasize delivering solution-oriented services and strive to stay ahead by providing transparency in investments and wealth management. I ensure the team is well-educated to effectively interact with clients.

Training includes teaching how to positively impact clients' lives through social media and digital presence. We also build a strong psychological understanding, aligning with our tagline, 'Green Shoots Wealth is your Financial Therapist'. We believe financial challenges impact psychology, so we train our team to integrate both aspects for a secure financial future. This comprehensive approach is evident in our team's work and client interactions.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and young professionals who want to pursue a career in finance?

In the field of finance, patience is essential. There's no quick path to getting rich—success requires time and perseverance. Many people think it's easy to make money in finance, but only those who stay the course and have patience reap the rewards, whether they are clients or entrepreneurs.

Additionally, the welfare and well-being of your clients should always come first. Managing someone's money is a significant responsibility. If you prioritize your own interests over your clients', you're not in the right field. To succeed, you need to be patient, keep track of your clients' needs, and always put their interests ahead of your own. These principles are crucial for building a successful career in finance.

Saloni Mehta, Founder, Green Shoots Wealth

Saloni is a capital markets expert assisting in building clients personal finance by addressing and understanding their psychology with money in last 17 years. She has helped build wealth for local and global investors and has assisted startups and businesses in developing and executing effective strategies, plans, and pitches.